Movie Palaces of Washington Heights and Inwood    

For four generations, theaters in Washington Heights and Inwood have entertained the residents of the area with vaudeville acts and motion pictures and have served as havens where dreams could be lived out in a neighborhood where, at times, it was difficult for dreams to come true. These theaters entertained the public during good times and bad, helping to relieve the tedium of everyday life. They also created work for local businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops and ice cream parlors.

The RKO Coliseum on 181st Street and Broadway boasted to be the third largest theater in the United States, with 3,500 seats, when it opened in 1920. In its heyday, many of the city’s most famous acts came to the stage of the Coliseum. The Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Eddie Cantor, Uncle Don’s Kiddie Show and Gertrude Berg of the television show “The Goldbergs” were among the shows. This was part of the RKO circuit, a group of three shows — Radio, Keith and Orpheum — which traveled around the city at all of the RKO Theaters.

In the early 1980s, the Coliseum was made into a triplex. It was then reduced to a duplex by eliminating the orchestra seats and stage to make way for stores, thus leaving the mezzanine split into two theaters. At this time the ornate ceiling could still be seen and appreciated by those who had a passion for nostalgia. The Coliseum closed for a year due to financial problems and reopened as a quad in July 1991. It closed again in 2002, leaving residents wondering if it will open in the forseeable future.

In 1930 the Loew’s 175th opened and culminated the Coliseum’s brag with 3,600 seats. The facades were decorated in terra cotta with hints of Egyptian, Aztec, Mayan, Moorish and Persian design. Some of the earliest shows presented there were Shaw and Lee of the Capitol Theater and a movie with Norma Shearer called “Their Own Desire.”

One of the other features of the Loew’s 175th was an organist called “Wild” Oscar. He played the organ while the bouncing ball was going across the screen for a sing-a-long between the feature shows. Oscar retired and moved to Texas. The theater closed in 1967 and was purchased two years later by Reverend Frederick Eikerenkoetter (better known as Reverend Ike) and became the Christ United Church–Science of Living Institute. The church maintained the former glory days of the theater by keeping its original charm. Presently, the theater is used for concerts for the community.

The Audubon Theater and Ballroom on Broadway between 165th and 166th Streets was opened in 1912 by William Fox, who eventually became the founder of the 20th Century Fox movie chain. Upstairs on the second floor was the ballroom that was used for social occasions and special events. It had a dance floor, tables, booths and a stage for live entertainment.

On the facade was a terra cotta design of a boat (representing the Argo from Jason and the Argonauts). With it was a bust of Neptune. Other features were fox heads, which represented the owner of the building.

The movie theater was first known as the “William Fox Audubon,” then the “Beverly Hills,” and finally the “San Juan.” In 1927 it became the first theater to have talking motion pictures. The movie “The Jazz Singer” with Al Jolson was one of its first major features.

On February 21, 1965, the Audubon was the focus of the assassination of Malcolm X. The city was forced to take over the building because of the lack of payment of back taxes. Within a few years the San Juan Theater was forced to close its doors to the public. Since then, the main floor of the building has been used for the Department of Housing Preservation as well as for offices for educational facilities for Latino groups in the community.

Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center wanted to tear down the building for a new medical research center and to attract more jobs to the area. African-American groups wanted the building to remain as a memorial to Malcolm X. The final agreement was to make part of the new center into a memorial on the second floor, and the Broadway facade of the original building was to be kept intact.

Three movie houses of moderate proportions graced 181st Street between Saint Nicholas and Audubon Avenues. These opened between 1918 and 1923. The Astral Theater at 544 West 181st was originally called the Empress. During its last years, the Astral ran movies in Spanish or with subtitles. When it closed, it became a flea market.

The Lane Theater located at 550 West 181st closed its doors in 1959 with its last motion picture feature: “The Ten Commandments.” Prior to it becoming a theater, there was an indoor ice skating rink that extended into what is now the Washington Bridge Post Office on 180th Street. The site of the theater is now Glauber’s Gift Shop. The third theater on this block was the Gem Theater located at 564 West 181st. This site now houses a furniture and electronics store.

Other theaters that have fallen to the wayside in Washington Heights and Inwood are: the Alpine (now McDonald’s) on Dyckman and Broadway, the Loew’s Inwood on Dyckman Street between Sherman and Nagle avenues, the Bridge Theater on Saint Nicholas and 176th Street, and the Loyal (formerly the Majestic) Theater on Saint Nicholas Avenue between 184th and 185th Streets.

The Loew’s Rio on Broadway and 159th Street opened in 1920 and lasted for 45 years. A faint image of advertising the name of the Rio could be seen on the 158th Street side of the theater’s water tower, which was taken down due to lack of use. The Uptown Theater on Broadway and 170th Street opened in 1926 only to close 46 years later. The Rio and the Uptown are now supermarkets, but if the customer looks hard enough, the remnants of these theaters can still be seen, such as the ornate ceilings, the top of the stage, organ pipes and remnants of the mezzanines and box seats.

In time, these palaces of dreams gave way to the modern technology of television, videotape and DVDs. Gone are the days in northern Manhattan of theater-made popcorn, candy bars, sodas, cartoons, newsreels, organ players, double-feature films on the weekends, and ushers with flashlights.

For those who want to learn more about the movie palaces, log on to the League of Historic American Theaters Web site.

(Originally published in the Washington Heights and Inwood Report in March 2000.)

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Readers’ Comments

You just brought back a flood of memories. I remember as a child we couldn’t wait until Sunday came around. That was when we would go to the RKO, after church, and catch the double features. It was an awesome theater. I was so sorry when they turned it into a triplex, and then they finally closed it. I was born and raised in Washington Heights, and the beauty of its parks and view of the Hudson River never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for taking me back. (Posted by Patricia on June 27, 2003 03:47 PM.)

I attended my first movie at the Alpine Theater on Dyckman Street … “Bye Bye Birdie”! Our family lived on Sickles Street, and the logo above the theater was a snow covered mountain with blue skies and clouds. A huge sign proclaimed AIR CONDITIONING! and was a haven on a hot humid day such as today! I am re-living an incredible memory right now! This is such a wonderful web-site! Thank you so much! Beryl (Posted by Beryl on July 22, 2003 12:10 AM.)

Yes I too remember all of the movie houses on 181st St and the Coliseum and Loews 175th St. What wonderful memories of boyfriends and girlfrends going on dates.Later on taking my son to the Loews and The others. That was around thelate 1940’s to 1960’s.Anyone out there wanting to say “HI” What fun it was living in the Heights in those days. PS 189 and GWHS (Posted by Trudy on July 31, 2003 12:08 AM.)

One movie theater that you didn’t mention was the Costello theater, located at the foot of Ft. Washington Ave. where it ends on Broadway. What I remember most about the Costello besides its double features, serials, cartoons, and newsreels was that we were able to sneak into this tiny theater from a side door that was always slightly ajar. I hope the powers-that-be don’t fine me or put me in jail for this confession of a “crime” that we committed at least 50 years ago.Hopefully, the statute of limitations has set in by now. What was the history of the Costello and how many years did it remain in business?? (Posted by Arnold Goldstein on August 6, 2003 11:06 AM.)

I loved all the movie theaters on the Heights…saw so many great films, so many eye-popping screen epics! One theater that was a paradise for a kid with only a quarter in his pocket was The Empress Theater, on 181st Street, just west of Audubon Avenue. Prior to the time the theater was renovated into the Cinema 181 (around 1962), a kid could see THREE movies for a quarter, and in the process spend most of the day there. (That came to 8 1/3 cents per film!). Sure the place was small and slightly ramshackle and the hot dogs tasted awful, but where else could you see movies that were not only current, but also sometimes from the 1940s!? (Posted by Gary Zaboly on August 10, 2003 04:01 PM.)

I lived on Sherman Avenue right off Broadway. My father was the neighborhood doctor. Everyone knew us. Next to our house was an A and P supermarket.I drove through there about one year ago,and what a change from the 40s and 50s. I first lived when I was married on Sickles Street. Also went to the local schools. Great web-site (Posted by ellen on August 17, 2003 09:40 AM.)

Thanks for all of the memories. I lived on Vermilyea Ave near 207th St and you omitted the Loews Dyckman which was located on the South side of 207th Street between Vermilyea and Sherman Avenues. Wouldlove to know the history of that theater. (Posted by Bill McIntosh on September 27, 2003 11:36 PM.)

I too remember the Alpine on Dyckman St.& Lowes Inwood. Cheapest price I paid was .25 cents to see some gladiator movie. I believe I saw Goldfinger there with my sister Patty and the Boyle Brothers or it was the RKO on 181st. What was the name of the theather on 207th St. on the south side just before Sherman Ave next to Broger’s. It’s amazing that we would go to the movies and spend all day there seeing the feature 2 or 3 times. That was 40 years ago…where does time go? Hello to anyone who knows me. (Posted by Joe Johnson on October 24, 2003 03:43 PM.)

couldn’t wait for saturday to come around so we all could run down st.nick to the coliseum!Also went to the Astral theatre on 181 just west of Audubon,and the loews on bway.Those were the days! (Posted by john pye on October 26, 2003 09:07 PM.)

Mr.Renner, thanks for this and all of the items on this site. Yes, the Coliseum was our twice a week movie nights. The vaudeville was great. You may not know this but sometime in the 30’s the Presbyterian Church would sponser free movies at the Coliseum. That’s when I saw the silent version of “King of Kings” by director Cecil B.DeMille. It was my first exposure to the full story of Jesus’ crucifixion. (Posted by Pio DeVito on November 6, 2003 06:45 PM.)

when is the 181 street movie theater opening? (Posted by edith on January 19, 2004 10:04 AM.)

Is the theater on 181 St. going to be a movie theater again? I heard rumor it was being converted into a shopping complex. (Posted by Scott on January 25, 2004 09:43 PM.)

I remember many, many afternoons at the RKO Coliseum and Loews 175th, as well as the Alpine, back in the 60’s growing up in the Heights. What about The Heights Theatre, which was off of 181st Street one block east of Broadway? I remember seeing 2nd run films there after they had played all of the grand movie palaces. Last I knew, it had turned into a porn theatre. Wow…. (Posted by buzz on May 6, 2004 11:58 AM.)

The Coliseum Movie Theatre on 181st at Broadway has re-opened as of June 30th. It is a 3 screen theatre and is currently featuring Spider Man, Harry Potter, and Shreck 2! (Posted by ELS on July 2, 2004 05:30 PM.)

It’s a FOUR screen theater. I’ve seen 3 flicks there already since re-opening. I’m quitre happy the Coliseum is back. Now if only I had a way to get showtimes and listings. (Posted by mono on July 23, 2004 02:25 PM.)

A minor correction. The Loews Rio was located just south of the corner of 160th St. and Broadway, not 159th St. and Broadway. I know because I lived up the block at 870 Riverside Drive from 1940-1954 and spent many a glorious afternoon in the theater, after which I would venture to Rose’s candy store at the foot of Fort Washington Avenue for a strawberry milkshake (11 cents). One of the last movies I saw there was “King Solomon’s Mines” with Stewart Granger. Time passes, but the memories never fade. (Posted by Carl Proujan on November 10, 2004 08:31 PM.)

I grew up in 181st street area and I remember all these beautiful theaters mentioned above! The RKO Coliseum was grand! It took up the entire corner and the balcony was always closed…even though my friends and I would always sneak up there anyway. I also remember the Heights which was smaller than the RKO, its now a clothing store (last I saw). And finally, I remember the small but vital to the spanish community ASTRAL theater (located on 181st between St. Nicholas and Audubon Ave.) That is now a flea market. The Astral was important because it was the only theater in the area that showed American films with spanish subtitles. Those were the days! (1970-1975) (Posted by Bobby Travieso on February 5, 2005 08:01 AM.)

I am surprised that no mention was made of the Uptown Theater which was at 170th St. and Broadway in the 1940s and 1950s. The last time I saw it (some years ago), it was a vegetable stand. The Heights Theater also occasionally showed “foreign” (British) films and at least one in French (in the mid-1950s) that I can recall. The Empress showed “oldies” and second or third run movies - and sometimes had a vermin problem (a problem not unknown to many of us at home). (Posted by Peter Golden on February 18, 2005 01:38 PM.)

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