I have always had an affinity for and fascination with Hollywood from a time gone by. The so-called "Golden Age" which spanned the 20s and 30s holds a powerful mystique. it was a time when going to the movies was a social event, a chance to put on one's Sunday Best and parade oneself about in front of society, while taking in this marvelous new form of entertainment. Having studied film and worked in Hollywood (albeit for a short span), I was able to absorb quite a bit of the industry's history, from the legendary Mann's Chinese Theater to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there is no shortage of nostalgia for this bygone era. Once I moved back to the East Coast, I never dreamed I would witness anything carrying the same weight, short of a return to La La Land. Until a few weeks ago...
Through a business connection, I had an opportunity to tour what remains of one of the last standing cinema 'palaces' from the 20s. RKO Keiths Theater in Queens was built in 1928 by a renowned architect of the time, in grand Spanish Baroque Revival style. The entire interior of the facility was built to give visitors the impression of being outdoors in a quaint villa, surrounded by magnificent architecture and a beautiful night sky above. The theater was shut down in the 80s and fell into a state of advanced disrepair as it lay dormant for decades to follow. Now it is under new ownership, who are gutting and renovating the building, and re-purposing it into high-end apartments. As much as news like this ordinarily makes my stomach turn, and I weep for history being torn asunder in the name of 'progress', I can honestly say that these folks are doing it right.
With unbridled enthusiasm I donned my hard hat and stepped through the makeshift door in the front scaffolding, following my guide into the original entrance vestibule. I was instantly transported back in time to the gilted splendor of the roaring 20s. Though construction equipment was strewn about and the area only lit by work lights, I couldn't stop staring up at the vaulted, figured ceiling. Wooden panels covered the original movie poster marquees, and the original rich curtains still hung from the upper level. My guide explained that the ornate ticket booth would be converted into the Concierge's desk for the new building.
We continued through the vestibule and into the main lobby. I cannot begin to accurately describe the aura of grandeur as I stepped into the gargantuan space. Grand staircases flanked the arched doorways, leading up to the mezzanine and balcony levels. Looking past the crumbling, decrepit infrastructure was not difficult - I got my first taste of the blue sky above me and the Spanish-influence architecture in the columns surrounding the space. Never before have I seen such opulence, such attention detail. From the crests adorning the walls to the ornamentation on the art-deco doors to the restrooms, there were enough intricate embellishments to fill a hefty tome of description.
It was somewhat disappointing that that main theater had fallen into such deep disrepair as to be hardly recognizable. The bare cement floor was littered with debris, with no light to be found anywhere. An absent vagrant's shopping cart stood silent vigil over the long-collapsed stage, over which hung the last vestiges of what was once a crimson fire curtain. A hybrid of sadness and fascination (along with a little luck & privilege to be seeing these sights at all) filled me as we poked around the mezzanine level. A gentlemans' smoking lounge and restroom still stood to some degree, symbolized by a corner fireplace now covered with graffiti. My guide explained how the theater portion would be completely renovated into the 14-story apartment structure, while the lobby and front entrance would be completely restored faithfully to its original condition. Imagine living in a building with an entrance like that!
I could have explored and shot photos all day, but I did not want to overstay my welcome - there was work to be done, of course. I thanked my host and returned to the 21st century streets of Flushing. I took a deep breath and smiled as I said a silent goodbye to the opulent old girl. My day was made.
