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.

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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.

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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

 

 

 

 

Palace Theatre, 133-135 Essex Street, New York

Photo:  P. L. Sperr, March 13, 1932

Opened by Charles Steiner, in 1914, the Palace replaced an earlier theatre on the site.

The Evening Telegram, January 18, 1908:
“Plans have also been filed… for remodeling the stable at No. 333 Essex street for occupancy as a moving picture exhibition, the change to be made for Markowitz & Elliot. L. C. Maurer and Steiner & Weiss are the architects.”

The Evening Post, September 1, 1908:
“Plans have been filed for remodeling the moving picture amusement show at 133 Essex street into a concert hall with a stage. The change of occupancy being made for  Steiner & Weiss, lessees, and D. Felix Towns, as owner.”

Beyond the Screen: Institutions, Networks, and Publics of Early Cinema, 2016
“A pivotal figure in this M & S circuit was Charles Steiner, who had started out in 1908 around the corner from Golden Rule Hall. In 1914, his old Essex Street nickelodeon gave way to the brand-new Palace Theatre (133-135) Essex) which seated six hundred.”

Despite what appears to be posters in the above photo, the marquee advertises  Loyal Furniture (“Shop Here!”).

In 1959, the building became the first Kosher-Chinese restaurant in New York, Bernstein-on-Essex Street, “where kashrut is king and quality reigns.”

New York World Telegram and Sun, April 22, 1966

 

 

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.

Walks also available at Local Expeditions

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

 

 

Under Two Flags on the Lower East Side

Universal Weekly, December 30, 1922:

Clinton Theatre, 80-82 Clinton Street, New York, NY

“The Clinton Theatre, New York, Manager Philip Dion, ran the picture [Under Two Flags] five days to S. R. O. business at every performance.

“An Arab distributed personal visiting cards of Priscilla Dean on the back of which was scribbled a note announcing her picture at the Clinton.

“A week before the showing Dion placed a mysterious frame, covered with muslin on the inside of his lobby. A little hole was left for the curiosity seeker. A sign over it read, ‘Don’t look!’  As a result everyone did look and read of the coming of Priscilla Dean.”

Under Two Flags

Priscilla Dean

Cezar 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.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2015: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc

Now selling “vintage” on Etsy.

Lower East Side Preservation Initiative’s Moveable Feast

Lower East Side Preservation Initiative

An Afternoon on The Lower East Side
Sunday May 18, 2014

Part One: Tour the Bowery
2:00-4:00 pm
with theatre historian Cezar Del Valle
Meet in front of the Liz Christy Garden, Bowery and Houston Street

The Bowery entertainment district was once bursting with Yiddish, Chinese and Italian Theatres, vaudeville houses, early film venues, dime museums, and concert saloons. Explore this colorful, earthy history with theatre historian Cezar Del Valle.

Admission: $20 LESPI Members: $15

New York Public Library Digital Collection

Part Two:

 LUNCH AT AN HISTORIC GREEK-AMERICAN SYNAGOGUE  

4:00 – 6:00 pm

At the Kehila Janina Kedosha synagogue, a New York City Landmark, enjoy  a delicious lunch of traditional Greek-Jewish kosher yaprakes, bourekas, kourlouia, Greek salad, seasonal fruit, hot and cold beverages.

Tour the beautifully restored 1927 synagogue interior, and visit the synagogue’s fascinating museum on the history of the congregation and Greek American Jewish life.

Cosponsored with Kehila Janina Kedosha 

Meet  at: Kehila Janina Kedosha Synagogue at 280 Broome St, between EldrIdge and Allen Streets

 

Admission: $25

LESPI and Synagogue members $20

 

SPECIAL COMBINED TOUR AND LUNCH EVENT PRICE: $40   

LESPI MEMBERS: $30

 

Info@LESPI-nyc.org with any questions.

This program is part of Lower East Side History Month 

 

 

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.

 

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2014, historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Theatre Talks and Walks 2013

After a brief hiatus, I am once again available for theatre walks and talks.

Reviews:

“Your amount of historic knowledge was nothing short of  incredible.”

– Dana Schulz, Program and  Administrative Associate, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

“The tour, led by theatre historian Cezar Del Valle, was phenomenal! Cezar shared his encyclopedic knowledge of theatre lore, history, and gossip.”

– Richard Moses, President, Lower East Side Preservation Initiative

“Thank you so much last week for the informative lecture you provided at the GANYC*  meeting. I own New York Broadway Tours and I would love to create a tour based on some of the theatres you  suggested in Brooklyn. THANK YOU!”

– Amada Anderson

Top Photo: January 8, 2012 walking tour for the Greenwich Village Society of Historic Preservation

Bottom: June 3, 2012 walk of the Yiddish Rialto for the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative

Photos: Betty Sword, all rights reserved

*GANYC is the Guides Association of New York City

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.

Changes

January 8, 2012 walking tour for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP)

“Your amount of historic knowledge was nothing short of incredible” -Dana Schulz, Program and Administrative Associate, GVSHP

Since 1995, I have presented theatre talks and walks. It has been a long and often enjoyable run. However it has also interfered (time-wise) with my creative work as an artist.

This year I decided to focus my attention on the art, pushing the theatres into background. Don’t know yet what this means to the walks, talks, blogs and websites operated under the Theatre Talks banner.

June 3, 2012 walk of the Jewish Rialto for the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (L.E.S.P.I.)

“The tour, led by theater historian Cezar Del Valle, was phenomenal!   Cezar shared his encyclopedic knowledge of theater lore, history, and gossip.”—L.E.S.P.I.

Above photos by Betty Sword, all rights reserved

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.