Save The Vitagraph Smokestack!

Too much of our film history has been destroyed. Please protect this, one of the few from the east coast.

thjings are changing so so fast in this world...and never more so than in my borough. let's try to keep something from the past...even before my time

Vita(l!) (&) Graph(ic!)

Biograph, the studio of Billy Bitzer and D.W. Griffith.

It is so sad to see another landmark demolished, please sign the petition.

We need this saved for the future.

Caitlyn McGrath - do you teach at Murrow? Please get in touch! Been working with Midwood Development Corporation and Brooklyn Arts Council to perhaps get a workshop going at Murrow with students - to curate a show of Vitagraph films and create a walking tour app of Midwood film history. Trying to get a meeting with Principal Barge, but if you have other suggestions, let me know!!

Save the Vitagraph Smokestack it is early cinema history.

Please save this piece of early movie history!

This is the smokestack of Vitagraph Studios, which in its heyday had 20 full-time directors and 400 stock actors on their payroll, putting out as many as 8 films per week in the early 1900s. Meanwhile, Mayor Bloomberg announced a couple of years back that 23 productions in New York was "an all-time record". Lost history...!

This is such as notable sign, just as important as the Silvercup sign and other relics of bygone days. But even more so because this is about an industry which started here in the NYC/NJ area but is long gone from here -- generally forgotten that Brooklyn was originally more important as a movie center than Hollywood. HURRAY FOR BROOKLYN! not Hurray for Hollywood.

Please save this iconic treasure!

Where my petition failed, may this succeed. This is without question a landmark and should be preserved!

A petition was circulated some years ago - we can add this plea to ours: To: Landmarks Preservation Commission I just signed the following petition addressed to: Landmarks Preservation Commission ---------------- Save the Vitagraph Smokestack With movies like "Hugo" and "The Artist" bringing silent film to the forefront, it's important that we don't forget where the movies started -- here in NY! Brooklyn's Vitagraph Studios was one of the first, built in 1906, and one of the most successful, boasting names like Maurice Costello, Florence Turner ("The Vitagraph Girl"), and popular comedian John Bunny. Though the studio is long gone, the smokestack remains, albeit in very poor shape. Let's get it restored, and keep this visible reminder of the fledgling days of filmmaking around to inspire future generations! ---------------- Sincerely, Sincerely, [Your name]

SAVE THE SMOKESTACK!

That anyone would even consider razing this monument of early film history is unthinkable.

HISTORY COUNTS!!!

Come on NYC, Don't you have any respect towards your own glorious history?Don't let this happen.

Michael Biel wrote these fantastic lyrics and the incredible Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks performed it last night at IGUANA. AMAZING!! BROOKLYN VITAGRAPH SMOKESTACK BLUES (To the tune of St. Louis Blues) ======= I hate to see... the old smokestack come down. I hate to see... the old smokestack come down. Cause dat'll mean ... Vitagraph done left this town. ===== If it is up there tomorrow...just like it is today. If it is up there tomorrow...just like it is today. Gonna count out the beat, and get the band to play. ===== Got the blues, got the blues, got the Brooklyn tear 'em down blues. Got the blues got the blues got the Brooklyn tear it down blues. Cause The Man don't have.. no historic dues. ====== Brooklyn Smokestack...with your Vitagraph name, You've stood a century...and brought Brooklyn fame. But if they tear you down ... it will be a shame, Cause The Man in charge... will get all the blame.

This complex is the oldest surviving purpose-built movie studio in America. It would be heartbreaking to see this 107 year old survivor destroyed and gone forever. Please preserve it and protect it!