Malverne Cinema

The Malverne Theatre was opened May 26, 1947 with James Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Built for the Kenney Amusement Corporation, it had a seating capacity for 688 on a single floor. There was a 12-seat cry room located on the left side of the projection booth. Interior decoration were carried out by the Rambusch Decorating Company.

It took over as one of Long Island’s premiere art theatres after Westbury Theatre was run into oblivion and closed. The theatre was one of Long Island’s oldest neighborhood discount houses. The previous owner (who also had the Roslyn Theatre and Levittown Theatre)twinned it on May 29, 1981 and ran it into the ground. It was rarely heated or air conditioned.

The present owners came in and quaded it on June 14, 1996 making four cute little theatres that showed art films, foreign releases and an occasional mainstream move-over. On September 26, 1997 they added another tiny cinema in a former retail space.

A wonderful place to see offbeat films, always clean and well managed. Plus they run cartoons and family films on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Recent comments (view all 53 comments)

robboehm on September 1, 2016 at 7:24 am

According to the Fandango Movie Times there are five films starting around 1PM. I think Mike is correct on his assumption.

Comfortably Cool on January 26, 2018 at 9:22 am

Under development for five years and delayed by wartime restrictions, the Malverne Theatre finally opened on May 26th, 1947, with a single feature policy starting with the sub-run “It’s A Wonderful Life.” More details uploaded to the Photos Section.

ridethectrain on June 15, 2018 at 9:13 pm

It looks like when Lynbrook opens next week, the two theatres are going to compete. Malverne business might hurt because of the more comfortable seating at Lynbrook. Won’t You Be My Neighbor will be play dating with each other.

ridethectrain on November 10, 2019 at 1:09 am

Please update, became a twin in 1981, quad in 1996 and finally 5 screens in 1997. Theatre 5 was built on old store.

robboehm on June 2, 2021 at 6:54 pm

Survived Covid.

ridethectrain on June 3, 2021 at 6:25 pm

Please update, became a quad on June 14, 1996. (No grand opening ad)

ridethectrain on June 6, 2021 at 11:11 am

Please update, became a Twin on May 29, 1981. Grand opening ad in photos section

ridethectrain on June 15, 2021 at 1:14 pm

The fifth screen opened September 26, 1997

Mike (saps) on June 16, 2021 at 8:05 am

Ridethetrain, I’m really enjoying all your opening day ads, reopening ads, etc. Do you think that you could also include the date of the ads in your postings?

DARCYDT on August 31, 2021 at 12:18 pm

Reopened a few months ago.