Windsor Theater

4001 15th Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11218

Unfavorite No one has favorited this theater yet

Showing 16 comments

robboehm
robboehm on May 17, 2015 at 4:59 pm

Photo from Brooklyn Pics.

Artie412
Artie412 on September 25, 2013 at 10:29 am

I don’t see any mention of the conversion to a bowling alley (Windsor Lanes) in 1959-60 until about 1963-64 when it burned down.

This was the first theatre I ever went to in about 1956. My Grandmother took me to see King Kong and Boomtown. There was a “Matron” who threatened to clear the theatre if the talking continued.

Ed Solero
Ed Solero on June 20, 2011 at 8:18 pm

Well… my mistake. The view is wrong. I am on the wrong corner. According to city records, the address 4001 15th Ave was on the SE corner of 15th Ave and 40th Street. Condominium apartments were erected on that site in 1982, so the theater has been completely demolished and replaced, not gutted and re-purposed as the introductory comments to the page suggest. If someone at CT can unlock the street view, I will make the appropriate adjustments for a proper current view.

Bway
Bway on June 20, 2011 at 11:54 am

Does this building even exist? Looking at the old photo posted on Feb, 3, 2007 by JF Lundy, and then looking at the street view, no massive fascade like that exist at 40th and 15th.

CopyrightGuy
CopyrightGuy on March 12, 2007 at 7:00 am

Sorry, no. There is probably an architectural society that has more detail on his work. He left no children; I’m trying to find a closer relative that might have more information.

CopyrightGuy
CopyrightGuy on March 11, 2007 at 8:05 pm

J.M. Berlinger (cited above) is Joseph M. Berlinger (a distant cousin of mine): From Who�s Who in American Jewry, 1938, p. 81
BERLINGER, Joseph M., architect. Born N.Y. City, Jan. 16, 1888, s. Morris and Helen Berlinger. Ed. high sch.; Hebrew Tech Inst.; Columbia U.; three years� study abroad. Designed: Mt. Neboh Temple, N.Y. City; Dumont Masonic Temple and Bank Bldg, Dumont, N.J.; First Presbyterian Church Community Bldg, New Brunswick, N.J.; Fenway Country Club, White Plains, N.Y.l also theatres, apt. houses, industrial and commercial bldgs. Delineator of Victor Emanuel monument in Rome, Italy, compiling same with story into book for publication. Mem: Internat. Assn of Artists, Rome; Architectural League, N.Y. City. Married Ruth Taxier, Aug. 29, 1935. Club: Fenway Country. Hobby: golf. Home: 10 Park Ave. Office: 17 E. 49th St, N.Y. City.

irajoel
irajoel on July 25, 2006 at 4:43 pm

Growing up in Boro Park, the Windsor was considered by most to be a dump. Think I went there maybe once or twice. I was strictly a 46th street or Boro Park kid.

lennytone
lennytone on July 16, 2006 at 8:22 pm

I saw “War Of The Worlds” there with my mom in 1954, and again a few years later with my friends. One Saturday, I remember, we kids were more boisterous than usual, yelling, throwing popcorn, etc. The elderly theatre owners walked down the aisle and threatened to shut the projector off if we didn’t behave. Admission for kids was 25 cents.

bcnett
bcnett on February 28, 2006 at 5:18 am

The theatre whose organ the Windsor organ was merged with was the Empire in Brooklyn. The combined organ was first installed in WNAC radio in Boston before being moved to Stoneham.

bcnett
bcnett on February 25, 2006 at 5:54 am

The theatre had an organ installed in 1927, then reposessed by Wurlitzer. They merged it with another organ. It has been in the town hall in Stoneham, Mass., since 1942. As Town Organist I play it before each town meeting.

ERD
ERD on November 6, 2005 at 7:12 pm

There were a few stores on 15th avenue. It was a block from the bus,
and the nearest theatres were the Culver on 18th avenue & McDonald, and the Radio on 13th avenue and 42nd street. It managed to survive
for over 25 years.

Theaterat
Theaterat on April 29, 2005 at 12:43 pm

This seems to be an unusual location for a theater, as the nearest “business” area would be one block over on 16th, Av.From what I saw in the picture from “Brooklyn- The Way It Was”{, it seems to be in an art deco style from the outdide that sort of resembled the Claridge(QV) on Ave P.Maybe when this theater was built, 15th Ave had a business area.Today condo apartments stand where the theater would have been. It will be a fools errand to try to look for a theater-like structure there today. The location of this theater makes it fascinating.Can anyboby tell me more about it?

ERD
ERD on September 25, 2004 at 1:41 pm

When I mention that the Windsor was small, I mean smaller when comparing it to Loew’s 46th Street & Loew’s Boro Park-which was also in Boro Park.

Movieplace
Movieplace on July 23, 2004 at 10:54 pm

The Book you are refering to is “Brooklyn, The Way It Was” by Brian Merils(?).

ERD
ERD on June 13, 2004 at 11:26 am

The Windsor showed second and third run films. It was a small theatre with a plain interior.