Staten Island Theaters
The Lane Theater - 1953
The St. George Theater
(The last of the great theaters)
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Before the advent of the huge megaplex theaters, many a movie theater were operating on Staten Island. In the 1930's there were as many as 13 theaters operating at the same time. They were not only movie houses but many were playhouses and some featured vaudeville acts. Old-timers can tell you about the many giveaways and contests that the movie theaters had. In 1948 the island had the first drive-in theater in New York City, it was located on Richmond Avenue. We also had two movie theaters on New Dorp Lane.
Before the advent of the huge megaplex theaters, many a movie theater were operating on Staten Island. In the 1930's there were as many as 13 theaters operating at the same time. They were not only movie houses but many were playhouses and some featured vaudeville acts. Old-timers can tell you about the many giveaways and contests that the movie theaters had. In 1948 the island had the first drive-in theater in New York City, it was located on Richmond Avenue. We also had two movie theaters on New Dorp Lane.
In years gone by movie theaters were referred to as “Movie Palaces.” They were designed and built with the intention of attracting as many customers as possible. Inside the palaces, smartly uniformed ushers led moviegoers through luxurious marble-lined halls the size of cathedrals, under crystal chandeliers, and up plushly carpeted stairs to their seats. The major film studios built luxurious “Movie Palaces” that were designed for orchestras to play music to accompany projected films. The appeal of the first few movie palaces that were built spurred a boom of buildings from 1914 to 1922. There were 4,000 new theaters in the United States built during that time. Impressive lobbies with lavish interiors were intended to give moviegoers the feeling of being royalty and be an escape from the day-to-day world. At an average price of $.27 a ticket, movies offered a relatively inexpensive way to vacation from reality. Always popular, this sort of diversion was especially sought-after during the Great Depression. Movie theaters became a booming industry. Between 60 and 80 million American’s went to the movies each week. Anything that helped people escape from reality of the Depression got a boost in business.
There were different variations of theaters many became themed theaters in the 1920s. There were those that had Egyptian, Spanish, Chinese, and Persian themes, along with theaters that simply had skies painted on the ceiling, or box seats that were formed to look like a street scene.
The function of World War II-era theaters was as a place to view newsreels about the war and learn about bond drives. One favorite way of attracting patrons was to offer sweepstakes and drawings at the theater for prize money. Even the promise of just a little bit of money was a big draw for impoverished Americans. At an average price of $.27 a ticket, movies offered a relatively inexpensive way to vacation from reality.
There were different variations of theaters many became themed theaters in the 1920s. There were those that had Egyptian, Spanish, Chinese, and Persian themes, along with theaters that simply had skies painted on the ceiling, or box seats that were formed to look like a street scene.
The function of World War II-era theaters was as a place to view newsreels about the war and learn about bond drives. One favorite way of attracting patrons was to offer sweepstakes and drawings at the theater for prize money. Even the promise of just a little bit of money was a big draw for impoverished Americans. At an average price of $.27 a ticket, movies offered a relatively inexpensive way to vacation from reality.
Capitol Theater 298 Broadway corner of Castleton
Capitol Theater Ad 1938
Empire Theater Richmond Terrace
1917 Empire Theater (Port Richmond) Richmond Terrace near Richmond Avenue
Harbor Theater Richmond Terrace & Harbor Road, Mariners Harbor
(on the water side of the street)
Harbor Theater Ad 1914
Lane Theater 168 New Dorp Lane New Dorp
Inside the Lane Theater
New Dorp Lane 1965
Victory (Tompkinsville) Theater - 120 Victory Blvd
Ritz Theater Richmond Avenue at Anderson 1930
Ritz Theate Program 1926
The Ritz had Rock Concerts in the 70's
St. George Theater 1937
Movie Ads from 1938
Theater Ads 1938
This Palace theater was located on Craig Avenue, between Main Street and Butler Street, Tottenville.
New Dorp Theater 135 New Dorp Lane between 8th Street & South Railroad Avenue 1929
Liberty (Park Villa) 70 Beach Street Stapleton
Castleton Theater
Elm Theater (Elm Hall) Innis Avenue.
1917 Elm Hall (Elm Theater) John & Innis St. (Elm Park)
Map 1917
Park Theater 139 Canal Street corner of Wright Street
1917 Map
521 Tompkins Avenue, Rosebank
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