RKO Bushwick Theatre
1396 Broadway,
Brooklyn,
NY
11221
1396 Broadway,
Brooklyn,
NY
11221
13 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 418 comments
This movie theater was featured in the 1987 movie “The Believers”. Lots of interior and exterior shorts early on…
Grand opening ad posted.
Here’s the RKO Bushwick in a 1940’s image.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/NYCMA~7~7~857725~714494?sort=borough%2Cblock%2Clot%2Czip_code&qvq=q:1396%2BBroadway;sort:borough%2Cblock%2Clot%2Czip_code;lc:NYCMA~7~7&mi=0&trs=1
Thanks so much for your response. I hope your research is yielding fruit.
To John Dereszewski, sorry for my delayed comment. Lugosi was not himself a magician. He had a magician accompany him on these “spook shows”. Generally Lugosi would do three or so separate Dracula scenes with the magic done in between those scenes. On occasion he would help with some of the tricks and sometimes participated in the blackout portion of the show. One of his old Monogram films from the Forties usually was the film on the bill.
Wurlitzer’s records show that they shipped a 2-manual, 8 rank pipe organ, Style F, opus 1390 to the Bushwick Theatre in Brooklyn in the summer of 1926. This implies that the Bushwick had started showing movies by that date.
Hello Lugos, while I cannot help you on this, since I was only one yeat old at the time, your comments raised a few questions that I hope you can address. First, given the fact that this was, at least in part, a “magic show”, was Lugosi actually some sort of a magician as well as an actor or was the “magic” aspect just part of the show? Also, were these 1951 performances made in conjunction with the release of one of his recent movies or were they free standing events – or did they accompany the showing of another movie in which Lugosi did not appear? I know that by 1951, live stage presentations at most movie houses were pretty much limited to celebrity appearances made to boost attendance for the celebrity’s most recently released film, which was being presented on the same date. Did the Lugosi appearances fall into this category or were they somewhat different?
And best of luck on your research.
On Tuesday 13 February 1951, Bela “Dracula” Lugosi presented his in person Horror and Magic Stage show at RKO Bushwick. Currently I am conducting research on all things Lugosi; if anyone out there actually saw this show and/or has memorabilia (poster, handbill, photos) related to this show, please contact Bill at Thanks in advance for any assistance!
In reviewing my last message, I noted a mistake. Specifically, I wished to reference the RIDGEWOOD – not the Bushwick – as a theater whose facade did not architectually match the Bushwick’s. Sorry.
Unfortunately, when I returned from my vacation, I found a response to my “landmark the RKO Bushwick” request in my mailbox. Specifically, the Landmarks Commission noted that, since the building is “too significantly altered to meet the criteria for designation” it will not be recommended for designation.
Given the Commission’s interest in designating other – and frankly less imposing – facades such as the Bushwick and the Shore, I was more than a bit perplexed by this decision.
If anyone wishes to take up the torch on this issue, I would certainly welcome your interest.
Good point, Astyanax ! Thanks.
Thanks John for spearheading this effort. It would mean a l;ot for a neighborhood that is in the process of rebuilding to have a landmark designation for this site.
Thanks, John D and WilliamMcQuade !
Get your elected polticians to take a stand now. Get them behind you. It will help a lot & speed up the process.
Peter, I actually put the ball in motion and, earlier today, submitted a “Request for Evaluation” for the landmarking of the old Bushwick’s facade to the Landmarks Commission. This will probably trigger an investigation of this site for its “landmarks-worthiness”.
My request did specifically reference this page. However, any of you may wish to reinforce my proposal by also writing to the Commission in support. You should send your correspondence to:
Ms. Mary Beth Betts
Director of Research
Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
This will probably be the start of a VERY long process; but at least it will be a start!
When I hear anything from the Commission on this, I will certainly let you know.
I agree, John D, let’s do it. I probably won’t be able to help much, though.
In terms of comic book superhero clichees :
THIS IS A JOB FOR NATIVE FOREST HILLER !!!!
(Here he comes to save the day !!!!!)
Peter, great to hear from you.
Although it should definitely be a landmark, since it wonderfully reflects the best of theaters created a century ago, the old RKO Bushwick has never been so designated. Since the Landmarks Commission has exhibited a recent interest in noting such gems, this is clearly the time to move on this issue.
So, let’s do it.
John D., I like your modest proposal very much, as well as your allusion to the work of the same name by Jonathan Swift. I thought the exterior of the Bushwick had already been landmarked.
Tinseltoes, thanks for your reminder of the 62-year anniversary of “Chamber Of Horrors”, live on stage at the RKO Bushwick.
It’s ironic in retrospect, for two reasons :
1) the real life “chamber of horrors” that the RKO Bushwick deteriorated into after it was abandoned in 1970 or so, and
2) the filming of “The Believers” at the RKO Bushwick in 1987, which was about the cult of Santeria, and a human sacrifice on the stage of the RKO Bushwick.
Given the fact that its exterior remains not only generally intact but beautifully restored, serious thought should be given to its being declared a landmark by the NYC Landmarks Commission. Since, as demonstrated by the recent landmarking of the Ridgewood, Canal and Shore Theatres' facades, the Commission is clearly interested in this topic – and since, if anything, the Bushwick’s facade compares favorably to that of the recent designees – this appears to be a very “doable” venture. Finally, as the Bushwick’s interior has been thoroughly gutted, exterior designation should be a rather uncomplicated affair that will provide no apparent reason for anyone – especially the owner – to oppose it. In other words, this can be a real “win-win” situation.
So, what do you think about this modest proposal?
I was in it many years ago when it was basically abandoned. It had virtually no lobby but the theater itself was quite nice.
TT, that must have been a fun night. By the way, do you know who the “real Dracula” was? Was it a known actor or just an impersonator?
Thanks Bway for mentioning this.
I never noticed the cherobs were missing on the west side of the building. They are still present on the Bway side. They are surely gone forever, as they were still there in old photos of the theater when it was in shambles in the 90’s. I did however look at a photo I took of the building in 2003 from the Gates platform, and they were already gone.
Great article, John D. “Montrose Morris” was on the June 27 2010 Bushwick walking tour. I spoke to her about the Loews Gates, Monroe, Century / Shubert and RKO Bushwick Theatres at the end of the tour before heading off on my own to the B-52 bus to Ridgewood.
I first knew The Brownstoner as a magazine in fall 1977 when I was a student at Cooper Union, from one of my profs, Jean LeMee, who lived in a Brooklyn brownstone at the time.
I like the simile in the article of the RKO Bushwick as a ship. Very apt and clever !
Thanks, John D.