RKO Proctor's Theatre
116 Market Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
116 Market Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 46 comments
Had RKO SW kept the theater open, it would’ve been into the hands of Cineplex Odeon, then Loews Cineplex, and finally AMC.
I found this video of the theater’s interior.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRMQoFRZdbY
Yes, it had a Wurlitzer Opus 1430 2m/10rk. It was installed around 1926.
Does anyone know if this particular theater had a Theater organ installation?
I’m very persistent.
To Matt Lambros
How were you ale to gain access to the theatre? I once went to the Adams and asked if I could check it out but I was told ‘no’. I assume it’s due to insurance reasons.
It’s a shame that the late Whitney Houston who grew up in the Newark area and eventually was laid to rest there didn’t help save this theatre during her lifetime and illustrious career.
On Tuesday 20 February 1951, Bela “Dracula” Lugosi presented his in person Horror and Magic Stage show at RKO Proctor’s Palace. Currently I am conducting research on all things Lugosi; if anyone out there actually saw this show and/or has memorabilia (poster, handbill, photos) related to this show, please contact Bill at Thanks in advance for any assistance!
I just added a two part article on the photo page about the opening of this grand theater.
Thanks so much Ed! I’m humbled by your high praise. I hope I continue to live up to your kind words in all my future projects.
I’m constantly amazed at the photographic documentation Matt Lambros has been able to assemble on his website. Are you the photographer, Matt? Your work is fantastic on several levels, not the least of which includes gaining access to the nooks and crannies of these buildings and the impeccable quality of the images. So glad you are sharing these efforts with Cinema Treasures. Terrific job!
Newyork5700 have u gone in the theater and how did u get it ? I might be able to get u in for a few but I need details on how u go in..
And here’s a blog posting with recent pictures of the Proctor’s Palace Roof Theatre/Penthouse Theatre
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Here’s a blog posting and some recent pictures of the Proctor’s Theatre
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From the google aerial photos the roof looks in very bad shape. If someone’s going to do something to save the building they better do it soon!
I am very interested in this and would like to speak with you about it, I have called and called the owners but they are korean and arabic I believe and I think some people have gone in there and made them mad they are not as interested, I am wanting to do a sweeping and comprehensive survey of all the closed theaters in newark.
Hi I have some semi good news about this theatre. Today I found out who owns it and the address to write them. I know it is not very much. But I would like to contact them and see if they would like to sell it and if they do maybe the city of Newark can buy it and make it a landmark or we can all take shares and buy it together. But I really feel we can do something with this theatre. We should make a petition as well. What do you all think? Maybe we can all meet with the owner on a set day and discuss it. I also have the number to the ecocomic development department for the city of Newark and maybe they can help us as well. I also found out the Adam’s and the Paramount are both owned by private owners and I have the addresses for contact information. Anyone interested in helping me with doing some kind of action with this theatre please e-mail me. My name is Kris. I know we can restore this theatre to it’s former self together as a team. I am only 31 years old but I have a huge heart and love for old theatres. I live in Staten Island but this theatre is so amazing we cannot let it go.
I also have another question. Does the city of Newark have any interest in declaring this theatre a landmark? Has anyone tried to talk with the city on this? Which office would handle this? City council? I am from Staten Island,NY but I really want to see this theatre open again it cannot go to the waste side or be destroyed. I know we can all do this together everyone! Who is the current owner? Also what ever happened to the lobby when it was destroyed to put a store in? The marquee must still be there? It said it was covered? But what happened to the vetical? When did RKO go out of business all together? Thank you so much everyone.:)
Does anyone know who owns this theatre now? And is it up for sale? I really think this theatre must be saved we cannot let this one go folks. Maybe if some of us all chip in we can purhcase it and form a group of owners. Has anyone been in the theatre recently? Are dressing rooms still intact? Also what else is intact? Is the main curtain intact? How much water damage is there? I also noticed some of the seating was no longer there in the back of the first floor. Which real estate company is this with and is it a private owner or a group? I am a huge huge fan of old vaudville theatres and I know they can come back. I know the area has changed and that is a huge problem but maybe the areas can be changed and wealthy people will move in little by little.
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What a spectacular photo! What a shame. Ironically, this theater still exists in decay because the area around it is still a shambles. The key question is will the area improve enough to draw redevelopment before the theater reaches a point of no return.
A nice but really depressing recent view from the auditorium (that picture was displayed in a gallery in Paris last year):
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Boy, imagine that 1986 decay with another 22 years of water damage. There’s probably nothing left!
Based on reading the threads of the Adams, The Paramount and Proctor’s it would appear that The Paramount is best positioned to be the one of the three to have the best (though apparently slim) chance of being saved. Proctors appears to be on the verge of collapse and the Adams is the furthest away from Penn Station.
I believe that Newark will be in a position to restore one of these theaters in the near future as its fortunes improve, but I’m afraid the effort will be too little, too late as all of these theaters appear to be reaching the point of no return.