WalterK, Thanks for the kind words about my comments. I am very passionate about the old movie theatres and especially one I or my father and uncle (and many others from the old projectionists union) worked in. Although I post about being retired, Im being a bit sarcastic. See Im only 55 and I was put out of work in projection by digital. I have a ways to go yet, and now I work as a stagehand, mostly in Newark NJ Prudential Center. And if it might help you possible remember my father, his first name was Joe and came from a large family in town whose last name started with Pusi. (maybe that helps.
Merry Christmas to all movie and theatre lovers out there. This is the first Christmas Eve/Day in 37 years that Im not spending it in a projection room. This ol projectionist has been retired by digital projection at age 54. Its been a great run. Everyone be safe and enjoy your holidays.
Looks to have a very short season if their last weekend was Labor Day. Pretty big expense putting in 2 barco projectors that will only be used a few months each year.
Exactly Stephenvb. The Jerry Lewis model was for smaller size theatres. I know the twin my father and uncle worked at as projectionists seated 290 in each theatre. They had a great idea but letting people into the business who had no knowledge of running a theatre, and expanding way too fast is what killed them.
Some killer double features back in the day. 12/14/73, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Man of LaMancha” That’s over 5 ½ hours of viewing. I also love how “MAS*H” came back 3 times in 6 month period between 9/70 and 4/71. The good old days…..
Seems a bit odd that this theatre had 600 seats for a single screen. Most, if not all Jerry Lewis singles were 350 seats or less. The twins were usually 600 seats.
Hi Ross. Just a question, and I think its on topic, is the Cinema Treasures book still in print? Any ideas where to get it? Ive checked big and small book stores, with no luck. Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Very good post WalterK. My dad who was a projectionist there ran the movies on the last night. After that he went to work at the State Theatre in Woodbridge until that closed in 1971, then the Royal in Perth Amboy for a year, and finally back in Carteret to open the Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema in 1972.
Steven, its a shame some people have no respect for others. Ive always enjoyed your fathers comments and photos. My father was a long time projectionist here in New Jersey. He would have loved this site, but sadly passed away 20 years ago. I am sorry to hear of your dads passing.
I too also love the pictures (although they make me sick) of the the theatre. With that said, does anyone have photos of this partially destroyed staircase that’s mentioned in the article or the above post?
Hello. Perhaps LuisV or someone can help me. I am hoping to make it there Sunday. The only thing that would stand in my way is work. My question is, Im coming from Jersey. I would be taking a bus to the port authority. From there (besides taxi) how would I get there? I really do not want to drive into the city. Any help greatly appreciated.
Ed, sometimes when you type in the name of another theatre, say Victory, Times Square , Lyric etc, and go to that page then it will list nearby theatres. The Apollo might be found that way. I know that’s how I’ve had to do to find certain theatres in New Jersey.
Hello rcdt55b and vito, and others. Saw the Christmas show last night. As you all know my wife is a wardrobe dresser there. A few things. One, I came in a few minutes late and missed the trailer for the spring show. Came in on the dancing bears. My seats were 2 rows from the stage. I am assuming the scene with the bus and the video of NYC in the background was on a video wall correct? You could clearly see the seams between each panel. This bugged me because I set these up at the arena in Newark NJ and we are always careful not to let this happen. I also still cannot stand the video game part of the show. Has nothing to do with Christmas. The snowballs were cool, but I can see where if one fell to the audience, someone would be seriously hurt. Finally, the Nativity was spot on perfect as it should be.
I must say, as seedy as some say it was, I like the old 42nd street a lot better. Great photos. Wish there were some of the old State, National, Embassy and Rivoli.
Vito, my wife is going to a meeting tom'w for all the wardrobe dresses. She heard thru the grapevine there might be some new numbers, but I don’t know if this will affect the booth.
For 4 million dollars you can buy the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth NJ and its been all refurbished. All 2760 seats have been redone, new carpet, new bar, new restrooms. And it has a 5 story parking deck right next door.
Judging by the looks of the cover photo, this was probably a large single screen at one time that was cut up into 4.
WalterK, Thanks for the kind words about my comments. I am very passionate about the old movie theatres and especially one I or my father and uncle (and many others from the old projectionists union) worked in. Although I post about being retired, Im being a bit sarcastic. See Im only 55 and I was put out of work in projection by digital. I have a ways to go yet, and now I work as a stagehand, mostly in Newark NJ Prudential Center. And if it might help you possible remember my father, his first name was Joe and came from a large family in town whose last name started with Pusi. (maybe that helps.
Merry Christmas to all movie and theatre lovers out there. This is the first Christmas Eve/Day in 37 years that Im not spending it in a projection room. This ol projectionist has been retired by digital projection at age 54. Its been a great run. Everyone be safe and enjoy your holidays.
Is this the theatre that was on the news last night about the ceiling falling onto patrons during a performance?
Looks to have a very short season if their last weekend was Labor Day. Pretty big expense putting in 2 barco projectors that will only be used a few months each year.
robboehm, if I had the money, Id buy it and make it a drive in again.
Exactly Stephenvb. The Jerry Lewis model was for smaller size theatres. I know the twin my father and uncle worked at as projectionists seated 290 in each theatre. They had a great idea but letting people into the business who had no knowledge of running a theatre, and expanding way too fast is what killed them.
Some killer double features back in the day. 12/14/73, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Man of LaMancha” That’s over 5 ½ hours of viewing. I also love how “MAS*H” came back 3 times in 6 month period between 9/70 and 4/71. The good old days…..
Was just up this way a month ago to visit my buddy in Shamokin. I pass the Hess station all the time as I take highway 61 into Shamokin.
Seems a bit odd that this theatre had 600 seats for a single screen. Most, if not all Jerry Lewis singles were 350 seats or less. The twins were usually 600 seats.
Thank you Ken, Ross and Stephen. With my wifes next paycheck, from none other than Radio City, a Christmas present for me.
Hi Ross. Just a question, and I think its on topic, is the Cinema Treasures book still in print? Any ideas where to get it? Ive checked big and small book stores, with no luck. Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Very good post WalterK. My dad who was a projectionist there ran the movies on the last night. After that he went to work at the State Theatre in Woodbridge until that closed in 1971, then the Royal in Perth Amboy for a year, and finally back in Carteret to open the Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema in 1972.
Steven, its a shame some people have no respect for others. Ive always enjoyed your fathers comments and photos. My father was a long time projectionist here in New Jersey. He would have loved this site, but sadly passed away 20 years ago. I am sorry to hear of your dads passing.
I heard earlier this year, don’t know how true it is, that all 15/70 Imax will be gone by mid 2014.
I too also love the pictures (although they make me sick) of the the theatre. With that said, does anyone have photos of this partially destroyed staircase that’s mentioned in the article or the above post?
Thanks much AlAverez. As luck would have it I am now working, but have made a note of how to get there in the future. Thanks again.
Hello. Perhaps LuisV or someone can help me. I am hoping to make it there Sunday. The only thing that would stand in my way is work. My question is, Im coming from Jersey. I would be taking a bus to the port authority. From there (besides taxi) how would I get there? I really do not want to drive into the city. Any help greatly appreciated.
Ed, sometimes when you type in the name of another theatre, say Victory, Times Square , Lyric etc, and go to that page then it will list nearby theatres. The Apollo might be found that way. I know that’s how I’ve had to do to find certain theatres in New Jersey.
Yes it would njhistorychic. And the Paramount on Market Street too.
Hello rcdt55b and vito, and others. Saw the Christmas show last night. As you all know my wife is a wardrobe dresser there. A few things. One, I came in a few minutes late and missed the trailer for the spring show. Came in on the dancing bears. My seats were 2 rows from the stage. I am assuming the scene with the bus and the video of NYC in the background was on a video wall correct? You could clearly see the seams between each panel. This bugged me because I set these up at the arena in Newark NJ and we are always careful not to let this happen. I also still cannot stand the video game part of the show. Has nothing to do with Christmas. The snowballs were cool, but I can see where if one fell to the audience, someone would be seriously hurt. Finally, the Nativity was spot on perfect as it should be.
I must say, as seedy as some say it was, I like the old 42nd street a lot better. Great photos. Wish there were some of the old State, National, Embassy and Rivoli.
Vito, my wife is going to a meeting tom'w for all the wardrobe dresses. She heard thru the grapevine there might be some new numbers, but I don’t know if this will affect the booth.
Was just in Newark working at the arena 2 weeks ago. Walked by all 3 of these theatres. Such a shame how they just sit there and rot away.
For 4 million dollars you can buy the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth NJ and its been all refurbished. All 2760 seats have been redone, new carpet, new bar, new restrooms. And it has a 5 story parking deck right next door.