Kings Plaza Theater closes doors
By Thomas Tracy
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| Courier-Life Publications |
It seems that the curtains have finally closed on the AMC Loews’ Kings Plaza movie theater.
The six screen cinematheque that thrilled audiences of all ages for over 30 years quietly closed its doors earlier this month without any hooplah and fanfare.
By Monday, in fact, there wasn’t even a sign that there had been a theater inside the Flatbush Avenue mall at Avenue U: the entrance to the theater was replaced with a blank wall; the fresh plaster securing it in position still visible.
The marquee was still outside, although nothing was on it.
While it hadn’t advertised the movies playing at the theater for some time, moviegoers were asked to visit www.amcentertainment.com for show times and ticket prices.
There was no mention of the theater’s closing on the website. A call to the AMC Loews’ 800 number for information were directed to a recording that said, “Sorry, that theater is closed.”
Calls to AMC Loews for comment were not returned by press time. Nor were calls to Kings Plaza regarding what is expected to be built inside the theater’s massive space.
While causal visitors noticed a dip in theater attendance over the last few years, current and former residents remembered all of the fun flicks they saw at their neighborhood movie house on the website Cinematreasures.com.
“Passed by Kings Plaza this afternoon and, lo and behold, this theater is indeed closed,” wrote poster “thlvr.” “Saw many wonderful films here: “Superman,” “Diamonds are Forever,” “Live and Let Die,” “Moonraker,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Octopussy,” “2010,” etc., etc. However when the clientele of this theater started to change, it was the kiss of death. And this theater is now deceased.”
“It saddens me greatly, as this theater (like the Kingsway, the Marboro, and the Georgetown Twin) was one of my childhood theaters,” noted poster Gary C. “My late grandmother took me here to see Rocky 3, though I’m sure she was slightly disturbed that her six year old granddaughter wanted to see it. (I liked the theme song.) My last memory of going here is seeing “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” about the life of Tina Turner. During all the scenes in which Tina was getting beat up by Ike, a man near me was yelling ‘Go get her Ike! Beat her up BUT GOOD!’ It was at this point that I realized I could no longer patronize this theater. The moviegoers were just too insane. But I’ll miss it.”
The Kings Plaza Theater opened in 1970, right around the time the mall did, longtime visitors remembered. It originally had two screens, Kings Plaza North -- the larger one, colored blue -- and Kings Plaza South, which was colored red. Each theater had its own restroom, although a concession stand served customers from both theaters, which early on hosted double features like “The French Connection” and “M.A.S.H.” and “Bullit” and “Bonnie and Clyde”.
“This was a popular theater when it opened in conjunction with the mall,” noted Fred, a former patron. “I remember abandoning my Flatbush Avenue movie palaces that I attended regularly to go to there.”
Over the years, the massive theaters were divided into smaller versions to keep up with the rise of multiplexes. At the end of its run, it had the distinction of being one of the cheapest movie houses in Brooklyn -- just $9 a ticket.
The six screen cinematheque that thrilled audiences of all ages for over 30 years quietly closed its doors earlier this month without any hooplah and fanfare.
By Monday, in fact, there wasn’t even a sign that there had been a theater inside the Flatbush Avenue mall at Avenue U: the entrance to the theater was replaced with a blank wall; the fresh plaster securing it in position still visible.
The marquee was still outside, although nothing was on it.
While it hadn’t advertised the movies playing at the theater for some time, moviegoers were asked to visit www.amcentertainment.com for show times and ticket prices.
There was no mention of the theater’s closing on the website. A call to the AMC Loews’ 800 number for information were directed to a recording that said, “Sorry, that theater is closed.”
Calls to AMC Loews for comment were not returned by press time. Nor were calls to Kings Plaza regarding what is expected to be built inside the theater’s massive space.
While causal visitors noticed a dip in theater attendance over the last few years, current and former residents remembered all of the fun flicks they saw at their neighborhood movie house on the website Cinematreasures.com.
“Passed by Kings Plaza this afternoon and, lo and behold, this theater is indeed closed,” wrote poster “thlvr.” “Saw many wonderful films here: “Superman,” “Diamonds are Forever,” “Live and Let Die,” “Moonraker,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Octopussy,” “2010,” etc., etc. However when the clientele of this theater started to change, it was the kiss of death. And this theater is now deceased.”
“It saddens me greatly, as this theater (like the Kingsway, the Marboro, and the Georgetown Twin) was one of my childhood theaters,” noted poster Gary C. “My late grandmother took me here to see Rocky 3, though I’m sure she was slightly disturbed that her six year old granddaughter wanted to see it. (I liked the theme song.) My last memory of going here is seeing “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” about the life of Tina Turner. During all the scenes in which Tina was getting beat up by Ike, a man near me was yelling ‘Go get her Ike! Beat her up BUT GOOD!’ It was at this point that I realized I could no longer patronize this theater. The moviegoers were just too insane. But I’ll miss it.”
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“This was a popular theater when it opened in conjunction with the mall,” noted Fred, a former patron. “I remember abandoning my Flatbush Avenue movie palaces that I attended regularly to go to there.”
Over the years, the massive theaters were divided into smaller versions to keep up with the rise of multiplexes. At the end of its run, it had the distinction of being one of the cheapest movie houses in Brooklyn -- just $9 a ticket.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
Jane wrote on Jan 19, 2010 11:04 PM:
" I agree with Monique. The article is obviously referring to the fact that once Black people patronized it, White people stopped coming. I went to see " Precious " with my niece in early December and the theatre was full! Barely any seats were open, so I doubt that the theatre wasn't earning any money. More than likely once they stopped advertising what movies were showing on the outside ( several months prior) , the decision had been already made to close the doors. A few days ago I called and asked if a replacement theatre was coming and the customer service rep told me that she doesn't think so. It's a shame. Sometimes the only reason I went to the Plaza was to see a movie since I live close by. I predict the plaza will lose even more business as a result of the complete lack of available entertainment. "
David wrote on Jan 20, 2010 9:37 AM:
" I saw an article that there was supposed to be a movie theater built next to Kings Plaza where tthe construction of Lowes is under way. From the way it was described, it seemed like viable competition to Sheepshead Bay, and a grander cinema than Kings Plaza. What Kings Plaza needs is a fancy restaurant, a kosher food stand, a place for kids to play, toys, books, and perhaps a learning center. The mall should be a place for all people and should therefore accommodate them. Sometimes it's apathy that does a mall in. And yes, a carousel would be nice. "
ken wrote on Jan 20, 2010 11:04 AM:
" It is not black people but MISBEHAVING BLACK PEOPLE.....They talk constantly during a film, jump up and run around, their cell phones are in use constantly, with lights going on every second in every corner......the noise level of blacks is decibels above that of any other so called GROUP....Yes, we stopped going because of blacks....plain and simple...oh yeah, i forgot about the guns in every other pccket.... "
Diem wrote on Jan 20, 2010 11:54 AM:
" I feel this entire mall should close.
I used to come to this mall when I was younger and I'll admit it has changed.
It's no surprise this theatre has closed either.
There were lots of times when we would see a movie and the picture would black out and they would have to refund the customer's money.
This mall isn't the same anymore without the theatre. The bookstores have shut down. There was a drugstore inside that has shut down to a furniture store.
I find the entire mall wild during the weekend because of the young teenagers who are always fighting inside.
It's very sad. I'll miss this theatre and probably won't venture out to this mall much. What would be the point now? "
I used to come to this mall when I was younger and I'll admit it has changed.
It's no surprise this theatre has closed either.
There were lots of times when we would see a movie and the picture would black out and they would have to refund the customer's money.
This mall isn't the same anymore without the theatre. The bookstores have shut down. There was a drugstore inside that has shut down to a furniture store.
I find the entire mall wild during the weekend because of the young teenagers who are always fighting inside.
It's very sad. I'll miss this theatre and probably won't venture out to this mall much. What would be the point now? "
Brooklyn wrote on Jan 20, 2010 5:06 PM:
" Good riddance. This mall has been going down the crapper for over 10 years now. There's supposedly a Best Buy opening - which won't be any better b/c the clientele will be just as bad there as in the rest of the mall.
And Ken- thank you for pointing out the appropriate way to word the description of black folks. Seriously, any movie theater you go to, it's that specific group that ruins the movie going experience for everyone else!
Again I say good riddance. I won't be happy until that mall just crumbles to the ground. "
And Ken- thank you for pointing out the appropriate way to word the description of black folks. Seriously, any movie theater you go to, it's that specific group that ruins the movie going experience for everyone else!
Again I say good riddance. I won't be happy until that mall just crumbles to the ground. "
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Monique wrote on Jan 19, 2010 12:26 PM: