Lee Theater

Lemoine Avenue,
Fort Lee, NJ 07024

Unfavorite 4 people favorited this theater

Additional Info

Previously operated by: B.S. Moss Enterprises

Firms: Roche & Roche, Schlanger & Hoffberg

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Nearby Theaters

Lee Theatre Fort Lee NJ

This was a fine theater located near the George Washington Bridge. The Lee Theater opened October 24, 1951 with Howard Keel in “Showboat”. It was operated by the B.S. Moss Theatres circuit. Seating capacity at opening was said to be provided for 1,500 in a spacious, but rather plain auditorium. There were 800 seats in the orchestra and 700 seats in the balcony. It was closed & demolished in 1973.

Contributed by Peter Pagano

Recent comments (view all 20 comments)

Bill Huelbig
Bill Huelbig on May 20, 2005 at 2:45 am

This is an ad from the Bergen Record in March 1969, when my all-time favorite movie played at the Lee:

View link

Bill Huelbig
Bill Huelbig on July 8, 2005 at 2:14 pm

Another great classic that played the Lee:

View link

Bill Huelbig
Bill Huelbig on September 1, 2005 at 5:53 pm

Thanks, TC, for that great picture of the Lee. When I’d go there as a 7-year-old in 1962, it always seemed very futuristic-looking to me. The funny thing is, it still does!

Helaine
Helaine on November 29, 2005 at 5:28 pm

Thank you all! The Lee Theater an icon of my Teaneck childhood, my parents' favorite destination, most likely for the comfortable seating. Find us in the balcony, left side facing the screen, about three rows back from the rail. Always bought candy ahead at paper stand a couple of doors down (dad: goobers; mom: raisinettes). This was the “Pal Joey” era. “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” “The Joker is Wild” (all 1957) among the nights out for this lucky 8 year old. Also, Mister Roberts (1955), Ocean’s Eleven (1960), Advise and Consent (1962).

Warren, do you know if Roche & Roche connected to modernist Kevin Roche?

Now I am a historic preservation professional. Even teach it! Could the Lee’s sad story be why?

Helaine Kaplan Prentice
(THS ‘67)

teecee
teecee on March 2, 2006 at 9:52 am

Listed as part of B.S. Moss Theatres in the 1970 FDY.

Nina
Nina on April 2, 2007 at 7:53 pm

I know The Godfather played the Lee for the longest time in 1972, does anyone recall The Godfather playing at the Linwood Theater also.

mikesteuer
mikesteuer on March 7, 2008 at 4:55 am

Very young I remember seeing “Hollywood or Bust”, “That
Touch of Mink” and “A Summer Place” A little later I saw “The Birds” and after it was over there were pigeons on Main Street and I was scared to leave the theater. In high school it seems like I went to the Oritani more often. It must have shown a more lowbrow selection.

Mike Steuer
(THS ‘67)——Hi Helaine

Bill Huelbig
Bill Huelbig on March 7, 2008 at 5:09 am

Mike: Maybe this was the day you saw “The Birds” at the Lee.

View link

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.