RKO Marble Hill Theatre
5625 Broadway,
Bronx,
NY
10463
5625 Broadway,
Bronx,
NY
10463
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: RKO
Architects: Salvatore Calafati
Functions: Retail
Styles: Colonial Revival
Nearby Theaters
Often listed as being located in both Manhattan and the Bronx. It is today physically in the Bronx, but historically in Manhattan. The Marble Hill Theatre was opened prior to 1931. It was still open in 1957, operated by RKO.
Now retail space, under the name “Kingsbridge Plaza”.
Contributed by
William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 20 comments)
This theatre was/is located in Manhattan, not The Bronx.
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I remember the “matrons” (those scary ladies in white dresses) monitoring the kids on Saturday afternoons during the 1940’s. We could spend all Saturday afternoon at the Marble Hill … double feature … coming attractions … cartoons … the “chapters” … always a cliff hanger at the end to bring you back on the next Saturday .. and Movietone news ..all for about fifteen cents. Those were the days!
Margeconradmckenna
The theatre is just north of 231st and Broadway and is most certainly The Bronx, regardless of the name. I lived off of 238th street (also the Bronx) when I was a child and spent many a Saturday at the RKO Marble Hill and sometimes at the independent Dale theatre around the corner. The RKO was always much more fun although the Dale tended to play better films (my father took me to see Fantasia at the Dale around 1955).
I also remember the matron: in my time (early 1960s), there was one, white haired matron who wore a white uniform (looking somewhat like a nurse) and who always wanted me to sit in the “children’s section” even when I was forced to pay the adult ticket price. In the early 60’s, they ran a Saturday promotion which still included a double feature, cartoons, newsreels, etc. for the massive sum of 20 cents. In those days, it was considered safe enough to send little kids to the movies by themselves.
I remember seeing both “The Tingler” and “13 Ghosts” at the RKO Marble Hill. I remember being very disappointed that the seats were not wired for “The Tingler” as they were in first-run theatres to give patrons a little buzz whenever the Tingler “got loose”. But they did give out the blue and red viewers so you could choose to see or not see the ghosts in “13 Ghosts.” I think the hot dogs were 25 cents back then, which was considered quite expensive, but I ate many anyway. Around the corner, on the south side of 231st street just west of Broadway was a pizza place that sold gigantic slices of pizza for 15 cents. One slice was more than enough.
The Three Stooges may have made a live appearance there, but my memory on that is a bit fuzzy.
One negative back then is that smoking was still permitted and the theatre was always filled with smoke.
@RobertR: There was no balcony. It had what we now call stadium seating for the balcony. The “balcony” started on the main floor behind where you walked in and rose for maybe 10 rows or so.
Manhattan or the Bronx?: To put that matter to rest, look at the ZIP. It’s 10463. 104 represents the Bronx. Case closed.
Al Alvarez This movie theater is NOT located in Manhattan and never has been.Manhattan never went past 230th street and Broadway .This movie theater was located between 231st and 232nd street On Broadway
zoetmb correct on location
GPACRAMP, I stand corrected. This theatre was indeed always on the Bronx side of Marble Hill.
Uploaded a photo of an RKO advertising matchbook. As far as they were concerned the Marble Hill was in the Bronx.
Uploaded an image of the theater. The source was purported to be Cinema Treasures, except it wasn’t on Cinema Treasures for the Marble Hill. So who knows where it appeared before now.
1940 phone book has listing in Manhattan, not the Bronx. Marble Hill Theatre 5615 Broadway KIngsbridge 6-7257 Cinema Treasures shows 5625, building takes up a block front.