I remember going there in 1978 to see “American Hot Wax” I was a union projectionist and always got in for free cause I knew the guys who worked there. Loved it as a single screen, hated it as a twin.
markp
commented about
Cinema 9on
Mar 21, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Ah Lost Memory, that photo brings back memories. To clarify a few things to the above posts. Having worked here as one of the union projectionists from 1985 to 89 (as well as the Sayrewoods 80 to 89 and Amboys 85-05), I can tell you that Sayrewoods was all porn from 1973 on. This Cinema 9 theatre was porn from 1981 on. The Sayrewoods closed in 91 for the big highway reconstruction project. As for the Madison Twin Cinema, it opened in 1961 and was twinned in 75. It remained open till late 84 or early 85. All these theatre have listings here on CT.
Joe, your thinking of the Cinema 9 theatre that was a ½ mile up the road from Sayrewoods. I worked there too, and I remember the old storage room that was converted. It had 15 seats. They called it a video lounge. You are right about that one being Primetime now. Sayrewoods was demolished and a country buffet sits in its place.
In 2 more days, it will be 40 years since the last movie was projected here by my father. And I agree with Harry Gribbon. Had the building just stood empty for maybe 3 to 5 years like he said, it probably would have been twinned or tripled and renovated, and lived on. As a child, I remember those long lines around the corner. This place fell victim like many of the theatres in this era. Hasty demolishon.
And also Al why theatres like Radio City will never show movies on a regular basis ever again. The AMC’s and Regals of the world, along with the studio’s and DVD technology have taken care of that.
I am curious, this being a twin, if it was similar to the one my father and I worked at in New Jersey. One theatre had a blue color scheme, the other one red. The concession stand split the lobby in half, so patrons could not cross over. There was a complete set of restrooms in each lobby. Each of ours seated 300. The one we worked at opened in 1972 and closed in 1984.
This is great news as far as I’m concerned. As a FILM projectionist for the past 35 years, I cant stand all this digital crap. We have 3 of them where I work, a 10 screen venue, and they’re nothing but trouble. Eats Xenon bulbs like crazy, constantly updating software, etc,. I agree with everyone else. 70mm would kick but on this digital stuff. And where I work, more amd more patrons dont want to see the movie in 3-D, let alone pay the extra surcharge. I laugh at AMC and Regal, who are just going all 3-D and rolling their old 35mm equipment straight into dumpsters. I predict they will regret the day they did this. But to them its nothing but money anyway, so what do they care. Both of them are the reason the industry is the way it is today.
During my childhood, in the 60’s and 70’s, there were nothing but theatres along the entire Jersey shore from Long Branch to Cape May. Now there are but a few. I truely hope someone comes in to save these 2 remaining theatres from what surely would be the wrecking ball.
This is great to hear. Would love to see 70MM make a comeback. It could put any of todays digital crap to shame. Would love see something like this here in Jersey at one of the few palaces left standing. The 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth comes to mind.
I must say reading the article made me sad too. I am now an IA projectionist in my 34th year, and I followed my father who did it for over 50 years. I remember the carbon arcs, curtains, change-overs, all of it. I work today in a 10-plex and a 6-plex, both with platters. Basically nothing more than a film threader. I still love what I do, but know my days are nearing the end. And to Justin, the “kids” who threaded film at your AMC never had to lift a reel, its all on platters, and its companies like AMC, Regal and even Clearview, my former employer who have helped put us “professionals” out to pasture.
Thanks RCDTJ. I found out early this morning as I drove my wife into work at the Music Hall. Shes one of the setdressers on the blue crew. She will probably be leaving the city just in time on New Years Eve, before all the festivities begin.
I wonder who does the projection there now. I was the last union operator there in 1983. I have heard stories about how it has been since I left all those years ago. Makes me sad.
I remember those days Misterboo. Carbons, film inspection, and hey do you remember making glue splices, where you had to use a razor blade to scrape the emulsion and butt the ends of the film together?
Curtains, single screens, double features, now your talkin my kind of language. Not this digital crap, multiplexes, etc. This is what I try to impress on these youngsters like Mr. Justin, but they grew up in a different time than us. All they know is what they have, not what they missed.
This video hits real close to home for me. My father, who passed away 17 years ago was a projectionist for over 50 years. And I myself am now in my 35th year. I am one of the last union projectionists still working in New Jersey, and as the man in the video states, for how much longer, I dont know. I doubt I’ll make it to 40 years.
JonStan, The last time I was in there was a few years back. At that time, some equipment was removed, some screens removed, and some seats removed, but for the most part, and in talking to people who have been in there since, it is still 95% intact. Just rotting away.
I remember going there in 1978 to see “American Hot Wax” I was a union projectionist and always got in for free cause I knew the guys who worked there. Loved it as a single screen, hated it as a twin.
Ah Lost Memory, that photo brings back memories. To clarify a few things to the above posts. Having worked here as one of the union projectionists from 1985 to 89 (as well as the Sayrewoods 80 to 89 and Amboys 85-05), I can tell you that Sayrewoods was all porn from 1973 on. This Cinema 9 theatre was porn from 1981 on. The Sayrewoods closed in 91 for the big highway reconstruction project. As for the Madison Twin Cinema, it opened in 1961 and was twinned in 75. It remained open till late 84 or early 85. All these theatre have listings here on CT.
Joe, your thinking of the Cinema 9 theatre that was a ½ mile up the road from Sayrewoods. I worked there too, and I remember the old storage room that was converted. It had 15 seats. They called it a video lounge. You are right about that one being Primetime now. Sayrewoods was demolished and a country buffet sits in its place.
Almost 31 years to the day it closed, a new furniture store has opened in its place, American Signature Furniture.
In 2 more days, it will be 40 years since the last movie was projected here by my father. And I agree with Harry Gribbon. Had the building just stood empty for maybe 3 to 5 years like he said, it probably would have been twinned or tripled and renovated, and lived on. As a child, I remember those long lines around the corner. This place fell victim like many of the theatres in this era. Hasty demolishon.
And also Al why theatres like Radio City will never show movies on a regular basis ever again. The AMC’s and Regals of the world, along with the studio’s and DVD technology have taken care of that.
Prior to Music Makers Group, this was a Walter Reade Theatre.
The original theatre was built as a twin in the early 70’s. The additional 4 were added in the mid 80’s.
News story on local tv channels today about armed robberies taking place in the parking lot the past few days.
I am curious, this being a twin, if it was similar to the one my father and I worked at in New Jersey. One theatre had a blue color scheme, the other one red. The concession stand split the lobby in half, so patrons could not cross over. There was a complete set of restrooms in each lobby. Each of ours seated 300. The one we worked at opened in 1972 and closed in 1984.
While watching “Police Women of Cincinnati last night, there is a quick shot of the Imperial marquee in one of the scenes.
I agree CWalczak.
This is great news as far as I’m concerned. As a FILM projectionist for the past 35 years, I cant stand all this digital crap. We have 3 of them where I work, a 10 screen venue, and they’re nothing but trouble. Eats Xenon bulbs like crazy, constantly updating software, etc,. I agree with everyone else. 70mm would kick but on this digital stuff. And where I work, more amd more patrons dont want to see the movie in 3-D, let alone pay the extra surcharge. I laugh at AMC and Regal, who are just going all 3-D and rolling their old 35mm equipment straight into dumpsters. I predict they will regret the day they did this. But to them its nothing but money anyway, so what do they care. Both of them are the reason the industry is the way it is today.
During my childhood, in the 60’s and 70’s, there were nothing but theatres along the entire Jersey shore from Long Branch to Cape May. Now there are but a few. I truely hope someone comes in to save these 2 remaining theatres from what surely would be the wrecking ball.
Its too bad the 72nd street east in New York City wont enjoy the same after life. Word is that its becoming a supermarket.
This is great to hear. Would love to see 70MM make a comeback. It could put any of todays digital crap to shame. Would love see something like this here in Jersey at one of the few palaces left standing. The 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth comes to mind.
I must say reading the article made me sad too. I am now an IA projectionist in my 34th year, and I followed my father who did it for over 50 years. I remember the carbon arcs, curtains, change-overs, all of it. I work today in a 10-plex and a 6-plex, both with platters. Basically nothing more than a film threader. I still love what I do, but know my days are nearing the end. And to Justin, the “kids” who threaded film at your AMC never had to lift a reel, its all on platters, and its companies like AMC, Regal and even Clearview, my former employer who have helped put us “professionals” out to pasture.
Thanks RCDTJ. I found out early this morning as I drove my wife into work at the Music Hall. Shes one of the setdressers on the blue crew. She will probably be leaving the city just in time on New Years Eve, before all the festivities begin.
oldjoe, besides New years Eve, what days were the other shows added?
I wonder who does the projection there now. I was the last union operator there in 1983. I have heard stories about how it has been since I left all those years ago. Makes me sad.
I remember those days Misterboo. Carbons, film inspection, and hey do you remember making glue splices, where you had to use a razor blade to scrape the emulsion and butt the ends of the film together?
Curtains, single screens, double features, now your talkin my kind of language. Not this digital crap, multiplexes, etc. This is what I try to impress on these youngsters like Mr. Justin, but they grew up in a different time than us. All they know is what they have, not what they missed.
This video hits real close to home for me. My father, who passed away 17 years ago was a projectionist for over 50 years. And I myself am now in my 35th year. I am one of the last union projectionists still working in New Jersey, and as the man in the video states, for how much longer, I dont know. I doubt I’ll make it to 40 years.
JonStan, The last time I was in there was a few years back. At that time, some equipment was removed, some screens removed, and some seats removed, but for the most part, and in talking to people who have been in there since, it is still 95% intact. Just rotting away.
51 weeks at the now demolished Rivoli. We will never ever again see anything like that. And in 70MM none the less.