RKO Strand Theatre
714 Beach 20th Street,
Far Rockaway,
NY
11691
714 Beach 20th Street,
Far Rockaway,
NY
11691
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Brill's Theatres, B.S. Moss Enterprises, RKO
Architects: Thomas White Lamb
Functions: Medical Center
Previous Names: B.S. Moss' Strand Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Strand Theatre was one of a handful of theatres that once operated on the Queens peninsula. The Strand Theatre opened on October 23, 1919. It was operated by Sol Brill. It was equipped with an Austin 3 manual 18 ranks organ.
After it closed in the 1970’s, RKO would reopen it during the summer to screen Disney fare. That soon ended and the theatre never screened another movie. It stood down the block from the Columbia Theatre.
Contributed by
philipgoldberg
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
Those wishing to read Ron Marzlock’s “I Have Often Walked” column documenting this theater, please follow this link:
View link
You can keep track of this building’s property profile & the latest permits and job filings by following:
View link
It seems as if it’s being converted to office and warehouse use. I hope the facade is preserved at the very least.
Any updates on this once cherished theater?
This is from Boxoffice magazine, August 1962:
FAR ROCKAWAY, N.Y.-Isidor Jutkovitz and other members of the Jutkovitz family have sold their interest in the RKO Columbia and Strand theaters here to the RKO Corp. The family served as partners with RKO for 40 years. The firm will continue to operate as in the past.
On Friday January 26, 1962, the Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly-Joe DeRita) embarked on a three day promotional tour for their latest feature film, THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES. They were accompanied by “The Herculean Giant” (almost 8 foot tall Dave Ballard) and popular DJ Clay Cole, who was one of the stars of the co-feature, TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK.
On Saturday January 28, they appeared at the RKO Strand at 1:45 PM.
Closed in 1969 advertising the new twin in Five Towns
View link
Re-opened in 1974
View link
Did it do time as an indie before closing since RKO has been covered over?
View link
Updates appreciated.
Can’t see much today, the facade appears to have been bricked up with cinder blocks. Its a bleak area.
On Thursday 1 February 1951, Bela “Dracula” Lugosi presented his in person Horror and Magic Stage show at RKO Strand. 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 1974, I went with my mom to FAR ROCK, to shop. We passed the RKO STRAND, & they were showing “THE GREEN HORNET”(an hour-plus of incoherent edits from the 1966 TV Series), & some R-Rated Blaxploitation, on a double bill. I made a fuss & my mom dropped me off. I came in at the end of THE HORNET, & had to sit through the other film, to see THE HORNET from the beginning. I was 10yrs old, & saw my 1st R-Rated sex scenes in a film that day. I was the only Kid there, among about only 5 adults. It was an afternoon showing. I would love to find out the title of that Blaxploitation flik. About 10mins before THE HORNET ended, my mom came into the theatre to get me. I must of been in there for close to 3 hours. I wanted to stay to the ending, & she said she will leave me there, if I didnt come NOW!…My only RKO STRAND experience, Bch.20th in FAR ROCK…