During my childhood, in the 60’s and 70’s, there were nothing but theatres along the entire Jersey shore from Long Branch to Cape May. Now there are but a few. I truely hope someone comes in to save these 2 remaining theatres from what surely would be the wrecking ball.
This is great to hear. Would love to see 70MM make a comeback. It could put any of todays digital crap to shame. Would love see something like this here in Jersey at one of the few palaces left standing. The 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth comes to mind.
I must say reading the article made me sad too. I am now an IA projectionist in my 34th year, and I followed my father who did it for over 50 years. I remember the carbon arcs, curtains, change-overs, all of it. I work today in a 10-plex and a 6-plex, both with platters. Basically nothing more than a film threader. I still love what I do, but know my days are nearing the end. And to Justin, the “kids” who threaded film at your AMC never had to lift a reel, its all on platters, and its companies like AMC, Regal and even Clearview, my former employer who have helped put us “professionals” out to pasture.
Thanks RCDTJ. I found out early this morning as I drove my wife into work at the Music Hall. Shes one of the setdressers on the blue crew. She will probably be leaving the city just in time on New Years Eve, before all the festivities begin.
I wonder who does the projection there now. I was the last union operator there in 1983. I have heard stories about how it has been since I left all those years ago. Makes me sad.
I remember those days Misterboo. Carbons, film inspection, and hey do you remember making glue splices, where you had to use a razor blade to scrape the emulsion and butt the ends of the film together?
Curtains, single screens, double features, now your talkin my kind of language. Not this digital crap, multiplexes, etc. This is what I try to impress on these youngsters like Mr. Justin, but they grew up in a different time than us. All they know is what they have, not what they missed.
This video hits real close to home for me. My father, who passed away 17 years ago was a projectionist for over 50 years. And I myself am now in my 35th year. I am one of the last union projectionists still working in New Jersey, and as the man in the video states, for how much longer, I dont know. I doubt I’ll make it to 40 years.
JonStan, The last time I was in there was a few years back. At that time, some equipment was removed, some screens removed, and some seats removed, but for the most part, and in talking to people who have been in there since, it is still 95% intact. Just rotting away.
I remember when I cleaned the screens here back in the early 2000’s. Was a real nice place then. I agree with the above post by Ed S. that the other theatre in town they own is kind of crappy, as far as screen size, parking etc. But as he said, thats the Dolans. I had first hand expierience with their stupidity.
MikeRogers, I couldn’t agree with you more. As the last union projectionist left working here in Jersey, I loved those days of the old huge singles and twins, when movies still sold out 6 to 8 weeks after opening. I work in a 10-plex today and after 1 week the movies are dead. Its been a long 35 year run for me, and I must say, the old days were the best.
I must say I agree with just about everyone above. I work for an independant theatre owner, and I could see it was slower than usual this summer. I think all the above points about product, price etc are valid, price especially. Look at RickWolfe. Business UP. Maybe its because many people are in the same situation as myself and my wife (who has been unemployed most of the year). You make a choice as to pay the mortgage, or spend $80.00 when all is said and done to see a crappy movie, in a crappy theatre, with crappy projection. Im just sayin.
And WHY is it that they insist on making all the kids movies in 3D?? Little kids who go to see “Toy Story” or any movie like that could care less about 3D and wearing glasses. They want to see Woody and Buzz. And if were subjecting these small kids to 3D, the next generation will be nothing but a bunch of cross-eyed folks ALL wearing glasses just to see straight.
Open in 87 and closed in 2008. A very short shelf life indeed.
markp
commented about
Clairidgeon
Jul 11, 2010 at 9:10 pm
I love it when I hear all these horror stories about shoddy projection. When Clearview got rid of the unions in 2004 (myself included) that was the last time you had a chance of seeing the picture come up “in frame” or not half on the floor. Sounds to me like the kids had a scope aperture with a flat lens. But sadly, as mentioned above, the good ol days are gone forever. At least I worked in the business when projectionists were respected, not like today where I’m looked at as a liability.
I remember when this opened at the Planfield Drive-In listed above. The movie played on the indoor and outdoor screens. UA was big on that up till the time they twinned the indoor. The crowds were so huge that Oak Tree Road, a two lane road with no shoulders had to be closed on several occasions because of the people entering and exiting. This went on for almost a month. Something I believe we will never see again.
Whats this I read? Mr Fencsak wishing for film instead of digital? Oh finally, at last, he has seen the light. You dont know how happy that makes me Justin. I am a film man and have been for over 34 years. I wish 70MM would come back, but I guess I really going out on a limb for that one.
The 2760 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth New Jersey has been listed on there for about a year. Completely renovated (except the stage area rigging). $3.8 million
During my childhood, in the 60’s and 70’s, there were nothing but theatres along the entire Jersey shore from Long Branch to Cape May. Now there are but a few. I truely hope someone comes in to save these 2 remaining theatres from what surely would be the wrecking ball.
Its too bad the 72nd street east in New York City wont enjoy the same after life. Word is that its becoming a supermarket.
This is great to hear. Would love to see 70MM make a comeback. It could put any of todays digital crap to shame. Would love see something like this here in Jersey at one of the few palaces left standing. The 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth comes to mind.
I must say reading the article made me sad too. I am now an IA projectionist in my 34th year, and I followed my father who did it for over 50 years. I remember the carbon arcs, curtains, change-overs, all of it. I work today in a 10-plex and a 6-plex, both with platters. Basically nothing more than a film threader. I still love what I do, but know my days are nearing the end. And to Justin, the “kids” who threaded film at your AMC never had to lift a reel, its all on platters, and its companies like AMC, Regal and even Clearview, my former employer who have helped put us “professionals” out to pasture.
Thanks RCDTJ. I found out early this morning as I drove my wife into work at the Music Hall. Shes one of the setdressers on the blue crew. She will probably be leaving the city just in time on New Years Eve, before all the festivities begin.
oldjoe, besides New years Eve, what days were the other shows added?
I wonder who does the projection there now. I was the last union operator there in 1983. I have heard stories about how it has been since I left all those years ago. Makes me sad.
I remember those days Misterboo. Carbons, film inspection, and hey do you remember making glue splices, where you had to use a razor blade to scrape the emulsion and butt the ends of the film together?
Curtains, single screens, double features, now your talkin my kind of language. Not this digital crap, multiplexes, etc. This is what I try to impress on these youngsters like Mr. Justin, but they grew up in a different time than us. All they know is what they have, not what they missed.
This video hits real close to home for me. My father, who passed away 17 years ago was a projectionist for over 50 years. And I myself am now in my 35th year. I am one of the last union projectionists still working in New Jersey, and as the man in the video states, for how much longer, I dont know. I doubt I’ll make it to 40 years.
JonStan, The last time I was in there was a few years back. At that time, some equipment was removed, some screens removed, and some seats removed, but for the most part, and in talking to people who have been in there since, it is still 95% intact. Just rotting away.
51 weeks at the now demolished Rivoli. We will never ever again see anything like that. And in 70MM none the less.
Another one passes on. Rest peacefully. Perhaps you will meet my dad or some of the other projectionists who have passed before you.
I remember when I cleaned the screens here back in the early 2000’s. Was a real nice place then. I agree with the above post by Ed S. that the other theatre in town they own is kind of crappy, as far as screen size, parking etc. But as he said, thats the Dolans. I had first hand expierience with their stupidity.
MikeRogers, I couldn’t agree with you more. As the last union projectionist left working here in Jersey, I loved those days of the old huge singles and twins, when movies still sold out 6 to 8 weeks after opening. I work in a 10-plex today and after 1 week the movies are dead. Its been a long 35 year run for me, and I must say, the old days were the best.
I must say I agree with just about everyone above. I work for an independant theatre owner, and I could see it was slower than usual this summer. I think all the above points about product, price etc are valid, price especially. Look at RickWolfe. Business UP. Maybe its because many people are in the same situation as myself and my wife (who has been unemployed most of the year). You make a choice as to pay the mortgage, or spend $80.00 when all is said and done to see a crappy movie, in a crappy theatre, with crappy projection. Im just sayin.
And WHY is it that they insist on making all the kids movies in 3D?? Little kids who go to see “Toy Story” or any movie like that could care less about 3D and wearing glasses. They want to see Woody and Buzz. And if were subjecting these small kids to 3D, the next generation will be nothing but a bunch of cross-eyed folks ALL wearing glasses just to see straight.
I could have told you this was coming. To those who INSIST Film is dead, better wait just a while longer.
Open in 87 and closed in 2008. A very short shelf life indeed.
I love it when I hear all these horror stories about shoddy projection. When Clearview got rid of the unions in 2004 (myself included) that was the last time you had a chance of seeing the picture come up “in frame” or not half on the floor. Sounds to me like the kids had a scope aperture with a flat lens. But sadly, as mentioned above, the good ol days are gone forever. At least I worked in the business when projectionists were respected, not like today where I’m looked at as a liability.
We visit relatives every year in Ohio and pass Warren. Will definitly have to check it out. And stay around for another 60.
I remember when this opened at the Planfield Drive-In listed above. The movie played on the indoor and outdoor screens. UA was big on that up till the time they twinned the indoor. The crowds were so huge that Oak Tree Road, a two lane road with no shoulders had to be closed on several occasions because of the people entering and exiting. This went on for almost a month. Something I believe we will never see again.
Whats this I read? Mr Fencsak wishing for film instead of digital? Oh finally, at last, he has seen the light. You dont know how happy that makes me Justin. I am a film man and have been for over 34 years. I wish 70MM would come back, but I guess I really going out on a limb for that one.
The 2760 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth New Jersey has been listed on there for about a year. Completely renovated (except the stage area rigging). $3.8 million
As i seem to recall, this theatre in its early days ran adult movies.