What a novel idea!!! Now I’ll be able to go to my local cinema and pay some inflated ticket price, to watch the same thing I can watch at home. And at home, I can do it by my fireplace. All I get in the theatre is rowdy kids running around. As Ken Layton, and CinemarkFan said, the little guy will be toast, and as a long time projectionist, give me 70MM anytime. That had superior picture and sound, long before all this digital projection and even digital sound was even thought of.
I have to give you an A++++ CinemarkFan, you really did your homework. If you could get a groundswell behind you, some of us old time union projectionists might actually enjoy running movies again, instead of being relagated to a sheetrock multiplex, as is the case these days.
Everyone just take a deep breath and calm down. Its funny how much energy can be put into these blogs, now if you all worked together and put this much energy into making the theatre the best it can be…well now you would be on to something.
Showmanship…something I have been all about for all of my 33 years…taught to me by my father, an IA projectionist for over 55 years, before his passing 15 years ago. Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever need help here in Jersey, let me know. My projection booths have been known to be as clean as a hospital ward.
Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever want to get into the Jersey market, the 2772 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, N.J. is for sale after a real estate mogul remodeled it. The arch opening is 50 feet. Can you imagine a 70MM film in a place like that. I can. I hope someone takes the place over, and maybe who knows…they might want a 50 year old union projectionist to run something like that.
The only problem danpetitpas is that the art and indys will have to convert as well. And even worse, some companies now say they will not replace 35MM prints of older movies that do reportory houses. If this thing catches on like they hope, there will be no trace of film anywhere ever again.
Well CinemarkFan, someone finally says the same thing I have for over a year now. I’ve been running 35MM for 33 years now, and up till the end of the 80’s, 70MM as well. I see nothing wrong with how things have been, but as you and danpetitpas point out, its all about the money, and putting the last of us union projectionists out on the streets. Time will tell if this digital thing will be the end-all-be-all. Some of us have our doubts.
The above heading should be updated. It now goes under the name of Movie City 8 and is now independently owned. Clearview gave this up over 3 years ago. Also, the main fare now is mostly Indian Movies.
The 8 screen Movie City in Edison N.J. shows mostly Indian movies now, especially since private ownership took it over about 3 years ago. Nowadays, you see maybe 1 or 2 mainstream movies, and the other 6 screens play Indian movies. Also what helps is the large Indian population in the 2 to 3 square mile area around this theatre.
Ah yes, another of those rare 70MM films I had the privilige of doing at the old GCC Menlo Park Twin. Its hard to belive its been 25 years already, but then again, its been almost 17 years since that grand old palace was demolished.
I could not have said it better myself. I am about 8 years older than you, love movies, (born 1959), and my first Paul Newman movie was the above mentioned “Butch Cassidy”. When my dad was working those old grindhouses in the early 70’s, I remember one movie it seemed we always played was “Cool Hand Luke”. After that I was hooked on Newman. I agree with you about the future as well. Time will tell.
Great job. What history. I did notice however, that it appears the duration of the runs appear to be shorter than in parts 1 & 2. I did not see the 50, 60, 70 week runs as we did earlier. Still it had to be great to be able to expierience this in a large venue, with a giant bigger than life screen.
Any news from the article posted here on CT Aug 15, about this place being saved or demolished? It would be a shame to see this or the Beach 4 in Cape May destroyed. I remember in my youth when theatres dotted the shore from Long Branch to Cape May. Now you could probably count on 2 hands the remaining buildings, and this one in Ventnor is a nice place. I was there many years ago.
That’s the whole problem with movies today Warren. Nothing fits into todays mode of distribution other than blow out 5000 prints, get 2 weeks out of it, and off to DVD land we go. Maybe all these loser corporate dudes can take a lesson from all of us here on CT. “Anything old can be new again.” Wouldn’t that be something.
I work for an independent here in New Jersey. We discuss this all the time. In the old days, (for me 1970’s and up) movies played on various runs, first, sub, dollar house etc. You would get double features at the dollar houses. Video was only Beta and VHS and not very popular. There were no computers or internet. Movies did not open on 4000 screens like they do today. The shelf life was longer for a film, it could and would return to your local cinema again, and people did not have all the other forces to keep them home like they do now (internet, cable, satellite etc). When my dad was still alive he dreamed of owning a movie theatre. I’m glad we never did, seeing how the business is today. Give it a few more years and the remaining indy’s will be pressed even harder to survive.
I remember the summer of 1984, saw “Ghostbusters” here, I think one of the last years it was a single. Twinned for the following summer, if memory serves me.
One slight correction. The theatre only failed to make its last payroll. It would have closed without the cash, but it did not close as stated above. Also, this theatre may be on its last legs anyway, because the city of Newark might try to get the land redevloped again. I wish someone could do something to save the Adams and Paramount theatres in downtown, both of which have been closed for at least 15 years.
As I said in parts 1 & 2, look at some of those runs, 37, 52, 73 weeks. Amazing!!! Try getting that in todays multiplex world. Those were truely great times in the industry.
I remember camping on the banks of the delaware river in this town in 1987. I went by this theatre, meant to go in, but never did. If I ever get my camper out and go back up there, I’ll be sure to see it.
Hey saps, when the theatre I worked at a few years back was converted to IMAX, the screen was only marginally bigger than the original 35MM screen, however, they moved the screen about 30 feet closer to the audience, so it appeared to be bigger, and of course, they felt like they in the movie.
What a novel idea!!! Now I’ll be able to go to my local cinema and pay some inflated ticket price, to watch the same thing I can watch at home. And at home, I can do it by my fireplace. All I get in the theatre is rowdy kids running around. As Ken Layton, and CinemarkFan said, the little guy will be toast, and as a long time projectionist, give me 70MM anytime. That had superior picture and sound, long before all this digital projection and even digital sound was even thought of.
I have to give you an A++++ CinemarkFan, you really did your homework. If you could get a groundswell behind you, some of us old time union projectionists might actually enjoy running movies again, instead of being relagated to a sheetrock multiplex, as is the case these days.
Everyone just take a deep breath and calm down. Its funny how much energy can be put into these blogs, now if you all worked together and put this much energy into making the theatre the best it can be…well now you would be on to something.
Showmanship…something I have been all about for all of my 33 years…taught to me by my father, an IA projectionist for over 55 years, before his passing 15 years ago. Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever need help here in Jersey, let me know. My projection booths have been known to be as clean as a hospital ward.
Forgot to mention, CinemarkFan, I like your choice of equipment. I ran Century JJ2 35/70MM projectors back in the 80’s and very early 90’s.
Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever want to get into the Jersey market, the 2772 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, N.J. is for sale after a real estate mogul remodeled it. The arch opening is 50 feet. Can you imagine a 70MM film in a place like that. I can. I hope someone takes the place over, and maybe who knows…they might want a 50 year old union projectionist to run something like that.
Here, here !!!!!!!
The only problem danpetitpas is that the art and indys will have to convert as well. And even worse, some companies now say they will not replace 35MM prints of older movies that do reportory houses. If this thing catches on like they hope, there will be no trace of film anywhere ever again.
After 30 years of neglect, what else can we expect? Another one bites the dust. Truely sad.
Well CinemarkFan, someone finally says the same thing I have for over a year now. I’ve been running 35MM for 33 years now, and up till the end of the 80’s, 70MM as well. I see nothing wrong with how things have been, but as you and danpetitpas point out, its all about the money, and putting the last of us union projectionists out on the streets. Time will tell if this digital thing will be the end-all-be-all. Some of us have our doubts.
Lets all hope it can keep going. 400 seats or 4000 seats, these treasures must find a way to survive.
The above heading should be updated. It now goes under the name of Movie City 8 and is now independently owned. Clearview gave this up over 3 years ago. Also, the main fare now is mostly Indian Movies.
The 8 screen Movie City in Edison N.J. shows mostly Indian movies now, especially since private ownership took it over about 3 years ago. Nowadays, you see maybe 1 or 2 mainstream movies, and the other 6 screens play Indian movies. Also what helps is the large Indian population in the 2 to 3 square mile area around this theatre.
Ah yes, another of those rare 70MM films I had the privilige of doing at the old GCC Menlo Park Twin. Its hard to belive its been 25 years already, but then again, its been almost 17 years since that grand old palace was demolished.
I could not have said it better myself. I am about 8 years older than you, love movies, (born 1959), and my first Paul Newman movie was the above mentioned “Butch Cassidy”. When my dad was working those old grindhouses in the early 70’s, I remember one movie it seemed we always played was “Cool Hand Luke”. After that I was hooked on Newman. I agree with you about the future as well. Time will tell.
Great job. What history. I did notice however, that it appears the duration of the runs appear to be shorter than in parts 1 & 2. I did not see the 50, 60, 70 week runs as we did earlier. Still it had to be great to be able to expierience this in a large venue, with a giant bigger than life screen.
Any news from the article posted here on CT Aug 15, about this place being saved or demolished? It would be a shame to see this or the Beach 4 in Cape May destroyed. I remember in my youth when theatres dotted the shore from Long Branch to Cape May. Now you could probably count on 2 hands the remaining buildings, and this one in Ventnor is a nice place. I was there many years ago.
That’s the whole problem with movies today Warren. Nothing fits into todays mode of distribution other than blow out 5000 prints, get 2 weeks out of it, and off to DVD land we go. Maybe all these loser corporate dudes can take a lesson from all of us here on CT. “Anything old can be new again.” Wouldn’t that be something.
I work for an independent here in New Jersey. We discuss this all the time. In the old days, (for me 1970’s and up) movies played on various runs, first, sub, dollar house etc. You would get double features at the dollar houses. Video was only Beta and VHS and not very popular. There were no computers or internet. Movies did not open on 4000 screens like they do today. The shelf life was longer for a film, it could and would return to your local cinema again, and people did not have all the other forces to keep them home like they do now (internet, cable, satellite etc). When my dad was still alive he dreamed of owning a movie theatre. I’m glad we never did, seeing how the business is today. Give it a few more years and the remaining indy’s will be pressed even harder to survive.
I remember the summer of 1984, saw “Ghostbusters” here, I think one of the last years it was a single. Twinned for the following summer, if memory serves me.
Yep, another gets demolished for pavement. When will it end???
One slight correction. The theatre only failed to make its last payroll. It would have closed without the cash, but it did not close as stated above. Also, this theatre may be on its last legs anyway, because the city of Newark might try to get the land redevloped again. I wish someone could do something to save the Adams and Paramount theatres in downtown, both of which have been closed for at least 15 years.
As I said in parts 1 & 2, look at some of those runs, 37, 52, 73 weeks. Amazing!!! Try getting that in todays multiplex world. Those were truely great times in the industry.
I remember camping on the banks of the delaware river in this town in 1987. I went by this theatre, meant to go in, but never did. If I ever get my camper out and go back up there, I’ll be sure to see it.
Hey saps, when the theatre I worked at a few years back was converted to IMAX, the screen was only marginally bigger than the original 35MM screen, however, they moved the screen about 30 feet closer to the audience, so it appeared to be bigger, and of course, they felt like they in the movie.