SHOW CENTER

Show Center, at 247 West 42nd Street, conveniently located on the ground  floor beneath the West Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, and a hop, skip, and a jump from the depraved Harem theater, was actually the original location of the very first coin-operated nickelodeon, referred to as a ‘peep show’.  Owned by the notorious Martin Hodas (‘The King of the Peeps’), the original mediocre matte-finish signage, with not a hint of neon, stated the facts: ‘PRIVATE REVIEW BOOTHS-25 CENTS-ADULT BOOKS/MALE RACK-25 CENTS-BOOKS, NOVELTIES, MAGS, 8MM FILMS.’ Richie took over eventually, utilizing the extravagant Showcenter neon bulbs salvaged from the Pussycat, which was demolished in 1986. Continue