Harem Theatre
249 W. 42nd Street,
New York,
NY
10036
249 W. 42nd Street,
New York,
NY
10036
7 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 29 comments
The Harem opened November 18th, 1970. Grand opening ad posted.
Good stuff, formerprojectionist.
Ok, here’s some live footage of the Harem and some of the other theaters on 42nd St that my friend and I shot back in September 1980. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbRVzD71Cno this is part of a longer film, my friend did the music. By the way, my partner and I are currently doing a documentary on the Deuce, and we are very, very interested in interviewing anyone who worked on that street, in particular projectionist, but really anyone who was there in the golden days. We’ve already interviewed Jamie Gillis (male porn star who did live sex shows on the deuce), Joel M. Reed (who directed Bloodsucking Freaks aka Incredible Torture Show) and in January we are interviewing Carter Stevens (Adult Film director) Contact me if you have a story to tell.
Hello fellas. Thanks for putting together these memories. Wish some more of the girls woul find their way here. Love to all, Annette
Here is a June 1971 photo from the NY Daily News:
http://tinyurl.com/ny56ep
I am not sure how appetizing “Flame Steaks” would have been, wedged between two XXX buildings. It looks like it even has it’s own mini-marquee.
Not to mention the next door Grocery, Candy, Cold Beer & Cigarettes.
Seems like every hedonistic base was covered, in those four stores.
This was another Harem in the early seventies. Address was 723 Eighth Avenue.
http://tinyurl.com/puy6ag
Hey thanks for the 1996 pic, it was a bit of a chore to copy it but I got it. Mark Montgomery
Matt Weber Rules….
Thank You for the EXCELLENT pics of the Harem Theater. During the summer of 1984 I was homeless in Manhattan and I used to pay $5.00 in the afternoon at the Harem to get in and I would stay all night until they kicked us out at 6:00 am. I have fond memories of the place and I miss the old Times Square area.
Mark Montgomery .com
Not likely. It does takes nerve to advertise that kind of film on your marquee. You’d think PETA would be picketing on a round-the-clock basis.
One more time:
http://tinyurl.com/6ztqxh
Here is an October 1975 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/46t7hy
From the waist up, maybe. But everything below the waist — kaput!
Assuming the lamp post was not itself relocated… that would place the Yankees Store more or less on the original site of the Harem. Steroids and porn make for a potent combination.
rescanned photo at better resolution – shot of the north side of 42nd st in 1996 with all the theatres closed and painted bright colours, the harem still with its marquee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/2121419762/
same shot in 2007 with the Regal Ewalk in its place
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/2121424824/
although if you use the lamp post on the pavement as a guide, the main front of the Regal is to the left of the original site of the Harem
Here’s a vidcap from a 1990 clip I found on YouTube.
Bloop, you always make me smile.
The AMC Empire has a touch of the old Deuce — their revolving sign that says “25” looks like an old peep show “25 cents” sign.
I’m with you on that. Disney should erect an “adult” replica/ retro theme park, with a strip of vintage Grind Houses! That would be so cool!
WOW! GREAT PHOTOS!
You know I’m in your camp on that point, Al…
Here’s another shot from flickr.com that looks down the north side of the block from the 7th Avenue side, circa October 1970. The Harem isn’t really featured here, but if you look way down between the Modell’s and the Flame Steaks signage, you’ll see the bright Harem marquee with its black border at a time when it must have been the newest kid on the block.
Lost Memory pointed out this flickr account to me and it’s well worth scrolling through (click on images to the right of this shot) if you’re interested in other images of the Duece and Times Square in general from that time.
Good heavens! Artistic (hmm) murals and FRISKY HORNY KINKY SLU… just across the street? Maybe someone could recreate a replica of this street on 41st street for the tourist trade.
Obviously it is not just me, but wasn’t this squalor oddly beautiful?
Those were the days, weren’t they?
I always wondered if they cleaned at all in these 24 hour places?
and here in the mid 90's
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