The Art-Deco themed Lane Theatre, 168 New Dorp Lane near 10th Street, was developed by the Moses brothers, Charles, Elias and Lewis and opened in 1937, designed by renowned architect John Eberson; the first feature was “100 Men and a Girl” starring teen singing sensation Deanna Durbin. The Lane featured a modest 600 seats in its heyday, later reduced to 550. Until 2001, it had been recast as a nightclub that has now closed, though the distinctive red and blue “Lane” façade is still visible. In the Lane’s last gasp of notoriety, one Marshall Mathers III, a.k.a. Eminem, played here in the spring of 1999. Its Art Moderne foyer and corridors remain intact.
After several moribund years the Lane reopened as Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in 2009 and attracted well-known talent such as David Brenner, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling and Rob Bartlett from the Don Imus radio show. Today, the theater building is occupied by the Crossroads Church.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop, and as always, “comment…as you see fit.”
1/26/21
2 comments
The font for “Lane” looks like Kabel developed in 1927 by German designer Rudolf Koch. Art-Deco was becoming a major influence in NYC design and architecture.
My mom took me to see Snow White here in the early 70’s. The first movie I ever saw.