The Queens Movie Theater You Will Not Believe – Scouting The Valencia Movie Palace. Last week, I was scouting on Jamaica Ave when I noticed a movie- theater- turned- church up the block. This is pretty common in New York, where are a LOT of once great theaters have been gutted and repurposed, most often into churches, pharmacies and gyms. I’ve stopped in quite a few hoping to find the rare gem that’s survived, but have only been disappointed time and again. But something immediately stuck out about the Tabernacle of Prayer church. What a gloriously stunning facade: The entire front is dripping with swirls of ornamentation, a whimsical blend of Spanish and Mexican baroque design – with an aquatic emphasis?

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Note the mermaid in the center. I also love that headressed figure on the right: But was the interior as well preserved? Or was this another case of a beautiful facade masking a lifeless interior? I tried to go inside, but the church was closed until Sunday. I was definitely coming back.

In the meantime, I did a bit of research and was surprised to learn that this was once the Loew’s Valencia movie palace, one of five flagship Wonder Theaters opened by the Loew’s chain in and around New York in the late 1. Jamaica Ave). Picture CC Cinema. Treasures. org. All five Wonder Theatres are miraculously still standing.

I’ve written about Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre (now being restored), and I’ve been to The Bronx’s Paradise Theatre, Washington Heights’ 1. Street Theatre, and the Loew’s Jersey City. But how had I missed the Valencia? Then I found this picture of the interior in its hey day, and it floored me. It wasn’t so much a theater as an outdoor village, complete with a night sky.

Could this possibly have survived into the 2. Picture CC Cinema. Treasures. org. With fingers crossed, I returned the following Sunday. And, just going into the entranceway, I was taken aback. Already, the entire place was dripping with exactly the sort of intricate design I was hoping to find still intact.

The original ticket booth – can you imagine buying a movie ticket here?? The ceiling – note the beautiful hanging lanterns, all of which were still working: The floor tiles, and not a single one missing.

All a very good sign. If I don’t stop myself, I’ll use the word “glorious” too much, but that’s exactly what I kept thinking. Note how the wooden ticket line banisters are still in place: In a 1.

NY Times designed this as “more Persian than anything else, a riot of scupltured, gilded plaster screens and balconies.” The balconies line both walls. The Valencia was the first of the five to open on January 1. The Valencia was the work of architect John Eberson, who designed nearly 1. Sadly, many are long gone, razed to make way for new development in an age where such a theater could house twenty screens instead of just one. The Valencia is largely considered to be the most elaborate of all his New York theaters.

And it really is unbelievable just how much has been packed into every inch of space: One of my favorite elements of the lobby is the enormous fountain stationed right at the entrance, which all movie- goers would have to pass before entering the theater. Incredibly, it was working until just recently: Several more animals keep watch: The sort- of Spanish/sort- of Mexican wall decor: Even the air vents have flair: And then it was time to head into the theater. More like “movie cathedral.”Huge pan – click for full- size! As the NY Times wrote in 1. I’m pretty sure I did both. Huge pan – Click for full- size!

What I absolutely love about the Valencia is how it puts the audience not in a movie theater, but rather in the center of a Spanish – or is that Mexican? And if you look really closely, you can just make out tiny pin- pricks of light. In other words, movie- goers would look up from the film and see a starry night sky overhead. Documentary Films Dvd Layover (2017) there. By the mid- 1. 97. Valencia were Blaxploitation films.

The theater was donated to the Tabernacle of Prayer church, who has kept it in immaculate shape ever since. Said Reverend Johnnie Washington in 1. It has a beauty, an atmosphere that makes you feel you are at someplace sacred.”The theater holds 3,5. Huge pan – click for full- size! A few changes have been made over the years.

The chandelier above is of course new. Also, a number of formerly nude statues above the altar seemed somewhat out of place for a house of worship. But, some angel wings and robes later, all is taken care of: In particular, I love the balconies running along the sides of the theater. While I highly doubt anyone actually ever watched movies from here. From all the church patrons I spoke with, the Valencia is a treasured home treated with reverence, and it’s safe to say the old movie palace is in good hands.- SCOUTIf you enjoyed reading this post, would you consider making a donation to help me make my first movie? The goal is $5. 0,0.

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