The Rialto was located by the Trenton Battle Monument and Pennington Avenue (Route 31). It was a theater that required the projectionist to climb up a ladder to into the booth. Safety last? Anyway, both the Princess (North Clinton Avenue) and Rialto locations are vacant today (2020).
In the early 1970s, they tried running old films such as 1930s Warner Brothers musicals. We were in the lobby of the theater one evening when a fight broke out and one unhappy person threw the large floor ashtray against the wall mirrors and shattered it. You knew things were going downhill at that point. As I was a young boy at the time. I think that was the last time we saw a movie there although we continued to eat pizza at Maruca’s Pizza next door. The neighborhood was changing.
It’s interesting that the RKO Brunswick was rather successful on the other side of town as it ran movies through the 1970s. The Hamilton served Hamilton Township on the south side of the city. There were no theaters within a mile of it at the time. The RKO Broad (closed in 1960) and the Bijou on Clinton Avenue. The Hamilton is largely intact with an addition to the building beyond the “stage"area. Interestingly enough, when they rebuilt the nearby Independence Mall/Plaza, a movie plex was included and that too was unsuccessful.
Just for the record, the Capitol (International 70) was torn down for a parking lot in the late 1960s, probably 1967. There was another International 70 (a rename, of course) in New Brunswick which existed into the 1970s before being torn down for the J and J headquarters. In Trenton, the RKO Lincoln and Trent closed in October, `1972. Those two were demolished in the summer of 1976. The Trenton Capitol (International 70) parking lot is still a parking lot in 2018. Congrats, Trenton. What progress!
The Mayfair was originally the Orpheum which was originally the YMCA building. The Stacy across the street suffered a fire and was demolished also. A Geno’s (KFC) opened in its spot and that is now long gone. Trenton is a lost cause.
The long corridor from State Street to the small lobby was absorbed into the adjoining pharmacy. I saw Dirty Harry and Magnum Force here (my Dad and I were too brave) in 1974. I remember phoning the theater (when we did those things) and the taped message said “Magnesium Force”. By the way, we sat downstairs under the balcony slunk in our seats.
The roof collapsed due to heavy snow. It took them a while even then to tear it down. Half of it was removed when demolition stopped and the entire balcony with seats and the booth above were completely exposed for some time. I did an article for the Trenton Times about it. I took the photos too.
It is intact as of August 13, 2017. The marquee is gone (probably a long time) and there is some chain link on the sidewalk side. Nothing seems imminent.
The shopping center was upgraded and given a new facade recently; however, the theater, whose entrance is located off to the side between the two parts of the shopping plaza, is vacant. Its lobby appears to have been stripped somewhat and it is used for storage for some tenant. Sad to see the decay.
Interestingly, the old town’s movie house which was later used as a municipal building, is up for sale. It is located on the SE corner of Pennsylvania and Palmer Avenues.
Stopped for a snack last night at the Burger King which was the site of the Morrisville Drive-in.
The former Premiere Theater was located within the Modell’s Sporting Goods store. If you look closely, you can see the tapered walls as it neared the screen in the rear of the store.
Actor Lee Van Cleef got his acting start at this theater. It had been converted into offices for many years; however, the large interior space and the stage proscenium were incorporated into the office renovation/conversion. A 3-alarm fire several days ago (May, 2016) appeared to have destroyed most of the interior. The brick walls remained standing.
I have the ticket grinder from the Olden. It was known as the Gayety (pretty sure of the spelling but pronounced Gay-tee by the locals) until it was refurbished and renamed around 1951. Oh yes, Maruca’s Tomato Pies was a mainstay in the Olden Building and can be seen in the photo above. The photo is Olden Avenue looking south. There was also a bowling alley within the building. The theater retail portion of the building stands but the lobby and auditorium was completely razed in the mid 80s. Russ and Clara’s Bar and the Pine Tavern were close by.
The Lost Picture Show was located at 2495 Springfield Ave, Union. I was there July 25, 1977 and saw “Black Sunday.” Instead of a traditional ticket stub, they issue receipts which I have in my memorabilia.
I stopped in and took a look in October. There are stores lining the long corridor leading into the auditorium. The auditorium is intact but it seems like the seats have been removed. The auditorium doors are locked and it’s dark inside. There are several active stores within the corridor /mall area leading back to the theater section. The Elmora seating was on one floor only. The roof seems secure.
The Rialto was located by the Trenton Battle Monument and Pennington Avenue (Route 31). It was a theater that required the projectionist to climb up a ladder to into the booth. Safety last? Anyway, both the Princess (North Clinton Avenue) and Rialto locations are vacant today (2020).
In the early 1970s, they tried running old films such as 1930s Warner Brothers musicals. We were in the lobby of the theater one evening when a fight broke out and one unhappy person threw the large floor ashtray against the wall mirrors and shattered it. You knew things were going downhill at that point. As I was a young boy at the time. I think that was the last time we saw a movie there although we continued to eat pizza at Maruca’s Pizza next door. The neighborhood was changing.
It’s interesting that the RKO Brunswick was rather successful on the other side of town as it ran movies through the 1970s. The Hamilton served Hamilton Township on the south side of the city. There were no theaters within a mile of it at the time. The RKO Broad (closed in 1960) and the Bijou on Clinton Avenue. The Hamilton is largely intact with an addition to the building beyond the “stage"area. Interestingly enough, when they rebuilt the nearby Independence Mall/Plaza, a movie plex was included and that too was unsuccessful.
My Dad was a apprentice projectionist and worked the Greenwood several times in 1943-44 before being drafted into the US Army.
Using Google maps, it looks as though the WAKE is gone.
Using Google maps, it looks as though the WAKE is gone.
Is the building in existence or has it been torn down for the bank or APPLEBEE’s?
Great news about the theater organ!
Just for the record, the Capitol (International 70) was torn down for a parking lot in the late 1960s, probably 1967. There was another International 70 (a rename, of course) in New Brunswick which existed into the 1970s before being torn down for the J and J headquarters. In Trenton, the RKO Lincoln and Trent closed in October, `1972. Those two were demolished in the summer of 1976. The Trenton Capitol (International 70) parking lot is still a parking lot in 2018. Congrats, Trenton. What progress!
The BECK family owns it.
Somewhere I read or was told that the letters L-e-n-s-i-c are the first letter of the names of the original owner’s children. Spectacular place.
The Mayfair was originally the Orpheum which was originally the YMCA building. The Stacy across the street suffered a fire and was demolished also. A Geno’s (KFC) opened in its spot and that is now long gone. Trenton is a lost cause.
The long corridor from State Street to the small lobby was absorbed into the adjoining pharmacy. I saw Dirty Harry and Magnum Force here (my Dad and I were too brave) in 1974. I remember phoning the theater (when we did those things) and the taped message said “Magnesium Force”. By the way, we sat downstairs under the balcony slunk in our seats.
The roof collapsed due to heavy snow. It took them a while even then to tear it down. Half of it was removed when demolition stopped and the entire balcony with seats and the booth above were completely exposed for some time. I did an article for the Trenton Times about it. I took the photos too.
It is intact as of August 13, 2017. The marquee is gone (probably a long time) and there is some chain link on the sidewalk side. Nothing seems imminent.
It is still closed up but intact as of August 15, 2017.
The shopping center was upgraded and given a new facade recently; however, the theater, whose entrance is located off to the side between the two parts of the shopping plaza, is vacant. Its lobby appears to have been stripped somewhat and it is used for storage for some tenant. Sad to see the decay.
Interestingly, the old town’s movie house which was later used as a municipal building, is up for sale. It is located on the SE corner of Pennsylvania and Palmer Avenues.
Stopped for a snack last night at the Burger King which was the site of the Morrisville Drive-in.
Fantastic photo!
Agreed! The old theater smell is unique and unmistakable. I miss it.
The former Premiere Theater was located within the Modell’s Sporting Goods store. If you look closely, you can see the tapered walls as it neared the screen in the rear of the store.
Actor Lee Van Cleef got his acting start at this theater. It had been converted into offices for many years; however, the large interior space and the stage proscenium were incorporated into the office renovation/conversion. A 3-alarm fire several days ago (May, 2016) appeared to have destroyed most of the interior. The brick walls remained standing.
I have the ticket grinder from the Olden. It was known as the Gayety (pretty sure of the spelling but pronounced Gay-tee by the locals) until it was refurbished and renamed around 1951. Oh yes, Maruca’s Tomato Pies was a mainstay in the Olden Building and can be seen in the photo above. The photo is Olden Avenue looking south. There was also a bowling alley within the building. The theater retail portion of the building stands but the lobby and auditorium was completely razed in the mid 80s. Russ and Clara’s Bar and the Pine Tavern were close by.
Based on the address (which is on the receipt), the building is gone.
The Lost Picture Show was located at 2495 Springfield Ave, Union. I was there July 25, 1977 and saw “Black Sunday.” Instead of a traditional ticket stub, they issue receipts which I have in my memorabilia.
I stopped in and took a look in October. There are stores lining the long corridor leading into the auditorium. The auditorium is intact but it seems like the seats have been removed. The auditorium doors are locked and it’s dark inside. There are several active stores within the corridor /mall area leading back to the theater section. The Elmora seating was on one floor only. The roof seems secure.