Sunday Field Trip! How To Visit The Valencia Movie Palace

12 Comments

1. I am in NYC for the weekend and plan to go tomorrow. From mid-town (I am staying by Bryant Park) I can take the F train to just a 9 minute walk from there. http://goo.gl/maps/0AEyz

2. Ironic, isn’t it? A church generously makes the theater available for visitors when it’s under no obligation to do so, yet the management of the Woolworth Building childishly refuses to admit visitors even though as a landmarked structure people have a legal right to see it.

3. This is a fantastic theater. There are very few of these on the West Coast, where I live. In Portland, there is the Baghdad, but most classic big screens are gone everywhere in favor of screen sizes little larger than the largest TV.

   Is it any wonder that theater ticket sales are down?

   1. I recently went to an IMAX showing of Rock of Ages. The resolution and technology are great, but I couldn’t help thinking that in the 80’s I had seen Lawrence of Arabia on a similar sized screen.

      1. One last thin… I know that everyone here has probably seen this web site, but: http://cinematreasures.org/

4. I have found (thanks to a friend) that the original organ from this theater is now in the Balboa Theater in San Diego. There is even a fan page on Facebook for this organ. https://www.facebook.com/WonderMortonOrgan

   The 4-manual, 23-rank Wonder Morton Organ made its debut performance in the Balboa Theatre on September 27, 2009. Representing the apex of the silent film era, this instrument is one of the five “Wonder” models that the Morton Organ Company built for Loew’s Theatre chain. The Balboa Morton was originally installed in Loew’s Valencia on Jamaica Avenue in Queens.

5. OK, about 30 of us showed up today and they were NOT prepared to have visitors on Sunday. They allowed us to look around the lobbies, but no further. We were told that if we wanted to view the rest of the theater we had to call Sister Mary and arrange an appointment for a tour any other day of the week.

   Please remove the info about visiting on Sundays.

   1. Did you happen to get Sister Mary’s contact information? I’d love to schedule a time to come and see the theater with some of my friends. Thanks!

6. Beautiful.

7. Hi,
   Just went this Sunday. I came with just my father and I early at 9. Service starts at 11:30. Older ladies were there and invited us to take pictures. Just as we were leaving we were taking one last one in the lobby and an older gentleman cape from outside and asked us if we knew the rules. He didn’t want us coming there to take pictures inside or during service. We ended up coming back for the service at 11:30 and donating some Monday for the church. They have a declining membership, so it is respectful to do this. Do not show up with 30 people and expect to be accommodated. However, this is what I recommend if you want to take pictures and see it. And it is very cold in there if you stay for service so bring a warm coat!

8. Hi,
   Just went this Sunday. I came with just my father and I early at 9. Service starts at 11:30. Older ladies were there and invited us to take pictures. Just as we were leaving we were taking one last one in the lobby and an older gentleman came from outside and asked us if we knew the rules. He didn’t want us coming there to take pictures inside or during service. We ended up coming back for the service at 11:30 and donating some money for the church. They have a declining membership, so it is respectful to do this. Do not show up with 30 people and expect to be accommodated. However, this is what I recommend if you want to take pictures and see it. And it is very cold in there if you stay for service so bring a warm coat!

9. I would love to hear an update on this. I really want to check the place out.

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