My late mother used to go there as a kid with her cousin and to ALL the B&K theatres for FREE. I am thus related to the KATZ side of B&K. I wish I could one day see the inside. I have been offered but since mom passed away last year, I don’t have much desire to go back to Chicago. :(
Warren, I can attest to the STODDARD/STANDARD DAITCH SHOPWELL being on the west side FACING east as it was on Broadway. I grew up across the street from the New Yorker theatre, having worked there as well.
Great photo! I used to go grocery shopping there as a kid, because it became a DAITCH ( Shopwell ) grocery store. It still had the marquee up advertising the specials of the day!
When I volunteered several years ago at the theatre ( then run by a person who didn’t know much ado about nothing ), in the glass transoms, were original ads including Mickey Mouse and Popeye ads. You can inquire with Doreen or Mrs. Rosemary about their current whereabouts. Uncovered in the walls of one room were wallets, usher’s uniforms, bits and pieces of ironwork frm the theatre, and a Snow White cardboard ad, etc. There still exists a children’s section sign as well.
I was able to watch ( in several parts )the WALK THROUGH STATEN ISLAND, showing the St.G…
You can watch it commercial free on the PBS site. Otherwise wait for them to repeat it. I saw both. Funny thing too….but when I read about the show several months back, there was NO mention of the theatre. I wrote PBS, and so did Rosemary’s daughter, Doreen. Perhaps we BOTH lit a fire under PBS' door!
Many neighborhoods are “unthinkable”, however, if the theatre is brought back, think of all the stores that can reopen. New and old businesses would gain by the theatre’s restoration.
I used to go to the Beacon when I was a little girl, to watch a double bill of movies. Here is my question… What happened to the large marble fountain containing a cupid or nymph? I am talking about the early to mid 1960’s and later. Anyone?
I believe it WAS the Adonis, because when I was younger, and lived in Manhattan, I used to catch the bus to go uptown, right across the street. There was/is an antique lighting store next to where the theatre was. I have not been in that area lately so I do not know off hand what is there now. Maybe it WAS the Tivoli, as they were both located close to each other.
Maybe an article in the NY Times would spark some interest here locally ( NYC ). In addition, you can get some attention for yourself, which you may want. How ‘bout it? I for one, would like to read about it.
I myself have one of the stained glass EXIT signs from the Gramarcy theatre in NYC. ( By the way, that’s MY photo at the top of this page!)
She is known on Staten Island to her pupils as Mrs. Rosemary. If you knew her she would be called Mrs. Rosemary. Besides,It’s easier to remember, and I know she doesn’t mind, as I have met her many, many times.
If one is more formal, one can call her Mrs. Rosemary Cappozalo.
Bottom line is she saved the day, no matter WHAT she is called. :)
For now, at least, Casablanca won’t be shown in 35mm, however it IS being shown on a brand new large screen. All this until the projectors are in full working order.
It states in the SI Advance article that these red velour seats were fromthe balcony and will be sold in rows. That’s all I know about them. The place is great if you have your hiking boots on! :)
The balcony theatre seats from the Paramount are red velvet and are a more modern style. Not the old typical theatre seat from the 20’s. Mr. Tommy dee is selling them off in rows and I don’t recall the price off hand. His sale during the week is from 8am until 2pm. His United Warehouse is located at 330 Tompkins Avenue, off Greenfield Avenue. He has 8,000 sq. feet of space, and is selling most of his collections including the seats mentioned, ticket boxes from the Liberty and Paramount. As of this writing I do notknow what is available. He has additional items like Post Office walls and bumper cars, antique bottles, 78rpm records.
Be sure to bring bags and be prepared to do some climbing over of some items. Oh yes, and bring some green!
I pass that way all the time. If they DO keep the marquee, they should call it the Paramount Building or Paramount Condos. ( strictly my opinion ) The seats are for sale at the American Warehouse on Staten Island. Located at Greenfield and Tompkins Avenue.
Glad the marquee will stay.
My late mother used to go there as a kid with her cousin and to ALL the B&K theatres for FREE. I am thus related to the KATZ side of B&K. I wish I could one day see the inside. I have been offered but since mom passed away last year, I don’t have much desire to go back to Chicago. :(
Warren, I can attest to the STODDARD/STANDARD DAITCH SHOPWELL being on the west side FACING east as it was on Broadway. I grew up across the street from the New Yorker theatre, having worked there as well.
Great photo! I used to go grocery shopping there as a kid, because it became a DAITCH ( Shopwell ) grocery store. It still had the marquee up advertising the specials of the day!
Oops! Wrong Uptown!
I am related to KATZ of Balaban & Katz. My late mom and her cousin used to get into all the b&K theatres for free as kids!
Yes, Doreen had told me about the funding for the marquee, air conditioning and rigging.
When I volunteered several years ago at the theatre ( then run by a person who didn’t know much ado about nothing ), in the glass transoms, were original ads including Mickey Mouse and Popeye ads. You can inquire with Doreen or Mrs. Rosemary about their current whereabouts. Uncovered in the walls of one room were wallets, usher’s uniforms, bits and pieces of ironwork frm the theatre, and a Snow White cardboard ad, etc. There still exists a children’s section sign as well.
I was able to watch ( in several parts )the WALK THROUGH STATEN ISLAND, showing the St.G…
You can watch it commercial free on the PBS site. Otherwise wait for them to repeat it. I saw both. Funny thing too….but when I read about the show several months back, there was NO mention of the theatre. I wrote PBS, and so did Rosemary’s daughter, Doreen. Perhaps we BOTH lit a fire under PBS' door!
Many neighborhoods are “unthinkable”, however, if the theatre is brought back, think of all the stores that can reopen. New and old businesses would gain by the theatre’s restoration.
Last week I went by the theatre too and noticed a gate was down. I believe the box office was missing too. Shame, shame, shame.
You may be right about the liocation. Perhaps you can even ask someone who works there. ( Who isn’t a teenager! ) :)
I don’t recall the exact location but do seem to recall it was on the right side somewhere on the main floor. Anyone else?
I used to go to the Beacon when I was a little girl, to watch a double bill of movies. Here is my question… What happened to the large marble fountain containing a cupid or nymph? I am talking about the early to mid 1960’s and later. Anyone?
I believe it WAS the Adonis, because when I was younger, and lived in Manhattan, I used to catch the bus to go uptown, right across the street. There was/is an antique lighting store next to where the theatre was. I have not been in that area lately so I do not know off hand what is there now. Maybe it WAS the Tivoli, as they were both located close to each other.
Maybe an article in the NY Times would spark some interest here locally ( NYC ). In addition, you can get some attention for yourself, which you may want. How ‘bout it? I for one, would like to read about it.
I myself have one of the stained glass EXIT signs from the Gramarcy theatre in NYC. ( By the way, that’s MY photo at the top of this page!)
I am “out there” Vito.
Just email me at
She is known on Staten Island to her pupils as Mrs. Rosemary. If you knew her she would be called Mrs. Rosemary. Besides,It’s easier to remember, and I know she doesn’t mind, as I have met her many, many times.
If one is more formal, one can call her Mrs. Rosemary Cappozalo.
Bottom line is she saved the day, no matter WHAT she is called. :)
For now, at least, Casablanca won’t be shown in 35mm, however it IS being shown on a brand new large screen. All this until the projectors are in full working order.
Oy, glad I missed those.
Maybe they were recovered at some point?
It states in the SI Advance article that these red velour seats were fromthe balcony and will be sold in rows. That’s all I know about them. The place is great if you have your hiking boots on! :)
Garth, et al,
The balcony theatre seats from the Paramount are red velvet and are a more modern style. Not the old typical theatre seat from the 20’s. Mr. Tommy dee is selling them off in rows and I don’t recall the price off hand. His sale during the week is from 8am until 2pm. His United Warehouse is located at 330 Tompkins Avenue, off Greenfield Avenue. He has 8,000 sq. feet of space, and is selling most of his collections including the seats mentioned, ticket boxes from the Liberty and Paramount. As of this writing I do notknow what is available. He has additional items like Post Office walls and bumper cars, antique bottles, 78rpm records.
Be sure to bring bags and be prepared to do some climbing over of some items. Oh yes, and bring some green!
How is it that no one has written a long overdo book about Manhattan’s Paramont? Or am I mistaken?
I pass that way all the time. If they DO keep the marquee, they should call it the Paramount Building or Paramount Condos. ( strictly my opinion ) The seats are for sale at the American Warehouse on Staten Island. Located at Greenfield and Tompkins Avenue.