Syosset Theatre

Located in Woodbury, to the south of Syosset. This was one of a handful of "Cinema 150" movie theatres across the country, designed as an "all-purpose" luxury theatre that could exhibit films in the following formats: D-150, Todd-AO, 70mm, Panavision, CinemaScope and 35mm. The US Cinema 150 opened on March 26, 1970 with Barbra Streisand in “Hello Dolly”.

Streamlined in a very late-1950’s, early-1960’s post-modern style that placed a premium on functionality, the Cinema 150’s vast auditorium featured a large, detached balcony, oversized rocking-chair seats, a huge curved screen with a 120' arc, and a phenomenal sound system. The theatre could hold well over 1,000 (probably 1,200 or 1,400).

In contrast to the "golf ball" style of the now-restored Cinerama in California, this theatre favored a simple, understated red brick and concrete exterior that blended in with the suburban surroundings.

On June 7, 1990 it was renamed Syosset Theatre. Right up through its last days of operation, the theatre remained immaculately maintained and well attended for blockbuster movies. Unfortunately, however, the geniuses at the United Artists chain decided to build a 12 screen stadium theatre a mere one mile away in 2000. Not only did UA demolish the last remaining drive-in on Long Island, the Westbury Drive-In, to make room for the new multiplex, but it ultimately led to their decision to shut down the Syosset Theatre in early-2001 with Sandra Bullock in “Miss Congeniality”.

Although it was always a popular place to see a film, few people seemed to know of the theatre’s unique design and technological amenities, and thus it was gutted to make way for an Equinix Gymnasium without a peep.

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