Former Movie theater, now church, at EP and Nostrand

whynot_31

yup, the big one with cool tiles on the front.

Ok, here's my question. When I was sitting outside Superwings on Union, I noticed it has a huge "brick thing" on the back of the roof, as well as wide stairs that go down each side of the theater (not "cheap emergency stairs").

...making me believe that the roof was once used to show movies and the brick thing was used as a screen!

So cool.

Can anyone confirm this for me?

All I can think is that is was used pre-air conditioning.

I once stuck my head in that theater/church (they have services on Saturday, I stood respectfully in the back for about 10 minutes). It is massive, perhaps seats 2000 people and pretty intact.

xlizellx

yeah, that's true -- I remember reading it but I can't remember where. Maybe ilovefranklinave?

whynot_31

sid

Subject: more info here...

http://ilovefranklinave.blogspot.com/2009/04/worshipping-in-movie-houses-and-making.html#comments

xlizellx

thanks, sid -- i couldn't find it.

whynot_31

excellent, thanks

rosweed

I think I found it.



Former Loew's Kameo Theatre, now the Philadelphian Sabbath Cathedral, 530 Eastern Parkway at Nostrand Avenue, Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/3863/

homeowner

Yes, the theater has a roof area that was used to show outdoor movie screenings from spring until fall. My SO grew up on that block and remembers sneaking into the theater on a regular basis to watch the films. My understanding is that the roof is still in pretty good condition, although I don't know anyone whose been up there in the last ten years.

I suggested it as a spot for the Rooftop Films series, but I don't know if they ever followed up.

whynot_31

Were there seats? ...or did you bring your own blanket/folding chair?

rosweed

For some reason the photo disappeared. You can see it here:
http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/brooklyn/crownheights/nostrandave/44philadelphian.jpg

whynot_31

rosweed wrote: For some reason the photo disappeared. You can see it here:
http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/brooklyn/crownheights/nostrandave/44philadelphian.jpg

that's a dead link too.

But here's some good stuff copied from the above site:

"A set of photographs I took of the former Loew's Kameo Theatre in May 2006. Especial Thanks go to the Philadelphian Sabbath Cathedral for allowing me access and permission to record these images:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183386861/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183387293/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183387728/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183388489/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183389132/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183389499/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183389969/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183390417/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/183390815/

"Some photographs that I took on the Cinema Theatre Association(UK) visit to New York theatres that I organised in November 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935940084/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935110199/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935121753/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935970666/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935976860/
Views of the long-closed roof theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935985744/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935990684/

...very cool.

rosweed

Okay. One more try to post the photo. I'm mystified why the other links suddenly died.

naif

Old movie houses in the neighborhood = my favorite topic!

homeowner, I too suggested the old Kameo to the folks at Rooftop Films last winter. I got a nice reply via email expressing interest, but they were hoping for a contact at the church. I wonder if they would be at all receptive... From afar, in any case, it looks like the staircase at the back is in pretty good shape.

Here's the best photo I've come across of the theatre. It was taken in '72, well past its heyday, but at least the marquee was still up.

whynot_31

I came across these photos today, and decided to dust off this thread:

Facebook page for the current church at the location: The Philadelphia Church

https://www.facebook.com/philadephia.church

whynot_31

more info, complete with interior photo of the church:

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2014/07/building-of-the-day-530-eastern-parkway/

530 Eastern Parkway
Cameo Theater

whynot_31