![]() ![]() The Victoria at 90-11 Corona Ave later became the Newtown Theater, closed in the early 1950’s became Temple El-Emmanuel, and is now an evangelist church. Why the Acme closed is debatable the advent of WW1, competition, or funding could be the causes. In Vincent Seyfried’s book Elmhurst: From Town to Mega-Suburb the theater space is mentioned as a seasonal “Summer Theater,” with the first real theater being the Victoria in 1916. McKenzie said of the early theater, “A fellow named Bichette, an early Knights of Columbus founder in Elmhurst had access to motion pictures, and showed early silent one-reelers, even by candlelight.” Tom McKenzie, President of the Newtown Civic Association, offered to help fund a plaque to affix to the property years ago, but at the time was rebuffed by ownership. A back staircase at the closed furniture store, led to a loft space, which is said to have been part of the theater. A third generation neighbor resident shared from family lore that the theater space included an arcade of nickelodeon machines to view, in addition to the one screen Airdome Theater. In 1913, one can imagine looking directly across Broadway at the sloping grass lawn of Claremont Terrace, and the four stately homes of Samuel Lord’s four daughters, replete with peach, fig, and apricot trees. Although no known photo exists, a 1940 photo shows the theater site as an auto parts and repair business, which it was for decades. In fact, as early ads show, the theater featured a singer and piano accompaniment, also supporting the American Red Cross, which had a space on Broadway, making the Acme appear as one of the centers of Elmhurst life at the time. “It’s important because it’s the first form of a cultural entertainment center for the modern era during the birth of cinema,” said Jennifer Ochoa of the Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society. It is noted to be on Broadway, off Dongan Avenue, then known as Paris Boulevard at the time. By 1916, it had become the ‘Acme Theater,’ and by 1918 or so, it was out of operation. ![]() Postings on the website Cinema Treasures, cite the Newtown Register mentioning the ‘Elmhurst Theater’ in 1913. Undoubtedly, most residents are unaware of the location’s history short lived and lost in time. It’s now expected that the new buyer would proceed with development. The Haider trust had filed plans in 2018 to demolish for a seven story tower, which fell through. 83-12 was owned by the Haider Family Trust for decades before selling to 83 Broadway LLC-Li Wu in 2019. According to Kenny Li, of YouYork Management LLC, whose sign is posted on the property, the partners ran into problems, and the site is up for sale again. LIMBO deploys pitch perfect wit and crisp observation to shine a light on the hearts and lives of those at the centre of a crisis that most of us only experience through headlines.The site, 83-12 Broadway, which held Elmhurst’s first moving picture theater remains in limbo still sitting dormant two years after the last businesses a phone shop, massage parlor, and voluminous furniture outlet shuttered, paving the way for imminent demolition. And Freddie Mercury-obsessed Farhad tries to convince Omar to participate in the local open mic night. ![]() They binge the Friends boxset, debating whether Ross and Rachel were on a break. Omar and his new flatmates attend hilariously misjudged ‘cultural awareness’ classes. Separated from his Syrian family, he is stuck on a remote Scottish island awaiting the fate of his asylum request, and wanders the epic landscape searching for answers to a complex past and unknown future. ![]() Nominated for two BAFTA® awards for Best British Film and Best Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer, LIMBO is a funny and poignant cross-cultural satire that subtly sews together the hardship and hope of the refugee experience. ![]()
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