That would have been nice here to. But remember, I think the people in Michigan might care a little bit more about their treasures than most people in New York do. Look at the Loews Kings in Brooklyn. Its sitting there for over 30 years empty, yet except for those of us on this forum, nobody else cares. Thats the biggest reason these places get demolished or converted in the first place.
This theatre, when twinned many years ago actually turned out nice. The original balcony was one theatre and the orchestra was the other. That meant each theatre had a nice large screen. In its later years it was a little fray around the edges, but still in good shape. Its too bad everyone has the “twins cant make money anymore” attitude. Another treasure bites the dust.
and later on the Rivoli and the State. And the list goes on and on. For as big a city as New York is, they had no desire whatsoever to save anything old and historic, like say Chicago or St. Louis, or Oakland CA. In New York it was always out with the old, in with the new. Heck if it wasn’t for some last minute miracle, Radio City would have bit the dust in the late 70’s.
Beg your pardon there MikeRa, I assume since you work for AMC you are a non-union projectionist, I mean operator, but when I ran 70mm IMAX my theatres had complete digital sound. But as JodarMovieFan pointed out, everyone has been warned. And yes I am a UNION projectionist who has almost 34 years in the business.
Exactly 17 years ago today, I as the the last projectionist, along with my partner Ed H. turned over the keys to the mall owners, after a month of stripping and gutting and removing whatever General Cinema wanted. The following week the demolishon began. I walked out of this place at 3:30 p.m. for the final time.
Another year gone by, and this grand palace continues to sit empty, except for the occasional spanish show. Maybe 2009 will see it reborn, with classic film programs, traveling broadway road shows, synphonys, and other great family entertainment. One can only hope and pray…
Another one bites the dust. Its funny how after Franks got hold of all these south Jersey shoe theatre from Hunts, that they all just went to hell. This one, the Shore Twin, Casino, Blaker, Ocean Twin all in Wildwood, gone. And from different comments elsewhere on CT, the Ventnor Twin looks to be a goner too. I remember even into the mid 90’s, all these theatres would be doing huge business during the summers. What a shame.
Looks can be deceiving. From the photo, it looks like its in a nice little shopping plaza. And I love the “Plaza” sign on the front. Its a shame because it really reminds me of how a movie theatre looked, with the outside boxoffice, fancy sign, etc. I just hope somehow it can be reopened, and not turned into a gym or some other worthless piece of retail.
Yup,quality non-union projection at its best. You should have asked the guy popping the popcorn to fix the focus, since he was probably the same person running the booth. AMC at its best. Maybe we can start calling them ‘American Mutilation Cinemas’.
And John J Fink, don’t forget another treasure that HAS been restored and just sits, the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, N.J. I have been trying now for almost 3 years to get some classic movies going there. I got them a 17 X 39 foot screen, which was only 6 months old at the time, a dolby cp-55 sound rack with amps, carbon arc lamphouses, all I need is cash to put it all together. But now the place is for sale, so who knows.
Happy Holidays.
I agree Cinemark. You and I have gone back and forth on this for a while now. I have nothing against Justin, he’s a good patron of our industry, and I applaud him for that. But he does not work in the industry, and as a projectionist for almost 34 years, I can tell you, been there, done that. I have not run or seen digital IMAX (dietmax as you so apptly put it) but I have not heard one good thing yet. When I ran the IMAX at White plains N.Y. in 2004, it blew me away. Imax will destroy itself, like you said. Give it a few years.
Happy Holidays.
If they start construction on the first monday in January, the 5th, then it is possible to have the IMAX going on the 23rd. When I was involved with the one in White Plains N.Y., it took a little over 3 weeks, and that was only because of the problem of how to get the MPX projector, which was HUGE, up 5 stories. The screen and speaker conversions take about a week, and another week to integrate all the existing and new projection systems together.
I still would rather see them get 15/70 IMAX, but I know the whole world is ga-ga over this digital crap, so be it. Enjoy your new IMAX when you get it.
Recent news being posted on CT has a major redevelopement going on in this town to include an entertainment complex. Heres all the complex you need. NOTHING they build will even come close to matching this. Just check out Bob’s photos above from Feb 6, 2008.
If the Fabian is still standing, why not just try to convert IT to a multi-use facility. All your going to get out of this new constuction is a sheetrock multiplex, with broom closet sizes theatres. One look at the Fabian on its CT site will show you a true cinema treasure, (in need of TLC)
Exactly what I said too longislandmovies. I wish you could talk to the owners of the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. Heres a treasure waiting to be used, but the owners just sit on it. And everyone tells me they have to be non-profit. I tell them why dont they just open, advertise, and maybe it can function. I’m also happy to hear your triplex out grosses these big sheetrock multiplexes. I always said give me a good 2, 3, or 4 screen theatre, and it will make money.
As someone who lives eats and will die by the theatre business, I cant help but think that this Ridgewood theatre thing is going in a bad direction. Look at whats happened around the country. Take a few years ago when the Colonial in Allentown PA. was demolished because the owner let it sit and rot since 1988. Or how about right here in New York with the Keiths in Queens. If these palaces are just allowed to sit and sit, its only a matter of time nothing good will come. I hope this one and the Kings in Brooklyn get the attention they need and deserve, and SOON.
That would have been nice here to. But remember, I think the people in Michigan might care a little bit more about their treasures than most people in New York do. Look at the Loews Kings in Brooklyn. Its sitting there for over 30 years empty, yet except for those of us on this forum, nobody else cares. Thats the biggest reason these places get demolished or converted in the first place.
It could be a nice theatre to show art and foriegn films. Usually these single screeners do well that way.
This theatre, when twinned many years ago actually turned out nice. The original balcony was one theatre and the orchestra was the other. That meant each theatre had a nice large screen. In its later years it was a little fray around the edges, but still in good shape. Its too bad everyone has the “twins cant make money anymore” attitude. Another treasure bites the dust.
Another one bites the dust. How sad.
and later on the Rivoli and the State. And the list goes on and on. For as big a city as New York is, they had no desire whatsoever to save anything old and historic, like say Chicago or St. Louis, or Oakland CA. In New York it was always out with the old, in with the new. Heck if it wasn’t for some last minute miracle, Radio City would have bit the dust in the late 70’s.
Beg your pardon there MikeRa, I assume since you work for AMC you are a non-union projectionist, I mean operator, but when I ran 70mm IMAX my theatres had complete digital sound. But as JodarMovieFan pointed out, everyone has been warned. And yes I am a UNION projectionist who has almost 34 years in the business.
The best site ever!!! Lets save more treasures in 2009.
Todays Star Ledger has it listed, and says to “please call theatre”. I guess thats it.
Exactly 17 years ago today, I as the the last projectionist, along with my partner Ed H. turned over the keys to the mall owners, after a month of stripping and gutting and removing whatever General Cinema wanted. The following week the demolishon began. I walked out of this place at 3:30 p.m. for the final time.
Another year gone by, and this grand palace continues to sit empty, except for the occasional spanish show. Maybe 2009 will see it reborn, with classic film programs, traveling broadway road shows, synphonys, and other great family entertainment. One can only hope and pray…
Another one bites the dust. Its funny how after Franks got hold of all these south Jersey shoe theatre from Hunts, that they all just went to hell. This one, the Shore Twin, Casino, Blaker, Ocean Twin all in Wildwood, gone. And from different comments elsewhere on CT, the Ventnor Twin looks to be a goner too. I remember even into the mid 90’s, all these theatres would be doing huge business during the summers. What a shame.
Looks can be deceiving. From the photo, it looks like its in a nice little shopping plaza. And I love the “Plaza” sign on the front. Its a shame because it really reminds me of how a movie theatre looked, with the outside boxoffice, fancy sign, etc. I just hope somehow it can be reopened, and not turned into a gym or some other worthless piece of retail.
Probably the they do everything else…like crap.
Yup,quality non-union projection at its best. You should have asked the guy popping the popcorn to fix the focus, since he was probably the same person running the booth. AMC at its best. Maybe we can start calling them ‘American Mutilation Cinemas’.
Thank you Ross. The same to you and your staff. Lets all keep working to save more treasures in 2009.
By all means Cinemark, please, please tell us how it is.
And John J Fink, don’t forget another treasure that HAS been restored and just sits, the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, N.J. I have been trying now for almost 3 years to get some classic movies going there. I got them a 17 X 39 foot screen, which was only 6 months old at the time, a dolby cp-55 sound rack with amps, carbon arc lamphouses, all I need is cash to put it all together. But now the place is for sale, so who knows.
Happy Holidays.
I agree Cinemark. You and I have gone back and forth on this for a while now. I have nothing against Justin, he’s a good patron of our industry, and I applaud him for that. But he does not work in the industry, and as a projectionist for almost 34 years, I can tell you, been there, done that. I have not run or seen digital IMAX (dietmax as you so apptly put it) but I have not heard one good thing yet. When I ran the IMAX at White plains N.Y. in 2004, it blew me away. Imax will destroy itself, like you said. Give it a few years.
Happy Holidays.
If they start construction on the first monday in January, the 5th, then it is possible to have the IMAX going on the 23rd. When I was involved with the one in White Plains N.Y., it took a little over 3 weeks, and that was only because of the problem of how to get the MPX projector, which was HUGE, up 5 stories. The screen and speaker conversions take about a week, and another week to integrate all the existing and new projection systems together.
I still would rather see them get 15/70 IMAX, but I know the whole world is ga-ga over this digital crap, so be it. Enjoy your new IMAX when you get it.
Recent news being posted on CT has a major redevelopement going on in this town to include an entertainment complex. Heres all the complex you need. NOTHING they build will even come close to matching this. Just check out Bob’s photos above from Feb 6, 2008.
If the Fabian is still standing, why not just try to convert IT to a multi-use facility. All your going to get out of this new constuction is a sheetrock multiplex, with broom closet sizes theatres. One look at the Fabian on its CT site will show you a true cinema treasure, (in need of TLC)
What a beauty. Glad to see it was saved (especially from the alternative, a parking lot).
Sounds like the second coming of National Amusements. The theatres are doing great, but all the other activities are sucking them dry.
Exactly what I said too longislandmovies. I wish you could talk to the owners of the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. Heres a treasure waiting to be used, but the owners just sit on it. And everyone tells me they have to be non-profit. I tell them why dont they just open, advertise, and maybe it can function. I’m also happy to hear your triplex out grosses these big sheetrock multiplexes. I always said give me a good 2, 3, or 4 screen theatre, and it will make money.
As someone who lives eats and will die by the theatre business, I cant help but think that this Ridgewood theatre thing is going in a bad direction. Look at whats happened around the country. Take a few years ago when the Colonial in Allentown PA. was demolished because the owner let it sit and rot since 1988. Or how about right here in New York with the Keiths in Queens. If these palaces are just allowed to sit and sit, its only a matter of time nothing good will come. I hope this one and the Kings in Brooklyn get the attention they need and deserve, and SOON.