In response to ken mc…too late for many of the shore communities, Asbury Park, Seaside, Point Pleasant, AC as you mentioned, its a sin how they were all destroyed.
And to newt wallen…if my wife and I manage to scrape together enough to take a vacation, perhaps we will stop by the stone harbor 5 and finally meet you.
Your name sounds very familiar. I was a worker in numerous positions from the old Menlo Park and Woodbridge Twin Cinemas. I eventually joined the IATSE local and worked as projectionist there. Do you remember Tony or Robert Rizzo, Bob Masarik or John Bortula?? Hows retirement treating you??
I know all you theatre lovers like me are going to call me stupid, but a few weeks ago, when the mega millions was like 270 million dollars, I was hoping, wishing, dreaming that I would win, just so I could buy the Kings theatre, The Ritz in Elizabeth NJ and any other grand palaces left in this area, so people could enjoy them (after massive renovations of course) and save them forever from the wrecking ball.
O.K. go ahead, tell me I was stupid. But what a great dream it was.
Its the going trend. We need a shopping center every ¼ mile, with a fast food joint and gas station in between, and the occasional pharmacy or bank stuck in there for good measure. Really really sick.
The Forum Theatre in Metuchen New Jersey is being renovated as we speak. The Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth New Jersey has been renovated and I understand is now for sale. Both are listed here on CT.
Good Luck. This is great to read about. AND they are adding a screen. So much for all the talk about drive-ins being dead in the water. We need more like this.
This is how a lot of the independants in the New York Northern New Jersey area got into the business in the first place. Put your money down, and Network Cinema Corporation, the company overseeing the franchises guided you along. The problem was Network took the money, expanded things too fast and poof!! by 1974 they were history. Then the mom and pops were free to rename the theatres whatever they wanted.
Drove by today, and I can now offically say, that this no longer looks anything like a movie theatre. A classy building when it opened in 1964, that stayed that way, even after twinning, is now a mish-mosh of plaster, stone, windows, all jammed together. Its going to be a bunch of little resturants and shops. All I can say is it looks like crap.
An article in todays Star-Ledger talks of the theatres reopening. They are doing a childrens show in June. It also speaks of them wanting to run films again. I wonder who they will get to do the old carbon arcs and change-overs? I’m one of the few, if not the only person left in this area who knows how to do that. And I did work in this venue prior to the current owners.
Don’t get me wrong longislandmovies, I hope the summer will be big as well, since I work for an independant theatre owner. All I’m saying is that in the 70’s when I started, movies would run ALL summer, now they come out, and for the most part one, two weeks and it off to the next flavor of the month. I just don’t care for todays movie business, that’s all. Give me the old days.
Hey Justin, FYI, I run digital where I work, along with 35MM. There is NO art to running digital. Its a computer and all you do is push a button. Any idiot can do that. I want to see someone make reel-toreel changeovers like I use to. THAT"S an art.
I want to see this. Like they are really going to save one of the movie theatres screens, RIGHT. Just what the area needs, another hotel. Screw the hotel, save the theatre!!!!
To MBD from March 25, 2009, at least when I’m there they get a great presentation. Thats what 34 years or expierience will get you.
On another note, I was just informed that the last movie “Pretty in Pink” will now be a DVD. Why dont they just call it a DVD festival and be done with it.
In todays Star Ledger, there is an article about a gentleman who purchased this theatre for 2 million dollars and wants to bring it back to its former glory. He said however that he is not against putting all retail in it if his plans for a theatre fall through.
In response to ken mc…too late for many of the shore communities, Asbury Park, Seaside, Point Pleasant, AC as you mentioned, its a sin how they were all destroyed.
And to newt wallen…if my wife and I manage to scrape together enough to take a vacation, perhaps we will stop by the stone harbor 5 and finally meet you.
One in the same.
So Newt, am I to understand that you now work for the theatre in Cape May?
What about the old theatres along the South Jersey shore?? Ventnor, Wildwood ( where so many have already been demolished ) Cape May ??
Your name sounds very familiar. I was a worker in numerous positions from the old Menlo Park and Woodbridge Twin Cinemas. I eventually joined the IATSE local and worked as projectionist there. Do you remember Tony or Robert Rizzo, Bob Masarik or John Bortula?? Hows retirement treating you??
Lets how much this deufus screws things up.
I know all you theatre lovers like me are going to call me stupid, but a few weeks ago, when the mega millions was like 270 million dollars, I was hoping, wishing, dreaming that I would win, just so I could buy the Kings theatre, The Ritz in Elizabeth NJ and any other grand palaces left in this area, so people could enjoy them (after massive renovations of course) and save them forever from the wrecking ball.
O.K. go ahead, tell me I was stupid. But what a great dream it was.
Its the going trend. We need a shopping center every ¼ mile, with a fast food joint and gas station in between, and the occasional pharmacy or bank stuck in there for good measure. Really really sick.
The Forum Theatre in Metuchen New Jersey is being renovated as we speak. The Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth New Jersey has been renovated and I understand is now for sale. Both are listed here on CT.
Good Luck. This is great to read about. AND they are adding a screen. So much for all the talk about drive-ins being dead in the water. We need more like this.
What a shame. The once mighty empire is slowly being desolved.
Tonight at 7:30 ‘American Graffitti’ in Cinemascope on the giant screen. I’ll be the projectionist.
This is how a lot of the independants in the New York Northern New Jersey area got into the business in the first place. Put your money down, and Network Cinema Corporation, the company overseeing the franchises guided you along. The problem was Network took the money, expanded things too fast and poof!! by 1974 they were history. Then the mom and pops were free to rename the theatres whatever they wanted.
Just gonna be more theatres that AMC will screw up.
Drove by today, and I can now offically say, that this no longer looks anything like a movie theatre. A classy building when it opened in 1964, that stayed that way, even after twinning, is now a mish-mosh of plaster, stone, windows, all jammed together. Its going to be a bunch of little resturants and shops. All I can say is it looks like crap.
Many, many times, Marilyn Chambers would grace the giant screen. RIP Marilyn, you will be missed.
An article in todays Star-Ledger talks of the theatres reopening. They are doing a childrens show in June. It also speaks of them wanting to run films again. I wonder who they will get to do the old carbon arcs and change-overs? I’m one of the few, if not the only person left in this area who knows how to do that. And I did work in this venue prior to the current owners.
Don’t get me wrong longislandmovies, I hope the summer will be big as well, since I work for an independant theatre owner. All I’m saying is that in the 70’s when I started, movies would run ALL summer, now they come out, and for the most part one, two weeks and it off to the next flavor of the month. I just don’t care for todays movie business, that’s all. Give me the old days.
Oh yeah, Summer, when the action heats up. The season of one week, maybe 2, and done. Some action.
Hey Justin, FYI, I run digital where I work, along with 35MM. There is NO art to running digital. Its a computer and all you do is push a button. Any idiot can do that. I want to see someone make reel-toreel changeovers like I use to. THAT"S an art.
I want to see this. Like they are really going to save one of the movie theatres screens, RIGHT. Just what the area needs, another hotel. Screw the hotel, save the theatre!!!!
You got that right MPol.
To MBD from March 25, 2009, at least when I’m there they get a great presentation. Thats what 34 years or expierience will get you.
On another note, I was just informed that the last movie “Pretty in Pink” will now be a DVD. Why dont they just call it a DVD festival and be done with it.
Sweet!!! We need many more, many more. Espescially up here in the northeast.
In todays Star Ledger, there is an article about a gentleman who purchased this theatre for 2 million dollars and wants to bring it back to its former glory. He said however that he is not against putting all retail in it if his plans for a theatre fall through.
It shows him standing under the marquee.