RKO Keith's, Once upon a time In Flushing, NY there was a place called ...
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- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2024
- The RKO Keith's Theater was not only a historic movie theater located in heart
of Flushing NY, but was a centerpiece of the Flushing community and was perhaps
the most gracious of the old-time movie palaces.
The RKO Keiths was designed by noted theater architect Thomas W. Lamb, It was
built in 1928 and opened on Christmas Day. The RKO had a three story facade, and
the auditorium interior was designed in a Spanish Baroque Revival style, one of
a kind.
The theater remained open to the public through the early 1980s. The ticket
lobby and grand foyer of the Keith's were listed in the National Register of
Historic Places in 1982, and granted landmark status by the City in 1984.
The theater was closed in 1986 and then gutted illegally by the building's new
owner Thomas Huang who also dumped 10,000 gallons of waste oil into the basement
of the theater.
He was indicted and plead guilty to two felony charges. He was sentenced to five
years probation and a $5,000 fine and ordered by the court to remediate
conditions in the theater in lieu of serving jail time.
Over the years, this magnificent theater fell victim to greed and is now merely
a shell of its former self. But even though its partly demolished, the theatre
remains mostly intact and resounds with memories of its magnificent heyday.
Legal battles continued, as the Keith's fell into a state of complete
disrepair, The theater that once hosted the many Vaudeville acts, Marx Brothers,
Mae West, Judy Garland and movies on the silver screen had become a thorn in the
side of downtown Flushing.
In 2011, the RKO Keith was sold to Manhattan developer Patrick Thompson for $20
million dollars to build a 17-story apartment building. and a promise to restore
the once grand foyer.
Whatever the outcome and I'm rooting for a full restoration of the RKO Keiths,
my youth is inextricably linked to that magical place where first dates became
second dates. Where friends shared popcorn and laughed and sometimes cried. And
where memories that will last a lifetime were made.
(Photo Source) Google Image, LI & NYC Places that R No More, Save the Flushing RKO Keiths Facebook Group. (Music By) James Taylor - Our Town & Jake Shimabukuru - In My Life. (Video Produced By) Thomas Byrne/Tommyb512.
DISCLAIMER: No copyright infringement intended.I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE FOOTAGE OR MUSIC USED IN THIS VIDEO. THEY ARE MADE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, NOT PROFIT. #tommyb512
It hurts my heart to see how the entire neighborhood was overrun and left unrecognizable compared to the old pictures.. That whole area is best left to memory, as it has changed forever, and no one there no knows (or cares about) any of its long history. All I can say is that I am old enough to have been there as a child in the 1960s and am young enough to remember.
Grew up thers, great memories, will last forever...I'm now 61 .
This mini documentary is the best I've seen yet with photos of the original lobby back in the day. I was once an usher there back in the late '60s and grew to know every inch of that place. It truly was a show palace and should be restored somehow.
My Mom would take me there when I was little! Thanks for remembering this Historic Theater!
Thanks for sharing these memories. Not only did I go to movies there, but I had my dance recitals on that stage from 1956-1966. We used the beautiful dressing rooms that the stars of yesteryear had used. I knew it was amazing, even when I was so young. I also remember the twinkling ceiling and the magnificent ladies rest room.
How marvelous that must have been!
Thank you! As a child growing up in Flushing this movie theater was always magical. The deep night blue sky (ceiling), the Spanish architectural elements, the fountain... all created this unforgettable ambience. It lives on in the fond memories of so many,
Goose bumps, goose bumps and more goose bumps. I grew up in flushing, blocks away from this magnificent theater. Saw many movies here. Loved that night sky ceiling and the interior design. Very sad to see what's become of it. I really hope to see it restored. If i had the money, i would invest every.penny. Thanks for the memories.
you and me both
i had actualy lol wrote to bob villa bout it never got a reply back
Me too
I remember this movie theater so profoundly. Were You There When They played Star Wars and Clash of the Titans? When I entered this movie theater I felt so Royal because it was just absolutely amazing. it's such a shame that a part of our American heritage is ruined and people do not appreciate great works of art and architecture which made Flushing what it was back then.
@@whatsmyname337 I have I'm afraid to say it's derelict condition looks as if it never existed.
In the 70's, this was my go to theatre 🎬📽️🎞️🎥 thanks for posting this wonderful and informative video
Hurts my heart to see what's become of this theater. I grew up coming here with friends and family. I used to pretend I was walking into my very own castle, lol. And, that ceiling...the night sky...*sigh*
lol i remebr i would walk in n my dad would make sure i had quarters to play arcade machines after or be for the movie lol
This was where J.H.S. 157 Queens (Stephen A. Halsey: Rego Park/Forest Hills) had it's graduation ceremony in 1969.
I stepped into the graduation theater a kid and walked out of the building on the way to adulthood.
I remember garbage bag sized bags of theater popcorn stacked beside an aisle walkway.
I remember taking a very long walk back to my seat after being called up to the stage to receive the class award for industrial arts.
That fall, I attended Stuyvesant High School, 345 East 15th Street, in Manhattan. I graduated from my neighborhood Forest Hills High School with honors.
I went onto Queens College and NYU College of Dentistry, graduated both with honors.
I sure cherish the years and good times and great people that were part of my life then, wishing to recapture some of those good times again.
Thank you for this post and the memories.
Fascinating! In all my years in Flushing ('70's) I'd never been up to the theater roof! So great to look out and glimpse what Flushing once was, even though much changes were made! History is so important, learning/understanding what was and what has been lost to all in the midst of unbridled change. I weep and wish for more such long-ago memories.
Thank you for this. I went there many times in the 50’s and 60’s, great times.
Thanks for this. I spent more hours there than I can remember. It was one of the most important things in my life. From Superman to the Exorcist, or Close Encounters to Star Wars or Dracula to Murder by Death...I can go on and on...I don't remember what I had for dinner two nights ago but the RKO Keith shines like a beacon...clear as a magnifying glass and as beautiful as a dream...
The first time I visited the RKO Keith I saw "Invaders from Mars". I returned soon after to see such classics as "Godzilla" and "Mothra".
Flushing High School later filled the theater to view "Citizen Kane" and graduation ceremonies.The last time I visited Flushing, thirty years ago, the neighborhood had changed but some of the landmarks were still around. I must assume that everything from my youth is gone today.
What a beautiful tribute to a time gone by. We were so lucky to have had the pleasure of going to that movie theater. Hopefully, soon, it's lobby will shine again.
Thanks.
Teddy doing OK?
Having only been in Queens for 10 years I hear amazing tales of how beautiful it used to be. I work around the corner and look curiously at the facade of the building everyday and wonder, what kind of community has Flushing turned into? I think this building really defines what Flushing has become. If I had grown up here I would be devastated at what continues to happeng, it's really an overpopulated lost city now, disconnected and lonley.
Having grown up in flushing, i could not have said it better.
Living here for over 35 years and you are right. Some people just do not have an appreciation for art.
Well basically you moved to another country without actually moving.
Flushing is a dump. People move there for work or a government handout and move on as quickly as they can. There is no community anymore. Most neighborhoods in NYC are this way now.
Thank you for sharing this!! I grew up in the Flushing area of Queens. I saw many movies in this grand movie theater!! It was beautiful!! I still remember the inside how truly grand it was!! What a shame what happened to it!! Great memories in this theater!
Myself and fellow projectionist Joe Friedman were the last to work in this magnificent palace. Along with some of the
ushers we would paint gold gilding on certain worn artifacts and just try to keep things up. There were programs and
fliers that we would find from the late 1920's when stars like James Cagney and Mae West would appear there. It was
truly a beautiful theater and was sold to the Korean under the auspices that it would remain a NYC Landmark; but apparently
that changed as the theater was literally torn apart and completely ruined by some "thugs" or whatever you want to
call people that did it. When we removed the projection equipment the theater was already being devastated by this group
and we knew it would never be again.....a very sad time.
xstugee I agree 100 percent!!
Thanks Thomas for putting this together. I grew up in the 60's within walking distance of the theater. The RKO was such a magical place for me. I knew then that it was a special place, but looking back as a 63 year old it has only become even greater. I tend not to look back at "memory lane," but your video touched me.
Many many thanks for this video. It was a time machine to my youth. I very much enjoyed this tribute and the video of the old Whitestone train line. Great bodies of work. Bravo.
Beautifully done Thomas.........I remember seeing the original FLY with Vincent Price, and The BLOB with Steve Mcqueen as a child.......it was a beautifully decorated theater......that blue ceiling was magical.......the stairs were elegant, the gargoyles were incredible. Thanks for posting
The RKO Keith's has a very special place in my heart. I was a Chief of Staff Usher back when "To Kill a Mockingbird" was playing and a tickets were .85 cents for a double feature plus cartoon and news. On the domed ceiling they projected moving clouds. There were Saturday morning Matrons back then. Having been originally "The Vaudeville House" on Long Island and the second largest theatre in NYS after Radio City Music Hall. I had my own dressing room back stage. I even met Lucille Ball and Bob Hope then. It really was a most wonderful time of my life I shall never forget. Thanks for the memories. 🎶
As of 2019 its still there, and it should remain there to remember old Flushing
I have fond memories of the beauty of the interior and of the films i saw there as a kid. That and the Valencia in Jamaica were my favorite places to go, by bus from Bayside, on rainy Saturdays, when life was simpler.
Thank you so much for this video. Saw many movies in this great theatre. What a shame it was not preserved for future generations.
Nice presentation, I went there often as many of us did in those days, first as a child with adults and then as a teenager as well, loved the times and this took me back, thanks Tommy, a lot of life has passed since those magical days of youth.. 11361
What a shame. I went and saw Saturday Night Fever opening night there. It was magical night. I lived in Woodside but it was worth a half hour ride on the #7 train and then a walk to that magnificent theater.
Such a shame. It was an incredible and beautiful theater. For all the people that were born to late, you missed a amazing place. Just walking around in there was an awesome experience 😢😢😢
i came toFlushing in 1968 the same year the Mets won the world series. i lived on Carlton Place which is about two blocks or so fromthe Keith's. my friend Alex Cooneys mom worked as an usher at the Keith so needless to say we got to see many a great and not so great movie there. i remember seeing marooned there and prior to the matinee Bob McAllister, the host of Wonderama, introduced the kids to an "astronaut" in full garb!! it was great. i took my nieces to see Friday the 13th there. big mistake and wait for almost three hours in line to see the Godfather. i havent lived in Flushing for 32Years. but the memories i have of high school(FHS RED DEVILS) , 34th road, Levitts Field, Lums, the Kieth and of course Adventurers Inn will always bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. somethings should never change.
silentbubba51 that’s ‘69, buddy. But who’s counting? Huh!🙂🙂🙂🙂
This theater was beautiful. Saw ET and Purple Rain there. I loved the curved stairs, the balcony, and the ladies room.
Very fond memories of how nice downtown Flushing used to be. Its a shame the new folks that make Flushing their home seem content living in filth. The entire area smells like a sanitation truck.
Excellent. Saw many movies there from the 50's to the 70's.
I remember what a beautiful place,my uncle mark worked there before the war (ww2) ,my dad as a kid played in the fountain across the street. M y grand parents told me story's of the old theater and the trolleys .I must have seen star wars 10 times the day it came out with my older brother. miss the times and the town,
Thank you! I remember the movie theater well and all the controversy with Huang.. There is nothing left of the RKO today. It’s like a curse that nothing will ever be built where the RKO once stood.
I saw the Empire Strikes Back there in 1980.
me too!
Same here.
Yup.
It's heartbreaking to see your childhood memories be destroyed by greed.
Growing up in Flushing in the 1940s when it was small town USA. Main Street was pretty run down, even then. But going to movies at the RKO Keith's was something pretty special. I seem to remember there was an organ that would be played before the double features. After the movie we would wait "under the clock" at the cigar store by the subway for our folks to pick us up.
Now, the new Chinatown is thriving and changing the landscape.
Same here.
Yeah it's called overdevelopment. They did the same thing in Jamaica, Long Island Cityn downtown Brooklyn and the South Bronx. Believe it or not I really miss that movie theater. It was a grand event to go to because the place was just like a palace to me the gold trimming the balconies ect....
The last movie I saw there what is the movie called The Color Purple and that was back in 1985 by 1986 the theater had closed down.
Under the clock!!!❤️✌️
We picked up the Q27 on Rocky Hill Rd and Francis Lewis Blvd, rode it to the end of the line which met the IRT terminus in Flushing. Tommy Dolan and myself playing hooky from SKS for the first time, and we were going to spend the day in "the city". But before we got on the subway we passed a poster for "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", which happened to be playing at the Keith's. We never made it to the city, but spent the day watching, what may be, the funniest movie ever made - twice.
I love that place, i was transformed every visit, and knew it was always there.. thank you Thomas!
Frank Bruno from Boulder, formerly Astoria and Flushing, 58th Ave, on the Hill!
got a slice of pizza at GLORIAS then went to the RKO to see GREMLINS then went to micheles diner and had a burger and fries....goood old days of flushing
My Dad took me and my brother for burger's and fries to Michele's Diner too. Man was that good! And of course Gloria's Pizza. Wow! What was the name of that pizzeria right on the corner next to the Prospect theatre?
Giunta pizza.
This theater is along one of my bus routes. I have pictures of it when the trolley's last stop was right in front of it.
I really miss this place lots of memories of this theater as a kid.
I too grew up in Flushing and well remember Keith's. Last time I looked, it was virtually impossible to tell that a theater had stood on its site. Next to a magical restoration of Pennsylvania Station Keith's is the one I would choose! (I saw my first Laurel and Hardy [Blockheads] in the Prospect theater, some blocks away on Main St.)
At 4:29 into the video, the picture of the Keith, you can make out the store front "Star Food Shop", That was my fathers restaurant in the 60's and early 70's.
More mornings than not, I stopped in there for a bacon/egg on a roll with coffee before going into work across Northern at NY Telephone.
Thank You for this memorable clip.
I remember seeing Raider’s of the Lost Ark back in the fall of 1981..
I miss this gem of a theater..
I used to go there as a kid, my grandmother worked there. I remember seeing Star Wars and Rocky there. The good old days!
Willie Hastad was the Local 306 IATSE film operator here for years.............Willie recalled that there were over 120 steps from the lobby to the projection booth. Willie is long retired in Florida and is saddened at what the city allowed to happen to the Keith's.
Thanks for posting this. I remember going there with my girlfriend in the 80”s who is now my wife. I pass there sometimes and tell my kids how beautiful the theater was but words do not do it justice. I hate to see it in the condition it is in. I am happy to say my wife and I were able to enjoy RKO for a few years and was able to be a part of Flushing history.
Used to love this theater. Loved their rowdy midnight shows. The last thing I saw there was a midnight showing of Re-animator, back in 1985. The crowd was amazing.
In the 60s, as kids we went to see The Three Stooges live at the Keith's. They were traveling on tour. I recalled they were late and the full house theatre was packed with kids when they arrived. Never forget yhat moment growing up in Flushing.
Also, i remember Prospect theatre on Main Street and Kissena. I have heard there was a third theatre before the 1950s where the former WT Grant store was located across from the Masters department store. Cannkt confirm.
Bless you, for capturing the importance of this historic theatre where I saw matinees for 50 cents, enjoyed the palatial splendor of soaring ceilings, velvet curtains, and a box of Raisinets for 5 cents. Years later, paying $1.25 to see Shelly Winters in Poseiden Adventure seemed a rip-off. We thought the Quartet farther down Northern offered better air-conditioning, sound & price (75 cents for most) but by our antics, we were dopey kids influenced by Our Gang.
Fantastic video. I saw Willard with my father there and many other movies. It was gorgeous.
Movies I saw there... (Some I forget, unfortunately)... Empire Strikes Back, Rocky IV, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, The Fly, Back To School... Great times! Wish it was still open and preserved! Return of the Jedi too!.. almost forgot!
Thank you for this. What a magnificent place it had been. When you went on a date to a theater like those old ones, you dressed up for the occasion. The Keith was truly a "picture palace," and you didn't have to be rich to be surrounded by grandeur.
Loved this theater, saw many movies here as a kid, going there was always a special treat, went as a little kid and as a teenager, great memories, they can't knock down memories .Disrespectful greedy no empathy for beauty or history of a landmark, very sad
thanks for this
.danced 7 or 8 recitals with landrum school at the RKO Keiths
Ever since I was a little kid, going to the Keith's was the best. I would be disappointed if the movie we wanted to see was at the Quartet instead.
I saw countless movies there before it closed. I don't remember it before it was a triplex, but I always hoped whatever we were seeing was upstairs in the big theater.
It's always been one of my Lotto dreams to win one of the big jackpots and restore the Keith's. It breaks my heart to see how badly it's been damaged, but it must have great bones to still be standing after all that!
Very moving video!
YEAH, IT WAS A REGULAR THING .. THE ROOSEVELT AND PROSPECT TOO .. PLUS THERE WAS THE WHITESTONE DRIVE-IN .. TELL ME ABOUT IT :)
Yes, in the 1940s the Roosevelt had double features on Saturday mornings for neighborhood kids plus cartoons. A quarter to get in and a nickel for candy! There were ushers who would sell candy and popcorn, walking up and down on the aisles. And once the movie started, you better not get caught with your feet up on the seats! They would patrol the aisles with flashlights.
Saw my first movie at the Roosevelt - Bambi.
The Whitestone Drive-In was actually in the Bronx. They called it the White stone Drive-In because it was close to the bridge. a little misleading if you ask me!
I Live In College Point An currently 17 I have always wondered what it once looked like
So I may one day soon be able to see at least what the lobby based area looked like which will allow me to understand why these places are in their resting places not to be disturb
On MAY 25, 1977, i waited on Loooooong lines to watch the original "STAR WARS", RKO Keith was my favorite movie theater.
I moved near there in 1991, it looks HUGE in there!!!!! A shame it’s been closed since 1986 because it’s owned by a SLUMLORD, NOW!!!!!! I wish it would’ve still been opened by the time I moved there. The closest movie theaters from my house were TENS OF MILES AWAY back then!!!!!! Before the College Point Multiplex opened 8 years after I moved there, it was HARD to see a movie growing up then!!!!
RKO Keith's was "my home" theater. Walked there to see many a movie (again and again) in the early to mid fifties. Most memorable was Titanic (1953) - so sad. The band playing as it sunk. Our school held its graduations there - sat Waay up high. "It was sad...when the great ship went down.." Bye Keith's.
Gday luv
It sure was
Flushing HS class of 1975
Great memories from my teen years in the early fifties. My friends and I had the living day lights scared out of us one Saturday attending a double feature horror show that included, between movies, a live onstage Frankenstein show!
i saw the way we were her in the early 70's
Never went in there, but went BY there plenty of times.
I saw "Star Wars" (1977) the first time at RKO Keith on May 25,1977. :-) what a spectacular theatre.
RKO was a magical place,no theater like it .I was like a castle inside the beautiful blue ceiling. There were different entryways into different theaters something of magnificent I was born and raised in New York and it was something sensational it's sad to see what happened to it. Now flushing has been overrun with I don't know what the RKO movie theater .the man destroyed it illegally and went to jail and now what is historic place. What's going to happen to it now? I was born and raised in Queens New York all my life. And to see this breaks my heart I have such great memories. And now you can't even recognize it anymore😢 6:35 6:35 😢
I had my first date there and we saw Footloose. I also remember back to when i was like 12 and an early teenager my friends and i would go see a movie in the main theatre then after the movie we would play hide and seek in the theatre cause it was so large and they had the lil opera balconies to hide in...
Used to go every Sunday, meet girls, et al circa 48 to 50, a lot of memories there.
Thank you for this. It's a bittersweet tribute.
They're starting to tear it down
The last film I saw there was "Flash Gordon" (1980), the goofy one with Max Von Sydow and the score by Queen. I must say, the current-day photos of the dilapidated interior and exterior are harrowing to see. And yes, I recognize that it's now even seven years after those must have been taken.
Seem to remember a Nathan's hot dog across on the corner..Great times.❤️☮️
It makes me sad to see where I had my first date is no longer there.
Saw my movies there throughout the 1960s along with the Prospect. With no disrespect to the Asian Community of Flushing, had the neighborhood not gone completely Chinese, the theater would have been restored by now. No history and no appreciation by the current residents. To a lesser extent, I blame NYC administrations as well as doing very little to enforce the Landmarks Law. But theaters like this elsewhere in NYC have been saved and restored. One of the reasons I moved from Flushing after 63 years.
So sad. Great memories and to think what a shit hole they turned it into.
Some of the shots are of the RKO Keith's Theater in Richmond Hill, Queens.
I'm tearing up again revisiting this video now 😢❤ So what happened? Did they restore any of it?🙏
Been there
ET😂😂😂
Close encounters
Shaggy DA
Those were the days
Doesn’t even feel like a neighborhood anymore
So sad
thomas know whats funny i recently read there going to open a movie thearter/resturant in the area only if they could have bought this place n restored it
Thomas Huang, thanks. (sarcasm)
WHERE DO FOLKS GET. 1986 ? LAST I REMEMBER.. LAST MOVIE @ THE RKO KEITH'S WAS.. "RUNNING SCARED (1987).
Welp...things don't last forever!
The problem is nobody really goes to a theater to watch movies anymore. And to make things worse all the new movies suck. People now are not even going out to go shopping anymore .. things a changing. It would have to make sense business wise for somebody to restore it.
The local, state, federal governments could have developed s plan to restore the theater. It already had historic recognition. It would have been money better spent than some of the not so favorable cultural programs they put money into. In the UK and Europe they have more reverence for beautiful architecture and history. These edifices will never be seen again. The sheer labor and materials that went into constructing these buildings was a feat in itself.
😭
😢
I remember seeing They shoot horses don't they? And Dracula has risen from the grave, and was there a throne?
Where was this exactly? I live in Flushing by Kissena.
At the intersection of Northern Boulevard and Main Street.
On Northern Blvd down the street from flushing High school
sad got to see saterdaynight fever in there missing in action n goast buster was last movie i ever saw at rko now its going to be a stinking co op or some thing
A lost cause
They destroyed it recently completely sadd
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful theatre very sad ! Huang and his Cousin Democrat Ted Liu really did a job on downtown Flushing! the building is still there if you look at the roof you can see gangs of teenagers hanging out up there!
By the way, how many screens did it have before it closed in 1986? Anyone know?
I believe it was called the Triplex so it had 3 theatres
Wait their were trolley's in flushing
+Bryan Monge There were trolleys in all five boroughs up until the late '50s I believe.
And in Whitestone
Downtown Flushing aka "New Chinatown" is an abomination. You squeeze your way off the 7 train, get pushed the whole way up the stairs and arrive in a place that smells like rotting fish and garbage. It's truly a sin what the new inhabitants have done to this once great area. Sorry, it's an awful place with the one exception of being able to get good authentic Chinese food. Shame on them.
I miss the good old days of Flushing in the 1970s and early 1980s. Took the #16 bus from Roosevelt Ave/Main St to my house near Bowne Park. I remember the street fair on Main St. around 1976, the Jolly Joint, Gloria's Pizza, RKO Theater...but I agree cp ny, Shame on those who destroyed Flushing NY. I probably wouldn't recognize it anymore....and that is a shame.