You would be wise to just call around to the different theatres in the area and see what type of response you get. I know the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. has been undergoing renovations for about 3 years now. I don’t know if and when they will be re-doing the stagehouse, but a call won’t hurt. Also, the Count Basie in Red Bank N.J. will be closing this summer for renovations. Again, I don’t know if the stagehouse is being done over, but a call won’t hurt. Hope this helps you out. Mayo Center in Morristown, and Union County Arts Center in Rahway are also other good bets.
I passed this place on Sunday May 4, 2008 on my way back from Red Bank. There is a large roll off container next to the lobby portion of the building. Wonder whats going on???
Sounds like a very interesting place. Movies, concerts and a weekend drive-in sure sounds multi-purpose to me. Perhaps this is something that could take off in other parts of the country, maybe even here in New Jersey.
If it were up to me, build up of ANY print would be banned Steve. Call me old fashioned, but give me 20 minute reel-to-reel changeovers any day. If i’m out of touch, than so be it!!!
Sounds like the same situation we have here in New Jersey. NA’s old Amboys Multiplex, where I worked as a projectionist for years, closed in 2005, when the floor in the lobby sank. It is still standing, all boarded up. And in 2006 NA closed the All-Jersey Multiplex near Newark airport, and it too sits all boarded up. The only thing these two buildings are see now are the graffitti artists, who do their thing, then NA has someone come and whitewash the buildings again. One final note, Amboys opened in 1979, was 14 screens at the end, All-Jersey opened in 1991 as 12 and closed as 12.
One more thing Geo, all your ideas are great ones, some maybe better than others, but I give you all the credit in the world for being innovative, and thinking both inside and outside the box. I just wanted to let you know that.
Yes I did drift off. The biggest problem I had was…money, which as you and many others stated is going to be the problem with the Kings. But, what we have in our corner now is interest, both private and political, at least local politicals. And thats all we need right now to at least dream.
To Geo1…the solid plan and good financial backing says it all. I agree 150%. (as a side note, I too wanted to buy a theatre years ago, and also had one drawn up, but…)
and to TonyM, Thanks, I guess when Loews abandoned it 30 years ago, they took the projectors so they could use them at other locations. Its a shame.
And finally, that the deadline has been extended cant be bad news, so lets all hope.
I did question the projection booth, not so much for the day-to-day running of films, but as you suggested, and I have seen done, to promote multi-funtion use of the space. Being a projectionist and stagehand in a number of venues here in N.J., I can tell you that if the area is thriveing, and there is nearby parking, which there is, than there is no reason why stage shows, such as “Dora” or “Diego” or a symphany, or a weekend film festival, (see Loews Jersey) could not get fannies in the seats. Its all about how its run. And yes, while I agree the economy stinks right now, if a non-profit was formed, than grants and corporations could then be had for $$$$ and the Kings could be on its way back to glory. The most important thing is that it is not lost to the wrecking ball, as so many others have.
I wish some photos of the projection room could have been taken. As a projectionist of almost 33 years, I’m curious if the projectors are still there. My dad told me years ago that in this theatre, there were 3 projectors, instead of the usual 2. I don’t know if anyone could confirm this. And probably, if everything is still there, the old carbon arc lamps are there as well.
In a few years, when the Nets basketball team moves in, Brooklyn will be jumpin. You all see those photos from a few weeks ago. Its sad, the amount of water damage to this place. I’m from central Jersey, and even I agree, FIX the damn thing. It cant be lost. If it is run right, you’ll get the butts in the seats. This place has potential that hasn’t even been thought of yet. It has to be saved.
Well Ziegfeld Man, you got me. I can say I agree with all of your above points. (and yes, I still do have my extensive vinyl collection too.) I do wish, like you, that more revival houses would sprout up. We need to keep the great memories of yesterdays great films alive, in theatres where they should be. As you said, right now, our only choice is DVD or Turner Classic Movies, which at least respects the classics, and shows them as they should be, uncut, Cinemascope, etc., unlike AMC which butchers em to hell.
This now closed and rotting hulk, along with its sister companion, the also closed and rotting Amboys Multiplex in Sayreville, N.J. should be demolished. It is a haven for graffitti taggers.
Sounds a lot like the nit-wit I worked for, for Clearview. Always had perfect secret shopper scores for projection, but he just HAD to get rid of the union. So he brings in 2 guys who cost 50% more an hour than me, and couldn’t even thread the right movie each show. I just LOVE those pencil pushers!!!
I’m glad that the picture looked great, but I still prefer FILM over digital, sorry. I can’t see how you call it a FILM, when thers no FILM involved. But by all means continue to enjoy your classics.
This theatre was supposedly the first Jerry Lewis built in New Jersey back in the early 70’s. It was located on Route 206 and Andrea Ave. It lasted until the mid 90’s. The owner of this theatre now owns the Hillsborough 10-plex about a mile south on Rte. 206. They had a great concept, these Jerry Lewis Cinemas, I think they just expanded too fast, and also caught the downturn in the movie business at that time, the early 70’s. I know this is what happened to the Jerry Lewis Twin in Carteret N.J.
Probably like everything else, the land got expensive, and somebody is going to build condo’s or stores. Why else would it close? Oh, I forgot, everyone wants to see movies in “digital projection” now at the sheetrock multiplex near you.
You would be wise to just call around to the different theatres in the area and see what type of response you get. I know the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. has been undergoing renovations for about 3 years now. I don’t know if and when they will be re-doing the stagehouse, but a call won’t hurt. Also, the Count Basie in Red Bank N.J. will be closing this summer for renovations. Again, I don’t know if the stagehouse is being done over, but a call won’t hurt. Hope this helps you out. Mayo Center in Morristown, and Union County Arts Center in Rahway are also other good bets.
I passed this place on Sunday May 4, 2008 on my way back from Red Bank. There is a large roll off container next to the lobby portion of the building. Wonder whats going on???
Too true Patsy, too true.
Another one bites the dust. Sad.
Sounds like a very interesting place. Movies, concerts and a weekend drive-in sure sounds multi-purpose to me. Perhaps this is something that could take off in other parts of the country, maybe even here in New Jersey.
If it were up to me, build up of ANY print would be banned Steve. Call me old fashioned, but give me 20 minute reel-to-reel changeovers any day. If i’m out of touch, than so be it!!!
Sounds like the same situation we have here in New Jersey. NA’s old Amboys Multiplex, where I worked as a projectionist for years, closed in 2005, when the floor in the lobby sank. It is still standing, all boarded up. And in 2006 NA closed the All-Jersey Multiplex near Newark airport, and it too sits all boarded up. The only thing these two buildings are see now are the graffitti artists, who do their thing, then NA has someone come and whitewash the buildings again. One final note, Amboys opened in 1979, was 14 screens at the end, All-Jersey opened in 1991 as 12 and closed as 12.
One more thing Geo, all your ideas are great ones, some maybe better than others, but I give you all the credit in the world for being innovative, and thinking both inside and outside the box. I just wanted to let you know that.
Hi Geo,
Yes I did drift off. The biggest problem I had was…money, which as you and many others stated is going to be the problem with the Kings. But, what we have in our corner now is interest, both private and political, at least local politicals. And thats all we need right now to at least dream.
Surprised National hasn’t put up multiplex yet…its only a matter of time.
To Geo1…the solid plan and good financial backing says it all. I agree 150%. (as a side note, I too wanted to buy a theatre years ago, and also had one drawn up, but…)
and to TonyM, Thanks, I guess when Loews abandoned it 30 years ago, they took the projectors so they could use them at other locations. Its a shame.
And finally, that the deadline has been extended cant be bad news, so lets all hope.
Good day Geo1
I did question the projection booth, not so much for the day-to-day running of films, but as you suggested, and I have seen done, to promote multi-funtion use of the space. Being a projectionist and stagehand in a number of venues here in N.J., I can tell you that if the area is thriveing, and there is nearby parking, which there is, than there is no reason why stage shows, such as “Dora” or “Diego” or a symphany, or a weekend film festival, (see Loews Jersey) could not get fannies in the seats. Its all about how its run. And yes, while I agree the economy stinks right now, if a non-profit was formed, than grants and corporations could then be had for $$$$ and the Kings could be on its way back to glory. The most important thing is that it is not lost to the wrecking ball, as so many others have.
I wish some photos of the projection room could have been taken. As a projectionist of almost 33 years, I’m curious if the projectors are still there. My dad told me years ago that in this theatre, there were 3 projectors, instead of the usual 2. I don’t know if anyone could confirm this. And probably, if everything is still there, the old carbon arc lamps are there as well.
In a few years, when the Nets basketball team moves in, Brooklyn will be jumpin. You all see those photos from a few weeks ago. Its sad, the amount of water damage to this place. I’m from central Jersey, and even I agree, FIX the damn thing. It cant be lost. If it is run right, you’ll get the butts in the seats. This place has potential that hasn’t even been thought of yet. It has to be saved.
Hey Life, by devastated, do you mean gutted and stripped to the walls on the inside?
I wish them luck. Anytime someone can attempt to save another treasure, they get credit. I hope it works out.
Well Ziegfeld Man, you got me. I can say I agree with all of your above points. (and yes, I still do have my extensive vinyl collection too.) I do wish, like you, that more revival houses would sprout up. We need to keep the great memories of yesterdays great films alive, in theatres where they should be. As you said, right now, our only choice is DVD or Turner Classic Movies, which at least respects the classics, and shows them as they should be, uncut, Cinemascope, etc., unlike AMC which butchers em to hell.
This now closed and rotting hulk, along with its sister companion, the also closed and rotting Amboys Multiplex in Sayreville, N.J. should be demolished. It is a haven for graffitti taggers.
Sounds a lot like the nit-wit I worked for, for Clearview. Always had perfect secret shopper scores for projection, but he just HAD to get rid of the union. So he brings in 2 guys who cost 50% more an hour than me, and couldn’t even thread the right movie each show. I just LOVE those pencil pushers!!!
The theatre is listed on CT as the Five Points Theatre with its own posts.
I could not find another post. Theatre should have an ‘also known as’ 5 points twin cinema.
I’m glad that the picture looked great, but I still prefer FILM over digital, sorry. I can’t see how you call it a FILM, when thers no FILM involved. But by all means continue to enjoy your classics.
This theatre may also have a seperate listing on CT as the 5 points Cinema, with several posts as well.
This theatre was supposedly the first Jerry Lewis built in New Jersey back in the early 70’s. It was located on Route 206 and Andrea Ave. It lasted until the mid 90’s. The owner of this theatre now owns the Hillsborough 10-plex about a mile south on Rte. 206. They had a great concept, these Jerry Lewis Cinemas, I think they just expanded too fast, and also caught the downturn in the movie business at that time, the early 70’s. I know this is what happened to the Jerry Lewis Twin in Carteret N.J.
Probably like everything else, the land got expensive, and somebody is going to build condo’s or stores. Why else would it close? Oh, I forgot, everyone wants to see movies in “digital projection” now at the sheetrock multiplex near you.