Bliss in Sunnyside

Bliss Theatre
44-17 Greenpoint Avenue
Sunnyside, NY

From the 46th St. El, the former Bliss Theatre looms in the distance.

Motion Picture Herald, May 9th 1931:

“The Bliss Theatre in the Woodside [sic] section of New York City, one of the latest additions to the Century Circuit, seats 2,000 and has been designed in a modern interpretation of Egyptian architectural motifs, executed with simplicity, refinement and dignity.”

“Both interior and exterior designs are by William Rau of the Rau Studios, New York. Thomas R. Short was structural architect, and Theresa Jackson made the furniture selections used to complete the scheme and perserve the general motivating treatment embodied in rhe architecture.”

 

1940 Tax Photo

The Bliss acquired by Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1965 with all traces of paganism and nudity removed from the theatre’s decor.

Long Island Star-Journal, December 4,1965:
“Sunnyside’s Bliss Theatre this weekend begins its new career as the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Assembly Hall with an open public talk at 3 P. M. tomorrow by district minister Walter R. Wissman on ‘The Meaning of the Resurrection of the Dead.'”

“The society took title to the 35-year-old theatre at 45th street and Greenpoint avenue from the Century Theatres chain Wednesday. While no figure was announced, it was estimated that the sum involved was in the neighborhood of a half million dollars.”

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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Exteriors, Kings Theatre, Brooklyn

July 1, 2019 tour of the Kings Theatre arranged by Matt Thuma Lambros and conducted by Steven Ehrenberg, Director of Production.

with

Ken Roe–Founding member of the Cinema Theatre Association (UK) and editor of Cinema Treasures

Betty Sword, photographer

Interiors

 

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

AboutMe

Goodreads

 

 

 

Loew’s Delancey

From the windows of the new Regal Essex 14 multiplex a glimpse of the old–the remains of the Loew’s Delancey.

Motography, April 1911:
“Plans have been filed by George A. Boehm, architect, for a moving picture theater to be erected at Delancey and Suffolk streets, New York City, for Ellen G. Gilbert at a cost of $40,000.”

This earlier building was not completed. The Loew’s Delancey opened March 1912 with a seating capacity of 1788, S. S. Sugar architect.

Alterations were carried out in 1918 by Thomas Lamb, job book 1136.

1940 Tax Photo

 

Motion Picture Herald, February 26, 1938:
“Eye-arresting indeed was Albert Gutterman’s ‘The Last Gangster’ display at Loew’s Delancey Theatre, N. Y. C., representing a prison with large headlights and dummy machine guns mounted over all. Display was designed and created by H. Cooke of Gutterman’s staff.”

 

Loew’s Delancey, 1978 Photo: Museum of the City of New York

 

The theatre closed June 1977 with the ground floor converted to stores.

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regal Essex 14 & RPX

The Lower East Side has a new 14-screen multiplex. Opened April 6, 2019, at 129 Delancey Street, the Regal Essex 14 & RPX is part of Essex Crossings, a mix-use development in the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area.

Website

Bowery Boogie

The Lo-Down

 

 

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Exterior decorations, terra-cotta and cornice, 2017. Photos Betty Sword

 

 

BAM

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

Joyce Theatre by Joseph Peller

Born in Toronto, Joseph Peller currently resides in New York City where he teaches Painting and Composition at the Art Students League.

Theatre Crowd in the Rain Oil On Linen 30 X 44 In. ©  the Artist and Roberts Gallery

 

Summer Evening, 2014, Oil on linen, 34 x 50 inches,  ACA Galleries, New York

 

The Joyce Theater is located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood at 175 Eighth Avenue.

Opening in 1941 as the Elgin movie theatre, the building was gut-renovated and reconfigured in 1981-82 to reopen as the Joyce Theatre, a leading presenter of dance in New York City.

From the theatre’s website:
“One of the only theaters built by dancers for dance, The Joyce Theater has garnered a well-deserved international reputation for cultivating and honoring emerging and established dance artists whose work represents a wide range of aesthetic interests.”

 

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

This is Baby Doll

Motion Picture Herald, October 20, 1956:

“For ‘Baby Doll’: Warners this week completed its sign, probably the largest amusement display ever, for the run at the Victoria, Times Square, New York.”

“Warner publicists  put its size this way: a third of an acre.”

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom