Comments from Williamsburg297

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Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Commodore Cinemas on Jun 27, 2004 at 11:59 pm

I don’t know what is happening with the Commodore but may suggest an alternative? How about trying to acquire the old Williamsburg Playhouse? It is now a ghastly 99 cent store. I saw a few movies there in the 1970’s: Abby, Ruby, Sinbad. I tried to find out info about the theater and through this site I found out that it was actually billed as the Williamsburg Playhouse. It is small but would make a great art house. I hope something happens because the Burg could use a place like the Angelika.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Grand Theatre on Jun 27, 2004 at 9:08 pm

I also remember that prior to Macdonalds taking over it was an insurance office, I believe that it was John Hancock, and later a doctors office.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Rainbow Theatre on May 16, 2004 at 12:12 am

I remember attending church services there in the late 1970’s. It was a Seventh Day Church (not sure of the correct name). It is still operated as a church. However, for some reason the space in the back of the auditorium was sealed off and now there is a door.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Graham Theater on Mar 6, 2004 at 5:42 pm

I remember going to this theater when it was a church. It is still a church today. It is quite large. I really want to see if i can get inside and take some pictures. I noticed one day that they had sealed off the area just behind the seats.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Fair Theatre on Mar 6, 2004 at 5:35 pm

The Fair is far from dilapidated. While it is true that it is showing porn, the management has maintained this theater quite well. It is clean.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Loew's Delancey Theatre on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:45 pm

Another gem I remember fondly. My grandmother and I used to go to church down the block. After the service my grandmother would buy a Knish for my older sister. She would grab me by the hand so we could cross the street to catch the B39 bus across the Williamsburg Bridge and then hop on the B53 (now Q54). I was able to gaze at the lobby of the theater. It wasn’t as big as other theaters but it made an impression on me.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Cinema Kings Highway on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:42 pm

The theater closed and reopened. They are still showing porn

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Chopin Theatre on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:40 pm

I remember it well. A very small place. I saw Midnight Express, some Sinbad movie, Friday the 13.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Fair Theatre on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:32 pm

This theater is still alive. They are running porn. They play ‘regular’ movies on the main screen. They have booths where men can go into and engage in whatever it is they want with other men.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Stanley Theatre on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:25 pm

If you ever have the chance to see this theater by all means go. It is truly a gem. And the Jehovah’s Witnesses have done an incredible job of restoring it. There is one interesting stop on the tour; the ladies bathroom. It has over 20 stalls for the ladies. No waiting. The tour guides are excellent. They never preach. They really have a love for the building. This is what should happen to all the old theaters.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about RKO Bushwick Theatre on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:14 pm

This looked to be a once-grand place. I wish there were pictures of the theater in it hey day. I think they made it into offices or something.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Williamsburg Theatre on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:11 pm

I remembered this theater very well. It was really a playhouse. The lobby was very small. But it had charm. I will try to see if I can get to take pictures of what is now a 99 cent store. I wish I could find an old photograph of the theater lobby. Now that I know it was originally a playhouse it makes sense why it was so small. I saw a movie titled Abby there. It was a rip-off of The Exorcist with an all Black cast. But it was good.

Williamsburg297
Williamsburg297 commented about Commodore Cinemas on Dec 7, 2003 at 11:08 pm

Instead of feeling sad over the closing of the Commodore ( I was scared out of my mind after seeing The Exorcist at the Commodore. It was where I held hands with a girlfriend while John Travolta gyrating to the sounds of the Bee Gees in Saturday Night Fever. Pure magic. The last movie I saw there was a movie starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez. The movie was playing in the 2 screen which used to be a balcony. You could hear the rumbling of the J train passing by. Lets celebrate the long life the Commodore had. She hung in there. She put up a good fight. At least it hasn’t been turned into a tacky 99 cent store like the old Williamsburg Theater that was a few blocks away near the Williamsburg Bridge. I