City Cinema's beautifully restored Village East was once the home of Yiddish theater.
Legend has it that Walter Matthau began his film career here as a young boy working at the concession counter.
Its past is still evident in the Moorish designs that adorn both the inside and out.
Its past is still evident in the Moorish designs that adorn both the inside and out.
Yiddish writing outside the lobby and a large star of David ime of the main auditorium further infuse atmosphere into the historic building. (I didn’t get to see that as it is now a multi -screen complex and I was in one of the small cinemas in the basement)
Oo00pened in 1926 as the legit Yiddish Art Theatre it then became known as the Yiddish Folks Theatre before switching to movies in the 1930s and 40s, first as the Century and then as the Stuyvesant. In the 1950s, it became the legit Phoenix at which the cult musical, “Golden Apple” was presented (one of Sheldy's faves). Then followed several stints with burlesque as the Casino East, Gayety, and Eden.
The musical titled "Once Upon a Mattress" played here. The female lead was the young, unknown Carol Burnett. “Oh Calcutta” and the pre-Broadway season of “Grease” ran here, too.
The 1968 movie "Night They Raide Minskys" was filmed here.
(Notes courtesy of CinemaTreasures)
And the movie I seen.....
A truly wonderful movie that addresses the sad decline of American industry and expertise in the wake of the last financial crisis, but ends on a very moving vision of hope for us all.
Chris Cooper is fantastic alongside Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Craig T Nelson.
This silent shot with Chris Cooper was chilling.
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