Kaufman Astoria Studios: The Historic Gates of Silent Film
Why is it significant?
Gaze through the impressive wrought-iron gates at the sprawling complex of Kaufman Astoria Studios, spanning Thirty-Sixth Street.
Key Facts
| Place | Kaufman Astoria Studios: The Historic Gates of Silent Film |
|---|---|
| Address | 34-12 36th St, Astoria, NY 11106, USA |
| Geo Coordinates | 40.75700, -73.92480 |
| Part of Walk | New York: Astoria Queens, Film Studios and Greek Tavernas |
| Generated | Generated |
Gaze through the impressive wrought-iron gates at the sprawling complex of Kaufman Astoria Studios, spanning Thirty-Sixth Street. Established in 1920 by movie mogul Adolph Zukor as the East Coast headquarters of Famous Players-Lasky—the forerunner of Paramount Pictures—this historic lot was built to ensure that film production remained in New York close to the talent and theatrical glamour of Broadway. For over a century, these soundstages have witnessed the birth of American screen entertainment.
In the 1920s, the greatest icons of the silent era filmed masterworks right here. Rudolph Valentino filmed Monsieur Beaucaire, Gloria Swanson commanded the cameras, and the Marx Brothers filmed their earliest comedic anarchies, The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers, on Stage E. During World War II, the United States Army took over the facility as the Army Pictorial Center, producing thousands of military training reels and Frank Capra's acclaimed Why We Fight documentary series. The enduring vitality of these soundstages reminds visitors that New York remains an indispensable capital of cinematic storytelling, where historic architectural heritage continually provides the creative foundation for modern television and film innovation.
By the 1970s, the decaying lot faced abandonment until real estate developer George S. Kaufman revitalized the property in 1982, attracting Hollywood back to New York. Modern classics filmed here include Goodfellas, The Wiz, and acclaimed television series like Sesame Street and Orange Is the New Black. In 2013, Kaufman added New York City's only outdoor studio backlot, complete with a functioning gate on Thirty-Fifth Avenue.
Stand quietly and imagine the Marx Brothers dashing between these very soundstage doors in full slapstick makeup during the transition to talking pictures. The studio remains a vibrant engine of modern creative production, carrying forward a century of entertainment heritage.
Now walk north along Thirty-Sixth Street toward Broadway, heading into the vibrant commercial heart of Queens where immigrant entrepreneurship thrives.