There are some wonderful clips on youtube of a 1926 film “The winning of Barbara Worth” with magnificent organ accompaniment by Bernie Anderson – real original silent film-type music!
This was recorded during a showing at the Bound Brook theater in September 2009.
From the google aerial photos, the Palace Drugs building is clearly too small to have been a 1,000- seat theater. Also, Palace Drugs is 172 Newark Ave. It’s possible that the low one-floor building to the right of Palace Drugs was where the entrance/lobby was for the Palace Theatre. It would be a fairly long lobby leading back to where there is now a parking lot. Looks like this theater is probably demolished.
Back in November 2008 I was treated to a wonderful tour of the Stanley theatre as a featured part of the “Wonder Weekend†celebration at the Loewâ€\s Jersey Theatre across the street. About 150 participants were given a thorough tour of the Stanley and it really is as amazing as people have said in the posts above. They did a fantastic job of restoring the theatre, and the tourguides were very friendly and informative. I would encourage anyone attending an event at the Loewâ€\s Jersey to make time in their schedule for a tour of the Stanley as well. There are few places where two top-class movie palaces are located literally across the street from each other. We were able to learn a lot about the history of the theater and restoration, and the witnesses were able to learn a lot more about the theatre history from the “wonder weekend†attendees. A couple of the volunteers then came over to enjoy Ralph Ringstadâ€\s concert at the Loewâ€\s!
I did find a few new pieces of information:
The staff of the Assembly hall is very interested in hearing from people with information about the history of the theatre, and peopleâ€\s memories of it – email them at or 201/377-3100 if you have anything to offer!
The big patch in the ceiling above the proscenium arch covers the main speaker system. It is color-matched very well to the ceiling plaster so when youâ€\re actually standing there it doesnâ€\t look too obtrusive.
When the Jehovahâ€\s Witnesses bought the theater, the big lobby murals were deteriorated beyond repair, and a couple were completely missing; hence their replacement with new murals reflecting a more religious them. They are gorgeous!
They no longer offer hot chocolate or iced tea after the tours, but they will give you a beautiful packet of a dozen color postcards of the theater, mostly of the wonderful interiors. Also the free tours now need to be arranged in advance – contact them at or 201/377-3100 a couple days before you plan to arrive- tours can be scheduled between 8-12 and 1-4:15.
ORGAN INFO! The Stanleyâ€\s Mighty WurliTzer (Opus 1836, type SP-3M, 3 manuals, 27 ranks) was sold off in the early 1970s, and in 1973 was installed in the home of Dick Loderhose in Jamaica, Queens. It was subsequently sold to Ron Walls and installed at the Roaring 20â€\s Pizza in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later installed in its current home, the Meijer Theatre at the Van Andel City Museum in Grand Rapids. There it entertains a steady stream of local school groups who attend their popular “storytime with the organ†presentations, offered weekly on Mondays, and the second Friday of the month. These 35 minute programs include live thematic readings, accompanied by projected images and musical accompaniment on the organ, followed by an explanation of the workings of the pipes. The organ is also used for periodic concerts and is available for weddings. Photo of the console can be found at http://www.grmuseum.org/host/pricing (click on Meijer theater). Itâ€\s great to see the organ is being used so extensively! During these many moves, the Solo String and Solo String Cello were sold and installed onto Opus 2006 in Berkeley, CA, and the 15†Diaphonic Diapason were installed on a privately owned organ in Detroit, MI.
The CR-ATOS website has more updates on the organs. Consoles for both the Paramount and Theatre Cedar Rapids organs were damaged “beyond repair” and the soplor chamber of the Barton received heavy water damage. CR-ATOS and Cedar Rapids Barton inc. are working together on restoration and conservation the Barton at theatre Cedar Rapids, which will include a replica of the original console. The city of Cedar Rapids recently approved a restoration plan for the Paramount and in early 2010 planning efforts will begin for the restoration of the Paramount Wurlitzer and replication of the console.
The renovation of the Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Barton has already commenced, and is scheduled for completion by spring 2011.
Here is a photo of the partly submerged console of the Barton at the Theatre Cedar Rapids:
Here is a photo of the toppled console of the Paramount Wurlitzer: View link
A more detailed set of articles on the restoration progress of both theatres and organs with more photos and updates can be found at the main CR-atos page: http://www.cr-atos.org/
The CR-ATOS website has more updates on the organs. Consoles for both the Paramount and Theatre Cedar Rapids organs were damaged “beyond repair” and the soplor chamber of the Barton received heavy water damage. CR-ATOS and Cedar Rapids Barton inc. are working together on restoration and conservation the Barton at theatre Cedar Rapids, which will include a replica of the original console. The city of Cedar Rapids recently approved a restoration plan for the Paramount and in early 2010 planning efforts will begin for the restoration of the Paramount Wurlitzer and replication of the console.
The renovation of the Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Barton has already commenced, and is scheduled for completion by spring 2011.
Here is a photo of the partly submerged console of the Barton at the Theatre Cedar Rapids:
Here is a photo of the toppled console of the Paramount Wurlitzer: View link
A more detailed set of articles on the restoration progress of both theatres and organs with more photos and updates can be found at the main CR-atos page: http://www.cr-atos.org/
The above listed YouTube video is a loving tribute to the Stanley – an extended slide show with lots of photos – especially closeups of the ornamental details. Here are some other Youtube Videos of the Stanley:
Check out their webpage! They’re open! A busy schedule of concerts and performing arts is listed. The auditorium has been beautifully restored with a pink and blue color scheme. Looks great!
From the interior photos at the official website above, the auditorium looks stripped to the bare walls, but the ornate pressed tin ceiling is still intact. Lobby is modern decor.
From the google photos – it looks like the auditorium was recently demolished. The aerial photo shows the auditorium, right behind the commercial block, long and low – looks like there was no balcony. However, the street level photo shows the auditorium structure having been razed. The front section is still there looks in good shape but the storefronts are all vacant.
Google street views show a building at SW corner of the intersection which obviously was once a theatre – lots of decorative brickwork and the entrance facade and stagehouse. Looks like it was gutted decades ago; old-style windows along the auditorium wall which faces the sidwalk. Old entrance now has a laundry with a Furniture Warehouse in the auditorium.
Located in a shopping center, the auditoriums seat 150 seat, plain simple decor. SShows 1st run films, and has an annual day of silent comedies with live piano accompaniment.
There are some wonderful clips on youtube of a 1926 film “The winning of Barbara Worth” with magnificent organ accompaniment by Bernie Anderson – real original silent film-type music!
This was recorded during a showing at the Bound Brook theater in September 2009.
View link
View link
View link
That’s over 20 minutes of film and organ bliss!
A large highrise stands at this address. Theatre looks to be demolished.
Looks to be demolished. From the Google aerial photos I see a gas station at that address.
From the google aerial photos, the Palace Drugs building is clearly too small to have been a 1,000- seat theater. Also, Palace Drugs is 172 Newark Ave. It’s possible that the low one-floor building to the right of Palace Drugs was where the entrance/lobby was for the Palace Theatre. It would be a fairly long lobby leading back to where there is now a parking lot. Looks like this theater is probably demolished.
Back in November 2008 I was treated to a wonderful tour of the Stanley theatre as a featured part of the “Wonder Weekend†celebration at the Loewâ€\s Jersey Theatre across the street. About 150 participants were given a thorough tour of the Stanley and it really is as amazing as people have said in the posts above. They did a fantastic job of restoring the theatre, and the tourguides were very friendly and informative. I would encourage anyone attending an event at the Loewâ€\s Jersey to make time in their schedule for a tour of the Stanley as well. There are few places where two top-class movie palaces are located literally across the street from each other. We were able to learn a lot about the history of the theater and restoration, and the witnesses were able to learn a lot more about the theatre history from the “wonder weekend†attendees. A couple of the volunteers then came over to enjoy Ralph Ringstadâ€\s concert at the Loewâ€\s!
I did find a few new pieces of information:
The staff of the Assembly hall is very interested in hearing from people with information about the history of the theatre, and peopleâ€\s memories of it – email them at or 201/377-3100 if you have anything to offer!
The big patch in the ceiling above the proscenium arch covers the main speaker system. It is color-matched very well to the ceiling plaster so when youâ€\re actually standing there it doesnâ€\t look too obtrusive.
When the Jehovahâ€\s Witnesses bought the theater, the big lobby murals were deteriorated beyond repair, and a couple were completely missing; hence their replacement with new murals reflecting a more religious them. They are gorgeous!
They no longer offer hot chocolate or iced tea after the tours, but they will give you a beautiful packet of a dozen color postcards of the theater, mostly of the wonderful interiors. Also the free tours now need to be arranged in advance – contact them at or 201/377-3100 a couple days before you plan to arrive- tours can be scheduled between 8-12 and 1-4:15.
ORGAN INFO! The Stanleyâ€\s Mighty WurliTzer (Opus 1836, type SP-3M, 3 manuals, 27 ranks) was sold off in the early 1970s, and in 1973 was installed in the home of Dick Loderhose in Jamaica, Queens. It was subsequently sold to Ron Walls and installed at the Roaring 20â€\s Pizza in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later installed in its current home, the Meijer Theatre at the Van Andel City Museum in Grand Rapids. There it entertains a steady stream of local school groups who attend their popular “storytime with the organ†presentations, offered weekly on Mondays, and the second Friday of the month. These 35 minute programs include live thematic readings, accompanied by projected images and musical accompaniment on the organ, followed by an explanation of the workings of the pipes. The organ is also used for periodic concerts and is available for weddings. Photo of the console can be found at http://www.grmuseum.org/host/pricing (click on Meijer theater). Itâ€\s great to see the organ is being used so extensively! During these many moves, the Solo String and Solo String Cello were sold and installed onto Opus 2006 in Berkeley, CA, and the 15†Diaphonic Diapason were installed on a privately owned organ in Detroit, MI.
The CR-ATOS website has more updates on the organs. Consoles for both the Paramount and Theatre Cedar Rapids organs were damaged “beyond repair” and the soplor chamber of the Barton received heavy water damage. CR-ATOS and Cedar Rapids Barton inc. are working together on restoration and conservation the Barton at theatre Cedar Rapids, which will include a replica of the original console. The city of Cedar Rapids recently approved a restoration plan for the Paramount and in early 2010 planning efforts will begin for the restoration of the Paramount Wurlitzer and replication of the console.
The renovation of the Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Barton has already commenced, and is scheduled for completion by spring 2011.
Here is a photo of the partly submerged console of the Barton at the Theatre Cedar Rapids:
View link
Here is a photo of the toppled console of the Paramount Wurlitzer:
View link
A more detailed set of articles on the restoration progress of both theatres and organs with more photos and updates can be found at the main CR-atos page: http://www.cr-atos.org/
The CR-ATOS website has more updates on the organs. Consoles for both the Paramount and Theatre Cedar Rapids organs were damaged “beyond repair” and the soplor chamber of the Barton received heavy water damage. CR-ATOS and Cedar Rapids Barton inc. are working together on restoration and conservation the Barton at theatre Cedar Rapids, which will include a replica of the original console. The city of Cedar Rapids recently approved a restoration plan for the Paramount and in early 2010 planning efforts will begin for the restoration of the Paramount Wurlitzer and replication of the console.
The renovation of the Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Barton has already commenced, and is scheduled for completion by spring 2011.
Here is a photo of the partly submerged console of the Barton at the Theatre Cedar Rapids:
View link
Here is a photo of the toppled console of the Paramount Wurlitzer:
View link
A more detailed set of articles on the restoration progress of both theatres and organs with more photos and updates can be found at the main CR-atos page: http://www.cr-atos.org/
The above listed YouTube video is a loving tribute to the Stanley – an extended slide show with lots of photos – especially closeups of the ornamental details. Here are some other Youtube Videos of the Stanley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcneU1RqFbk
(post-restoration photos – same as the link above)
View link
(narrative and restoration photos)
View link
(nine minute video tour)
View link
A couple links:
Casino Ballroom: avalonball.com
Avalon Theater: View link
Official web site is:
http://www.capitoltheatrewheeling.com/
Check out their webpage! They’re open! A busy schedule of concerts and performing arts is listed. The auditorium has been beautifully restored with a pink and blue color scheme. Looks great!
From the interior photos at the official website above, the auditorium looks stripped to the bare walls, but the ornate pressed tin ceiling is still intact. Lobby is modern decor.
From the google photos this looks to have been demolished.
From the google photos – it looks like the auditorium was recently demolished. The aerial photo shows the auditorium, right behind the commercial block, long and low – looks like there was no balcony. However, the street level photo shows the auditorium structure having been razed. The front section is still there looks in good shape but the storefronts are all vacant.
The Google photos show what may be the Keystone theatre still standing. Definitely an auditorium roof and stagehouse.
From the aeriel google photos it looks like the Pearl theatre (the original one) has been razed – just an empty lot now.
Here’s a new official website:
http://www.murphytheatre.org/
The theatre is alive and well and still doing performing arts!
Google street views show a building at SW corner of the intersection which obviously was once a theatre – lots of decorative brickwork and the entrance facade and stagehouse. Looks like it was gutted decades ago; old-style windows along the auditorium wall which faces the sidwalk. Old entrance now has a laundry with a Furniture Warehouse in the auditorium.
Google photos just show a parking lot at this address.
The auditorium is definitely demolished, but the lobby portion may be intact. Can’t really tell from the google photos.
This theatre looks from the google photos to be demolished.
From the google photos this looks to be demolished. Just a parking lot now.
Located in a shopping center, the auditoriums seat 150 seat, plain simple decor. SShows 1st run films, and has an annual day of silent comedies with live piano accompaniment.
Website is at:
View link
The UNCSA completed their multimillion dollar renovation of the Stevens Center in 2003.
Their web page is now:
http://www.uncsa.edu/StevensCenter/