When it opened December 9, 1909, the Princess was a grand theater with Pabst family connections. By 1960, the aging cinema shifted to X-rated films, offering a secret entrance for down-low customers via the Brass Rail. The Princess quickly became a cruising spot for gay men and sailors, offering 'breakfast, lunch and dinner" with one ticket. Theater employees supported the community, refusing police access and/or flashing lights when raided. Despite a strong case for preservation, the battered Princess was unlawfully demolished by the Redevelopment Authority in 1984. The theater's promised reopening never happened -- and the parcel remains vacant today.