Abandoned theatres?

[wheelsinmotion]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 3:12pm

I'm location managing for a feature film, and we need an old, vacant or abandoned theatre to shoot a scene in. Anybody know of any in the city?

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 3:45pm

The theatre that is right next to the 42nd Street Hilton was in a very dilapidated condition when I saw the interior many years ago when the exterior was being worked on. For some reason this theatre whose auditorium is on West 41st Street was not restored at the time of all the other restorations. Supposedly the Hilton was going to restore it, but I don't think they have done anything to it except to keep it locked up. If the interior is still as I saw it, it should be perfect for your use, providing the Hilton would lease it to you.

I cannot remember the name of the theatre, but I do know that it was used for vaudeville and that Abbott and Costello played there in the 1930's.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 4:21pm

^ Sounds like the Liberty?

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 4:21pm

^ Sounds like the Liberty?

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 4:44pm

I wish I could remember where it is, but there's one in the Lower East Side that's been sitting vacant for years. Maybe one of the forumites knows which one I'm talking about?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 6:01pm

The old RKO Keiths in Flushing

The lobby is being preserved. The auditorium is a wreck but enough remains to imagine what it was. Dirty politics did it in but that story is for another day.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 10:26pm

The LIberty Theatre, yes! perfect abandoned mysterious house.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 10:28pm

this is called crooked stairs. I would love to visit the Liberty one day. .

[Robbie]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 10:35pm

In another week you can use the Minetta Lane Theatre. It's about to retire.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 4:07am

"The Liberty Theatre, yes--perfect abandoned, mysterious house."
Thanks for the two great photos, LegallyBroadway2. Yes, it is mysterious. I love old abandoned buildings of all types, but to find an abandoned theatre is the best!

I was walking down W. 41st Street many years ago and spied the stage door of the old Liberty Theatre open, with a small construction crew standing around. So, I went up to one of them and asked if I could take a look inside and he said, "Sure, go ahead." I went through the stage door and came out onto the stage where the old lighting board was still more or less intact. Then I walked into the auditorium which had seen better days, following years of being a 42nd Street grind house.The red seats were torn up and paint was peeling from the ceiling. I imagined Abbott & Costello performing their famous "Who's On First?" routine. I hope the movie company gets permission from the Hilton to lease the old Liberty. That would make me go to that movie.