Wikipedia

Kings Theatre (Brooklyn)

The Kings Theatre (formerly Loew's Kings Theatre) is a theater and live performance venue at 1027 Flatbush Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, United States. Designed by Rapp and Rapp as a movie palace, it opened on September 7, 1929, as one of five Loew's Wonder Theatres in the New York City area. The theater's interior decor was supervised by Rapp and Rapp along with Harold Rambusch. Owned by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Kings Theatre has been operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group since 2015. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kings Theatre
Renovated facade (2015)
Map
Address1027 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, New York
United States
OwnerNew York City Economic Development Corporation
Loew's Theatres (1929–1977)
OperatorAmbassador Theatre Group
TypeMovie palace
Capacity3,250
Current useEntertainment venue
Construction
OpenedSeptember 7, 1929
Rebuilt2013–2015
Years active1929–1977
2015–present
ArchitectRapp and Rapp
Martinez & Johnson (restoration)
Website
www.kingstheatre.com
Loew's Kings Theatre
Kings Theatre (Brooklyn) is located in New York City
Kings Theatre (Brooklyn)
Kings Theatre (Brooklyn) is located in New York
Kings Theatre (Brooklyn)
Kings Theatre (Brooklyn) is located in the United States
Kings Theatre (Brooklyn)
Location1027 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, New York City
Coordinates40°38′45″N 73°57′27″W / 40.6458°N 73.9575°W / 40.6458; -73.9575
Built1929
ArchitectRapp and Rapp
Architectural styleFrench Baroque
NRHP reference No.12000534
Added to NRHPAugust 22, 2012[1]

The Kings Theatre occupies an irregular site and is divided into two sections: the lobby section and the auditorium. The lobby section has an elaborate terracotta facade with a marquee and an arched entrance storefront. The entrance leads to a vestibule and two lobbies with high ceilings, in addition to several foyers and lounges. The auditorium has 3,250 seats on two levels, with an elaborately decorated proscenium arch, walls, and ceilings. Like the other Wonder Theaters, the Loew's Kings Theatre featured a "Wonder Morton" theater pipe organ manufactured by the Robert Morton Organ Company, though the organ has since been removed.

A theater on the site was originally proposed in 1919 by William Fox. Allied Owners Inc. took over the theater site and developed it starting in 1928, leasing the venue to Loew's Theatres. The Kings Theatre originally presented films and live shows, although the live shows were discontinued within a decade of the theater's opening. The theater slowly declined after World War II, screening films almost exclusively. The theater closed in August 1977 due to high costs and low attendance. Despite several attempts to redevelop the Kings Theatre, it lay abandoned for more than three decades and gradually decayed during that time. ACE Theatrical Group leased the theater from the New York City Economic Development Corporation in 2013 and, after a $95 million renovation, reopened it on January 23, 2015. Since then, the Kings Theatre has functioned as an event venue.

Description

edit

The Loew's Kings Theatre was designed by the architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp.[2][3] It is one of three theaters that Rapp and Rapp designed in New York City, the others being the Brooklyn Paramount and the Times Square Paramount.[4] The Loew's Kings Theatre was one of five Loew's Wonder Theatres in the New York City area, along with the Loew's Jersey in Jersey City, the Loew's 175th Street in Manhattan, the Loew's Paradise in the Bronx, and the Loew's Valencia in Queens.[5][6] Rapp and Rapp had intended for the theater's elaborate design to impress visitors and make them feel special.[7][8]

The theater is located at 1027 Flatbush Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City.[9][10] The site occupies the center of a city block bounded to the south by Duryea Place and to the north by Tilden Avenue. The Kings Theatre occupies an irregular site and is divided into two sections: the lobby section and the auditorium. The main entrance faces west toward Flatbush Avenue; the lobbies extend east of the entrance before turning 45 degrees to the southeast. The auditorium extends to the northeast of the lobbies.[9] The theater was originally bounded by East 22nd Street to the east, but that street was closed and partially removed to make way for an expanded stage house in the 2010s.[11][12] Behind the stage house is a public parking lot located east of East 22nd Street.[8][13] The Sears Roebuck & Company Department Store is located immediately southeast of the theater.[14]

Facade

edit

The facade rises three stories from Flatbush Avenue. The roof of the lobby section measures 38 feet (12 m) tall, although the facade on Flatbush Avenue is 40 feet (12 m) tall, obscuring the lobby's roof.[9] The auditorium originally had a roof measuring 84 feet (26 m)[9] or 87 feet (27 m) tall.[15] There are 3-foot-tall (0.91 m) parapets surrounding the roof of the auditorium to the west and east. In addition, the originally stage house to the northeast of the auditorium measured 35 feet (11 m) tall.[9] The replacement stage house is 97 feet (30 m) tall[15] and occupies part of the former right-of-way of East 22nd Street.[11][12]

Flatbush Avenue elevation

edit

The only elevation of the facade with substantial decoration is on Flatbush Avenue,[16] which is 40 feet (12 m) wide.[17] The main entrance is through a segmentally arched, brass-and-glass storefront, topped by a frieze with text welcoming visitors to the theater. The doors are recessed slightly from the facade, and there is a bronze ticket booth protruding from the middle of the storefront, separating the doors into two sets of five. The storefront itself is polygonal in shape, with a marble base, a half-domed roof, and etched glass windows. There is a marquee above the storefront, which is suspended from two cables that protrude from the upper portion of the facade. The marquee originally had a concave soffit, but this was replaced in 1949 with a rectangular sign flanked by two rectangular light boxes.[16] The original marquee was restored in the 2010s.[2][18] The modern marquee contains the theater's name[18] and 800 light bulbs.[8] Unlike the original sign, it lacks the Loews name because AMC Theatres still used that name as a trademark in the 2010s.[18]

The rest of the facade above the marquee is clad in cream-colored architectural terracotta and is divided vertically into three bays. The center bay of the facade includes a bas-relief with decorations such as acanthus leaves, birds, foliage, a mask, shields, and trefoils. This bas-relief is surrounded by a semicircular arch with terracotta moldings. On either side of the arch, within the outer bays, are terracotta pilasters with more bas-reliefs of motifs such as acanthus leaves, fleurs-de-lis, figures, scrolls, and urns. The outer bays also have rusticated terracotta blocks. Above the center of the roofline is a parapet with a segmentally-arched broken pediment with a medallion at the center. The outer corners are topped by finials. A vertical sign existed in front of the central bay until the 1980s.[19]

Other elevations

edit

The facades of the lobby section's northern and southern elevations are clad in plain brick and lack windows. The southern elevation is discolored due to the presence of an adjacent one-story building that no longer exists.[19] The facade of the auditorium is also utilitarian, with little decoration, although the auditorium does have some windows. There is a brick chimney above the southeastern corner of the auditorium. In addition, a parapet with terracotta coping runs above the perimeter of the auditorium. There are emergency-exit doorways leading from the northern and southern walls of the auditorium section.[20]

Interior

edit

The interior was designed by Harold Rambusch,[2][3] who collaborated with Rapp & Rapp on the design details.[21] Anne Dornin[a] was also involved with the interior design.[3][22] The decorative details were inspired by the decorations inside the Paris Opera House and Palace of Versailles.[2][3] A contemporary source characterized the interiors as being decorated in the Italian Renaissance Revival style.[23] There are only two above-ground stories, plus a basement. The interiors include a one-story-high entrance vestibule, a main lobby, an inner lobby, several foyers and lounges, and an auditorium. The back-of-house areas (such as dressing rooms, offices, and storage and mechanical areas) are within the basement, backstage, and near the entrance.[21]

Originally, the theater's interior space totaled about 63,000 to 68,000 square feet (5,900 to 6,300 m2).[24][25] Following a renovation in the 2010s, it was expanded to 101,970 square feet (9,473 m2).[15] When the theater opened, it had a 400-foot-deep (120 m) well, which supplied 400 U.S. gallons (1,500 L) of water for the mechanical equipment every minute. There was also an air-filtering system that could clean about 140,000 cubic feet (4,000 m3) of air per minute. The system drew air from openings on the building's roof, and it pushed out air via "mushrooms" under the auditorium's seats.[26]

Vestibule and lobbies

edit
 
Interior of the main lobby

Just past the entrance is a north–south vestibule occupying the entire frontage on Flatbush Avenue. The vestibule's western wall has a storefront with brass-and-glass doors leading from the entrance, and the eastern wall has a nearly identical storefront leading to the lobby. There was a ticket booth on the eastern wall, which was identical to the one at the entrance, but no longer exists. On the vestibule's north and south walls are marble panels with mirrors. The floor of the vestibule is made of poured concrete with rubber mats. On the ceiling is a grid of iron beams, with rosettes at the intersections of each set of beams; the ceiling is surrounded by a plaster cornice.[21]

To the east of the vestibule is the main lobby, which is oriented east–west[21] and measures about 40 by 75 feet (12 by 23 m) across.[17][27] The marble floor is divided into a grid of pink and white tiles with a red-and-black border.[28] Originally, the space had brass railings so patrons could form queues.[27] The walls are 30 feet (9.1 m) high;[17] the lower portions are decorated with red marble dadoes, while the upper portions have walnut panels.[28][26] On the western wall of the main lobby is the archway from the vestibule.[29] The lobby walls contain groups of wooden pilasters with ornate capitals, which flank one arched bay to the north and two to the south. The lower portions of the arched bays have walnut display cases, while the upper portions have mirrors, draperies, and painted plaster decorations.[28] The mirror frames, trim, and pilasters were all carved by hand.[26] The eastern half of the north wall contains an archway, underneath which is a stair that ascends to the mezzanine.[29] The main lobby's eastern wall has two archways, flanked by walnut columns in the Corinthian order; the left (northeast) archway leads to the orchestra-level foyer, while the right (southeast) archway leads to the inner lobby.[27][29] The ceiling, inspired by that of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi,[23] is made of plaster, with elaborate octagonal and square coffers.[28] Three Art Deco lantern-shaped chandeliers with prisms, fleurs-de-lis, and pendeloques hang from the ceiling;[28][30] each chandelier weighs about 1 short ton (0.89 long tons; 0.91 t).[31]

The inner lobby is 80 by 32 feet (24.4 by 9.8 m) across,[17] extending southeast from the main lobby, and is built of similar materials to the main lobby.[28] On the southwestern wall are protruding wooden pilasters, which divide the wall into three arched bays. Wooden columns divide the northeastern wall into three archways, behind which are the mezzanine and the orchestra-level foyer; there is a cast iron balcony railing at the mezzanine level.[32] A stair to the mezzanine runs along the southeastern wall.[17][32] There are blind openings with wooden grilles behind the staircase. Red and gold draperies hang from the archways and arched bays. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is made of plaster, with coffers similar to those on the main lobby's ceiling, and has four chandeliers. In addition, the concrete floor is covered with carpeting.[32]

Foyers and lounges

edit

Directly northeast of the inner lobby are foyers on both the ground (orchestra) level and the mezzanine level, which have simpler design details than those in the lobbies.[26] The orchestra-level foyer measures 30 feet (9.1 m) wide and 185 feet (56 m) long.[33] It runs parallel to, and just to the northeast of, the inner lobby.[32] Leading off the orchestra foyer are several lounges and other spaces. These include a men's lounge, a women's lounge, a cosmetic room, a coat-check room, offices, and a stair to the basement.[34] The women's lounge had such decorations as draperies, marble fountains, and a marble fireplace mantel.[30] The mezzanine foyer is directly above the orchestra foyer. The men's lounge, women's lounge, and cosmetic room all connect with the mezzanine foyer, and there is also a stair leading from the mezzanine foyer to a projection room.[34] The projection room still exists, but the projector is no longer usable as of 2019; instead, a digital projector is used whenever the Kings screens movies. Three of the theater's four lounges were also restored in the 2010s and are open to the public.[8]

On the southwestern wall of the orchestra foyer are archways leading from the inner lobby. These archways are decorated with patera and foliate ornament, and there are mirrors between each archway.[32] On the orchestra foyer's northeastern wall, seven sets of double doors lead to the auditorium.[27][32] There are sets of wooden windows between each group of doorways. The ceiling of the orchestra foyer is made of plaster and is mostly flat, except for decorative bas-relief panels and ceiling medallions with lanterns; the southeast end has a coffered ceiling. The walls are decorated with ornamental bas-reliefs and draperies; there is a wood baseboard at the bottom of each wall, as well as a cornice at the top. The floor is covered with a carpet.[32]

The mezzanine foyer is accessed by two stairs, one each from the main and inner lobbies. The main-lobby stair ascends behind the north wall of that room; it is L-shaped with an intermediate landing. The bottom steps of the main-lobby stairs are curved, and the other steps have carpeted treads. In addition, the main-lobby stair has a cast-iron balustrade atop a marble base.[34] The inner-lobby stair is decorated similarly and is also L-shaped, though the stair is within the inner lobby itself rather than behind a wall. There is a trapezoidal opening on the wall underneath the stair, with a metal grate.[34] The mezzanine foyer itself has seven recessed double doors, surrounded by guilloché moldings, which lead to the auditorium's rear aisle. The foyer's floors are carpeted, while the ceiling has plaster decorations such as medallions. The plaster walls contain pilasters and decorative fabric panels, and a cornice runs atop each wall.[34]

Auditorium

edit
 
The auditorium's ceiling dome

The auditorium is symmetrically arranged on a southwest–northeast axis; it faces the stage in the northeast.[34] The auditorium measures 155 feet (47 m) deep from front to rear, and it is 160 feet (49 m) wide at its rear wall, though the front rows are substantially narrower.[33][27] The ceiling is 90 feet (27 m) tall.[30] In contrast to other theaters with multiple balconies, the Loew's Kings Theatre has only one balcony level, since Rapp and Rapp wanted to improve the auditorium's acoustics.[35] The balcony level is shallow and horseshoe-shaped.[36][35] Both the orchestra level and the balcony are raked, sloping down toward an orchestra pit in front of the stage.[35] When the theater was renovated in the 2010s, both levels were re-raked to improve sightlines from the rear seats.[8][37][38]

The auditorium originally had 3,690 seats across two levels;[34][39] the balcony had only 800 seats, and the remaining 2,890 seats were on the parterre-level orchestra.[40][41] The capacity was downsized to 3,250 seats after the theater's 2010s renovation,[2][42] with 2,400 seats in the orchestra and 800 in the balcony.[38] Despite the reduced capacity, the theater is the fourth-largest live events venue in New York City as of 2015, behind Radio City Music Hall, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera House.[2]

Aisles extend through the orchestra level from the rear to the front, dividing the space lengthwise into seven sections.[33][36] There is an additional cross-aisle partway through the orchestra level.[36] Originally, the seats were 22 inches (560 mm) wide, larger than typical movie-theater seats of the period, which tended to be 18 to 19 inches (460 to 480 mm) wide. In addition, each row of seats was about 40 inches (1,000 mm) deep from one seatback to the next; by comparison, other theaters had seating rows that were only 32 inches (810 mm) deep.[26] In the 2010s, the seats were widened, and legroom was increased as well.[8][37][38] Approximately 300 seats in the modern-day theater, mostly near the stage and orchestra pit can be removed to increase capacity for standing-room only audiences.[8] The stage measures 34 by 80 feet (10 by 24 m) across, and the orchestra pit, which can fit 40 musicians, measures 50 by 14 feet (15.2 by 4.3 m) across.[43] The modern-day orchestra pit has a 350-square-foot (33 m2) orchestra lift.[44] In addition, the orchestra pit has a removable barricade for events where the front rows of seating are removed.[8]

Design features
edit

The orchestra pit at the front of the theater is surrounded by a plaster-and-marble balustrade.[45] On the auditorium's northeastern wall is a segmental proscenium arch measuring 60 feet (18 m) high.[33][36] Above the center of the arch is a protruding medallion.[36] Under the archway, the theater originally had a triple-width screen.[46] The archway has Baroque decorations[43] such as acanthus leaves with rope motifs, in addition to guilloche leaves, fleurs-de-lis, and medallions.[36] On either side of the proscenium arch are recessed niches, which contain equipment for the theater's organ. These niches rise the height of the theater and are elaborately decorated, with spiral column and garlands on either side of each niche. At the orchestra level, there are deep alcoves on either side of the proscenium arch.[45] The side walls are 50 feet (15 m) high, and they contain Corinthian columns measuring 35 feet (11 m) high and 3 feet (0.91 m) across.[33]

The underside of the balcony has an elaborate fascia and soffit made of plaster. There are round and square plaster columns under the balcony,[45] which obstruct views from parts of the orchestra.[35] In addition, a fulcrum truss supports the balcony.[35] The balcony level itself has cast-iron lighting stanchions,[45] and there are VIP seating areas on that level.[8]

The rear and side walls contain a colonnade of distyle columns in the Corinthian order. These columns flank parabolic arches with red-and-gold draperies, which provide access to the mezzanine seats from the mezzanine's side aisles. The arches are set between wide piers, which contain fabric panels and small niches at the orchestra level.[45] There are also murals on the balcony level.[30][47] Above each of the piers are pendentives, which support the ceiling. The ceiling is made of plaster and is split up into colorful octagonal and square coffers. At the center of the ceiling is a recessed quatrefoil panel.[45] The ceiling's color scheme was intended to harmonize with the decorations in the rest of the auditorium.[26] The top of the ceiling dome is 75 feet (23 m) high and is decorated in a red, gold, and blue scheme.[48]

Organ
edit

Like the other Wonder Theaters, the Loew's Kings Theatre featured a "Wonder Morton" theater pipe organ manufactured by the Robert Morton Organ Company of Van Nuys, California.[49][50] The organ featured a console with four manuals and 23 ranks of pipes.[49] There were 3,000 pipes in total, divided evenly between two organ lofts. When the theater was built, the organ cost $75,000 (equivalent to $1,331,000 in 2023).[50] The organ remained at the theater until 1974, when Loew's disassembled the organ, with the intention of donating it to Town Hall in Manhattan.[49][50] However, the instrument was never reinstalled; it was vandalized extensively, and parts of the organ were stolen.[49][51] An organ collector from the Bronx, Donald Schwing, had acquired the remains of the organ by 1980.[51] Paul Van Der Molen acquired the console in 1998 and rebuilt it in his house in Wheaton, Illinois.[49][52]

 
The original organ console

The Van Der Molen family donated Wonder Morton to the New York Theatre Organ Society in 2011.[53][54] The organ was removed from the family's home and placed in storage for an anticipated return to the restored Kings Theatre.[52][55] The renovation budget, however, did not include the $650,000 cost of relocating and reinstalling the organ.[56][54] In December 2014, the theater's developer ACE Theatrical Group agreed to help develop an electronic reproduction of the Wonder Morton. The donated pipe work would be sold or donated to a suitable venue.[57] The rest of Van Der Molen's organ, which was not part of the original Wonder Morton, is in the collection of the University of Oklahoma.[54][52]

Back-of-house areas

edit

The basement has a lounge and restrooms. There are several back-of-house spaces in the basement, such as a utility-meter room, an ushers' suite, refrigeration rooms, and machine rooms. There are storage rooms under the stage, along with rooms for the organ, piano, and musicians.[45] The basement also had a basketball court;[30][58] according to the New York Daily News, ushers were obligated to exercise there.[58] In the 2010s, more restrooms were added to the basement,[31] replacing the basketball court.[8][5] When the theater was expanded in the 2010s, the original back-of-house spaces in the rear were partly demolished, and a new stage house was constructed.[15][31] The back-of-house spaces on stage right are approximately 12 feet (3.7 m) wider than in the original stage house, and there are also a freight elevator, dressing rooms, offices, and restrooms.[8] The expanded stage house has a loading dock and fly gallery as well.[8][38]

Use as movie palace

edit

Movie palaces became common in the 1920s between the end of World War I and the beginning of the Great Depression.[59][60] In the New York City area, only a small number of operators were involved in the construction of movie palaces. Relatively few architects were responsible for these theaters' designs, including legitimate theater architects Thomas Lamb, C. Howard Crane, and John Eberson.[59] By the late 1920s, numerous movie palaces were being developed in outlying neighborhoods in New York City; previously, the city's movie palaces had been concentrated in Midtown Manhattan.[41] The five Wonder Theatres were developed by Loew's Inc., which at the time was competing with Paramount-Publix.[61] In 1927, Loew's president Nicholas Schenck agreed to take over five sites from Paramount-Publix, in exchange for agreeing not to build competing theaters in Chicago; these five sites became the Wonder Theatres.[61][62]

Development and opening

edit

Prior to the development of the current theater, the site at 1027 Flatbush Avenue had been occupied by a Brooklyn City Railroad railyard. William Fox bought the site in November 1919.[63] He hired Thomas Lamb to design a 3,500-seat theater on the site,[63][64] but that theater was never completed.[22] Allied Owners Inc., which was established in 1927 to develop the Kings, Paramount, Pitkin, and Valencia theaters,[65] subsequently acquired the site.[66][67] The theater became known as the Kings,[68] after its location in Kings County, New York, which is coextensive with Brooklyn.[8] The Famous Players–Lasky Company announced preliminary plans for the theater in March 1927, before the deal with Loew's had been finalized.[69][70] These plans called for a 3,920-seat theater with a deep stage, a shallow balcony, and five or six stores extending north along Flatbush Avenue to Tilden Avenue.[69]

Paramount-Publix reassigned its leases of the Kings, Pitkin, and Valencia theaters to Loew's in November 1927.[71] For the Kings Theatre's construction, Loew's Inc. agreed to pay Allied Owners Inc. $20,000 a month for 181 months, in exchange for receiving financing from Allied Owners Inc.,[65][72] and Paramount-Publix agreed to guarantee the Kings Theatre's construction.[73] Loew's Inc. was to have taken ownership of the property in 1945, once the bonds had been paid off.[67] Since sound films were becoming prevalent at the time,[8][40] the Kings Theatre was the first Loew's theater that was designed specifically to accommodate the acoustics of sound films.[46] The Thompson–Starrett Company was the general contractor for the theater,[26][39] while Leon Fleischmann of Loew's Theaters supervised the theater's construction.[39][74]

Loew's announced in early 1928 that it would begin constructing four of the theaters, including the theater in Flatbush.[75] Construction began with the demolition of the railyard. Afterward, workers constructed the foundation, steel superstructure, and roof; to speed up construction, workers built the lower and upper portions of the theater concurrently.[22] By early August 1929, decorators were finishing up the interiors.[74] The project cost $1.3 million in total.[22] The Kings Theatre was supposed to have opened on August 24, 1929,[76][77] but the opening was postponed three times.[78] When the theater was completed, the New York Herald Tribune called it "Brooklyn's largest residential picture house".[79] The theater opened to the public at 11 a.m. on September 7, 1929, and was dedicated that night.[80] The first show was a program that included the film Evangeline, a live stage show, orchestra, and solo pipe organ; the film's star, Dolores del Río, made a special live appearance.[80][81] When the Kings opened, it was surrounded by at least six other movie theaters.[5]

Operation

edit
 
Close-up of the marquee

The Loew's Kings presented first runs of films along with stage shows when it opened.[77][82] Initially, the Loew's Kings presented stage shows that had already been performed at the Capitol Theatre in Manhattan.[83][84] In addition to films and stage shows, the Kings Theater hosted events such as beauty pageants,[47][5] merchandise displays,[85] fundraisers,[86] and awards ceremonies.[87] The theater frequently hosted high-school graduations, as it was one of the few venues in Brooklyn that were large enough to accommodate large student bodies. Among the students who had their graduation ceremonies there were the U.S. senator Chuck Schumer and the musician Carole King.[37] Other activities at the Kings Theatre included Christmas parties for orphans, in addition to contract bridge lessons.[5]

In the theater's early years, the balcony area was so popular that it was often filled to capacity before all the orchestra seats had been occupied.[27] The theater's managers checked the equipment every week. To prevent overcrowding, patrons lined up in the main lobby before each show; the theater's ushers silently led patrons to their seats, one row at a time.[88] The Kings employed 18 ushers, as well as numerous doormen, captains, cashiers, projectionists, janitors, cleaners, engineers, and electricians.[89] The staff over the years included Sylvester Stallone and Henry Winkler, who worked there as ushers.[90][91] Local legend has it that Barbra Streisand was an usher at the theater as well, though she never worked there; however, Streisand did watch movies at the theater frequently.[37]

During the 1930s, the Kings Theatre's performers included Gracie Allen, Milton Berle, George Burns, Cab Calloway, Jimmy Durante, and Bob Hope.[92] Ben Vereen, whose mother worked at the theater, also danced there.[91] Other celebrities performed at the theater throughout the years, including Chuck Berry, Marlon Brando, Eddie Cantor, Florence Henderson, the Nicholas Brothers, Little Richard, and Bojangles Robinson.[93][94] In its last two decades as a cinema, the Kings hosted celebrities such as Muhammad Ali, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland.[95]

1920s to 1940s

edit

Edward Douglas, who had trained more than 3,000 musicians for U.S. military bands,[96] was the theater's first director.[97][98] The Kings Theatre originally had a 40-piece orchestra,[95] which at the time of the opening was led by a 29-year-old conductor, David Pesetzki.[97][99] The theater mostly screened movies produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a subsidiary of Loew's.[8] In late 1929, Loew's orchestras began playing at alternating theaters, so the Paradise Theatre's orchestra was moved to the Kings Theatre.[100] In 1930, Loew's installed a Trans-tone wide screen at the Kings Theatre.[101] Loew's announced that June that the Kings would no longer host live vaudeville shows during the summer.[102]

Loew's defaulted on the theater's mortgage loan in June 1933,[71] and the Kings' owner, Allied Owners, filed for bankruptcy protection that October.[65][66] Manufacturers Trust also moved to foreclose on a $9 million mortgage that it had placed on the Kings and four other Allied theaters.[103] Allied Owners subsequently presented a reorganization plan in 1934,[73][104] and a federal judge approved the plan in March 1935, allowing Allied to transfer ownership of the Kings, Pitkin, and Valencia theaters to Loew's once the debt on these three theaters had been paid off.[105] Allied Owners agreed to sell the three theaters to Loew's for $12,875,000, which would be paid out over 25 years.[67][106] As part of the agreement, Loew's would pay $500,000 for the first ten years and $525,000 for the next fifteen years.[67] The Kings experimented with double features (in which two films were screened back-to-back) in 1935, but the theater had switched to screening only one film at a time by that October.[107]

By the late 1930s, the Kings no longer presented vaudeville at all, but it still presented some live shows.[108] One of the theater's former ushers recalled that the organ loft and the orchestra pit were no longer being regularly used at the time.[88] Instead, double features were screened for almost 12 hours a day, seven days a week; the theater also screened newsreels and short films.[88][89] Typically, the double features were followed by a cartoon, a newsreel, a short travel film, and a trailer.[109] During World War II, a nurse-recruitment booth operated in the theater's lobby,[110] and the theater hosted charity balls and war-bond sales along with movies.[3] Following a 1948 ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States, Loew's Theaters was forced to split up its film-production and film-exhibition divisions.[8][89][111] As part of the split, Loew's Theatres was compelled to either sell the Kings Theatre or limit the types of shows that were to be presented there.[112][113]

1950s to 1970s

edit
 
Panoramic view of the auditorium

The Kings Theatre first hosted jazz concerts in 1952;[114] the theater hosted more concerts after the first one opened to generally positive acclaim.[115] The theater slowly declined after World War II, and it screened films almost exclusively.[3][8][49] By the 1960s, Loew's Theaters Inc. had begun to struggle financially, and the chain closed some of its larger theaters due to high expenses.[116] In addition, urban residents had begun to move to the suburbs, and neighborhood movie houses had to compete with shopping-mall multiplexes and household televisions.[95][89] The theater had a single screen, limiting the number of films that could be shown there.[3] The Loew's Kings began hosting events such as a televised boxing match in 1964,[117] and it started screening multiple first-run films the same year as part of the Showcase program.[118] Over the years, the original color palette of the auditorium was obscured due to successive repaintings, in addition to accumulations of soot from cigarette smoke.[8][37]

The theater's original pipe organ was played for the last time in 1974, after which it was disassembled and relocated.[50] After a tax on theater admission tickets was proposed the next year, the theater's manager Dorothy Panzica wrote letters to four newspapers to protest the proposed surcharge.[119] In its final years, the Kings Theatre showed low-budget films as well as blaxploitation, horror, and kung fu movies.[3][38] By 1976, community organizer Marty Markowitz of the Flatbush Tenants Council had proposed converting the Kings Theatre to accommodate large stage shows. Markowitz claimed these shows would attract patrons and revitalize Flatbush Avenue.[120]

The Kings Theatre briefly closed in early 1977.[8][121] The theater was sold to the Kings Royalty Production Corporation that May[89] at a cost of $718,385.[121] The Tabernacle of Prayer for All People, a Brooklyn–based church, negotiated to buy the Loew's Kings, but when these negotiations failed, the church moved to the Loew's Valencia Theatre.[122] The theater reopened in June 1977 and was renamed the Kings Theatre, without the Loew's name.[121] Ultimately, the theater was unable to continue operating due to high costs and low attendance.[123] Unlike other large theaters that were divided into multiplexes, the Kings could not be subdivided, both because the balcony was too narrow and because the orchestra level was too wide.[124] The Kings closed on August 30, 1977; the last films screened there were Islands in the Stream[125][126] and The Death of Bruce Lee.[109][95]

Abandonment and redevelopment

edit

Redevelopment attempts

edit

1970s and 1980s

edit

When the Kings Theatre closed, the interior was almost completely intact,[127] and it was maintained by a skeleton crew.[95] Prior to its eventual reopening in 2015, there were at least seven unsuccessful attempts over the years to redevelop the theater.[8] In June 1978, Brooklyn borough president Howard Golden allocated $1.2 million in community development funds for the acquisition of the Kings Theatre.[128] Golden planned to renovate the interior into a cultural center.[128] The planned renovation was part of the Overall Economic Development Program, a wider-ranging development plan for Brooklyn.[129] Another proposal called for the theater to be converted into a roller rink.[4][95] The Flatbush Development Corporation (FDC) acquired the theater for $780,000 and planned to spend $8 million to $10 million converting the building into a live-events venue.[130] To raise money for the renovation, the FDC hosted a fundraiser at the theater in May 1979; it was the first event to be hosted at the venue in two years.[130][131] Supporters of the theater's conversion also wanted the building to be designated as an official landmark.[95] At the time, the FDC described the theater as still being in relatively good shape,[132] though some of the theater's artifacts were later sold off.[133]

The city government seized the theater in 1978,[123][92] after the FDC failed to pay taxes.[134] The FDC continued to maintain the theater with funds from the city.[135][136] The city wished to spend $2 million on the area, of which $300,000 would go toward acquiring the theater.[137] The city government also contemplated acquiring the land to the east, along East 22nd Street and Tilden Avenue, for a parking lot.[124][138] The New York City Department of City Planning tentatively approved the plan to renovate the theater and surrounding area in July 1980.[139] The FDC's plans called for the building to be converted into a performing-arts venue with retail, with connections to the neighboring Macy's, Loehmann, and Sears store buildings.[138][139][140] Local small-business owners expressed concerns that a new mall centered around the Kings Theatre would harm mom-and-pop stores on Flatbush Avenue and Beverley Road,[141] so the plan to convert the Kings Theatre into a mall was canceled that December.[142] Nonetheless, the New York City Board of Estimate approved the plan in January 1981.[13][143] By then, the New York Bank for Savings had foreclosed on the theater.[137]

There were rumors in 1982 that the theater was being sold to the entertainer Ben Vereen, though the FDC denied these claims.[144] The FDC continued to pursue the idea of reopening the Kings Theatre either for legitimate shows or as a recording studio.[145] Meanwhile, the empty theater was vandalized,[30][90] and the interiors continued to decay, with squatters moving into the vacant space.[146] As part of the citywide Adopt-a-Landmark program, students from South Shore High School "adopted" the theater in late 1985,[145][147] visiting the venue and documenting its history and architecture.[30][123] The FDC simultaneously commissioned a study, which determined that the theater could be converted either to retail space or an entertainment venue with some retail.[123] After the study was completed, the city government began looking for a developer to renovate the Kings Theatre.[123][7][148] A request for proposals was supposed to have been launched in July 1986, but it was delayed when city officials expressed concerns that there was insufficient demand for performing-arts programs at the theater.[147] A consultant for the FDC, Jack Freeman, also drew up plans to convert the theater into a mixed-use building.[135]

In late 1986, a consortium including the FDC, the J. M. Kaplan Fund, and Save the Theatres Inc. announced plans to redevelop the theater into a performing-arts venue.[149] Two Brooklyn residents, Mark Bender and Bruce Friedman, formed an organization known as Save the Kings.[124] The National Park Service determined that the theater was eligible for designation as a U.S. National Historic Landmark,[148] and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission also determined that the theater was eligible for city-landmark protection.[150] In addition, the Prospect Park Environmental Center and Municipal Art Society sponsored walking tours of the abandoned Kings Theatre.[151] The city government was still looking to sell the theater by 1988.[152] The next year, city officials provided $200,000 for repairs to the Kings Theatre's roof.[153] The city government tried to close the section of East 22nd Street east of the theater, as part of the redevelopment of the parking lot there, but the street was not closed because of a clerical error.[154]

Early and mid-1990s

edit

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) finally issued a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) for the theater in 1990.[68][155][156] At that point, the city estimated that it would cost $4.5 million just to bring the theater to a state of good repair, plus several million more dollars to restore the decorations.[155][156] The city sent out invitations to 170 developers, of which 30 replied.[134] The city government stipulated that the winning bidders had to continue operating the venue as a theater.[93] Golden believed that the theater's renovation would lead to the redevelopment of the Flatbush Avenue shopping district.[156] Workers began repairing the roof in 1991,[127] a project that cost $1.2–1.4 million.[136][94] Workers also repaired the plumbing and masonry.[93][94]

By 1991, the city government had identified two viable proposals.[134] The restaurateur and developer Bernard James wanted to convert the theater into a community center for Caribbean-Americans in Brooklyn, while the clothing and real-estate company Jordache wanted to divide the theater into a multiplex.[157] The EDC, which liked both proposals, requested that James and the Nakash brothers (who owned Jordache) submit a joint proposal for the theater.[92][94] James formed a group known as the Flatbush Universal Corporation to raise money for the theater;[92] among the fundraisers it hosted was a 1992 concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with Queen Latifah and Fela Kuti.[94][158] James said at the time that the building would include a hotel, health spa, restaurant, catering hall, and wax museum dedicated to the black community, along with a restored 3,200-seat auditorium.[92][94] These plans ultimately never materialized.[93][91]

Late 1990s and 2000s

edit
 
The abandoned theater in 2008

The city government again requested new proposals for the Kings Theatre's renovation in late 1996.[91][159] By then, the adjacent section of Flatbush Avenue was already undergoing a commercial redevelopment.[93] Because the theater had never officially been designated as a landmark, developers were potentially allowed to demolish it.[93][159] Golden, who was still Brooklyn's borough president, endorsed the theater's renovation,[160] while Bruce Friedman of Save the Kings suggested that the Kings Theatre could be redeveloped as a mixed-use complex, similarly to the New Amsterdam Theatre in Manhattan.[159] Only one developer, Bruce Ratner, had expressed serious interest in the Kings Theatre site by mid-1997, but the EDC rejected his request that he unilaterally be appointed as the theater's developer.[161]

Magic Johnson Theatres, operated by the retired basketball player Magic Johnson, submitted a bid to redevelop the Kings Theatre in early 1998.[162][163] The plans entailed dividing the theater into a multiplex and constructing a restaurant there.[164] Other companies, including United Artists, also submitted bids for the theater's renovation.[163] Though the city government favored Johnson's plan, it debated whether to give the developer $5 million in financing for the theater's renovation.[165] The city government selected Johnson and the Plaza Construction Corporation as the Kings Theatre's developers in 1999.[166][167][168] Johnson planned to construct a 12-screen multiplex there at a cost of $30 million,[166][169] of which the city government was to provide $2.5 million.[167][168] About 175 people would have been hired to renovate the theater, and the completed theater would have employed 100 workers.[166][168] Johnson was to have started renovating the theater in late 1999,[169] but the renovation still had not begun by October 2000, in part because of financing difficulties.[170] Johnson's renovation was never completed, either.[2][171]

The theater remained abandoned through the 2000s while groups, such as the Theatre Historical Society of America, gave tours of the venue.[172] By the mid-2000s, the cost of restoring the Kings Theatre had increased to $35 million,[171] and city officials considered demolishing the interior.[173] The EDC launched yet another RFEI for the theater in September 2006,[24][173] giving tours to potential developers.[146] By then, the Kings' interior was damaged as a result of neglect, water damage, and vandalism, and there was toxic asbestos, lead, and mold inside.[25][127][174] Matthew Wolf, who later became the Kings' manager, recalled that the northwest corner of the roof had partially collapsed.[175] The roof was repaired again in 2007 to halt further deterioration.[127] The next year, the city government issued an RFP for the theater's renovation, which was to cost $70 million.[24][25][174] Bidders for the theater had the option to lease the adjacent parking lots as well.[174] Marty Markowitz, who was by then the borough president, endorsed the project,[3][173] saying a live-event venue in the old theater would boost Flatbush's economy.[176] Markowitz obtained $10.75 million for the theater's renovation from the city government's budget for fiscal year 2009.[177]

Renovation

edit
 
The renovated interior

Planning for the renovation began in 2009.[178][179] The government of New York City announced in February 2010 that it had selected the Houston–based ACE Theatrical Group to redevelop the theater for $70 million.[125][126] ACE had previously redeveloped other historic theaters across the United States and converted them into live events venues.[180][2] The city government agreed to provide $50 million, while ACE spent $5 million; the remaining $15 million came from tax credits.[12] The theater's renovation was overseen by a joint venture of the ACE Theatrical Group, Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, and National Development Council.[181][179] At the time, ACE planned to host 250 events at the theater annually, including concerts, performances, and ceremonies.[12][182] Martinez & Johnson were hired to design the restoration.[11][12] Before the renovations commenced, workers surveyed the interiors;[12] they reportedly found a naked vagrant on the stage during their surveys.[5][183] The theater had also decayed significantly due to further deterioration of the roof since the late 2000s.[8] One side of the auditorium had been nearly destroyed by water infiltration, there were feral cats and birds, and the theater had been targeted by looters.[8][5]

The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012,[2][184] allowing the developers to receive a preservation tax credit.[180] The same year, ACE and its partners agreed to lease the theater from the EDC for 55 years.[11][185] Work formally began on January 23, 2013.[179][185][186] By then, the cost had increased to $94 million, of which Goldman Sachs and United Fund Advisors agreed to provide $44 million. The renovation was expected to employ 500 workers, while the theater itself was to have 50 workers after the renovation was finished.[186] Workers began environmental remediation of the site, and they installed a new roof above the Kings Theatre.[184] The theater building was upgraded to meet modern building codes,[184] and new lights were installed.[187] The stage house at the theater's rear was expanded onto East 22nd Street.[11][12] The rake of the auditorium seats was modified to improve sightlines, and the auditorium was downsized to 3,250 seats.[2] Bars were added to the theater,[175] and the basement was enlarged as well.[31][2] ACE spent over $75,000 to restore the original lobby furniture, which the theater's former manager Dorothy Panzica still owned after four decades,[188] and it also hired a Connecticut–based firm to build additional furniture.[189]

The theater's interior spaces were restored to their original appearance.[125][190] EverGreene Architectural Arts was hired to restore the theater's original architectural features.[11][31] Because almost all of the decorations had been stolen or damaged over the years, EverGreene had to reproduce many of the decorations;[31][2] they took dozens of material samples to determine the original colors and interior finishes.[11][191][175] The deteriorating interiors were repaired and cleaned, while the facade and marquee were restored.[2] The chandeliers in the lobbies, which were among the few remaining interior decorations, were rebuilt.[8][18] The restoration process was so complex that scaffolds had to be piled on top of other scaffolds, and the scaffolding costs alone amounted to over $2 million.[11] Restoration work in the auditorium and lobby was nearly complete by late 2014.[192] The renovation ultimately cost $95 million,[181][188] of which more than half came from city and state government sources.[11][181][b]

Reopening

edit

ACE began hiring staff for the theater in late 2014,[193] and Diana Ross was selected as the inaugural artist for the theater's reopening.[194][195] The theater formally reopened on January 23, 2015,[42][196] and Ross gave a gala reopening performance on February 3.[183][197][198] In addition to performances, the theater hosted community events and tours when it reopened.[194] Matthew Wolf was hired as the theater's executive director.[175][199] Markowitz, who had become a NYC & Company vice president after leaving office as Brooklyn's borough president, predicted that the Kings Theatre would become "Brooklyn's Beacon and Apollo theaters all in one".[2] Proponents of the Kings Theatre's renovation hoped that the theater would benefit the neighborhood's economy.[5] The renovation coincided with the development of several stores, a gym, and a hotel in the surrounding area,[2][200][178] Several restaurants opened on Beverley Road, where the closest New York City Subway stations to the theater were located.[200] A municipal panel in Jersey City, New Jersey, decided to hire ACE to redevelop the Loew's Jersey Theatre in part because of the group's work on the Kings Theatre.[5]

After the theater reopened, it hosted performances from musical acts including Jackson Browne, Josh Groban, Diana Ross, and Yo La Tengo,[201] in addition to events like the National Beard & Moustache Championships.[202] The theater's new management employed mostly neighborhood residents, and they also collaborated with local businesses.[178][201] The New York Landmarks Conservancy gave the theater its Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, recognizing the historic preservation of the theater, in 2015.[203] That September, the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) acquired ACE's theaters, including the Kings Theatre.[3][178][201] After Tyler Bates took over as the Kings Theatre's general manager in 2017, he added 50% more event bookings to the theater in an attempt to attract more visitors from the local community.[204]

Billboard magazine wrote in 2018 that the theater had become a well-known live-event venue in the New York metropolitan area. In addition to music concerts, the theater hosted events catering to Brooklyn's many demographic groups, as well as other events like boxing matches, family shows, and comedy shows.[178] The theater was also used for private events like meetings and graduation ceremonies.[8] The Kings Theatre was temporarily shuttered during 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.[205] ATG again began hosting tours of the Kings Theatre's interior in 2023.[206]

Impact

edit

Critical reception

edit

When the theater opened, the Brooklyn Eagle wrote that "luxury seems to have been the watchword of the designers, and this is emphasized from the front door to the very last seat in the balcony".[80] The Brooklyn Daily Times described the Kings Theatre as "one of the most beautiful theatres anywhere in the Metropolitan city",[81] and The Chat described the theater as "the most gorgeous blending of Old World decorative beauty and modern comfort that film theatre architecture has yet produced".[23] The New York Herald Tribune wrote in 1942 that the construction of movie houses such as the Kings, Paradise, Pitkin, and Valencia theaters "marked a new development in neighborhood entertainment", as these venues were much larger than contemporary neighborhood movie theaters.[207] Crain's New York wrote retrospectively that the theater had been intended to "make the common person feel like royalty",[7] while Vulture said that the theater was a "gaudily secular cathedral of American excess".[183]

A reporter for The New York Times wrote in 1976 that the Kings Theatre was "considered by many to be a classic among movie palaces bristling with ornamentation".[208] After the theater closed, one writer the New York Daily News described it as "mayhap Early Texaco in decor but a seeming Sistine Chapel of class to unemployed showbiz buffs",[209] while another reporter for the same paper described it as the Versailles of movie palaces.[109] A New Yorker article described the Kings Theatre as "perhaps the single most ornate movie house in the country".[124] In 2013, The Wall Street Journal described the Kings as one of several New York City–area movie theaters with "exteriors that loom large".[210]

Media and exhibits

edit

When the theater stopped operating as a movie palace, the director Christian Blackwood produced a documentary called Memoirs of a Movie Palace: Kings of Flatbush,[c] which was released in 1979.[95][209] The documentary includes interviews from several of the theater's longtime employees.[132] By early 1980, two separate groups of filmmakers considered using the Kings Theatre as a filming location for the movie Tribute, and for a film based on Herman Wouk's novel The Winds of War.[211] The abandoned theater was used as a filming location for the movie Sophie's Choice in 1982;[212][213] however, the scene shot at the theater was removed from the film.[213] Scenes from TV series such as So You Think You Can Dance, Gotham, and The Blacklist have also been shot there.[8]

Architectural drawings of the theater's interior were shown in a 1983 exhibit at the Municipal Art Society.[214] After the National Trust for Historic Preservation gave the Municipal Art Society a $1,250 matching grant to fund an exhibit of photographs and artifacts related to the Kings Theatre,[150] the society hosted another exhibit about the theater in 1988.[152][215] In addition, the Museum of the Moving Image hosted an exhibition about the Loew's Kings and other Loew's theaters in 2004.[216] The photographer Matt Lambros took pictures of the theater for his book After the Final Curtain in the early 2010s.[217] Lambros and the Theatre Historical Society of America published a book about the theater, Kings Theater: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Brooklyn's Wonder Theater, in 2015.[188][218]

See also

edit

References

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Also spelled "Ann"[17]
  2. ^ A 2014 New York Times article says that the theater received $55.5 million in public funding, broken down into $20.5 million in mayoral funds, $1.5 million in City Council funds, $30.5 million in borough president funds, and $3 million in state funds. According to the Times, the project also received $39.9 million in private funding, including $21.6 million from Goldman Sachs and $18.3 million from ACE.[2] The New York Daily News wrote that the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York provided a grant for the theater.[193]
  3. ^ For the film, see Blackwood Productions (January 14, 2022). "Memoirs of a Movie Palace". Internet Archive. Retrieved April 22, 2022.

Citations

edit
  1. ^ "Loew's Kings Theatre". 22 August 2012. National Park Service. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Levere, Jane L. (December 31, 2014). "Kings Theater in Flatbush Set to Reopen, and Lift a Neighborhood". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Spellen, Suzanne (January 4, 2016). "The Once-Opulent Venue Comes Back to Life". Brownstoner. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Stein, Elliott (March–April 1979). "An Acre of Seats in a Garden of Dreams". Film Comment. Vol. 15, no. 2. pp. 32–51. ProQuest 210267141.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Adams, Nathaniel (January 16, 2015). "Across the New York Area, Restoring 'Wonder Theater' Movie Palaces to Glory". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Iverem, Esther (January 22, 1991). "Movie Theaters That Were Palaces Now Playing: Queens History". Newsday. p. 54. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 278315782.
  7. ^ a b c McCain, Mark (March 3, 1986). "Investors Flock to Flatbush, Fuel Redevelopment Boom". Crain's New York Business. Vol. 2, no. 9. p. 13. ProQuest 219163232.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Calhoun, John (2019). "Loew's Kings Theatre: Restoration of a Palace for the Masses". Performing Arts Resources. Vol. 34. pp. 160–176, XIII. ProQuest 2544917211.
  9. ^ a b c d e National Park Service 2012, p. 3.
  10. ^ Fortier, Alison (2016). A History Lover's Guide to New York City. History and Guide Series. History Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-4671-1903-0.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Dunlap, David W. (November 6, 2013). "Giving Old Loew's Theater in Brooklyn a Second Chance". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Bortolot, Lana (August 24, 2011). "City News: In Flatbush, Kings Encore Is on Marquee". The Wall Street Journal. p. A.17. ISSN 0099-9660. ProQuest 884833810.
  13. ^ a b AKRF Inc. & Eng-Wong, Taub & Associates 2011, p. S3.
  14. ^ AKRF Inc. & Eng-Wong, Taub & Associates 2011, pp. 2.4–2.5.
  15. ^ a b c d AKRF Inc. & Eng-Wong, Taub & Associates 2011, p. S2.
  16. ^ a b National Park Service 2012, pp. 3–4.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Theatre Historical Society of America 2017, p. 310.
  18. ^ a b c d Croghan, Lore (January 23, 2013). "Royalty Derelict Loew's Kings Theater to Get $94m Regal Restoration". New York Daily News. p. 11. ISSN 2692-1251. ProQuest 1272125263. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  19. ^ a b National Park Service 2012, p. 4.
  20. ^ National Park Service 2012, pp. 4–5.
  21. ^ a b c d National Park Service 2012, p. 5.
  22. ^ a b c d Lambros, Matt (September 13, 2018). "Loew's Kings Theatre Part 1 – Building and Opening". After the Final Curtain. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "Loew's Kings Theatre". The Chat. August 30, 1929. p. 30. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Ryley, Saray (March 14, 2008). "Loew's Kings Theater in Flatbush could finally be redeveloped". The Real Deal. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c Ohrstrom, Lysandra (March 14, 2008). "Developers, You're On! City Wants To Spruce Up Brooklyn's Kings Theater". Observer. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g "New Edifice Shows Progress Made in Theatre Building Art". The Brooklyn Daily Times. September 6, 1929. p. 79. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d e f Binger 1990, p. 39.
  28. ^ a b c d e f National Park Service 2012, p. 6.
  29. ^ a b c National Park Service 2012, pp. 5–6.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g English, Merle (February 10, 1986). "Neighborhoods; Brooklyn Closeup; Students Raise the Curtain on Effort to Save Movie Palace". Newsday. p. 27. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 285367885. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  31. ^ a b c d e f Velsey, Kim (September 17, 2014). "Inside the Nearly Completed Restoration of Brooklyn's Kings Theater [Photos]". Observer. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g National Park Service 2012, p. 7.
  33. ^ a b c d e Theatre Historical Society of America 2017, p. 311.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g National Park Service 2012, p. 8.
  35. ^ a b c d e "Loew's Kings Shows Trend Toward Simplicity of Style". The Brooklyn Daily Times. September 6, 1929. p. 79. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  36. ^ a b c d e f National Park Service 2012, pp. 8–9.
  37. ^ a b c d e Bonanos, Christopher (January 15, 2015). "Photos: The Most Beautiful Old Movie Palace in Brooklyn, Back From the Brink". Vulture. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d e Petersen, George (March 2015). "Theatre Installation Showcase". Front of House. Vol. 13, no. 6. p. 40. ProQuest 1667737915.
  39. ^ a b c "Brooklyn's Largest "Movie" And Be Readv Next Month". New York Herald Tribune. July 28, 1929. p. D2. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 1111993727.
  40. ^ a b National Park Service 2012, p. 17.
  41. ^ a b Stern, Robert A. M.; Gilmartin, Patrick; Mellins, Thomas (1987). New York 1930: Architecture and Urbanism Between the Two World Wars. New York: Rizzoli. p. 262. ISBN 978-0-8478-3096-1. OCLC 13860977.
  42. ^ a b McGoldrick, Meaghan (January 23, 2015). "Ribbon cut on new-and-improved Kings Theatre". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  43. ^ a b Theatre Historical Society of America 2017, p. 312.
  44. ^ "Built for Industry, Ideal for the Stage". Stage Directions. Vol. 29, no. 3. March 2016. p. 74. ProQuest 1784965954.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g National Park Service 2012, p. 9.
  46. ^ a b Allen, Kelcey (August 19, 1929). "Amusements: "The Dance Of Life"". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 39, no. 35. pp. 16, 24. ProQuest 1653694626.
  47. ^ a b Naylor, David (January 31, 1988). "Masterpiece Theaters". New York Daily News. pp. 239, 240, 241, 242. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  48. ^ Theatre Historical Society of America 2017, pp. 311–312.
  49. ^ a b c d e f "Loew's Kings Theatre". The New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. September 7, 1929. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  50. ^ a b c d Johnston, Laurie (January 28, 1974). "Organ's Farewell to Brooklyn Stirs Ghostly Echoes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  51. ^ a b Hughes, Allen (November 28, 1980). "Pipe Organ Reresounds At Movies; Began in High School in Alabama Midwest and Coast Revival Biggest Wurlitzer of Them All New Audience for Silent Films". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  52. ^ a b c "The 5 Wonder Mortons – Where are they now? – Garden State Theatre Organ Society". Garden State Theatre Organ Society. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  53. ^ "Van Der Molen 4/26 Robert Morton". wheatonfox.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  54. ^ a b c Jaeger, Max (October 16, 2014). "Kings Theatre needs organ transplant". Brooklyn Paper. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  55. ^ "Welcome to the Former Wheaton Fox Studio". Linda Van Der Molen. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  56. ^ Jaeger, Max (October 16, 2014). "Kings Theatre needs organ transplant". No. 42. Community News Group. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  57. ^ "Kings Theatre Organ – Latest News". New York Theatre Organ Society. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  58. ^ a b Kravis, Hedi (February 12, 1978). "The Best First-Run Movie Houses!". New York Daily News. pp. 426, 427, 439, 442. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  59. ^ a b Landmarks Preservation Commission 2016, pp. 5–6.
  60. ^ Hall, Ben M. (1975). The Best Remaining Seats: The Story of the Golden Age of the Movie Palace. C. N. Potter. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-517-02057-9. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  61. ^ a b National Park Service 2012, p. 16.
  62. ^ Landmarks Preservation Commission 2016, pp. 7–8.
  63. ^ a b "Flatbush to Have Biggest Theater in Brooklyn". Brooklyn Eagle. December 23, 1919. p. 22. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  64. ^ "Fox to Erect Brooklyn Theater to Cost $1,000,000". New-York Tribune. December 25, 1919. p. 21. ISSN 1941-0646. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  65. ^ a b c "Zukor Tells of Aid by Allied Owners; He Appears as Witness in Ex- amination of Bankrupt Concern in Brooklyn". The New York Times. November 2, 1933. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  66. ^ a b "Family Doesn't Interfere With Zukor's Business". New York Herald Tribune. November 2, 1933. p. 15. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 1125462634; "Settlement Plan Seen Near in Case of Allied Owners". Times Union. January 12, 1934. p. 3. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  67. ^ a b c d "Pictures: Valencia, Jamaica, Kings and Pitkin, B'klyn, 100% Loew's". Variety. Vol. 119, no. 7. July 31, 1935. p. 35. ProQuest 1475846228.
  68. ^ a b Lyons, Richard D. (March 18, 1990). "Postings: A Bid for Restoration; The Kings Of Flatbush". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  69. ^ a b "Auditorium Seating 3,920 Is to Have No Balcony Overhang". Times Union. March 20, 1927. p. 19. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  70. ^ "Pictures: Publix's N. Y. Neighborhood Policy 9 New Theatres; $20,000,000". Variety. Vol. 86, no. 9. March 16, 1927. pp. 4, 14. ProQuest 1475703994.
  71. ^ a b "Pictures: Paramount Retains B'klyn Par For 20 Yrs. as Part of $23,644,255 Claim Settlement with Allied Corp". Variety. Vol. 116, no. 10. November 20, 1934. pp. 7, 25. ProQuest 1475806627.
  72. ^ "Pictures: $19,000,000 Worth of Par-Publix Creditors Elect Hilles, Horowitz, Leake, Non-Showmen, Trustees". Variety. Vol. 110, no. 6. April 18, 1933. pp. 7, 11. ProQuest 1475761460.
  73. ^ a b "Allied Owners Files Its Plan to Reorganize". Brooklyn Eagle. September 18, 1934. p. 3. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  74. ^ a b "Loew's Kings Theatre Opens August 24". The Chat. August 2, 1929. p. 47. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  75. ^ "Pictures: Loew's 4 New N.Y. Neighb'hoods; 1st Presentations in Suburbs". Variety. Vol. 90, no. 6. February 22, 1928. p. 14. ProQuest 1475748363.
  76. ^ "Two New Loew's in August". Variety. Vol. 96, no. 3. July 31, 1929. p. 38. ProQuest 1505687562.
  77. ^ a b "Pictures Presentations: Stage Band Policy For New Loew House". The Billboard. Vol. 41, no. 32. August 10, 1929. p. 18. ProQuest 1031912488.
  78. ^ "Pictures: Opening of new Loew's Kings". Variety. Vol. 96, no. 7. August 28, 1929. p. 34. ProQuest 1505733314.
  79. ^ "The Infinite Variety". New York Herald Tribune. July 28, 1929. p. F6. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 1111996337.
  80. ^ a b c "Kings Premiere". Brooklyn Eagle. September 9, 1929. p. 19. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  81. ^ a b "Crowd of 4,000 Hails Del Rio at Opening of Kings Theatre". The Brooklyn Daily Times. September 8, 1929. p. 6. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  82. ^ Allen, Kelcey (September 6, 1929). "Amusements: Paul Robeson Signed For". Women's Wear. Vol. 39, no. 48. p. 6. ProQuest 1654164881.
  83. ^ "20 Weeks Seen for Loew Units". The Billboard. Vol. 41, no. 35. August 31, 1929. p. 19. ProQuest 1031909663.
  84. ^ "Kings Theater Opening To Be Community Event". Brooklyn Eagle. August 19, 1929. p. 19. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  85. ^ "Flatbush Merchants In "Prosperity Week"". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 40, no. 48. March 10, 1930. p. 12. ProQuest 1653558333.
  86. ^ "$1,000,000 Bond Show at Kings Friday". Brooklyn Eagle. June 26, 1945. p. 13. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  87. ^ See, for example: "Popular Postmen Receive Awards". The Brooklyn Daily Times. October 28, 1930. p. 3. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024; "Erasmus to Get Football Trophy". The Brooklyn Daily Times. November 6, 1931. p. 10. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  88. ^ a b c Binger 1990, p. 40.
  89. ^ a b c d e National Park Service 2012, p. 18.
  90. ^ a b Bernard, Audrey J. (January 29, 2015). "Regal Diana Ross to open majestically restored Kings Theatre". New York Beacon. p. 18. ProQuest 1653069844.
  91. ^ a b c d Williams, Laura (December 9, 1996). "He wants to restore Loews Kings' reign". New York Daily News. p. 456. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  92. ^ a b c d e English, Merle (July 19, 1992). "Long Live Kings Flagship's glory days may return". Newsday. pp. 1, 9. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 278498910.
  93. ^ a b c d e f Kershaw, Sarah (November 3, 1996). "The Kings of Flatbush". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  94. ^ a b c d e f "3-day musical extravaganza to benefit Brooklyn theater". New York Amsterdam News. July 11, 1992. p. 28. ProQuest 226470752.
  95. ^ a b c d e f g h Hitchens, Gordon (May 9, 1979). "International: Films About Film: Focus On Palaces With Orchestras". Variety. Vol. 295, no. 1. p. 11. ProQuest 1286025473.
  96. ^ Hastings, Charles (October 20, 1929). "Equipped for His Big Task Is Manager of Loew's Kings". The Brooklyn Daily Times. p. 73. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  97. ^ a b "'Evangeline' Screened in 3 Loew Theatres". Times Union. September 7, 1929. p. 36. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  98. ^ "Douglas, at Capitol 10 Years, in Charge". The Brooklyn Daily Times. September 6, 1929. p. 79. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  99. ^ "Pesetzki Wields Baton at Loew's Kings". The Brooklyn Daily Times. September 6, 1929. p. 75. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  100. ^ "Loew Introduces New Touring Unit Shows". The Billboard. Vol. 41, no. 47. November 30, 1929. p. 20. ProQuest 1031933898.
  101. ^ "Fox, Loew, Publix, RKO Swinging to Wide Films". The Billboard. Vol. 42, no. 3. January 18, 1930. p. 3. ProQuest 1031930018.
  102. ^ "Theatrical Notes". The New York Times. June 2, 1930. p. 29. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 98938648; Allen, Kelcey (June 2, 1930). "Amusements: Amusements Notes". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 40, no. 107. p. 16. ProQuest 1727890802.
  103. ^ "Pictures: Threaten Mortgage Foreclosure on 4 Brooklyn Theatres". Variety. Vol. 113, no. 5. January 16, 1934. p. 23. ProQuest 1475839569; Bratton, David (January 12, 1934). "Ask Foreclosure on Five Theaters of Allied Owners". Times Union. p. 4. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  104. ^ "Allied Owners Files Plea to Reorganize; New York Investors Subsidiary Lists $10,178,256 as Excess Assets". The New York Times. June 23, 1934. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  105. ^ "Real Estate News: Broadway Block Front Resale Brings Profit Samuel Brener Disposes of Manhasset Acquired Recently and Held at $1,900,000; Other Deals". New York Herald Tribune. March 23, 1935. p. 25. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 1254360186; "Court Approves Reorganization of Allied Owners". Times Union. March 22, 1935. pp. 3, 4. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  106. ^ "Allied Owners Trustees Deed Back Assets". Brooklyn Eagle. April 16, 1936. p. 4. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  107. ^ "Pictures: 11 Loew's Back to Singles". Variety. Vol. 120, no. 6. October 23, 1935. pp. 5, 62. ProQuest 1475932135.
  108. ^ "Night clubs-vaudeville: Brandt Circuit Idea Starts With Full Week Stand". The Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 10. March 11, 1939. p. 25. ProQuest 1032186467; "Vaude-Night-Clubs: Brandts' N. Y. Vaudeville Plans May Touch Off Rivalry With RKO, Loew's". Variety. Vol. 135, no. 8. August 2, 1939. p. 45. ProQuest 1475961079.
  109. ^ a b c Adler, Jerry (May 27, 1979). "When the World Went to the Movies". New York Daily News. p. 729. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  110. ^ "2 Brooklyn Booths Open For Enrollment of Nurses". New York Herald Tribune. September 10, 1942. p. 16. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 1320079149; "Boro Red Cross Adopts Plan for Nurse Recruiting". Brooklyn Eagle. September 2, 1942. p. 11. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  111. ^ Landmarks Preservation Commission 2016, p. 12.
  112. ^ "Pictures: Loew's Wins Some Unique Points—And Loses a Few—In Final Decree". Variety. Vol. 185, no. 8. January 30, 1952. pp. 3, 18. ProQuest 962823999.
  113. ^ "Text of Loew's Inc. Consent Decree". Boxoffice. Vol. 60, no. 14. February 2, 1952. p. 18. ProQuest 1529093223.
  114. ^ "Jazz Displacing Films In Loew Theatre Test". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 118, no. 25. March 19, 1952. p. 3. ProQuest 2320445505; "Barns Fight Equity Again; 'Tony' Award Dinner Tickets". New York Daily News. March 27, 1952. p. 353. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  115. ^ "Loew's Continues Pic Theater Jazz". The Billboard. Vol. 64, no. 14. April 5, 1952. p. 1. ProQuest 1040187248.
  116. ^ Landmarks Preservation Commission 2016, p. 14.
  117. ^ "Loew's and RKO Theatres In New York Book Fight". Boxoffice. Vol. 86, no. 3. November 9, 1964. p. E-2. ProQuest 1673754191; Eskenazi, Gerald (February 25, 1964). "Theater‐TV Tickets for Fight Expected to Make Good Showing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  118. ^ "Fox Has 'Community Unit' Concept For 'Man in the Middle' Showcase". Boxoffice. Vol. 84, no. 17. February 17, 1964. p. E-4. ProQuest 1670973430; "Pictures: Showcase—One Big Community". Variety. No. 1. February 19, 1964. p. 17. ProQuest 962650114.
  119. ^ "Manager Uses Newspapers To Protest Theatre Tax". Boxoffice. Vol. 107, no. 13. July 7, 1975. p. NE3. ProQuest 1476166379.
  120. ^ Cosgrove, Vince (July 4, 1976). "He Envisions Bright Lights on Flatbush". New York Daily News. p. 205. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  121. ^ a b c Lambros, Matt (January 18, 2023). "Loew's Kings Theatre – Part 4". After the Final Curtain. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  122. ^ Rabin, Bernard (July 11, 1977). "Switch Valencia Seats to Pews". New York Daily News. p. 302. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024; Shepard, Richard F. (March 9, 1978). "Loew's Valencia in Queens. Goes From Movie House to House of God". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  123. ^ a b c d e Blau, Eleanor (March 6, 1986). "Rescuing the Loews in Flatbush". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  124. ^ a b c d Liff, Bob (February 14, 1990). "A Silent Screen on Flatbush Ave. A Once and Future King?". Newsday. pp. 124, 132. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 278225869. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  125. ^ a b c Sulzberger, A. G.; Lennard, Natasha (February 3, 2010). "Loew's Kings Theater in Brooklyn to Be Restored". The New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  126. ^ a b Carlson, Jen (February 3, 2010). "Loew's Kings Theater Will Get $70MM Makeover". Gothamist. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  127. ^ a b c d Gray, Christopher (March 11, 2007). "The Kings Is Dead! Long Live the Kings!". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  128. ^ a b "Feds set $12 million for Brooklyn projects". New York Amsterdam News. July 1, 1978. p. B2. ProQuest 226619019; "12M to Buy Housing in Brooklyn". New York Daily News. June 8, 1978. p. 775. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  129. ^ Kappstatter, Bob (July 17, 1978). "Brooklyn Sends Its List of Dreams to Washington". New York Daily News. p. 254. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  130. ^ a b "International: Flatbush (Brooklyn) Dreams Of Loews Kings For Culture". Variety. Vol. 295, no. 1. May 9, 1979. p. 557. ProQuest 1286036081.
  131. ^ "King size celebrations". New York Daily News. May 4, 1979. p. 653. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  132. ^ a b Shepard, Joan (March 25, 1979). "A film palace fit for kings". New York Daily News. p. 129. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  133. ^ Blau, Eleanor (April 15, 1983). "Weekender Guide; Friday; Blues Boss at New School". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2024; "Neighborhood Briefs". New York Daily News. March 7, 1986. p. 181. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  134. ^ a b c Dallas, Gus (August 11, 1991). "Historical highs & Loews". New York Daily News. p. 195. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  135. ^ a b "Brooklyn Neighborhoods". Newsday. June 27, 1986. p. 27. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 285429539.
  136. ^ a b Dallas, Gus (August 8, 1991). "Revival for theater". New York Daily News. p. 343. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  137. ^ a b Fitzgerald, Owen (January 16, 1981). "Expect board OK of Loews Flatbush plan". New York Daily News. p. 281. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  138. ^ a b "Memories Abound as Flatbush Receives Revitalization Nod". Canarsie Courier. March 26, 1981. p. 26. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  139. ^ a b Fitzgerald, Owen (July 17, 1980). "Renewal plans gain for Loew's Kings". New York Daily News. p. 499. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  140. ^ Oser, Alan (October 8, 1980). "Real Estate; A Revival Under Way In Flatbush". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  141. ^ Fitzgerald, Owen (October 17, 1980). "Idea of mall scares some merchants". New York Daily News. p. 232. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  142. ^ Fitzgerald, Owen (December 5, 1980). "Plan to convert theater to mall is scuttled". New York Daily News. p. 382. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  143. ^ Fitzgerald, Owen (January 19, 1981). "Windsor Terrace housing gets boost". New York Daily News. p. 240. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  144. ^ Kaner, Walter (March 18, 1982). "Patrice busy by land & sea". New York Daily News. p. 139. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  145. ^ a b Davila, Albert (December 6, 1985). "Theater's taking front stage in landmark project spotlight". New York Daily News. p. 183. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  146. ^ a b Wilson, Michael (November 26, 2006). "Seeking a Champion for the Loew's Kings". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  147. ^ a b Blau, Eleanor (October 5, 1986). "Landmark In Brooklyn". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  148. ^ a b Farrell, Bill (August 11, 1987). "A future sought for fabled Loew's Kings of old". New York Daily News. p. 150. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  149. ^ Graves, Michael (November 7, 1986). "Historic Turn-of-the Century Theatres Scheduled for Restoration in Brooklyn". Back Stage. Vol. 27, no. 45. pp. A4. ProQuest 962945061.
  150. ^ a b Fleming, Robert (October 5, 1987). "Loew's Kings lives in fotos". New York Daily News. p. 322. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  151. ^ See, for example: "Groups start focus on boro tour". New York Daily News. October 15, 1987. p. 113. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024; "The Loews—and its highs". New York Daily News. October 14, 1988. p. 690. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  152. ^ a b "Postings: The Kings of Flatbush; Movie Palace for Sale". The New York Times. March 6, 1988. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  153. ^ English, Merle (July 10, 1986). "Brooklyn Closeup B'klyn Brings Back Some Bacon in Talks Over City Budget". Newsday. p. 19. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 277983501. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  154. ^ AKRF Inc. & Eng-Wong, Taub & Associates 2011, pp. S3–S4.
  155. ^ a b Seaton, Charles (February 5, 1990). "City looks into recrowning of Kings". New York Daily News. p. 228. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  156. ^ a b c Liff, Bob (February 1, 1990). "At Loew's Kings Theater, An Invitation to a Renovation". Newsday. p. 20. ISSN 2574-5298. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  157. ^ Liff, Bob (March 17, 1991). "Inside Brooklyn Council's Musical Chairs Leaves Albanese Out". Newsday. p. 2. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 278322101. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  158. ^ "Brooklyn Neighborhoods". Newsday. July 10, 1992. p. 23. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 278542843.
  159. ^ a b c Simonson, Robert (November 22, 1996). "Long Live the Kings! and BAM Revamps: Happenings in Brooklyn". Back Stage. Vol. 37, no. 47. pp. 2, 30. ProQuest 963055100.
  160. ^ "Borough President Outlines His Plans for Entry Into Next Century". Canarsie Courier. February 27, 1997. pp. 5, 34. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  161. ^ Rohde, David (June 22, 1997). "Revival of the 'Crown Jewel' Of Brooklyn Is Stalled Again". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  162. ^ "Metro Business; Magic Johnson Eyes Site". The New York Times. The Associated Press. February 11, 1998. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  163. ^ a b Boss, Shira J. (April 13, 1998). "No time for bush league". Crain's New York Business. Vol. 14, no. 15. p. 35. ProQuest 219153591.
  164. ^ Grant, Peter (February 10, 1998). "Magic has eyes now for B'klyn". New York Daily News. p. 29. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  165. ^ Bagli, Charles V. (March 4, 1998). "New York Is Tough Market for Magic Johnson's Quest for a Multiplex Site". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  166. ^ a b c Herszenhorn, David M. (March 24, 1999). "Magic Johnson to Resurrect a Movie Palace". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  167. ^ a b Shin, Paul H. B. (March 25, 1999). "Movie House Revival is a Magic Moment". New York Daily News. p. 1. ISSN 2692-1251. ProQuest 313666212.
  168. ^ a b c Hetter, Katia (March 24, 1999). "A `Magic' Plan for Flatbush Ex-NBA star's company to renovate Loews theater". Newsday. pp. A47. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 279165959.
  169. ^ a b Shin, Paul H. B. (April 11, 1999). "Multiplex multiplication". New York Daily News. p. 986. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  170. ^ Schoolman, Judith (October 10, 2000). "Magic's shooting to score in Bronx". New York Daily News. p. 487. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  171. ^ a b Moritz, Owen (May 2, 2004). "Loew's Legacy is Alive on Screens". New York Daily News. p. 14. ISSN 2692-1251. ProQuest 305879226. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  172. ^ Radomsky, Rosalie R. (July 21, 2002). "Neighborhood Report: Brooklyn Up Close – Buzz; Back When the Usher Was a Brooklyn Girl Named Barbra". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  173. ^ a b c Engquist, Erik (October 9, 2006). "B'klyn moves to save historic theater". Crain's New York Business. Vol. 22, no. 41. p. 29. ProQuest 219157473.
  174. ^ a b c "Loew's Kings Theatre to get makeover". CityLand. April 15, 2008. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  175. ^ a b c d Surico, John (February 5, 2015). "Q&A: Matthew Wolf of Kings Theatre". Bklynr. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  176. ^ Monahan, Rachel (February 1, 2007). "Beep Sets Stage for New Venue. Amphitheater Push in Tonight's Speech". New York Daily News. p. 1. ISSN 2692-1251. ProQuest 306091992.
  177. ^ Witt, Stephen (August 5, 2008). "Big boost to new amphitheater". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  178. ^ a b c d e Duffy, Thom (February 9, 2018). "The Reborn Kings Theatre: A Reputation Grows In Brooklyn". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  179. ^ a b c Klein, Helen (January 23, 2013). "A new first act for the venerable Loew's Kings". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  180. ^ a b Duffy, Thom (February 13, 2015). "Behind The Deals That Brought Back Brooklyn's Beloved Kings Theatre". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  181. ^ a b c Brennan, Aisling (February 6, 2015). "Take a Look Inside Brooklyn's Newly Restored Kings Theatre in All Its Glory". Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  182. ^ Blau, Reuven (January 3, 2013). "Beep's swag-ger Outgoing Marty looks to unload a trove of souvenirs". New York Daily News. p. 36. ISSN 2692-1251. ProQuest 1266231274.
  183. ^ a b c Zoladz, Lindsay (February 4, 2015). "Grand Dames: The Eternally Regal Diana Ross Opens Brooklyn's Lavishly Redone Kings Theatre". Vulture. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  184. ^ a b c "Best Renovation/Restoration and Excellence in Safety: Iconic Brooklyn Theatre Restored". ENR. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  185. ^ a b Klayko, Branden (January 24, 2013). "Restoration of Brooklyn's 3,200-Seat Loew's Kings Theater Underway". The Architect's Newspaper. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  186. ^ a b Rosenberg, Eli (January 25, 2013). "The 'Kings' is coming back! Really!". Brooklyn Paper. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024; Geberer, Raanan (January 23, 2013). "AT LAST! Loew's Kings set for 'triumphant encore' as palatial Flatbush theater". Brooklyn Eagle. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  187. ^ "Brooklyn Venue Reopens with Diana Ross Concert, LED Gear". Projection, Lights & Staging News. Vol. 16, no. 7. August 2015. p. 12. ProQuest 1710396941.
  188. ^ a b c Dunlap, David W. (April 23, 2015). "Brooklyn Movie Palace Throws Regal Arms Around Restored Lobby Suite". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  189. ^ Hesselberg, Erik (January 5, 2014). "Refinishing Rediscovered: Craftsman Finds Niche Bringing Back Antique Furniture; Home Decor". The Hartford Courant. p. B.1. ISSN 1047-4153. ProQuest 1474899094.
  190. ^ Stango, Nick (September 13, 2013). "Inside the Restoration of Brooklyn's Glamorous Temple of Cinema". Gizmodo.
  191. ^ Stauffer, Amanda (January 2012). "The Value of Historic Paint Investigations". Building Design & Construction. ProQuest 1281967146.
  192. ^ Alberts, Hana R. (May 28, 2014). "See the Amazing Restoration of Flatbush's 1920s Movie Palace". Curbed NY. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  193. ^ a b Blau, Reuven (September 14, 2014). "The Loews' Kings Theater $93.9 million restoration nearly complete". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  194. ^ a b Forgione, Mary (December 12, 2014). "Diana Ross to perform at opening of restored Kings Theatre in Brooklyn". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  195. ^ Murphy, Doyle (December 12, 2014). "A diva fit for Kings". New York Daily News. p. 59. ISSN 2692-1251. ProQuest 1635381347.
  196. ^ "New York's historic Kings Theatre grand reopening – in pictures". the Guardian. February 2, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  197. ^ Caramanica, Jon (February 4, 2015). "Pop Royalty, Rechristening a Regal Stage". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  198. ^ Hurowitz, Noah (February 4, 2015). "Diana Ross wows at Kings Theatre reopening, but venue steals the show". Brooklyn Paper. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024; "Grand Brooklyn movie palace reopens". CBS News. February 4, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2024; Caramanica, Jon (February 4, 2015). "Diana Ross Reopens the Kings Theater in Brooklyn". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  199. ^ "Matthew Wolf on Restoration of Kings Theater in Brooklyn(Audio)". Bloomberg. November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  200. ^ a b Bragg, Chris (November 3, 2014). "Flatbush takes the spotlight". Crain's New York Business. Vol. 30, no. 44. p. 4. ProQuest 1620728550. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  201. ^ a b c Catton, Pia (September 1, 2015). "U.K.'s Ambassador Theatre Group Acquires Five U.S. Venues; Included in the deal: the recently restored Kings Theatre in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. ProQuest 1708401068.
  202. ^ Sommerfeldt, Chris; Schapiro, Rich (November 7, 2015). "complete with draft beer, costumes and a whole lot of hair". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  203. ^ Tate, Francesca Norsen (March 6, 2015). "Faith In Brooklyn for March 6". Brooklyn Eagle. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024; Rendon, Jim (April 10, 2015). "Kings Theatre and Four Other Brooklyn Buildings Win Preservation Awards". Brownstoner. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  204. ^ Miller, Stuart (November 21, 2018). "Old movie theaters are hoping for a Hollywood ending". Crain's New York Business. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  205. ^ Marcius, Chelsia Rose (March 12, 2020). "NYC coronavirus closures: MSG, the Apollo and Barclays. A look at what's shut down". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 15, 2024; Frangipane, Paul (March 25, 2020). "Photos". Brooklyn Eagle. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  206. ^ Weaver, Shaye (May 31, 2023). "You can now tour Brooklyn's Kings Theatre and sip cocktails in its speakeasy". Time Out New York. Retrieved November 10, 2024; Ginsburg, Aaron (January 13, 2023). "Tours of Brooklyn's historic Kings Theatre are back". 6sqft. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  207. ^ "New York City Leads World as Theater Center: Eight Million Persons Pay $18,000,000 Yearly for Broadway Entertainment". New York Herald Tribune. May 3, 1942. p. C1. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 1265924675.
  208. ^ "Loews Paradise (and Others) Regained". The New York Times. July 23, 1976. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  209. ^ a b O'Brian, Jack (June 4, 1979). "TV salutes old picture". New York Daily News. p. 376. ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  210. ^ Paletta, Anthony (June 10, 2013). "Movie Theaters Roll Out Marquee Architecture; New Movie Houses Across the City Are Drawing Attention With Design Plans". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. ProQuest 1365935263.
  211. ^ Kaner, Walter (April 24, 1980). "Loews theater may finally get into the act". New York Daily News. p. 836. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  212. ^ Smith, Liz (April 2, 1982). "Liz Smith". New York Daily News. p. 8. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  213. ^ a b Bennetts, Leslie (December 31, 1982). "A Visit to the Brooklyn of 'Sophie's Choice'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  214. ^ Chadwick, Bruce (March 9, 1983). "With walls, he draws a blank". New York Daily News. pp. 50, 52. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  215. ^ Mirabella, Alan (March 11, 1988). "Vintage Movie". New York Daily News. p. 107. ISSN 2692-1251. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  216. ^ MacGowan, Carl (December 5, 2004). "Outings, You Can Almost Smell the Popcorn". Newsday. pp. G15. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 279928330. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  217. ^ "Capturing a Queens Theater's Alluring Decay". City Room. April 27, 2011. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  218. ^ Frishberg, Hannah (March 28, 2016). "Photographer Captures Brooklyn's Decaying Past and Recent Rebirth in New Kings Theatre Book". Brownstoner. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2024.

Sources

edit
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kings Theatre (Brooklyn).
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Kings_Theatre_(Brooklyn)&oldid=1262972813"