Built in the 1930's this neighborhood house called the Austin has had more faces then Eve. Spent years as a second run double feature house, until being taken over by Rugoff Theaters in the late 50's or early 60's. Art films were played for a few years catering to the affluent area and nearby Forest Hills.
Then United Artists took over for a few years playing mostly move overs and booking midnight shows every Friday and Saturday night. When UA dumped it, it became a XXX house and was extremely profitable. The owner even played the midnight shows for awhile that UA had built up an audience for. It then went all porno, later being taken over by the same owner of the Polk until it was shut down by the city (a story in itself).
The story has a happy ending: new owners bought the place, stripped it down to its minor Art Deco origins and made a mini version of the Angelika. The huge lobby has a concession stand where you can get coffee and fresh cookies. Two theatres were made in the old loge and restroom area on the second floor. Downstairs are four screens, number one keeping the original mini stage and arch. The other four auditoriums have top notch sound and projection and rocking chair seats stadium style.
The Kew Gardens is a total delight to attend, heres hoping it survives forever.
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