Argyle Theatre

34 W. Main Street,
Babylon, NY 11702

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Related Websites

Argyle Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Associated Prudential Theaters Inc., Bow-Tie Cinemas, Clearview Cinemas, United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.

Architects: John H. Phillips, Maurice D. Sornik

Functions: Live Performances, Live Theatre

Styles: Colonial Revival

Previous Names: Capitol Theatre, Babylon Theatre, Babylon Cinemas UA Babylon Triplex

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 844.631.5483

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News About This Theater

Babylon Theatre

Located on W. Main Street, just west of Deer Park Avenue. The Capitol Theatre was built by the Riley Brothers in 1922 as a sister theatre to their Capitol Theatre in Riverhead, NY. Designed by architect John H. Phillips in a Colonial Revival style. Seating was provided for 1,050 in orchestra and balcony levels. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer organ. The property entered into bankruptcy and closed on December 20, 1924. The theatre reopened under new ownership with the name Babylon Theatre in February 1925.

In later years it was operated by Prudential Theatres(1929). After a fire on April 3, 1955 was remodelled to the plans of architect Maurice D. Sornik. Later operated by United Artists it became a triplex on December 14, 1984. It was later operated by Clearview, and as of June 2013 it has been operated by Bow-Tie Cinemas with a total capacity for 688.

The Babylon Cinemas was closed on September 7, 2014.

Following renovations and a de-tripling, it re-opened as the 500-seat Argyle Theatre on April 21, 2018 presenting a Donna Summer tribute show.

Contributed by Robertr

Recent comments (view all 149 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 28, 2018 at 7:17 pm

The Argyle Theatre now has an official web site. The first event scheduled is a Donna Summer tribute show on April 21, followed by a comedy showcase on May 5. The first extended run stage show to be mounted will be “Guys and Dolls” running from May 10 to June 17.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on May 5, 2018 at 4:42 pm

Odd that the Argyle Theater website has no photos of the theater.

paul baar
paul baar on May 25, 2018 at 2:58 pm

It was a great thrill going to the new Argyle Babylon theater, also taking these pictures I put on this photo page.It was enough to bring tears of joy to a grown man’s eyes with my first memories of seeing movies like Walt Disney’s"MOON PILOT"and George Pal’s"Wonderful World of the Brothers Grim" some fifty six years ago.The staff was world class,friendly and warm,absolute professionals.The theater was beautifully remodeled as one single theater as it should be.I would highly recommend everybody going to this great theater that’s so deep in my heart.

paul baar
paul baar on August 25, 2018 at 2:45 pm

Growing up at the Babylon theater was usually a family affair, once I went with my grandmother and saw “HAROLD LLOYD’S WORLD OF COMEDY”. The kiddie matinees were a mixed bag; some adults should be made to see them, like “PINOCCHIO IN OUTER SPACE”, “EMMET KELLY, THE CLOWN AND THE KIDS” and “WILLY McBEAN AND HIS TIME MACHINE”; “JOURNEY TO THE BEGINNING OF TIME” was okay.Sometimes it would be a classic, like the 1939 “ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER”. For the most part I enjoyed more adult movies, like “ZULU”, “MAJOR DUNDEE” or the re-release of “THE HOUSE OF WAX” with 3D glasses. My mother never read the theater listings and there was no rating system then, so my mother took her six year old boy to see the 1962 re-release of “PSYCHO”. I don’t know if she was expecting to see an old Alice Faye movie, but it was an education.

robboehm
robboehm on August 26, 2018 at 4:45 pm

Prudential published a guide for all its theaters (as did Century) which was mailed to your home or available at the theater so there was no need to check the listings in Newsday. Also, since Prudential was generally single feature, evening starting times were 7 and 9. Matinees were at 2 on Saturdays and Sundays. Out east, during the summer, they also had matinees on rainy days.

paul baar
paul baar on August 27, 2018 at 9:23 am

robboehm Hi, I used to live about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Babylon theater on George street ,and for 50 cents the Babylon theater was my window to the world real or imagined.I could take part in the Normandy invasion in “THE LONGEST DAY"or travel all over Europe in"THE YELLOW ROLLS ROYCE”;or travel in the human body in a miniature sub in"FANTASTIC VOYAGE"and go to school to learn something of value from Sidney Poitier in “TO SIR WITH LOVE"and brush up my Shakespeare with Dick and Liz in "THE TAMING OF THE SHREW”.

paul baar
paul baar on March 10, 2019 at 1:50 pm

I’m saying this to all that contribute,that Cinema Treasures is not just made of bricks and stones and locales alone,it’s made of folks who see the flicks and stars on the stages that do all their tricks,from the Roxy in Manhattan to Grauman’s Chinese in L.A. to the Babylon Prudential to the Bugtussel Bijou in old Mississip,you mugs are the ones that make it happen!

robboehm
robboehm on April 14, 2019 at 9:48 pm

Don’t know how they are doing but they are presenting blockbuster productions. Currently, The Producers.

ridethectrain
ridethectrain on June 8, 2021 at 12:45 pm

Please update, became a triplex on December 14, 1984 Grand reopening ad in photos section

paul baar
paul baar on June 4, 2022 at 8:01 pm

Babylon (Argyle) Theater - Happy One Hundredth Birthday this year, many great memories going to this great theater growing up seeing all those wonderful matinees.

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