Jamaica Theatre
155-16 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica,
NY
11432
155-16 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica,
NY
11432
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Circuit
Architects: Herbert R. Brewster
Styles: Beaux-Arts
Previous Names: Fox Jamaica Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened on November 26, 1913, this large vaudeville house stood on Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica, Queens between the Merrick Theatre and Savoy Theatre. Recall that they played primarily movies with occasional vaudeville shows in the late-1940’s. During the early-1950’s, the theatre was part of the “Subway Circuit” of touring Broadway shows during the summer months.
Fondly recall seeing “Kiss Me Kate”, “Stalag 17”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, “The Fourposter” and the late Joey Faye in “Top Banana”. As I recall, other theatres on the circuit were the Brighton Theatre in Brooklyn and the Windsor Theatre in the Bronx.
The Jamaica Theatre was closed in the early to mid-1960’s and was used as a bingo hall for a while, and later demolished.
Contributed by
Erwin Markisch
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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)
I also remember the cartoons. I think they were matinee cartoons meaning after one showing the regular program would follow.
I assume Warren’s photo from two posts above (no longer available) refers to Mae West’s 1951 revival of her play “Diamond Lil.”
An exterior shot of the Jamaica with the marquee for this event can be found at:
http://www.maewest.nl/
(Under “Life and Career” – “Later Stage Work”)
You can just make out the Jamaica at the extreme left of this photo:
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?96161
Bway….I hate to differ with you, but I, sincerely, do not believe that the building (with the arched window)that you refer to in the extreme left of the photo you posted on April 19th is the Jamaica Theatre. I know there was an arched window above the Jamaica’s marquee, but I do not recall such a tall office building above that.
Further proof is that the building with the neon sign to the left of the arched window building is, unmistakably, the 111 year old Beaux-Arts former Jamaica Savings Bank building, which is located at 161-02 Jamaica Avenue. The Jamaica was located some distance west at 155-16 Jamaica Avenue.
In reference to the comment by Paul Noble, a frequent submitter to Cinema Treasures, regarding Bela Lugosi’s appearance at The Jamaica Theater in 1951: I am currently researching for a book on Lugosi and am interested in any information regarding Lugosi’s Horror and Magic Show that toured NYC area theaters in 1950-1951. Thus, I would really like to get in touch with Paul Noble and discuss more of his memories regarding the Lugosi show at The Jamaica Theater. Paul, if you see this, please contact me at:
I never remember the Jamaica ever being open. When I was a teenager I would sometimes take the bus to Jamaica to go shopping. I would pass this empty hulk on my way to Montgomery Wards. In all those years I never saw any sign of vandalism. We live in a different time.
I’ve uploaded a February 22, 1953 photo obtained courtesy of the Queen Borough Public Library Archives, Long Island Daily Press Photograph Morgue Collection when the Jamaica was still open. It stood empty for a number of years but, since those were different times, was not vandalized.
Movie was from 1948. Have to do some research to determine why the Press published it in 1953; possibly to announce it’s closing.
Re several comment above: from the photo I uploaded you can see that the theater is a free standing building and not the one referred to by Bway in 2009.
Theater can be seen briefly in the opening to DOG DAY AFTERNOON, where marquee advertises BINGO.