Amboy Multiplex Cinemas
US Highway 9 and State Route 35,
Sayreville,
NJ
08872
US Highway 9 and State Route 35,
Sayreville,
NJ
08872
14 people
favorited this theater
Showing 201 - 225 of 228 comments
The Bridge concept though (which has a bar and small cafe, director’s halls, and lots of classy atompshere) seems dead. I gather those ones must be really expensive to build. That concept in the Cinema De Lux brand seems to be dead (I was hoping National Amusements would build one at Blue Back Sqaure when I heard that a 5-screen luxery cinema was slated to open there in West Hartford, CT).
The Bridge concept though (which has a bar and small cafe, director’s halls, and lots of classy atompshere) seems dead. I gather those ones must be really expensive to build. That concept in the Cinema De Lux brand seems to be dead (I was hoping National Amusements would build one at Blue Back Sqaure when I heard that a 5-screen luxery cinema was slated to open there in West Hartford, CT).
“I have a feeling we have worked together or at least know a lot of the same National Amusements people.” (vito)
Vito,
It’s doubtful we know one another. I’m probably half your age and reside on the west coast.
Robert: sadly, curtains are a thing of the past, for one thing they just do not fit well in todays theatres, with wall to wall screens and virtually no stage area. Theatre owners just do not seem to want the extra cost of installing and maintaning curtains. The main reason is the slide presentations between shows which create additional revenues, with a mix of ads, puzzles, and jokes, slides have become popular with audiences.
John: The concept is alive and well, more Cinema De Lux locations are coming. National has always been very selective in the choice of new locations. Years are spent in location studies, planning, design and eventual construction. Look for one on Long Island soon to replace the Commack Multipex which will be the second one on Long Island. The last two opened a little over a year ago in White Plains, NY and Fairfax, VA. I am glad you like the one in PA, there is also one in Ohio, Mass, Kentucky, and of the course the one in L.A.
No, but they have the services Vito mentioned above.
Vito, why has National Amusements quit opening The Bridge: Cinema De Lux locations, the one in PA is awsome.
I have not been to the Cinema Delux on Long Island yet, do they have curtains?
“I have a feeling we have worked together or at least know a lot of the same National Amusements people.” (vito)
Vito,
When, where, and whom?
John, I have not heard of any plans for N/A to build a Cinema De Lux, however it sure would be the way to go. The competion of all the new theatres hurt the ole Amboy and a Cinema De lux would be just the ticket to woo back those lost patrons. In a Cinema Delux, you can have a stop at Chatters and have a drink, if so inclined, or a great tasting hamburger or chicken platter in the restuarant, you can also go by Nathans for a hot dog or grap a slice of pizza at Sabarros. Then after watching a movie in one of the state of the art Directors Halls you can stop by Ben and Jerry’s for some ice cream on your way out.
Garth, I would agree, the Staten Island theatres leave a lot to be desired. I have family members living on S.I who always travel to New Jersey to see movies, of course the passes I give em help too :)
but seriously, at one time they have said they would rather travel off the island to see a movie, but I believe that situation has improved and some of the S.I. theatres have gotten better.
View link
evidently it is though. used to go there back in the day, since staten island theatres were crummy (at that time). goodbye , farewell and amen.
Any chance they’d knock down the Amboy Multiplex for an Amboy Cinema De Lux?
Well guys, ya got me. I have to admit, as a movie palace lover, I always hated those cinder block boxes. However, today there is much improvement, if you have been to any of the newer N/A theatres, such as White Plains, you will appreciate the improvements. I wonder, had Century theatres survived,(I think they were one of the best) and started building multi-screen complexes, what would they have done.
John, your point about first class operations is very accurate. N/A has each and every location inspected from top to bottom by upper management, they are called unit evaluations and are held, with only about 18 hours prior notice to the theatre staff, twice a year.
After the inspection, management is given a list of items that need repair or replacement. In addition, I believe you would be hard pressed to find cleaner theatres than those operated by National Amusements.
They were. These old style mutlitplexes are very much like big box stores. A good exsample of one is the Showcase Cinemas East Hartford (also N/A), I’m shocked that theatre is still open.
You’re all right though, National Amusements does have the best sound, projection and snacks in the industry, which is why they also charge a little bit more. Still, N/A is always a first class choice for movie going.
I remember well when Sunrise Cinemas first opened in Valley Stream and the whole city seemed to be flocking there. I guess it was the curiosity of seeing a 6-plex. Back then we still had so many nice theatres with curtains and plush seats, and let’s face it National Amusement Theatres were cinder block walls with seats and a screen. The Century Theatres then were so much nicer.
Justin, I must respect National Amusements policy of not discussing theatre grosses etc. Edgewater is a busy theatre but by no means the busiest. I am not sure the Digital projection plays a very big factor in theatre grosses as yet. Edgewater has two digital houses and is the only National Amusements theatre in New Jersey having
digital capabilities. The only N.A digital theatres in New York are on Long Island, White Plains has an IMAX theatre. Of couse when it comes to sound that is another matter. All recently built N.A. theatres have 100% digital sound, and most of the older ones have installed Dolby digital as well. National Amusements ALWAYS installs all the best projection and sound equipment available. Most of the theatres are state of the art and have a reputation in the industry for top quality picture and sound presentation. The same thing applies to concession and box-ofice equipment, only the best and most reliable will do.
That’s some good news. Which National Amusements cinema draws the most people in the country? I think it’s the Edgewater since they have the digital projection.
“Only in cyberspace”
Well…. I have a feeling we have worked together or at least know a lot of the same National Amusements people. In any event it’s fun to chat about it all.
“Michael, do we know one another?” (Vito)
Only in cyberspace.
Justin, I heard, but have not seen, an announcement has been made from the owners that the theatre is closed for good. The Amboy was the place to go back in it’s day, a friend of mine was the Managing Director when it opened and tells stories of a very busy theatre.
CConnelly, It was Summner Redstone who first started building the Multiplex Cinema design. At the time, one of the first, the Sunrise Multiples in Valley Stream was the busiest theatre in the country.
I worked at Sunrise during the early 80s and we were so busy with certain movies, we would have to interlock (present movies on two or more screens) giving a film up to 1900 seats per showing.
Michael, do we know one another?
Any word on whether they will reopen the movie theatre? I’ve never been to this one since I live in Northern New Jersey but go past it on the Garden State Parkway on the way to the shore; was it to Central Jersey what the famous Route 4 Tenplex was to Northern New Jersey?
My memory tells me Michael is correct. Amboy Cinemas opened in 1979 as a six-plex and grew over the years with add-ons and splitting some of the auditoriums. The 70mm house (#7) he mentioned actually had two 35/70mm Century JJ projctors as well as a platter film transport system. When it closed as a 14-plex, five of the original auditoriums #5,6,7,13,14 were intact, each seating 500 people.
“It started as a 9-plex…” (BEARoxy)
I’ve never attended a movie at this theater so I am unfamiliar with its grand opening or expansion history. However, I do have a spring 1981 newspaper ad for “Outland” which indicated the theater at the time was a 6-plex.
“The Amboy Multiplex was one of the few theatres in the area that had 70MM with Mag stereo. Still has a 70MM Century JJ running, but hasn’t shown 70 in years” (BEARoxy)
“I remember waiting with my parents on a 2 hour line to see Indiana Jones and the last crusade in 70 mm on opening night.” (member)
For a listing of the other 70mm presentations at this theater, see View link
“These all must’ve been designed, built and owned (at first) by the same company, National Amusements.” (CConnolly)
Yes, although the company until 1987 or ‘88 was known as Redstone.
These Redstone/National Amusements complexes in the NYC area seem to have been called “… Multiplex,” whereas in other parts of the country, such as New England and the midwest, they named them “Showcase Cinemas…”
This theater bears a striking resemblence to the Sunrise Multiplex in Valley Stream, LI, NY, Commack Multiplex on LI and the Whitestone Multiplex in The Bronx. These all must’ve been designed, built and owned (at first) by the same company, National Amusements. To me, all of these were the first real multiplexes in the early 80’s.
It’s so strange that a lot of these are now closing down or are in bad shape.
‘Nuff, said, member. One theatre you didn’t talk about was a 12-plex in Manville owned by Reading Cinemas; that theatre is pretty good and located near Bridgewater, where it’s competing against the AMC Bridgewater Commons 7. Not all of the latest movies play at the 12-plex, just at the 7-plex.