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Flushing RKO Keith's Theatre

This gallery was created to focus attention on preservation efforts for the landmarked Flushing RKO Keith's theatre. Many cities have restored these vaudeville show palaces, where they have gone on to become centerpiece preforming arts event centers, while the RKO Keith's has languished for 25 years. The RKO Keith's still stands and is one of the last remaining theatres, in the 3,000 seat class built in an atmospheric style, where the interior was designed to give the illusion of being outdoors in a Mediterranean villa. It represents a crowning achievement by the world renowned theatre architect Thomas White Lamb that made the larger Loews Paradise theatre in the Bronx (restored in 2005) gaudy in comparison.
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  • I came upon this extraordinary photo from the Summer of 1928, showing the RKO Keith's Albee theatre still under construction (it opened on Christmas day of that year). Fortunately I was able to restore this from a scan of the original negative. I took the roof top pictures posted here, from the building in the background center, in 2007.

    I came upon this extraordinary photo from the Summer of 1928, showing the RKO Keith's Albee theatre still under construction (it opened on Christmas day of that year). Fortunately I was able to restore this from a scan of the original negative. I took the roof top pictures posted here, from the building in the background center, in 2007.

  • The heart of downtown Flushing November 2009: Looking East down Northern Blvd by Main Street. Landmark Theatre and Freedom Mile sign.

    The heart of downtown Flushing November 2009: Looking East down Northern Blvd by Main Street. Landmark Theatre and Freedom Mile sign.

  • Reflections on the Flushing RKO Keith's, July 2, 2009

    Reflections on the Flushing RKO Keith's, July 2, 2009

  • Flushing NY December 21, 2011 "A World of Choices".

    Flushing NY December 21, 2011 "A World of Choices".

  • "RKO: FLUSHING The Finest Theatre on the North Shore" Roof top view of the RKO Keiths taken on June 27, 2007.

    "RKO: FLUSHING The Finest Theatre on the North Shore" Roof top view of the RKO Keiths taken on June 27, 2007.

  • Detail of a cast iron window frame on the front of the RKO Keiths, still in great shape after 80 years. Taken on June 27, 2007. A ~6" wide section of a 12' x 12' store front frame at street level. They adorned the address 135-29 through 135-45 Northern Blvd. on either side of the Theatre entrance.

    Detail of a cast iron window frame on the front of the RKO Keiths, still in great shape after 80 years. Taken on June 27, 2007. A ~6" wide section of a 12' x 12' store front frame at street level. They adorned the address 135-29 through 135-45 Northern Blvd. on either side of the Theatre entrance.

  • Rear view of the building shows the RKO Keith’s water tower and a tree that has encased and bent over the spike topped fence that once protected the back of the property.

    Rear view of the building shows the RKO Keith’s water tower and a tree that has encased and bent over the spike topped fence that once protected the back of the property.

  • A view not often seen, of the back of the RKO Keith's, showing off the brick work of this massive building. Just visible to the left is the water tower and the chimney appears to the right, from November 2008.

    A view not often seen, of the back of the RKO Keith's, showing off the brick work of this massive building. Just visible to the left is the water tower and the chimney appears to the right, from November 2008.

  • Landmark status sign, in front of the ramshackle plywood covering the entrance. Taken on June 27, 2007.

    Landmark status sign, in front of the ramshackle plywood covering the entrance. Taken on June 27, 2007.

  • Landmark Status sign in front of the RKO Keith's(Albee) Theatre, looking West down Northern Blvd. at the intersection of Main Street. The Serval Zipper clock tower appears in the background left.

    Landmark Status sign in front of the RKO Keith's(Albee) Theatre, looking West down Northern Blvd. at the intersection of Main Street. The Serval Zipper clock tower appears in the background left.

  • "RKO: FLUSHING the Finest Theatre on the North Shore" Roof top view of the RKO Keiths taken on June 27, 2007.

    "RKO: FLUSHING the Finest Theatre on the North Shore" Roof top view of the RKO Keiths taken on June 27, 2007.

  • Roof top view of the RKO Keith's Theatre from June 27, 2007.

    Roof top view of the RKO Keith's Theatre from June 27, 2007.

  • Roof top view of the RKO Keiths taken on June 27, 2007.

    Roof top view of the RKO Keiths taken on June 27, 2007.

  • After seeing a show at the RKO Keith's you could stand under the marquee and look out at Flushing with renewed imagination. Main Street and Northern Blvd, July 1, 2009.

    After seeing a show at the RKO Keith's you could stand under the marquee and look out at Flushing with renewed imagination. Main Street and Northern Blvd, July 1, 2009.

  • Detail of a mural of Main Street looking North, with a prominant RKO Keith's in the background. Now covered with street vendor displays on the West side of the LIRR Main Street overpass:

    Detail of a mural of Main Street looking North, with a prominant RKO Keith's in the background. Now covered with street vendor displays on the West side of the LIRR Main Street overpass:

  • Detail of cast iron window framing on the RKO, green store front marble peeks out from behind, July 3, 2009.

    Detail of cast iron window framing on the RKO, green store front marble peeks out from behind, July 3, 2009.

  • Building address group spray painted under the steel framing that once supported the Theatre Marquee.

    Building address group spray painted under the steel framing that once supported the Theatre Marquee.

  • This RKO Keith's store front on the West side was once a Necchi - Elna sewing machine store. I wonder what it would cost to re-fab these window frames (not including the marble insets of course). From November 2008.

    This RKO Keith's store front on the West side was once a Necchi - Elna sewing machine store. I wonder what it would cost to re-fab these window frames (not including the marble insets of course). From November 2008.

  • RKO Keith's from the South West corner of Main Street and Northern Blvd. June 29, 2009.

    RKO Keith's from the South West corner of Main Street and Northern Blvd. June 29, 2009.

  • Aside from the for sale sign this view shows that the partnership of Jason and Sergio was the last team to work on the building.

    Aside from the for sale sign this view shows that the partnership of Jason and Sergio was the last team to work on the building.

  • Crossing Northern Boulevard, June 29, 2009.

    Crossing Northern Boulevard, June 29, 2009.

  • RKO Keith's from the center median. October 2011.

    RKO Keith's from the center median. October 2011.

  • Northern Boulevard Elevation

    Northern Boulevard Elevation

  • The Arthur J. Kennedy Spanish War Memorial 1937-1938 in the foreground with the Keith's and the Queens Historical Society orange Freedom Mile marker in the background; September 18, 2011.

    The Arthur J. Kennedy Spanish War Memorial 1937-1938 in the foreground with the Keith's and the Queens Historical Society orange Freedom Mile marker in the background; September 18, 2011.

  • Cast Iron window frames, September 18, 2011

    Cast Iron window frames, September 18, 2011

  • Rear delivery entrance to the basement.

    Rear delivery entrance to the basement.

  • In the basement alone were over 50 rooms, with everything that was needed to support large scale theatrical performances. The North side of the building had electricians, engineers, carpenters, contractors, musicians, band leader's, porters, doorman's, stage hands and stage manager rooms, laundry, vaults, storage areas, stage ramps and even a library. July 3, 2009

    In the basement alone were over 50 rooms, with everything that was needed to support large scale theatrical performances. The North side of the building had electricians, engineers, carpenters, contractors, musicians, band leader's, porters, doorman's, stage hands and stage manager rooms, laundry, vaults, storage areas, stage ramps and even a library. July 3, 2009

  • The RKO Keith's, in February 2011 has a Phantom of the Opera feel. The original screen and curtains are still there, but barely visible to the left. The under stage entryways, including the one from the animal room can be seen toward the back right.

    The RKO Keith's, in February 2011 has a Phantom of the Opera feel. The original screen and curtains are still there, but barely visible to the left. The under stage entryways, including the one from the animal room can be seen toward the back right.

  • The RKO Keith's, in February 2011 has a Phantom of the Opera feel. The original screen, curtains and balcony railings are still there, but barely visible to the left. The under stage entryways appear in the background.

    The RKO Keith's, in February 2011 has a Phantom of the Opera feel. The original screen, curtains and balcony railings are still there, but barely visible to the left. The under stage entryways appear in the background.

  • RKO: The Heart of Darkness

    RKO: The Heart of Darkness

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East organ screen.

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East organ screen.

  • Just another East auditorium face in the RKO Keith's.

    Just another East auditorium face in the RKO Keith's.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 A detail of the East organ screen reveals a "Beauty and the Beast" like character, centered over the doorway.

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 A detail of the East organ screen reveals a "Beauty and the Beast" like character, centered over the doorway.

  • These pockets on each side of the stage contained the Davis "Model E" Annunciators. The instructions are still inplace for this device used by vaudeville acts to announce the next act to appear on stage.

    These pockets on each side of the stage contained the Davis "Model E" Annunciators. The instructions are still inplace for this device used by vaudeville acts to announce the next act to appear on stage.

  • Incredibly still in business as Tapecon, Inc. in Buffalo. The original family business was the Davis Bulletin Co. founded in Buffalo, NY by Albert Davis in 1919. The Davis annunciator was used to display vaudeville acts as they appeared on stage. These annunciator instructions are still located on either side of the stage.

    Incredibly still in business as Tapecon, Inc. in Buffalo. The original family business was the Davis Bulletin Co. founded in Buffalo, NY by Albert Davis in 1919. The Davis annunciator was used to display vaudeville acts as they appeared on stage. These annunciator instructions are still located on either side of the stage.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East proscenium.

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East proscenium.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East proscenium detail.

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East proscenium detail.

  • Detail high up off the stage near the top of the East proscenium and out of reach of the hammer wielding "demolition crew" employed by the first of three "developers".

    Detail high up off the stage near the top of the East proscenium and out of reach of the hammer wielding "demolition crew" employed by the first of three "developers".

  • Base of East proscenium at stage level.

    Base of East proscenium at stage level.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 West auditorium (Cypress trees?) mural.

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 West auditorium (Cypress trees?) mural.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre in 2011 One of four West auditorium murals.

    RKO Keith's Theatre in 2011 One of four West auditorium murals.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 West auditorium mural

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 West auditorium mural

  • One of the 4 West auditorium murals, this one closest to the stage, has an afternoon sun quality about it.

    One of the 4 West auditorium murals, this one closest to the stage, has an afternoon sun quality about it.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East Foyer No. 203 entrance to lodge level seating.

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 East Foyer No. 203 entrance to lodge level seating.

  • East Foyer entrance to lodge level seating.

    East Foyer entrance to lodge level seating.

  • RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 Second floor Promenade No. 205 overlooking the Grand Foyer, on the left was the Usher's Room, Palm Room (lounge seating) and Coat Check Room.

    RKO Keith's Theatre 2011 Second floor Promenade No. 205 overlooking the Grand Foyer, on the left was the Usher's Room, Palm Room (lounge seating) and Coat Check Room.

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    I came upon this extraordinary photo from the Summer of 1928, showing the RKO Keith's Albee theatre still under construction (it opened on Christmas day of that year). Fortunately I was able to restore this from a scan of the original negative. I took the roof top pictures posted here, from the building in the background center, in 2007.
    The heart of downtown Flushing November 2009: Looking East down Northern Blvd by Main Street. Landmark Theatre and Freedom Mile sign.