This is how a lot of the independants in the New York Northern New Jersey area got into the business in the first place. Put your money down, and Network Cinema Corporation, the company overseeing the franchises guided you along. The problem was Network took the money, expanded things too fast and poof!! by 1974 they were history. Then the mom and pops were free to rename the theatres whatever they wanted.
Drove by today, and I can now offically say, that this no longer looks anything like a movie theatre. A classy building when it opened in 1964, that stayed that way, even after twinning, is now a mish-mosh of plaster, stone, windows, all jammed together. Its going to be a bunch of little resturants and shops. All I can say is it looks like crap.
An article in todays Star-Ledger talks of the theatres reopening. They are doing a childrens show in June. It also speaks of them wanting to run films again. I wonder who they will get to do the old carbon arcs and change-overs? I’m one of the few, if not the only person left in this area who knows how to do that. And I did work in this venue prior to the current owners.
Don’t get me wrong longislandmovies, I hope the summer will be big as well, since I work for an independant theatre owner. All I’m saying is that in the 70’s when I started, movies would run ALL summer, now they come out, and for the most part one, two weeks and it off to the next flavor of the month. I just don’t care for todays movie business, that’s all. Give me the old days.
Hey Justin, FYI, I run digital where I work, along with 35MM. There is NO art to running digital. Its a computer and all you do is push a button. Any idiot can do that. I want to see someone make reel-toreel changeovers like I use to. THAT"S an art.
I want to see this. Like they are really going to save one of the movie theatres screens, RIGHT. Just what the area needs, another hotel. Screw the hotel, save the theatre!!!!
Here in New Jersey, we had several Jerry Lewis Cinemas. One was a twin, where my father was a projectionist, that seated 300 in each theatre. This was in Carteret. The others were all single screens, in Hillsborough, Union, Freehold, and Kinnelon. All were opened between 1970 and 1972. And as was stated above on Aug 11, 2007, that was the basic policy of these theatres.
To MBD from March 25, 2009, at least when I’m there they get a great presentation. Thats what 34 years or expierience will get you.
On another note, I was just informed that the last movie “Pretty in Pink” will now be a DVD. Why dont they just call it a DVD festival and be done with it.
In todays Star Ledger, there is an article about a gentleman who purchased this theatre for 2 million dollars and wants to bring it back to its former glory. He said however that he is not against putting all retail in it if his plans for a theatre fall through.
Tonight, Thursday at 10pm on MSG Network, there is a 1 hour special on the restoration of this beauty. Should make for interesting viewing. I’ll be watching.
3D, Digital projection, motion seats. Why dont we just build a freakin amusement park in the lobby. Movies are getting so far away from what they use to be, its making people like me just want to stay home.
You just watch. I keep telling people this whole 3D thing is going to be a flash-in-the-pan. Already the cost of glasses is an issue. It wont stop there, trust me. Give me that old reliable 35mm (or 70MM) anytime. (Man I’m getting tired of having to repeat that)
Yippie, everyone just cant wait to eliminate film. Well, I just started doing digital at the theatre I work at this past week. If thats the future of movies, then I’m done (and not only because I wont have a job), but because you can have it. Its too bright, too antiseptic for my taste, and the colors dont seem life like. As I’ve said many, many times, give me good old 35 or 70 MM and THAT’S how movies should be!!!
Bravo to a_projectionist!!! He hit the nail sqaurely on the head. This has been my gripe for years. Before you were a showman, now we are just button pushers. All the joy is gone. And this past weekend, I ran my very first digital projector. Now I dont want to sound anti-digital, but its too bright, too antiseptic for me. And its so easy, that once the conversions are done, what few projectionists are left will be gone for good. I’m sure many of the folks on this site will agree with me. 2 projectors and changeovers. The way FILMS were meant to be shown, by true movie professionals.
This is how a lot of the independants in the New York Northern New Jersey area got into the business in the first place. Put your money down, and Network Cinema Corporation, the company overseeing the franchises guided you along. The problem was Network took the money, expanded things too fast and poof!! by 1974 they were history. Then the mom and pops were free to rename the theatres whatever they wanted.
Just gonna be more theatres that AMC will screw up.
Drove by today, and I can now offically say, that this no longer looks anything like a movie theatre. A classy building when it opened in 1964, that stayed that way, even after twinning, is now a mish-mosh of plaster, stone, windows, all jammed together. Its going to be a bunch of little resturants and shops. All I can say is it looks like crap.
Many, many times, Marilyn Chambers would grace the giant screen. RIP Marilyn, you will be missed.
An article in todays Star-Ledger talks of the theatres reopening. They are doing a childrens show in June. It also speaks of them wanting to run films again. I wonder who they will get to do the old carbon arcs and change-overs? I’m one of the few, if not the only person left in this area who knows how to do that. And I did work in this venue prior to the current owners.
Don’t get me wrong longislandmovies, I hope the summer will be big as well, since I work for an independant theatre owner. All I’m saying is that in the 70’s when I started, movies would run ALL summer, now they come out, and for the most part one, two weeks and it off to the next flavor of the month. I just don’t care for todays movie business, that’s all. Give me the old days.
Oh yeah, Summer, when the action heats up. The season of one week, maybe 2, and done. Some action.
Hey Justin, FYI, I run digital where I work, along with 35MM. There is NO art to running digital. Its a computer and all you do is push a button. Any idiot can do that. I want to see someone make reel-toreel changeovers like I use to. THAT"S an art.
I want to see this. Like they are really going to save one of the movie theatres screens, RIGHT. Just what the area needs, another hotel. Screw the hotel, save the theatre!!!!
Here in New Jersey, we had several Jerry Lewis Cinemas. One was a twin, where my father was a projectionist, that seated 300 in each theatre. This was in Carteret. The others were all single screens, in Hillsborough, Union, Freehold, and Kinnelon. All were opened between 1970 and 1972. And as was stated above on Aug 11, 2007, that was the basic policy of these theatres.
You got that right MPol.
To MBD from March 25, 2009, at least when I’m there they get a great presentation. Thats what 34 years or expierience will get you.
On another note, I was just informed that the last movie “Pretty in Pink” will now be a DVD. Why dont they just call it a DVD festival and be done with it.
Sweet!!! We need many more, many more. Espescially up here in the northeast.
In todays Star Ledger, there is an article about a gentleman who purchased this theatre for 2 million dollars and wants to bring it back to its former glory. He said however that he is not against putting all retail in it if his plans for a theatre fall through.
It shows him standing under the marquee.
Tonight, Thursday at 10pm on MSG Network, there is a 1 hour special on the restoration of this beauty. Should make for interesting viewing. I’ll be watching.
3D, Digital projection, motion seats. Why dont we just build a freakin amusement park in the lobby. Movies are getting so far away from what they use to be, its making people like me just want to stay home.
This is a shame. Its too bad it couldn’t have been saved like the Ritz in Elizabeth.
We need more people like this. Bring back the drive-in!!!
You just watch. I keep telling people this whole 3D thing is going to be a flash-in-the-pan. Already the cost of glasses is an issue. It wont stop there, trust me. Give me that old reliable 35mm (or 70MM) anytime. (Man I’m getting tired of having to repeat that)
This theatre did great business with mainstream movies when I was the projectionist between 1980 to 1983, prior to it being sold.
Slowly crumbling…
Yippie, everyone just cant wait to eliminate film. Well, I just started doing digital at the theatre I work at this past week. If thats the future of movies, then I’m done (and not only because I wont have a job), but because you can have it. Its too bright, too antiseptic for my taste, and the colors dont seem life like. As I’ve said many, many times, give me good old 35 or 70 MM and THAT’S how movies should be!!!
Its sad how money seems to ruin people. They have a good thing and somehow greed takes over. Amazing.
That sound you hear is the once mighty Redstone empire slowly crumbling away.
Bravo to a_projectionist!!! He hit the nail sqaurely on the head. This has been my gripe for years. Before you were a showman, now we are just button pushers. All the joy is gone. And this past weekend, I ran my very first digital projector. Now I dont want to sound anti-digital, but its too bright, too antiseptic for me. And its so easy, that once the conversions are done, what few projectionists are left will be gone for good. I’m sure many of the folks on this site will agree with me. 2 projectors and changeovers. The way FILMS were meant to be shown, by true movie professionals.