Loew's Theatre (New Rochelle)
 | |
| Address | 585 - 599 Main Street New Rochelle, New York United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Movie palace |
| Capacity | 2,485 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Closed | 1980 |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb; Herbert J. Krapp[1] |
Loew's Theater is a historic movie theater located on Main Street in New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York.[2]
During the 1920s, the "Golden Age" of the movies, there was a tremendous boom in the construction of motion picture houses and theaters built in New Rochelle during this period were only slightly less elaborate than the grand movie palaces found in big cities. "Loew's Theatre" at 585–599 Main Street was built in 1926, and the "Proctor's RKO Theater" across the street was built the following year. Both buildings share the basic design of a long, two-story facade containing shops at the street level, with the entrance to the theater itself emphasized by decorative elements and the marquee.
The design inspiration for the Loew's is Spanish, interpreted through elements such as clay tile roofs and a baroque parapet over the entrance. The 2,500 seat building was designed by leading theater architect Herbert J. Krapp. The theater featured vaudeville and live stage shows with renown performers and celebrities such as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Bette Davis, George and Gracie Burns, Sophie Tucker, and [[George and Gracie Burns, Sophie Tucker, George M. Cohen, Olivia de Haviland and Will Rogers.
The Loews theater site mirrors the tale of many early American suburbs. New Rochelle, mostly known as a bedroom community serving New York, saw tremendous growth and success during the first half of the 20th century. At that time the Loews theater was part of a flourishing downtown benefitting from its affluent residents and proximity to the city. The theater has since been made obsolete by inventions such as the television and VCR, and by newer, larger movie facilities with multiple screens and cutting edge technology.
