That’s a cablevision thing Howard, and thats the only reason those 2 theatres are still Clearview. If cablevision ever loses the franchise rights down there, those theatres will be sold quicker than you can say boo.
Just back from a visit to family out this way. The theatre is most definitly closed, as is the entire mall. Only J.C. Penney and Sears remain, only because they own the stores. A May auction of the mall got no bidders at all. A shame too, since photos show it being a rather nice mall, but my relatives said crime in the area killed it years ago.
I am very surprised that Clearview has the theatres Justin speaks of still in their fold. 5 years ago when they got rid of all us union projectionists, they said they only wanted theatres in a cablevision area, meaning it had to be IN a cablevision supplied area, not comcast or patriot or any other company. I guess over the past 5 years they changed their way of thinking, because in 2004, I remember they got rid of Edison and Woodbridge because Comcast was the cable supplier.
I remember when the theatres I was working at as a projectionist was going to get any of his movies, the manager would order extra stock and have on extra staff. His movies were in those days boxoffice gold, at least where I worked.
I dont blame you one bit MPol. I keep hoping that one day I can somehow get the owner of the Ritz in Elizabeth NJ to show movies again, classics, in a big 2700 seat theatre. I will never give up hope that things will change someday.
Its just going to continue until they find a way to kill theatres all together. The world is headed in a direction where there will never be a reason to leave your house. You can now work from home, shop from home, download music and video from home, its just never going to end. And that’s very sad.
I know I’m in the minority here, but it would be a shame for the Montauk to be demolished. Looking at the slide show on its link, it looks to be in terrific shape considering it was an adult movie house for years. At least in the case of the Ritz that I posted about above, the current owner has completely renovated it. It just needs someone who can bring it to life. People say no one will come to Elizabeth, but they said the same thing about New Brunswick 21 years ago, and now look at it. The State Theatre is one of New Jerseys finest. With the right shows, movies etc, people will come. I’ve been to the Ritz several times over the past 4 years and I feel safe there day or night. The same thing can happen to the Montauk, if only the right people cared.
I don’t know what you plan to do (movies, stage shows etc.) but the 2700 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, completely remodeled is supposedly for sale, or I guess could be leased. 908-352-7315 or www.ritztheatre.net Good luck with whatever you get.
Its ok I guess to remember a movie after 1 year, but how about some REAL anniversaries?? 70 years, “Gone With The Wind” AND “Wizard Of OZ”. 40 years, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, and “Woodstock”, 30 years ago, “Alien”, a movie that even today still scares the living you know what out of me. I mean some of the oldies are deserving of remembering, not something that only came out last year.
I always agree with my Cinema Treasures friend CinemarkFan, only this time, I hope hes wrong that 35MM might fade away, because then I’d be out of a job all together. As far as this whole 3-D thing goes, I’m running 3 of them in a 10 screen theatre. Besides having to charge $3.00 more per ticket, which seems like a nail in the coffin in these tough economic times, theres also the issue of storage, for both the new and used glasses. We have to send back the used one to get sanitized and re-packaged. Then, last week there was a problem, that the “key” they gave us didn’t work, and the show couldn’t start. The list goes on and on.
I just sit back, look at it and say to myself, “we never have these problems with the 35”.
As I’ve said many times, like many of you, 70MM would solve all these ill’s and cant be beat!!
1989 would be the correct date. I know this because the projectionist local I belong to picketed this place for almost 2 years. Hot summer days, cold winter nights, we were there. We even rented an airplane to fly a banner over the beaches during the summer telling people not to patronize this place. We never did get in, but we gave it a valiant effort. For my local, this was the beginning of the end for projectionists.
The owner of the theatre where I work knows the owners of this former theatre. They weren’t going to invest the money needed for digital projection, and they got a boat load of money for the building. Its like anything else today, show me the money.
MPol is right. KingBiscuits is Right. And most of all CinemarkFan is right. 70MM, not 3d, not IMAX or diet max or any other format. 70MM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think many people are going to confuse this with the old RKO Fabian in Paterson, which sits empty, waiting for some TLC. In its final years, the old Fabian was split into 5 screens, and most people will probably think they just reopened it with 3 more screens. I wish these people well, since I know someone who is involved with the company running the theatre. I just think getting people to Paterson is going to be a problem. I hope I’m wrong.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for that Xanadu Theatre. First of all, Muvico is having financial problems and there is absolutely zero work going at the theatre site, as well as most the rest of xanadu, for the same reason, money problems.
Those “suitcases"as they are refered to (which I personally HATE) being left out is so the film delivery people who have keys can come thru the night to pick them up. This is how its been done for 80 years.
That’s a cablevision thing Howard, and thats the only reason those 2 theatres are still Clearview. If cablevision ever loses the franchise rights down there, those theatres will be sold quicker than you can say boo.
Just another sorry sign of the times.
Just back from a visit to family out this way. The theatre is most definitly closed, as is the entire mall. Only J.C. Penney and Sears remain, only because they own the stores. A May auction of the mall got no bidders at all. A shame too, since photos show it being a rather nice mall, but my relatives said crime in the area killed it years ago.
The once mighty Redstone empire will soon be history.
I am very surprised that Clearview has the theatres Justin speaks of still in their fold. 5 years ago when they got rid of all us union projectionists, they said they only wanted theatres in a cablevision area, meaning it had to be IN a cablevision supplied area, not comcast or patriot or any other company. I guess over the past 5 years they changed their way of thinking, because in 2004, I remember they got rid of Edison and Woodbridge because Comcast was the cable supplier.
AND…most important, his movies were fun AND entertaining without all the bells and whistles we have today.
I remember when the theatres I was working at as a projectionist was going to get any of his movies, the manager would order extra stock and have on extra staff. His movies were in those days boxoffice gold, at least where I worked.
We need MORE around the country, espescially here in New Jersey !!!
Last saw this theatre about 10 years ago. I often said what a gem it would be be again if it were to reopen as a multi-purpose venue.
Theatres 2, 3, and 4 have digital projection.
I dont blame you one bit MPol. I keep hoping that one day I can somehow get the owner of the Ritz in Elizabeth NJ to show movies again, classics, in a big 2700 seat theatre. I will never give up hope that things will change someday.
Its just going to continue until they find a way to kill theatres all together. The world is headed in a direction where there will never be a reason to leave your house. You can now work from home, shop from home, download music and video from home, its just never going to end. And that’s very sad.
I know I’m in the minority here, but it would be a shame for the Montauk to be demolished. Looking at the slide show on its link, it looks to be in terrific shape considering it was an adult movie house for years. At least in the case of the Ritz that I posted about above, the current owner has completely renovated it. It just needs someone who can bring it to life. People say no one will come to Elizabeth, but they said the same thing about New Brunswick 21 years ago, and now look at it. The State Theatre is one of New Jerseys finest. With the right shows, movies etc, people will come. I’ve been to the Ritz several times over the past 4 years and I feel safe there day or night. The same thing can happen to the Montauk, if only the right people cared.
I don’t know what you plan to do (movies, stage shows etc.) but the 2700 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, completely remodeled is supposedly for sale, or I guess could be leased. 908-352-7315 or www.ritztheatre.net Good luck with whatever you get.
I agree longislandmovies. And I also like the way CinemarkFan thinks up above as well.
Its ok I guess to remember a movie after 1 year, but how about some REAL anniversaries?? 70 years, “Gone With The Wind” AND “Wizard Of OZ”. 40 years, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, and “Woodstock”, 30 years ago, “Alien”, a movie that even today still scares the living you know what out of me. I mean some of the oldies are deserving of remembering, not something that only came out last year.
I always agree with my Cinema Treasures friend CinemarkFan, only this time, I hope hes wrong that 35MM might fade away, because then I’d be out of a job all together. As far as this whole 3-D thing goes, I’m running 3 of them in a 10 screen theatre. Besides having to charge $3.00 more per ticket, which seems like a nail in the coffin in these tough economic times, theres also the issue of storage, for both the new and used glasses. We have to send back the used one to get sanitized and re-packaged. Then, last week there was a problem, that the “key” they gave us didn’t work, and the show couldn’t start. The list goes on and on.
I just sit back, look at it and say to myself, “we never have these problems with the 35”.
As I’ve said many times, like many of you, 70MM would solve all these ill’s and cant be beat!!
1989 would be the correct date. I know this because the projectionist local I belong to picketed this place for almost 2 years. Hot summer days, cold winter nights, we were there. We even rented an airplane to fly a banner over the beaches during the summer telling people not to patronize this place. We never did get in, but we gave it a valiant effort. For my local, this was the beginning of the end for projectionists.
The owner of the theatre where I work knows the owners of this former theatre. They weren’t going to invest the money needed for digital projection, and they got a boat load of money for the building. Its like anything else today, show me the money.
MPol is right. KingBiscuits is Right. And most of all CinemarkFan is right. 70MM, not 3d, not IMAX or diet max or any other format. 70MM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good call newt. I would love to see Ventnor saved. A nice theatre by the shore, a rarity these days.
I think many people are going to confuse this with the old RKO Fabian in Paterson, which sits empty, waiting for some TLC. In its final years, the old Fabian was split into 5 screens, and most people will probably think they just reopened it with 3 more screens. I wish these people well, since I know someone who is involved with the company running the theatre. I just think getting people to Paterson is going to be a problem. I hope I’m wrong.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for that Xanadu Theatre. First of all, Muvico is having financial problems and there is absolutely zero work going at the theatre site, as well as most the rest of xanadu, for the same reason, money problems.
Those “suitcases"as they are refered to (which I personally HATE) being left out is so the film delivery people who have keys can come thru the night to pick them up. This is how its been done for 80 years.
Could this have been one of the many Drive-ins that Walter Reade operated along the Jersey shore ??