12th & 2nd Ave [SW Corner] (1930 & 2012)

"Then-n-Now!"

The Village East Cinema in Manhattan's East Village. The theater opened in 1926 as The Yiddish Art Theater, attracting such notable attendees as Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, George Gershwin and former New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. After several mid-century name changes, the theater was restored in 1992, and remains the neighborhood's best place to see both blockbusters and independent films, alike. It's sister, the world-famous Angelika Film Center, is located 10 blocks South, on Mercer and Houston. The 1930 photo (from the NYPL archives) shows the theater when it was called Yiddish Folks Theatre.        CLICK TO ENLARGE