Drove by this place today on the way home from Red Bank. Interesting to see that someone is now vandalizing the roof top a/c units, just like what happened late in 2013 at the All Jersey Multiplex in Newark. You could also see numerous tire tracks in the snow in the unplowed parking lot. Copper must be paying a lot these days I guess.
DARCYDT, I worked for an independent operator in Nj for years. All the while he complained how the union projectionist contract kept forcing him to raise his prices. Well guess what, after he got rid of the union, prices still went up. Just the nature of the beast.
I know at some point last year the Forum Theatre in Metuchen NJ was for sale. Again if run properly it could be a money maker. When I last worked there years ago, it was a great neighborhood movie house. I believe its listed on this site as Forum Theatre Arts Center.
Local news station WABC7 in New York is reporting that there is an electrical fire burning in the basement of the hall and the building is full of smoke.
Thank you rcdt55b. I’m sure she will be asked to return. It will give her a break from her other job a few blocks awy, Motown the Musical. On another note, I’m hoping to someday be able to meet the legend that is rcdt55b, as one projectionist to another.
Mike(Saps)and rcdt55b, I mentioned back in Nov when I saw the Christmas show the night before it opened how annoying those seams were in the digital panels. I don’t know where you were sitting, but from the 2nd row from the stage it was bad. I was grinding my teeth the entire time, because I routinely install these at the Prudential Center in Newark NJ and we always take care to make sure that doesn’t happen. I being a projectionist for almost 38 years (until digital put me out of work this past May) would love to have seen all this on film. But as we are finding out, film is dead, and if the Hall no longer has its “sheet” than there is no hope for any change. I would just hope in the future they try harder to eliminate the visible seams on the digital screen.
WalterK, Thanks for the kind words about my comments. I am very passionate about the old movie theatres and especially one I or my father and uncle (and many others from the old projectionists union) worked in. Although I post about being retired, Im being a bit sarcastic. See Im only 55 and I was put out of work in projection by digital. I have a ways to go yet, and now I work as a stagehand, mostly in Newark NJ Prudential Center. And if it might help you possible remember my father, his first name was Joe and came from a large family in town whose last name started with Pusi. (maybe that helps.
Merry Christmas to all movie and theatre lovers out there. This is the first Christmas Eve/Day in 37 years that Im not spending it in a projection room. This ol projectionist has been retired by digital projection at age 54. Its been a great run. Everyone be safe and enjoy your holidays.
Looks to have a very short season if their last weekend was Labor Day. Pretty big expense putting in 2 barco projectors that will only be used a few months each year.
Exactly Stephenvb. The Jerry Lewis model was for smaller size theatres. I know the twin my father and uncle worked at as projectionists seated 290 in each theatre. They had a great idea but letting people into the business who had no knowledge of running a theatre, and expanding way too fast is what killed them.
Some killer double features back in the day. 12/14/73, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Man of LaMancha” That’s over 5 ½ hours of viewing. I also love how “MAS*H” came back 3 times in 6 month period between 9/70 and 4/71. The good old days…..
Seems a bit odd that this theatre had 600 seats for a single screen. Most, if not all Jerry Lewis singles were 350 seats or less. The twins were usually 600 seats.
Hi Ross. Just a question, and I think its on topic, is the Cinema Treasures book still in print? Any ideas where to get it? Ive checked big and small book stores, with no luck. Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Drove by here recently. Looks pretty dead.
I was working there at the time. I remember putting up the letters on the marquee. We had many issues with those big red letters blowing off.
This theatre now for several weeks has not had any listings of showtimes in the Friday Star Ledger. Is it still open?
Drove by this place today on the way home from Red Bank. Interesting to see that someone is now vandalizing the roof top a/c units, just like what happened late in 2013 at the All Jersey Multiplex in Newark. You could also see numerous tire tracks in the snow in the unplowed parking lot. Copper must be paying a lot these days I guess.
DARCYDT, I worked for an independent operator in Nj for years. All the while he complained how the union projectionist contract kept forcing him to raise his prices. Well guess what, after he got rid of the union, prices still went up. Just the nature of the beast.
I know at some point last year the Forum Theatre in Metuchen NJ was for sale. Again if run properly it could be a money maker. When I last worked there years ago, it was a great neighborhood movie house. I believe its listed on this site as Forum Theatre Arts Center.
Local news station WABC7 in New York is reporting that there is an electrical fire burning in the basement of the hall and the building is full of smoke.
Thank you so much. I would really enjoy that.
Thank you rcdt55b. I’m sure she will be asked to return. It will give her a break from her other job a few blocks awy, Motown the Musical. On another note, I’m hoping to someday be able to meet the legend that is rcdt55b, as one projectionist to another.
Craig, please keep us posted. My father worked there as a projectionist in the 60’s and very early 70’s.
Surprised it lasted this long, considering they haven’t put out adult movies on film since the early/mid 90’s.
And as a side note, after tonight my wife will have completed her 6th season as a dresser for the Rockettes at the hall on the Christmas Show.
Mike(Saps)and rcdt55b, I mentioned back in Nov when I saw the Christmas show the night before it opened how annoying those seams were in the digital panels. I don’t know where you were sitting, but from the 2nd row from the stage it was bad. I was grinding my teeth the entire time, because I routinely install these at the Prudential Center in Newark NJ and we always take care to make sure that doesn’t happen. I being a projectionist for almost 38 years (until digital put me out of work this past May) would love to have seen all this on film. But as we are finding out, film is dead, and if the Hall no longer has its “sheet” than there is no hope for any change. I would just hope in the future they try harder to eliminate the visible seams on the digital screen.
Judging by the looks of the cover photo, this was probably a large single screen at one time that was cut up into 4.
WalterK, Thanks for the kind words about my comments. I am very passionate about the old movie theatres and especially one I or my father and uncle (and many others from the old projectionists union) worked in. Although I post about being retired, Im being a bit sarcastic. See Im only 55 and I was put out of work in projection by digital. I have a ways to go yet, and now I work as a stagehand, mostly in Newark NJ Prudential Center. And if it might help you possible remember my father, his first name was Joe and came from a large family in town whose last name started with Pusi. (maybe that helps.
Merry Christmas to all movie and theatre lovers out there. This is the first Christmas Eve/Day in 37 years that Im not spending it in a projection room. This ol projectionist has been retired by digital projection at age 54. Its been a great run. Everyone be safe and enjoy your holidays.
Is this the theatre that was on the news last night about the ceiling falling onto patrons during a performance?
Looks to have a very short season if their last weekend was Labor Day. Pretty big expense putting in 2 barco projectors that will only be used a few months each year.
robboehm, if I had the money, Id buy it and make it a drive in again.
Exactly Stephenvb. The Jerry Lewis model was for smaller size theatres. I know the twin my father and uncle worked at as projectionists seated 290 in each theatre. They had a great idea but letting people into the business who had no knowledge of running a theatre, and expanding way too fast is what killed them.
Some killer double features back in the day. 12/14/73, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Man of LaMancha” That’s over 5 ½ hours of viewing. I also love how “MAS*H” came back 3 times in 6 month period between 9/70 and 4/71. The good old days…..
Was just up this way a month ago to visit my buddy in Shamokin. I pass the Hess station all the time as I take highway 61 into Shamokin.
Seems a bit odd that this theatre had 600 seats for a single screen. Most, if not all Jerry Lewis singles were 350 seats or less. The twins were usually 600 seats.
Thank you Ken, Ross and Stephen. With my wifes next paycheck, from none other than Radio City, a Christmas present for me.
Hi Ross. Just a question, and I think its on topic, is the Cinema Treasures book still in print? Any ideas where to get it? Ive checked big and small book stores, with no luck. Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving.