Historic Movie Palaces of Queens

This 28-minute documentary looks at three historic movie theaters in Queens, New York: the Loew’s Triboro in Astoria, the Loew’s Valencia in Jamaica, and the RKO Keith’s in Flushing. All three theaters opened in the years 1928-31. The two Loew’s theaters closed in the 1970s, while the RKO closed in 1986. The Triboro was unceremoniously demolished in 1974 while the other two remain standing, one as a church (the Valencia) and one in a state of complete disrepair (the Keith’s). We see photos of the theaters in their heyday and hear reminiscences from Queens residents who went to these theaters. This program was made as part of a campaign to save the RKO Keith’s from demolition. We see a letter of support written by Bob Hope, who performed there in his vaudeville days. Theater historian Frank Cronican is interviewed at length and he points out examples of other historic movie palaces across the country that were saved, restored and given new life. This was produced in 1991 by Queens Public Television for the Queens Historical Society. It was directed and edited by John Culkin.

[@krumet8]

great video, and I am glad to see that homage was paid to the fine theater pipe organs which were installed in such wonderful theaters. It's rather sad thought, that in many cases after restorations are done to these movie palaces, that not many are interested in re-installing the wonderful organs to the environment which they were developed for.

[@stepheneggert7388]

Edward Copeland ....love your posting. I agree..they come in restore theme theatres..but they do forget...the theatre were built around the pipe organs..of those days..they were the bigist part of of the expereance of going to a movie in those days..they need to be put back as part of restoration

[@reneastle8447]

What if we can get them all back from extinction?

[@paisleybabee]

I am so saddened by this loss of the Keith's. It was always such a magical place! That kind of spooky Spanish villa backdrop against that twilight starry sky! This film describes it so well and I believe has more photos than I have seen in awhile! I have a fuzzy memory of going to the Triboro with my grandparents. It must have been in the late 60s or very early 70s when I was 3 or so.I was born in 65. I have never been to the Valenicia. I understand it is a church of some kind now. I am glad it's been preserved!

[@josephconsoli4128]

My father was an usher at the Valencia in the late '40's and courted my mother there in the early '50's. They still talk about it today. Not only was it a glamorous event to see a movie there, but guys and girls dressed in their best as they waiting on line down the sidewalk. "A wonderful time" my mother says. This was just before television really stuck these theaters hard. Most movie palaces had little more than a two-decade run.

[@gordons17]

So glad to see this on CZcams. Frank Cronican was my uncle.

[@serginhowise]

So sad the Keith and the Triboro were demolished 😭

[@trapezemusic]

Very good video. I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Frank Cronican at his home and seeing his model of Chicago's Avalon Theatre which was his favorite theater when growing up in there. Although not shown in this video, his model included wooden musicians wearing tuxedos. It is now stored at the Theatre Historical Society of America in Pittsburgh. He was a model making genius and a very humble man. FYI - His other love was ocean liners. Interested in movie palaces? Join the Society!

[@lucreziia100]

This film is a bit saddening to those of us old enough to remember those glorious, palace-like ornate movie theaters which are now gone. They really effected a respite from the everyday world, if only temporary. Life and entertainments today are dreary and bland by comparison.

[@bluegillphil1427]

I was born in 53 ,grew up on 143rd st & 87 ave in Jamaica, went to every theater in Queens in the 60s. The Valencia was spectacular. Hey Im only 63 yet I feel like Im from a different world

[@whitesongs73]

A piece of History in Flushing New York just sits there on Main Street. I would hate for some foreign private developer to turn it into a wet Market or a Walmart

[@BingCherry11]

This was a great loss.

[@mooseydeucy]

I saw so many musical acts like The Main Ingredient and James Brown at the Valencia when I was a boy growing up in Hollis. They were just movie theatres or concert halls back then and I had no idea of the ornate appointments that I was in the presence of and wish I could turn my mind's memories into videos today. Also it was across thr street directly from the RKO ALden where we saw many bands also.

[@gloriakubick1337]

I was fortunate to have seen all three of these beautiful movie"palaces". They were grand spaces where ordinary people could experience such elegant design and be transported to far away magical places. I don't understand how Mr. Huang got away with destroying and using the cellar to dump oil waste. Was the EPA on vacation?

[@richardmcleod1930]

"A legacy of shame"

[@angelsone-five7912]

What a refreshing change to see some people who can actually see beyond the tips of their noses. Good luck to them.

[@lucreziia100]

But why have those of modern times demolished these wondrous picture palaces?

[@angelsone-five7912]

@@lucreziia100 Money. That`s all they can see or think about.

[@willardchi2571]

McTheater architecture. Still, I am glad at least one survives.

[@allanya74]

What was the name of the other movie theater in Flushing Queens on Main Street?

[@mellow_keys8618]

It’s demolished now too lol

[@NYPRBLUE]

The Prospect.

[@robertnegron9706]

A bygone generation.