• Home
  • Travel
  • Articles
  • Create
  • About
    • FAQ
    • About
  • Shop
    Login/ Signup

    • Home
    • Travel
    • Articles
    • Create
    • About
      • FAQ
      • About
    • Shop
    Sign in Sign up
    On route and almost there !
    loading spinner outerloading spinner inner
    A sketch of the Hollywood by the architect.
    A sketch of the Hollywood by the architect.

    From Film to Faith: The Transformation of New York's Warner Theatre

    The Hollywood Theatre, designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb for Warner Brothers, opened on April 22, 1930, as a premier venue for “talkie” movies. Originally featuring an Art Deco lobby entrance on Broadway, access later shifted to W. 51st Street. Inspired by French Baroque and Rococo styles, the theatre boasted a lavish three-story rotunda and a 1,603-seat auditorium. Though built with a stage, it primarily showcased films without live performances.

    In October 1930, the Hollywood Theatre was the only venue in New York to feature Warner Bros.’ 65mm Vitascope widescreen process for Kismet. During the Great Depression, Warner Bros. leased the space for stage shows and concerts under the name 51st Street Theatre. Reverting to the Hollywood Theatre during World War II, it found success once again as a movie house.

    Renamed the Warner Theatre, it hosted the world premiere of Life With Father on August 15, 1947. However, it closed on May 16, 1948, and was sold soon after. It reopened as the Mark Hellinger Theatre on January 22, 1949, for stage productions, including the legendary Broadway run of My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in 1956. Despite early success, the theatre struggled in the following decades, with Sugar Babies (1979–1982) being its last major hit.

    After Legs Diamond closed in 1989, the Nederlander Organization leased the venue to a church group before selling it in 1992 for $17 million. Now home to the Times Square Church, the theatre remains well-preserved, with both its interior and exterior protected under New York City landmark law.

    Matt Lambros NY Manhattan Mar 06, 2025 History Movies Theaters

    Next
    Location: Manhattan, NY

    creator image
    Matt Lambros
    Mar 06, 2025
    follow button
    Share From Film to Faith: The Transformation of New York's Warner Theatre
    SHARE

    SHARE
    2
    Like
    2
    I've been there
    1
    Comment
    0
    Share

    author avatar
    Beautiful
    0
    Like Reply 2 months

    Profile Photo
    Christopher Gentile liked this post 2 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Christopher Gentile visited this post 2 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Matt Lambros created this post 2 months ago

    More Views For You!
    Card image cap
    Power Trip 2018 Conowingo Dam, Kerr Dam and more!
    Card image cap
    The Bridge of Lions 2019, St. Augustine, FL
    Card image cap
    Crossroads in Ashland, VA
    Card image cap
    Youthful Peacock St Augustine, FL
    Card image cap
    St Augustine Sunset
    Card image cap
    Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, FL

    Have a story to tell? Create an account and get started. It's free!

    Top
    Show List See Map
    Trending Now Icon Generic placeholder image Generic placeholder image
    Posts View History

    Loading Views . . .

    Looking for something different?
    Go on a journey through East Coast States
    Go back destination: Current Screen:
    Browsing History

    Follow us on Social Channels

    GET IN TOUCH

    Question? Request? Issues? Get in touch with us here.


    `
    Contact
    • About
    • FAQS
    • Login
    • Shop
    • Register
    • Travel RT1
    • Privacy Notice
    • Terms of Use
    • About Route 1

    © 2025 Double Ohs Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    Route1Views
    Loading