Ritz Theatre

This item datelined Garfield, New Jersey, appeared in the November 4, 1953 issue of Exhibitor: “The Ritz, a closed house that has been refurbished and redecorated, will have a gala opening on Nov. 5 with local city, church, and veteran groups cooperating. The opening attraction will be ‘Stalag 17’ and ‘Safari Drums.’ Deon De Titta, former chief projectionist, 20th-Fox home office, will manage the 800-seat house for Marjoel, Inc., of which L. Nocerino is president. Liggett-Florm will buy and book. The Holy Name Cadet and Bugle Corps, Garfield Post, American Legion, five times national champions, is scheduled to help out with the festivities.”

I wonder if the photo we have depicts that event?

CinemaTour gives the aka’s Garden Theatre and Garfield Auditorium for this house. I haven’t found any references to Garden Theatre, but Garfield Auditorium was the site of boxing matches in 1929. Garfield has nothing listed in the FDYs for 1926 or 1928, and I don’t think this house was a movie theater at that time. The façade of the building is clearly quite old, perhaps even 19th century, and it’s a bit frustrating being unable to find any references to the place earlier than 1929.

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/kkyy9n

The Ritz theatre held a contest when they opened to get married on the stage of the theatre and all of the local businesses donated rings, the dress,home furnishings, etc. My grandfather and all of his friends entered their names as a joke, and my grandfather won! He was seeing my grandmother on the sly back then, her parents were right off the boat from italy and didn’t want her dating, but he asked her if she wanted to get married anyway and she said yes! They got msrried on the stage on June 2, 1931. I know it was in the local papers back then and I would love to see any information if anyone has any, on the contest or the wedding