Comments from robertmaar

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robertmaar
robertmaar commented about Trans-Lux 85th Street Theatre on Oct 12, 2005 at 9:22 am

No, the UA East Theatre is still in operation on First Avenue.

The Trans-Lux was on Madison Avenue and was closed in the early 90’s.

BobMaar

robertmaar
robertmaar commented about Americana Theatre on Sep 19, 2005 at 4:55 am

This theatre was not built by or run by Trans-Lux Theatres at any time.

Trans-Lux Theatres to my recollection:

Connecticut Stamford;

Landmark Square 3

Avon Twin

Ridgeway Twin

Danburt

Trans-Lux Commerce Park

Palace

Trans-Lux Twin

New York State

Trans-Lux Hastings
Trans-Lux Dobbs Ferry
Trans-Lux Tarrytown

New York City

Trans-Lux 60th Street – Newsreels
Trans-Lux Broadway Twin – Newsreels (Closed in 30’s moved down to 1607 Broadway) Trans Lux Broadway opened 1936 – Renovated to Trans-Lux West in 1968.
Trans-Lux 52nd Street
Trans-Lux 85th Street
Trans-Lux East Opened 1963 Premiere with “The ugly American” with Marlon Brando
Theatre Four Walled to Penthouse for one year. The Renovated and reopned as “Gotham Theatre”.

Bronx:
Crest Theatre

Philadelphia

Trans-Lux theatre

Baltimore:
Town Theatre (Cinerama)
Hippodrome Theatre 2200 seats
Little Theatre
Reistertown Plaza
Aurora Theatre

Washington D.C.

Trans-Lux Theatre
Playhouse Theatre
Plaza Theatre

Virginia

Trans-Lux Richmond

Alabama

Trans-Lux Huntsville

Florida

Trans-Lux Clearwater

Michigan

Krim Theatre Detroit

Louisiana

Martin Cinerama Theatre

Massachusetts

State Theatre Boston

Trasn-Lux Inflight Cine’s

Florida

Tampa
Bartow
Daytona Beach Twin
Jacksonville Two Twin Theatres Normandy & Norwood

North Carolina

Charlotte Twin
Burlington
Greensboro
Kinston

Michigan

Saginaw

Oklahoma

Muskogee

Trans Lux Inflight were originally built for franchizing and put in Phillips Norelco 16mm projectors. First Theatre opened in May 1966 in Bartow, Florida. All auditorium were 350 seats Most were Blue American Body Form chair. Twin Theatres one blue one Gold.

All Theatres were converted to 35mm in 1971.

Trans-Lux Broadway

robertmaar
robertmaar commented about Trans-Lux 85th Street Theatre on Sep 19, 2005 at 2:12 am

Status: Unknown
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Art Deco
Function: Unknown
Seats: 586 (544 Main Auditorium 42 Balcony)
Chain: Trans-Lux
Architect: Thomas Lamb
Firm: Trans-Lux Theatres

Address: 1144 Madison Avenue Theatre entrance was located 20' off the northwest corner. Theatre exits were on 85th Street.

Theatre opened in 1937

Theatre ran children’s shows every Saturday afternoon during the 40’s, 50’s 60’s and 70'’s.

Theatre started as a News Reel with rear projection.

Founder of Trans-lux was: Percy Norman Furber who invented the rear projection screen. 1927 – Trans-Lux Rear-Projection Screen first used theatrically at the opening of the Roxy Theatre, New York City in 1927.

During the 70’s Trans-Lux in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art ran a series called “Tuesday Night at the Trans-Lux"
The theatre ran silent films and had a piano installed in the auditorium on the stage left side of the auditorium to accompany the playing of the film.

The lobby entrance looked like a Street in Paris and at first was a Cinema Cafe when the theatre was renovated in the early 1970’s.

The film “Deep Throat” did indeed play at this theatre for four weeks and did record business. There was no neighborhood pressure to remove the film.

Because of the theatres location New York Mayors Robert Wagner and John Lindsey were frequent visitors and would watch the films from the balcony.

Jackie Onassis who lived on the corner of 85th and Fifth Avenue would call the manager of the theatre when she wanted to see the film playing. The manager would meet her at the exit door a she and her guestd would be ushered the the dowmstairs lounge and await the beginning if the feature presentation.

The Trans-Lux 85th Theatre was closed in the mid-eighties.

Some of the employees worked at this theatre from the 40’s to the 80’s and were well known to local residents.