Amboy Multiplex Cinemas
US Highway 9 and State Route 35,
Sayreville,
NJ
08872
US Highway 9 and State Route 35,
Sayreville,
NJ
08872
14 people
favorited this theater
Showing 101 - 125 of 228 comments
Damn I kind of feel left out. Like if I waited too long. Give me about a week and I’ll let you know about the status of the theatre. I probably went to the that theatre numerous times as a kid I can remember. When you go through the main doors, to the left was like the arcade stuff, movie poster things. To the right was the Counter to buy tickets and left of it was the food stuff. When you walk straight forward, it was the area they take your ticket and you go left or right to the theatre. To the left all the way down the hall looked creepy never really look right to me. But wow how cool is it to have that job like that there in prudential center. Shit like that I love to do.
Ccano, as I said way earlier, I believe, my father and uncle were both projectionists and member of the IATSE union for many years. When I was 16 I started to apprentice to join the union, and got in in Jan 1980. I then worked full time at the job of projectionist in numerous theaters (37 different locations at last count) until digital projection finally put me out of work I’m May 2013. I am now a part time stage hand at the Prudential Center in Newark. Unfortunately there are no more jobs in projection as everything is run by computer. Should I be lucky enough to get movies going at the Brook Theatre in Bound Brook then there will be a little something there, but its gonna be a while. As I have told others like you, and its not meant in a bad way, but you just came to the party too late. And yes, let me know if you ever find out how to gain access.
Shit man, I really need to get in there, makes me sad knowing there’s so much history in there, even though it’s been 10 years. Stuff untouched, a place that was a hang out. If I find out any info on how to get in, 8@@ let you know. How can one get a job of what you did sir?
Ccano, no unfortunately nothing physical. When I was in there it was to remove 2 screens and a sound rack for the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, which unfortunately never allowed me to get either installed and I haven’t been back there since 2010. I would have loved to have one of those sound racks and projector lamphouses as I am trying to return movies to the Brook Theatre in Bound Brook. But I’m sure after 11 years of sitting in cold and dampness, the stuff probably only good for scrap now.
Meow I love all this nostalgia there is to know. Can never get enough. MarkP would yu by any chance have any memorabilia of the place, anything physical for its rememberance ? I just want to know more and more. Damn you got in there 3 years after, where can I contact those people? I want to ask them if I can just go inside, I need to see or know. When you went in, it was to remove the projectors right ?
I grew up in Woodbridge Twp. and, to me at least, this was the first multiplex I remember in the area. No disrespect to Sayreville, South Amboy, etc., but this seemed to be the only time we went south of the Raritan River.
I saw many movies here; the experience that comes to mind is when me and my friends saw one of the Nightmare on Elm Street sequels and, out of nowhere, theater staff came in during the movie, removed us from our seats, and asked for our tickets stubs in the lobby. We actually hadn’t snuck in so we were able to show them. Someone must’ve complained about us.
I haven’t had a chance to read all the comments yet, but I’m sure someone mentioned Razz-ma-tazz, the always packed arcade next door.
When Loews in New Brunswick opened in 1996 (on the site of the late, great U.S. 1 Flea Market), I thought this place was gonna suffer a quick death, but admittedly, I was wrong and this held on way longer than I expected.
Now the derelict building remains, but I’m sure it’ll be razed in time. R.I.P., Amboy Cinemas. Thanks for the memories.
Ccano, at the time I got in, Dec 2008, the theatre was still under the ownership (and probably still is) of National Amusements. They also owned the Hazlet Multiplex. When the above mentioned stuff was removed, managers from Hazlet had keys and access to the building. When Hazlet was sold to Rave, then Cinemark, the NA managers were either let go or transferred or continued to work there but access to Amboys was gone. And as far as safety, I would bet that if water is pouring in thru the a/c units the ceiling must be collapsing. I watched the original 6 being built, and helped to install the seats and some projection equipment way back in 1979. I think as you mentioned before, either the city or the realtor listed on the marquee would know how to gain access. I myself am curious what it must look like.
SNdoniB_1999 I feel the same exact way!!! – now my question for MarkP is how were you able to get in? Who gave you the access to go inside. That’s what I’m trying to figure out, someone here knows an access to go inside ??? Man I just want to look all around it. Record it, take pictures and let people know in new jersey it’s remains. Honestly, safety I’m not worried about it, I just want to be inside. Ofcourse well covered by cloths and masks. I just love that stuff and wanna do it.
@markp Well thanks for the input at least I know that someone got a chance to see it.
SNdoniB_1999, all I can tell you about the inside from the last time I was in there, Dec 2008, was at that time, 3 years after closing, there was already a strong musty smell in the theatres. The screens in theatres 8 and 14 were removed and taken to another theater. The projection room had several projectors confiscated for parts for other theatres. The sinkhole in the lobby was still there. The screen in cinema 10 has a piece cut out of it. Since then, if you drive by you can see that the a/c units have been destroyed by vandels stealing the copper, as well as the projection exhaust fans. I’m sure the place must be full of water and mold. Also the tidal surge from Sandy reached all the way up to the exit doors for cinemas 1 & 2. I don’t know if this will help you at all, but that’s about it.
And, that’s why we try to photograph even relatively plain looking multiplexes, for history’s sake! Not been here, but I do my bit elsewhere. Thank you!
Does anyone know where I can find some photos of this place but from the INSIDE ?!?!?!? I have been fascinated when this place since I was a young boy and that was back when it first closed, every time my family and I go to NJ to visit my grandma we always pass by this theater. My mom used to see many films during it’s hay day. All I want to do is to what the inside looks like so can someone please help me so I can solve this mystery that has lasted for so many years PLEASE ?!?!?
Ccano my father was a union projectionist for 55 years before retiring in Dec 1992. He passed in Oct 93. My uncle was a projectionist for 52 years passing in 1991. I knew all the projectionists in the union and visited almost all the theatres, some of which, including Amboys I ended up working in. I started to apprentice in summer 1976. The rest is history. I can remember almost all the theatres and dates I worked. Many are overlapped, meaning I may have worked more than one job a week. That was the case thru the 80’s when I worked days at the Sayrewoods adult theatre by day (which is on here and I posted a photo of that projection room) and nights at Amboys, Menlo Park or Woodbridge.
Hey man , I’m going to find out through the city what I can find out about it and see when and who I need to talk to. But believe me I don’t mind the stories, it’s all amazing stuff I can learn and know. How did you get that job ?? You’re so blessed mark for that, ugh
I myself wouldn’t mind seeing what it looks like. I helped install the seats in the original 6 cinemas way back in 1979. And as my wife says, you wouldn’t want to get me started on my stories, lol. You would need a change of clothes cause once I get going, I don’t know when to stop.
Wow Mark, I really wish I can hear more of your memories/stories. Even so I wouldn’t mind seeing pictures of those 2 cinemas. Don’t worry, you are a great person for working at amboy cinemas and being able to remember what you remember and have those memories. Hopefully I can get in contact with whom ever owns the building or keys to the pad locks and ask if. I can take pictures or videos inside, at no point do I want to vandalize or steal anything, that place is too sacred for me to do that.
Ccano, one of my biggest regrets in my 40 years as a projectionist was not having the foresight to look ahead. I thought all the theatres I worked at would be around forever. Sadly I don’t have any photos of anything Amboys. I have a few of the old Menlo Park Twin Cinema, and the Sayrewoods theatre projection room and that’s it. And I worked in probably 35 or more different theatres over the years. All I have are the memories.
Yeah I definitely hear you. Would be amazing and such a nostalgic feeling. It’s hard to see something left alone and un touched. Every single bit of into inside means something. Mark, would you have any pictures of the cinemas, anything of it doesn’t matter. Fuck man I want to go inside it now, someone has to have a key or know a way to be able to go inside with permission
I keep telling people I would like to see it return to something of its former glory. A 4 screen drive in. People tell me I’m crazy, but hey, why not? 2 large screens towards the river, 2 smaller ones by the old circle. Open it from March till end of October, It would be a gold mine. But that’s just me.
‘amboycinemaslover’ said he was there not too long ago when he put a post on Im January of 2013, i would have hoped he Might have pictures or know a way to get in?
Wow MarkP, iv been reading your comments for years now. Thanks for writing back means a lot to me. It’s so amazing how you work there for years. I passed by it not too long ago and took pictures. Really wish I can get to know more information about it and everything you know about it. It hurts me a lot to, to see that me condition it is and what its final destination will be. I really wish I can see inside it one last time & see the aspects of it. As dangerous as it could be, it’s something I want to accomplish. I want to be able to tell people I went inside it after so many years and tell them what I saw or show them.
I was in there way back in Dec 2006 to remove a screen and sound system for another theatre. The fill under the lobby eroded, possibly due to a leaking sewer line and the floor collapsed. Until the Hazlet Cinemas was taken over by Cinemark, the managers there had the keys and access to the theatre. But for many years now no one has access, and no one has a clue what it looks like. If you drive by you can see the a/c units have been stripped for the copper so I’m sure water is getting in. And the tidal surge from Sandy did reach the rear exit doors for Cinemas 1 & 2. The only thing good for this building is for it to be demolished. And it hurts me to say this as I worked there for over 20 years.
I have been reading this site for years and man im amazed for the latest news each time. For the people that know how it looks inside, how do you know that ? what company you work for that allows access into it. Because i would love to go check inside out, no matter what it takes to do so please someone give me info on how i can try to see inside it. Im very big on history and the Cinemas is close dear to me. Please and thank you.
They are still remediating the land where the theatre and retail will be sitting. They have years of clean up to do from the old national lead plant that was there. And this new theatre will be on the west side of the parkway, as you drive going south. My idea for the drive in where the current theatre sits is between routes 9 and 35, on to the east of the parkway. Could be a real money maker for 9 months of the year.
Once Regal cinemas Sayreville stadium 14 opens, Amboy Multiplex 14 will be demolish soon