Washington Heights & Inwood Online

The one and only Al Jolson performed live on-stage at the Loew's 175th St. sometime during the mid- 1950s when he was out promoting the movie,"Jolson Sings Again." I saw him sing two or three of his famous hits, including "California Here I Come." This was for the second Jolson bio film in which Larry Parks played Jolson and mouthed the songs that Jolson had recorded. Jolson was near the end of his life, but he sang as clear as a bell in person and I got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the "world's greatest entertainer."

When old enough to walk down to Loews 175th street-it was depression time-no vaudeville, just a huge, beautiful theater showing MGM movies. There was one live act however, "Wild" Oscar played the Wurlitzer organ coming out of the left side of the proscenium before each full show started. Never knew why he was called "Wild"!

I think it is shameful of the author(s) of this site to denigrate Rev. Ike as "pandering for money" when it was the money contributed freely, as tithes, to his church that saved this building from the wrecking ball -- not only saved the vuilding, but restored the beautiful organ that is unlike any other. Have some respect. It takes a LOT of money to maintain and preserve and architectural treasure like this theater. You betray your own anti-Chrisitan, andti-black sentiments when you sneer at the man whose hard work and earnest services have kept this architectural delight open to the public. For shame.

Yes! The spotlight came on and "Wild" Oscar seated at the organ that would rise from floor level until it was level with the stage. They even projected the lyrics on screen, for a sing-a-long. On Dec. 7th 1941, the program was interrupted so that they could announce the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I don't think there were too many people who knew where it was, then. During WW II Lucille Ball once came on stage during a War Bonds rally and sang. Unforgetable! She wore a tight, spangled, pink dress that really showed off her red hair! And for what it is worth, Rambusch also did those great Horn and Hardart marble and brass restaurants. There was a great one at 181st St.

In my opinion this historical site is going to waste. If this site could be brought back to its beauty it would bring joy and excitment to the community surrounding it. I plead to Rev Ike to sell this historical site to better the community he claims to love. SAVE THE THEATRE!!

How Dare anyone can say to Rev. Ike to give this restored theatre (That Rev. Ike restored mind you.) back to the community. It's right there in the community what more can you ask for. Some people are so jealous! I'm not a church going person. I don't believe that mess other preachers preach, but Rev Ike! now that's like fresh pure water in a dry desert! Paula :D

I was born and raised in Washington Heights, and am still currently a resident. While I love my neighborhood, I know it still needs a lot of work. This neighborhood deserves a theater where they can watch a play for free or at least at an affordable price. A lot of the women that live here are single moms that don’t really have the luxury of time, hence they can not go downtown to catch a play. If this theater were available for something like that it would be wonderful. ... shows like The Vagina Monologues would help the women in the heights, because domestic violence and the value for women is a major issue around here. Please let our community have this beautiful landmark, we deserve it. -Alejandra

Watched many great movies at this movie house.

As a member of Christ United Church for over 30 years I must disagree with the poster who suggested ["I plead to Rev Ike to sell this historical site to better the community he claims to love. SAVE THE THEATRE!!"] When I was child attending church I use to always wonder why would Rev. Ike want to have a church in this neighborhood. I mean afterall the people in the neighborhood obviously didn't care about the church as they constantly wrote grafitti on its facade, littered along it's premises, etc. Then when he started having services in Spanish for the community I thought why????? He explained that it was an effort to bring the community into the church, etc. Now 30 years later when we visit NY and take mother to church, I am always sickened by what the community has done to this church. Outrage!!!!!!! If the community wants to save the church, they should start by first cleaning up their act, literally. If he were to sell the church it would turn into decay. I have watched for years how the community has littered (How many times have I witnessed someone from the community throwing garbage on the ground while standing next to a trash can, or the "adult" with the child who hands them the trash and the "adult" throws it on the ground??????) People wake up!!!!! Clean up your neighborhood. Take pride in your neighborhood. We were always raised to know that when you take care of something it shows your pride in it. So to the community I say CLEAN UP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!! It's not the government's (local, state or federal) job to keep your space clean. Not unless it's the community's goal to force a sell. Now that would be a disgrace. It's a beautiful church and I have many fond memories inside it's walls. Thank you Rev. Ike.

I completely disagree and am utterly offended by the comment "take pride in your neighborhood", the residents of Washington Heights love and cherish there neighborhood, unlike other communities in NYC, the residents and business owners in the Washington Heights area perform autonomously when any crisis or incident, in which the State does not perform, as for the theater, A well lit, clean movie theatre would decrease crime and undesirables from entering the area as opposed to a dreary, dark eyesore which is doing nothing for the overall community, just for a select few......SAVE THE THEATRE!!!

I am a director living in Washington Heights. I would love to direct a show at the theater. I didn't know it was open until I saw someone in the box office the other day. But they still wouldn't let me in to see the space. This neighborhood needs some theater either in english or spanish or perhaps both. I know a lot of other artists who would love to get involved. I welcome anyone who knows anything about the space or the rental of the space or who is interested in trying to bring some life to the space to contact me. Kenneth Cahall 2dog1bone@gmail.com

I was both amazed and pleased to hear recently that the United Palace (Loews 175th) was being used for live music shows. As a young, aspiring musician growing up in the Heights in the 60's & 70's during the age of music venues such as the Fillmore East and the Academy of Music (14th Street), it was always somewhat of a personal dream that the Loews 175th would present live music in the Heights (the live shows presented there were well before my time). Though it took nearly a lifetime (and much to my chagrin, it was not I who was performing on the Loews 175th stage), it finally happened. This past May 10th, I strode into the this magnificent venue for the first time in 39 years to attend the second of 2 Modest Mouse shows presented by the Bowery folks (last time I was there was in 1968 with my father and brother to see the last theatrical release that was ever shown there, Kubrick's "2001 - A Space Odyssey", contrary to what my former classmate E. Prins recalls about the RKO Coliseum). Needless to say I was not disappointed with either the show or my memories of this theater (though the lobby was smaller than I remembered, while the actual theater seemed larger). I was also pleased to see that it was in much better shape than when I had last seen it. In many respects, the concert, though quite entertaining, was merely secondary. For me the real star of the show that night was the theater itself. Kudos to Rev. Ike and his ministry for their stewardship over the past 40 years in caring for and preserving this important NYC landmark. Well done and thank you!

There are those of us who may not agree with the philosophies and teachings of certain “religious” leaders or institutions – some of us may even hold them in contempt or criticize them. However, my issue of concern here is not one of religious beliefs, but of historic preservation. With this in mind, we need to set aside our differences and instead focus on the laudable efforts put forth protecting and maintaining this unique building. Rather than viewing it as a self-indulgent monument to faith, let’s appreciate how it symbolizes a colorful past and holds newfound promise for an exciting future. What are these comments…about the church “giving back the building” to the community? They have given it back… by SAVING it! “Going to waste”? It is being used regularly as a premiere live performance space, OPEN to the general public. “Eyesore”? Perhaps the exterior needs a good steam cleaning, but the magnificent interior is BEAUTIFULLY restored down to the smallest of details, looking almost exactly as it did on opening day (February 20th, 1930). “Sell it”? WHO would want the long-term responsibility of buying and maintaining a 78-year-old, 3293-seat behemoth, in a seemingly remote uptown location? We owe this church a debt of gratitude – had they not taken it over, this palatial gem would have become an abandoned hulk, reduced to dust, and paved over to become a parking lot. This historic venue clearly needs to remain under the stewardship of the church. It could never succeed commercially in modern times as a single-screen [or otherwise] movie house, due to the lack of audience necessary to fill its vast spaces profitably, and the tremendous overhead costs associated with running and maintaining a building of this size and scale - the VERY reasons why Loew's closed it in 1967 and eventually sold it. Even in its early years, once the “novelty” of “newness” faded away, it never met expectations for attendance and struggled for most of its life. Even the “Wonder Theatres" that went on to become "multiplexed" for a short time (Loew's Jersey and Paradise), could not survive as cinemas. The Kings was abandoned and purchased by the NYC Economic Development Corp. (and remains shuttered) and the Valencia became a church. Despite the socio-economic changes in the neighborhood surrounding it, the church has demonstrated a continuous commitment and diligence in the long-term care and use of this landmark facility. Operating under the status of a "non-profit" entity with its multi-purpose use as a religious, community and performing arts center, it enjoys the financial benefits, stability and resources necessary to ensure its survival. The fact that it has opened its doors to the general public for live performances is an added bonus! Visit "Cinema Treasures" online and see just how many old movie theatres were "saved" by religious organizations and given a "new lease on life" as churches and meeting halls (not to mention their re-adaptation as performing arts centers and concert halls). Regardless of what is going on inside, the building is still the star of the show... "I don’t sell tickets to movies, I sell tickets to theatres" - Marcus Loew H. Mintz Member and Contributor Cinema Treasures Note: for further historical details, anecdotes and information related to this theatre, view its profile and commentary page at: http://cinematreasures.org/theater/44/.

My twin brother and I were raised just across the street from the theater in in the 1950s, could see the marquee from our grandmother's apt, and went to shows every weekend while our parents got some time off. We gaped at the decorations, the wonderful exoticism, an imaginary world elsewhere. We were so freaked out by Harryhausen's sci fi classic, 20 Million Miles to Earth, esp, by the embryonic Venusian dinosaur coming to life in a little cylinder of jello, that we fled from the theater. The kindly theater manager recognized us and crossed us over Broadway, back home. Thank you, Mr. Manager, wherever you are!

I'm doing research on the Theater for a potential story for Channel 13. Would love to speak with people who visited the theater while growing up, or even preformed there. Please contact me at cohenje@thirteen.org

Going to see a movie at the Loews 175th Street Theater was the ultimate viewing experience on Washington Heights during the 1950s and 1960s. The gold decor---the palatial interior with red-carpeted staircase---you found yourself transported back in time, into something baroque and splendid! The huge movie screen was another plus: it made everything seem real and immediate, as if you could touch it, and were a part of what was taking place on celluloid. Thus, each movie seen there became a life experience. AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS, BEN-HUR, THE ALAMO, MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO---these were just a few of the grand epics I saw there, and will never forget. Ah, the grand old days!