Gotham Theatre
165 E. 125th Street,
New York,
NY
10035
165 E. 125th Street,
New York,
NY
10035
2 people
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Hey guys,
The official grand opening of the “Latino” Theatre was on Sept, 8th, 1966. The “new” proprietors were Willy Chevalier, a comedian and veteran Master of Ceremonies since the 1940s within the Spanish Theater circuit local to NYC, and another gentleman whose name escapes me. Willy had first introduced “Latino” style vaudeville to the space in 1947 when it was known as the Triboro Theater. He had attempted to purchase it in the early 1950s and call it “Teatro Santurce” (after a town in Puerto Rico) but apparently was unable to come up with the bread. By 1965, the Triboro ceased showing films and closed for business in early ‘66. It lay dormant until Chevalier and his partner leased the space in the late summer of that year.
Unfortunately for the new ownership, theatrical vaudeville/live entertainment had by then been replaced by the discoteque as the venue of choice for nightlife consumers. Their type of artistry they sought out and booked was with an older generation in mind and they simply did not respond in support. Teatro Latino/Latino Theater lasted only two years. They closed in ‘68.
Ruth Crosby Dimmick’s Our Theatres To-day and Yesterday,published in 1913, says that the Gotham Theatre was opened by Sullivan & Kraus in 1901, and operated as a variety theater. In 1908, it was taken over by William Fox who operated it as a combination vaudeville and movie house.
In 1906, Sullivan & Kraus paid $500 to the City of New York for a one-year license for the Gotham Music Hall, 163-167 E. 125th Street, according to The City Record of May 10 that year. Gotham Music Hall was apparently the theater’s name before Fox leased it.
Does anyone know anything more about the Teatro Latino on 125th street?
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LfZDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KLAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3506%2C3405096
O.K.
This theatre had a history of being raided by police for presenting scantily clad women (1930’s style) in live burlesque shows.
In her bio, “Some of These Days,” Sophie Tucker mentions amateur nights “Up at the 125th Street Theater, corner of 3rd Avenue.” (she did play there.) There’s no doubt it was the latter day Tri-Boro. I grew up in the neighborhood in the 40s & 50s, and recall their showing Italian, then Spanish films, live theater (“Passion Play” an annual event), and a 3 films a day grind house. It was a fairly large theater, with two balconies, and an “island” box office outside.
bobmarshall
This theatre is mentioned in Rogelio Agrasanchez, Jr.’s excellent book MEXICAN MOVIES I N THE UNITED STATES.
The 1941 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook have this theatre listed as the Triboro Theatre, 165 E. 125th Street, Manhattan with a seating capacity of 571 (closed).
In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. it is listed as open again (same seating capacity)
If this is in Times Square, my book says that it showed Zamba and Black Shadows-both thrillers. Am I correct about its location? I’m only 10 years old, so I’m……well…just not as smart as you older folks. I admit it. Please reply, somebody!
Warren— many thanks!
In the ‘40s, a stage-play-converted-to-movie theater at the SW corner of 47 Street and B'way was named “Gotham.” It showed mostly B-films. In the early '50s, its name changed to “Holiday.” With the coming of widescreen, it advertised “NY’s largest wide screen (from our seating perspective),” meaning that in that small house, the screen overwhelmed the viewer’s vision, though it was by no means the largest one in NY. In the late '50s, I remember seeing Olivier’s “Henry V” there, retooled and grotesquly cropped as it opened up to fill a CinemaScope ratio. In the '60s, its name again changed to “Forum.” I remember seeing “Yellow Submarine” there during its first run. With so many changes, I’ve lost track of its final name and can’t locate it on this site. So: Under what rubric is the former E. 47 Street “Gotham” listed here? Warren, I’ll bet you know the answer.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s another “Gotham” theater located around 138th Street and Broadway. I drove past it today. It’s been converted into retail with a McDonalds where the main entrance to the theater must’ve been. The “Gotham Theater” name is still on the building.