Stadium Theater 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. This was likely taken in early 1930s thanks to the automobiles seen in this which appeared to be a newspaper print. Not sure. The theater was built and opened in 1927. Source: Cinema Treasures website.
Stadium Theater 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. Photo taken in 1949 because of two movies-- El Paso and Alias Nick Beal were on the marquee seen in this photo. Irony was that both movies are involved with politics. Look it up in IMDb. Looks like I can see that man who was working at the theater was bringing back in a bucket because he dumped it on the side of the road where it was all wet. Noticed that? Source: New York Public Library.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. This was taken on 18 November 1979 . Source: Facebook - Classic Staten Island.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. Appeared long abandoned and the sign looked very amateur. Photo appeared to be in more recent times because of attire of the two women and the gentleman in background. Source: Facebook - Classic Staten Island.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. My goodness! The big hole in the roof by the front. That part was flat compared to the 2/3rd part Gabled. This is best photo to explain to people a Gabled roof is necessary anywhere. Source: Google.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. Looked like taken in 1990s. Abandoned but will it be saved? Source: Cinema Treasures.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. 2010s. Abandoned but will it be saved? Source: Staten Island Live.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. Wow, someone forgot this. A true 1950s-60s stereo with turntable and radio. Speakers were on each side. Source: Regenerate Tottenville.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. Wow, again! This is a rare sight for anyone to see this! This appearance before renovations. Source: Regenerate Tottenville.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY
Fantasy Island Roller Disco 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY
Fantasy Island Roller Disco 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY
Both rinks-- Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink and Fantasy Island Roller Disco were at 217 Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, New York. First of all, before I go on with those two rinks. No, this Fantasy Island was not and has nothing to do with the Fantasy Island that Mr. Roarke and Tattoo (Ricardo Montalbán and Hervé Villechaize, respectively) were hosts and later, Mr. Roarke's grandniece, Elena Roarke (Roselyn Sánchez) operated. I am sure the operator thought of that name indirectly from the popular original series that ran from 1977 to 1984.
Now you would say, "The rink, the rink!" (in Tattoo's voice) Ok ok, we are now back to regular profile here.... (take on the announcer on television saying, "Now we are back to regular programming)
In 1975, Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink opened in the old Stadium Theater, a movie theater whch later became a concert venue then the roller rinks. Then abandoned for years.
First, in 1927, the old Stadium Theater was built and opened. It had 1,037 seats on a single floor. No balcony(ies). But in 1957, they closed as a movie theatre having only operating only on weekends. By January 1969 it had re-opened as the New Stadium Theatre in use as rock-music venue.
Then they closed in 1975 and became a roller rink, Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink. They apparently changed name or went out of business and sold to someone else which became Fantasy Island Roller Disco. With that name, it sounds like 1979 to me.
It was opened during the 1970s and name changed sometimes in early 1980s and closed in the same decade. Hence the name Fantasy Island due to the television show of the same name.
Of course, roller skating is a fantasy for you to skate and dream while you skate. Sure you have! Did you? I sure did!
Those two names were provided by someone I got in the email.
The Interior.
The Stadium Theater: It had quite elite appearance for 1920s I am sure. It housed 1,037 seats for the theater.
The New Stadium: In 1960s, it was renovated to flatten the floor for a rock concert venue. A night club actually. Likely they had a huge Q-like shaped lighting system in the ceiling (see photo above).
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: Carried over the design of the lights from the New stadium. But they may have had either Concrete or Maple wood floor for skating.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: Likely similar to Rinky Dink.
The Exterior.
The Stadium Theater: The style was very common in the 1920s including Red Brick front façade with massive fancy marquee with the name STADIUM in front while sides had the names of movies. Bright lights bordered the signs on each of those three sides of the marquee. The appearance was very comfortable style to the multitudes who attended the theater. It has Art Nouveau style. No Art Deco which was already around by 1927. It had clean style.
The New Stadium: It was a carry over style but the business at that time became a night club/concert venue. They retained the same on the exterior to keep it original and traditional.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: The building itself retained the same but boarded up the windows on ground floor and the sign had huge letterings for the rink. It did not say Rinky-Dink at all in the sign in that 1979 photo. The sign graphic art work looked very professional. However, it was a cheap job because they slabbed the rink's signs on to the original marquee. You can tell very clearly with the sign not completely covered as you can see in the photo.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: The sign completely changed. It became the disco rink's sign. It was dark background with light colored lettering. It appeared very amateur rather than a professional sign was made. Cheap made for sure although the photo of the disco rink was taken years later. It was removed when they put the building up for sale.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 11,000 SF. Built: 1927. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Masonry (bricks front, blocks sides and rear) - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled and Flat front section.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1975 to 1980s.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: 1975 to 1980s.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: 1980s.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: N/A.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
Facebook - Classic Staten Island.
IMDb - Fantasy Island (name similar but not!)
SI Live - Mixed-use building will replace former Stadium Theatre in Tottenville - May. 05, 2016, Updated: Jan. 03, 2019,
Cinema Treasures - Stadium Theater.
Cinema Treasures - Stadium Theater album.
NY Public Library - Stadium Theater.
Tottenville Review - author writes blog-like about experience in town including skating.
SI Live - Delays for renovations or demolish. 06 January 2020.
Regenerating Totttenville - plans for the building, a wait and see.
Forgotten NY - mentioned the Stadium Theater.
Worth to visit:
Google Maps says its there but an article from Staten Island Live said it is being demolished to make way for a new three story mixed-use complex. However, by 2020, delays. Still waiting for updates. So, please read below.
DISCLAIMER:
Dead-Rinks and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission! The abandoned building already has a huge hole in the roof and it is dangerous because it could collapse but also has black mold. Do NOT risk your life.
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Date of issue: 2 March 2022.
For office use only: 9.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
Now you would say, "The rink, the rink!" (in Tattoo's voice) Ok ok, we are now back to regular profile here.... (take on the announcer on television saying, "Now we are back to regular programming)
In 1975, Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink opened in the old Stadium Theater, a movie theater whch later became a concert venue then the roller rinks. Then abandoned for years.
First, in 1927, the old Stadium Theater was built and opened. It had 1,037 seats on a single floor. No balcony(ies). But in 1957, they closed as a movie theatre having only operating only on weekends. By January 1969 it had re-opened as the New Stadium Theatre in use as rock-music venue.
Then they closed in 1975 and became a roller rink, Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink. They apparently changed name or went out of business and sold to someone else which became Fantasy Island Roller Disco. With that name, it sounds like 1979 to me.
It was opened during the 1970s and name changed sometimes in early 1980s and closed in the same decade. Hence the name Fantasy Island due to the television show of the same name.
Of course, roller skating is a fantasy for you to skate and dream while you skate. Sure you have! Did you? I sure did!
Those two names were provided by someone I got in the email.
The Interior.
The Stadium Theater: It had quite elite appearance for 1920s I am sure. It housed 1,037 seats for the theater.
The New Stadium: In 1960s, it was renovated to flatten the floor for a rock concert venue. A night club actually. Likely they had a huge Q-like shaped lighting system in the ceiling (see photo above).
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: Carried over the design of the lights from the New stadium. But they may have had either Concrete or Maple wood floor for skating.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: Likely similar to Rinky Dink.
The Exterior.
The Stadium Theater: The style was very common in the 1920s including Red Brick front façade with massive fancy marquee with the name STADIUM in front while sides had the names of movies. Bright lights bordered the signs on each of those three sides of the marquee. The appearance was very comfortable style to the multitudes who attended the theater. It has Art Nouveau style. No Art Deco which was already around by 1927. It had clean style.
The New Stadium: It was a carry over style but the business at that time became a night club/concert venue. They retained the same on the exterior to keep it original and traditional.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: The building itself retained the same but boarded up the windows on ground floor and the sign had huge letterings for the rink. It did not say Rinky-Dink at all in the sign in that 1979 photo. The sign graphic art work looked very professional. However, it was a cheap job because they slabbed the rink's signs on to the original marquee. You can tell very clearly with the sign not completely covered as you can see in the photo.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: The sign completely changed. It became the disco rink's sign. It was dark background with light colored lettering. It appeared very amateur rather than a professional sign was made. Cheap made for sure although the photo of the disco rink was taken years later. It was removed when they put the building up for sale.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 11,000 SF. Built: 1927. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Masonry (bricks front, blocks sides and rear) - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled and Flat front section.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1975 to 1980s.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: 1975 to 1980s.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: 1980s.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Rinky-Dink Rollerskating Rink: N/A.
Fantasy Island Roller Disco: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
Facebook - Classic Staten Island.
IMDb - Fantasy Island (name similar but not!)
SI Live - Mixed-use building will replace former Stadium Theatre in Tottenville - May. 05, 2016, Updated: Jan. 03, 2019,
Cinema Treasures - Stadium Theater.
Cinema Treasures - Stadium Theater album.
NY Public Library - Stadium Theater.
Tottenville Review - author writes blog-like about experience in town including skating.
SI Live - Delays for renovations or demolish. 06 January 2020.
Regenerating Totttenville - plans for the building, a wait and see.
Forgotten NY - mentioned the Stadium Theater.
Worth to visit:
Google Maps says its there but an article from Staten Island Live said it is being demolished to make way for a new three story mixed-use complex. However, by 2020, delays. Still waiting for updates. So, please read below.
DISCLAIMER:
Dead-Rinks and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission! The abandoned building already has a huge hole in the roof and it is dangerous because it could collapse but also has black mold. Do NOT risk your life.
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Date of issue: 2 March 2022.
For office use only: 9.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.