Now a storage facility on Broadway and West 135th Street, The Claremont Theatre was one of the first motion picture house to come to the modern incarnation of Manhattanville in 1914. This marble and white terra cotta, Italian Renaissance style building was designed by Sicillian born architect, Gaeten Ajello, who also took credit for many buildings along the Upper West Side. The top photo is a clip from a film shot by Thomas Edison in 1915 in front of the new theatre with what must of been the most high tech camera of its time. There apparently was also a restaurant on the top levels from what can be gathered from the photo. By the depression years, the neighborhood changed and the theatre closed to become a automobile showroom in 1933. Most recently, 3330 Broadway had a few furniture stores and was filmed in a movie as an electronic store. In 2006, the Landmarks Commission gave the building its designation as a historic site so that future generations might enjoy it going forward. As of this week, there seems to be some upgrading in the interior currently so it will be interesting to see what the next incarnation of the space will be. Photos by Ulysses
Fascinating, it is so interesting to see everyday people and how they dressed, these folks look fairly well heeled, also looks like a cold day. I agree, the best part of all was the horse and carriage at the end, thanks for sharing the movie.
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