Suffolk Theater

118-120 East Main Street

Based on recollections of Riverheaders posted to Facebook group “Remembering Riverhead.” Voiced by Denise Civilette, Peter Blasl, Lorene Custer, Jeff Greenberger, Richard Wines and Nancy Gilbert

So, what so you guys remember about the Suffolk Theater?

I went there on my first date.

My mom took me to see “Gone with the Wind.”

The last movie I saw there was “The Right Stuff.”

In the 60s my sister took me to my first movie. I was maybe 6 years old and she took me to see a double feature at the Suffolk Theater. The first movie was “eyes without a face” about a surgeon who was taking women’s faces to replace his daughter’s who was in a car accident and the second movie was called the “Manster” - half man and half monster. At the end, the Manster grabbed a tree and pulled himself in half. Where was I? Under the seat screaming for my mommy! My first taste of movies.

I saw West Side Story about 10 times there.

My cousin and I would toss popcorn over the balcony to the couples making out below

My grandfather used to be a manager there. He told me that Long Island movie theatre tycoon A. H. Schwartz built the place in 1933. The first movie was Floodlight Parade with James Cagney. The New York architect R. Thomas Short designed at least a dozen other theaters scattered the length of Long Island. Construction of this 800-seat theater took only two-and-a-half months. Can you believe that? And, it even had air-conditioning and what they called “high fidelity” sound. The style was known as Art Deco. People even claimed it as good as going to Radio City Music Hall in New York City!

My grandpa always liked to point out the Art Deco details that enliven its façade, including the zigzags and the stylized floral and sunburst designs. At the time, it was considered the “last word in modern theatre construction in every detail.”

Enough history, let’s get back to the good stuff. Any more memories?

In the late 60's I worked there as an usher. What a great life. I got to see a lot of great movies and some awful ones too.

First time I sat in the balcony, I was 15 and my boyfriend was 17 and he was allowed to smoke in the balcony! You were all grown up.

First time I ever kissed a girl in a movie theater was there. Thought I was in love!

I lived around the corner. Saw way too many movies to remember them all. But I do remember that sound when you walked because of the sticky floors.

Yeah, and it was kinda creepy upstairs.

I remember the Saturday afternoon 25-cent movies.

Saw a lot of classics there. But One Dark Night sticks out in my memory.

It was perfect for making out!

I remember those were great days. Smooching in the balcony – the very top row.

Oh , the stories I could tell ..... but I won't !

What happens in the balcony stays in the balcony.

Went to a Christmas Eve showing of Yellow Submarine. About three people were in the seats. At less than mid-show, the manager stopped the projection and asked us all to let the staff go home to family. We agreed and got a raincheck to see another showing.

First date, first kiss

I actually got a tad further. Not by much.

It was a quarter to get in.

Saw the Beatles "Hard Days Night" there.1963...three times.– .couldn't hear a thing over the screaming!!

I must have gone there every weekend, hence my love for movies. Now, the refurbished Suffolk Theater is one of my favorite places. The Art Deco interior is even more marvelous than the outside and largely intact. They did a fantastic job redoing it and I have been to so many concerts there. Great place!

And, after the matinees we could just go right next door to the Woolworth’s to have a soda. The lunch counter there was great, and you could find most anything in that five and dime store. That’s been restored now too.