Bellerose Theater
245-14 Jericho Turnpike,
Floral Park,
NY
11001
245-14 Jericho Turnpike,
Floral Park,
NY
11001
10 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Century Theaters, Playhouse Operating Co.
Functions: Martial Arts School, Storage
Nearby Theaters
The Bellerose Theater opened by Playhouse Operating Co. in 1926 and is located on Jericho Turnpike at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Rocky Hill Road (today renamed Braddock Avenue). It stands just east of the Cross Island, about a mile away from the Floral Theatre.
Originally seating 1,180, it was last operated by the Century Theaters chain and closed on February 1, 1987 with 880 seats. The final movie was Jeff Bridges in “Jagged Edge”. The building was gutted internally and became a carpet store. Today it is in use as a martial arts school and for storage.
Contributed by
SteveSmith
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Recent comments (view all 182 comments)
Every time TCM shows a 20th Century Fox color Cinemascope film I try to replicate my experience at the Bellerose where the projectionist was a master showman. He would start the film with just the sound for the drum intro, then turn on the light and, after the trumpet fanfare, open the curtain. Since the speakers were behind the curtain there was a swell of sound. And, the Bellerose had a huge proscenium.
Can’t do the drum intro in the dark but I always bring up the volume at the appropriate time.
Orlando, and other professionals. Any clue on the size of the screen at the Bellerose and how it compared with some of the other Nassau/Queens neighborhood venues
The building now houses a martial arts institute called Dynamics. I wonder if any of the original decor of the theater is now visible. Have to check.
Uploaded an ad which Texas2step had uploaded on the Century’s Floral site indicating the the Bellerose, together with the Floral, Bellaire, Hollis and Park (Rockaway Park) were part of the Playco circuit in 1933. Never heard of them.
A bit of ancient history. The Bellerose always had special hard of hearing devices available way back when. Don’t know what they were but they were the only theater to advertise their availability.
In reviewing all the comments on this theater (the majority of which were Queens/Nassau, Jamaica Avenue/Jericho Turnpike, Bellerose/Floral Park in nature) I see that I once posed a question as to the identity of the advertiser on the clock to the left of the screen. Nobody ever responded but I now remember it was a jewelry store in adjacent Queens Village.
Uploaded a 1930 photo of the Bellerose with its original marquee. In my day it was modified to have glass side panels with black letters. The front remained unchanged. The theatre name was white on a green background with the running light areas yellow.
On either side of the front sign board were banks of lights. A single yellow in the middle, then orange and, finally, red. When activated there was the impression of outward movement radiating from the single yellow bulb.
In this photo the second story windows appear to be functional. They were “bricked” over, as you can see, at some point in time.
A vintage postcard of the original exterior is displayed at the website for the Astoria Historical Society. Edited view here
Cool- Happy to see that. I’d been trying for years to get an image. Two features and follies? Interesting. By the time I attended there was not much of a stage. Wonder if there were dressing rooms?
Odd that the Astoria Historical Society had something. Bellerose isn’t in Queens County.
“Local Follies” was a short-lived fad whereby neighborhood theatres ran amateur talent contests with prizes provided by local merchants. I don’t think much in the way of stage facilities or dressing rooms were required.This was in the era when many nabes had yet to convert to sound, so they probably had a resident pianist or organist to accompany the amateur performers.
Cool- Since you found an image of the Bellerose on the Astoria Historical site I went there to try and find pictures of the Bellaire, Island (Hollis) and Garden (Springfield Gardens) theatres since there are none on CT. Struck out.
Closed on February 1, 1987 with “Jagged Edge”.