Opening on Christmas in 1925, the liberty was the first theater in Union County to provide sound with their movies (1928). Also the first theater in Plainfield with air-conditioning.Throughout the course of its run the theater specialized in family entertainment. Dwindling crowds and a changing world led to the showing of X-rated films to survive in the early 70s. The theater manager was arrested in 1972, charged with showing obscene films to persons under 16 years of age. In December 1974 the theater closed, reopening in July 1975 with a vow to return to more PG and G rated movies. This did not last for long and the theater had to return to X-rated, Kung Fu and Blaxploitation movies to keep the doors open. In December 1983 the theater ceased showing movies for good.
Over the years a number of businesses have set up shop in the theater, currently Ductwork Inc. is using the space. I guess we can be thankful the shell of the theater still stands as a reminder of its legacy and past. .
No judgements passed…just opinion. Spin it however you want, the “Holiday” movies this year were on the weak side.
Moving on now,looking forward to the precode weekend !
Sinatra weekend was great fun,always a treat to hear Foster Hirsch speak.
The holiday choices (Scrooge the musical and Muppets take manhattan) are disapointing to say the least, almost like they waited until Nov to book the films and thats all that was availible !
What a great weekend at the Loews.Sat in particular,with Ralph Ringstad jr on the wonder organ.The phantom of the opera was just a thrilling movie expierience.The crowd was estimated at a whopping 870!!
Bobs knowledge and contributions to cinema treasures are second to none.Plus, being a A & C buff automatically certifies him as a cool guy.But…he never lets a chance go by to take a dig at the FOL!!
Great post Alto!Yes,it was a wonderful night.There were 250 people for DOUBLE INDEMNITY,about 175 for OUT OF THE PAST and just over 300 for SUNSET BOULEVARD.
How about the announcement of STRANGERS ON A TRAIN coming with Farley Granger in attendance!! Very exciting!!
Jay,
Lets give some credit where credit is due.If it wasnt for the “kids w/ tattoos” there would be NO shows at the Baronet,NO live music at the lanes or the fast lane.Lets be thankful for the great shows and live music on that block and enjoy while we can.With that being said,i agree with you.Im 45 and a regular at classic movie houses like the Loews Jersey and Lafayette in Suffern.Id love to see more classic fare at the Baronet.It would certainly draw some bigger crowds and they may even head over to the lanes for a drink and some music after the show.This is coming from a guy who loves grindhouse and B movies…….your only gonna get so many folks out to see “Faces of death”…ya know!
Alto: The original query was to the SPECIFIC dates of the film noir series.They are MARCH 30 & 31.Im sure MORE detail will be provided once we get CLOSER to the actual date.
Swampy
Yankeemike: Films were chosen strctly from strongest theater goer feedback,nothing else.Hence GWTW,BTTF & Casablanca.
Double Indemnity and Out of the past are the 2 films on tap so far for the noir weekend.The Lafayette in Suffern had a similar weekend scheduled in 06 but had to cancel for some reason.
Open and showing films September 2023 (see schedule in photos)
1963
Opened at the Plaza Thur April 11 1963
Buddy Holly appearance from 1957 in photos
1966
2020 January
Opening on Christmas in 1925, the liberty was the first theater in Union County to provide sound with their movies (1928). Also the first theater in Plainfield with air-conditioning.Throughout the course of its run the theater specialized in family entertainment. Dwindling crowds and a changing world led to the showing of X-rated films to survive in the early 70s. The theater manager was arrested in 1972, charged with showing obscene films to persons under 16 years of age. In December 1974 the theater closed, reopening in July 1975 with a vow to return to more PG and G rated movies. This did not last for long and the theater had to return to X-rated, Kung Fu and Blaxploitation movies to keep the doors open. In December 1983 the theater ceased showing movies for good. Over the years a number of businesses have set up shop in the theater, currently Ductwork Inc. is using the space. I guess we can be thankful the shell of the theater still stands as a reminder of its legacy and past. .
Hobbys Deli on far right and still open !
April 28 1949
No judgements passed…just opinion. Spin it however you want, the “Holiday” movies this year were on the weak side.
Moving on now,looking forward to the precode weekend !
Sinatra weekend was great fun,always a treat to hear Foster Hirsch speak.
The holiday choices (Scrooge the musical and Muppets take manhattan) are disapointing to say the least, almost like they waited until Nov to book the films and thats all that was availible !
What a great weekend at the Loews.Sat in particular,with Ralph Ringstad jr on the wonder organ.The phantom of the opera was just a thrilling movie expierience.The crowd was estimated at a whopping 870!!
Bobs knowledge and contributions to cinema treasures are second to none.Plus, being a A & C buff automatically certifies him as a cool guy.But…he never lets a chance go by to take a dig at the FOL!!
Let it go…….
Great post Alto!Yes,it was a wonderful night.There were 250 people for DOUBLE INDEMNITY,about 175 for OUT OF THE PAST and just over 300 for SUNSET BOULEVARD.
How about the announcement of STRANGERS ON A TRAIN coming with Farley Granger in attendance!! Very exciting!!
Jay,
Lets give some credit where credit is due.If it wasnt for the “kids w/ tattoos” there would be NO shows at the Baronet,NO live music at the lanes or the fast lane.Lets be thankful for the great shows and live music on that block and enjoy while we can.With that being said,i agree with you.Im 45 and a regular at classic movie houses like the Loews Jersey and Lafayette in Suffern.Id love to see more classic fare at the Baronet.It would certainly draw some bigger crowds and they may even head over to the lanes for a drink and some music after the show.This is coming from a guy who loves grindhouse and B movies…….your only gonna get so many folks out to see “Faces of death”…ya know!
Iggy Pop will be performing at the “United Palace” Mon Apr 9,2007.Cant wait to see the theater!
Alto: The original query was to the SPECIFIC dates of the film noir series.They are MARCH 30 & 31.Im sure MORE detail will be provided once we get CLOSER to the actual date.
Swampy
Yankeemike:March 30,31.Its on the Loews website.
Swampy
Pete,
Any chance of the film noir weekend that was cancelled happening this year?
Keep up the great work!!
Yankeemike: Films were chosen strctly from strongest theater goer feedback,nothing else.Hence GWTW,BTTF & Casablanca.
Double Indemnity and Out of the past are the 2 films on tap so far for the noir weekend.The Lafayette in Suffern had a similar weekend scheduled in 06 but had to cancel for some reason.