I remember that night well as I was one of the projectionists working there that night. At that time we used to have 2 projectionists on each shift. Each of us would do 7 theatres, 1-7 & 8-14. “New Jack City” was playind in Cinemas 8 and 13. The melee broke out in Cinema 13, just as I was starting to thread up for the midnight show. This is probably the one incident which started Amboys eventual downward spiral.
That’s great Jon, but for us true film lovers, and old time movie palace lovers, we just can’t justify calling this new sheetrock multiplex a Cinema Treasure. Sorry.
Lets all hope and pray this one gets saved NativeForestHiller. We don’t need another one going retail or condo. Why can’t people see that reportory and performing arts is the way to go?
What I meant Rory is exactly what you said. Not too many of us are left who can make reel-to-reel changeovers. In todays cinema world, candy sellers and popcorn poppers run the show, not trained professionals. As for the era its from looking old, give me that ANY time over all this digital crap their pushing. I like the old 35mm film look. Enjoy your trip here, and your movie.
They would not have been able to get the print if they did not run it reel-to-reel, (the way ALL films should be shown). Many film companies want a signed waiver, stating that you will not platter the print. Now all you have to hope is that there is no clown in the projection room running the print, or else, so much for that new print.
Great job on the video bobosan. I’m no building expert, but I have to agree with Bob Jensen. I did not see any sort of weaknesses in those remaining walls. It looks like yet another case of would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Too late now. By the way, is this area of theatre where the screen would have been?
Although I work in the industry as an IATSE projectionist and stagehand, I wish I had money to help. But I have viewed pictures of this glorious theatre on their CT site, and please please please, somebody step in and save it. NO MORE RETAIL, SAVE THIS CINEMA TREASURE!!!!!
I find it funny how these demolition people get a nice piece of change to tear down these buildings, and if someone comes by to try and get some equipment, all of a sudden dollar signs start flashing like a giant strobe light. We had the same thing happen here in New Jersey a few years ago. A bunch of people, some non-profit maybe tried to get equipment out of a sixplex that was closed for almost a year. The landlord said “why should I” and a month later, we all watched it go down in a heap. It really is a sickening feeling.
Well…Thank you Ian M. Judge. FINALLY there is someone in this world, other than me, who gets this whole 35mm vs. digital thing, as well as having a REAL projectionist vs a popcorn popper running the films. Having been (and still am) an IATSE projectionist for 33 years, I can tell you that everything said above is 100% correct. These big chains care nothing about presentation, and everything about how much candy they can sell. I always give my all, and yet 4 years ago, while working for a chain here in the NY/NJ area (I won’t name them) and getting consistant mystery shopper screen scores of between 96 and 100%, my union was let go to save a buck. Now, they pay 2 people a combined salary more than what I made, and their films are constantly scratched, or even worse. Add to that starting an “R” rated movie to a house full of 6 year olds, and well you get the idea. I for one hope film stays around for a very long time.
Aside from what we all said above, TheatreBuff1 hit the mark right on the head with the last comment. “There’s always going to be the strong need for that well-run theatre.” That’s been a lot of the problem with the entire movie industry in general. Too many people are in it who are not true showman, like what we had in the old days. I have worked in theatres where these owners don’t have a clue what it takes to run a movie theatre. And these big chains, I can tell you they all run with budgets and set limits on how many people they can have on a given shift. If it rains, or for some reason its extremely busy, and you wait on line forever, oh well. So the real problem is finding that “well-run” theatre. I don’t care if its AMC or Regal, or Clearview, they all have faults, and they are all watched over by nothing more than pencil pushers, not showman.
I couldn’t agree with you more TheatreBuff1. Politics had a huge part in it. Why have a movie theatre, when you can have a big soaring skyscraper or retail store instead? And don’t forget, T.V. didn’t help either. As for your other statement, I feel the same way you do, only in that my dad was an IA projectionist for 55 years, and started in the late 30’s. He got to expierience that which I wished I could, but did not. So I know how you feel, very sad and longing for the days of yesteryear.
Correct NYDave. Here in New Jersey, the Delsea Drive-in reopened after being closed for almost 20 years. And in Maryland and Texas, I believe some brand new ones were built in the last few years.
So many theatre I have seen torn down, with all their projection equipment still inside. In 33 years as an IA projectionist, I’ve seen and heard it all. (sadly more than I’d like)
I’m sorry to hear they are not using the curtains, but as I’ve said before, that’s clearview for you. Anything Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers gets their hands on, somehow gets ruined.
Wow, “Joe” and “Diary of a Mad Housewife.” I remember I had to be like 13 years old when my dad ran these 2 back in the early 70’s. Those were the days.
Going to get even worse if Regal ever decides to get rid of the union projectionists, like they did around the rest of the country.
I remember that night well as I was one of the projectionists working there that night. At that time we used to have 2 projectionists on each shift. Each of us would do 7 theatres, 1-7 & 8-14. “New Jack City” was playind in Cinemas 8 and 13. The melee broke out in Cinema 13, just as I was starting to thread up for the midnight show. This is probably the one incident which started Amboys eventual downward spiral.
As a matter of fact Warren, I’m old enough and do remember that crap playing there in 1978. What a shame.
That’s great Jon, but for us true film lovers, and old time movie palace lovers, we just can’t justify calling this new sheetrock multiplex a Cinema Treasure. Sorry.
Lets all hope and pray this one gets saved NativeForestHiller. We don’t need another one going retail or condo. Why can’t people see that reportory and performing arts is the way to go?
What I meant Rory is exactly what you said. Not too many of us are left who can make reel-to-reel changeovers. In todays cinema world, candy sellers and popcorn poppers run the show, not trained professionals. As for the era its from looking old, give me that ANY time over all this digital crap their pushing. I like the old 35mm film look. Enjoy your trip here, and your movie.
They would not have been able to get the print if they did not run it reel-to-reel, (the way ALL films should be shown). Many film companies want a signed waiver, stating that you will not platter the print. Now all you have to hope is that there is no clown in the projection room running the print, or else, so much for that new print.
We would consider THIS a cinema treasure? I don’t think so.
Too sad, in fact sickening bobosan
Great job on the video bobosan. I’m no building expert, but I have to agree with Bob Jensen. I did not see any sort of weaknesses in those remaining walls. It looks like yet another case of would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Too late now. By the way, is this area of theatre where the screen would have been?
Although I work in the industry as an IATSE projectionist and stagehand, I wish I had money to help. But I have viewed pictures of this glorious theatre on their CT site, and please please please, somebody step in and save it. NO MORE RETAIL, SAVE THIS CINEMA TREASURE!!!!!
Maybe DLP helped a little…but its still Clearview…
I find it funny how these demolition people get a nice piece of change to tear down these buildings, and if someone comes by to try and get some equipment, all of a sudden dollar signs start flashing like a giant strobe light. We had the same thing happen here in New Jersey a few years ago. A bunch of people, some non-profit maybe tried to get equipment out of a sixplex that was closed for almost a year. The landlord said “why should I” and a month later, we all watched it go down in a heap. It really is a sickening feeling.
Good question. Also there must be long lines to hear confession.
I worked here as a projectionist from March of 1980 till April of 1989.
Bringing ANY theatre left in a downtown area would bring life back to these ares.
Drive on up to the alter…
Well…Thank you Ian M. Judge. FINALLY there is someone in this world, other than me, who gets this whole 35mm vs. digital thing, as well as having a REAL projectionist vs a popcorn popper running the films. Having been (and still am) an IATSE projectionist for 33 years, I can tell you that everything said above is 100% correct. These big chains care nothing about presentation, and everything about how much candy they can sell. I always give my all, and yet 4 years ago, while working for a chain here in the NY/NJ area (I won’t name them) and getting consistant mystery shopper screen scores of between 96 and 100%, my union was let go to save a buck. Now, they pay 2 people a combined salary more than what I made, and their films are constantly scratched, or even worse. Add to that starting an “R” rated movie to a house full of 6 year olds, and well you get the idea. I for one hope film stays around for a very long time.
Aside from what we all said above, TheatreBuff1 hit the mark right on the head with the last comment. “There’s always going to be the strong need for that well-run theatre.” That’s been a lot of the problem with the entire movie industry in general. Too many people are in it who are not true showman, like what we had in the old days. I have worked in theatres where these owners don’t have a clue what it takes to run a movie theatre. And these big chains, I can tell you they all run with budgets and set limits on how many people they can have on a given shift. If it rains, or for some reason its extremely busy, and you wait on line forever, oh well. So the real problem is finding that “well-run” theatre. I don’t care if its AMC or Regal, or Clearview, they all have faults, and they are all watched over by nothing more than pencil pushers, not showman.
I couldn’t agree with you more TheatreBuff1. Politics had a huge part in it. Why have a movie theatre, when you can have a big soaring skyscraper or retail store instead? And don’t forget, T.V. didn’t help either. As for your other statement, I feel the same way you do, only in that my dad was an IA projectionist for 55 years, and started in the late 30’s. He got to expierience that which I wished I could, but did not. So I know how you feel, very sad and longing for the days of yesteryear.
Correct NYDave. Here in New Jersey, the Delsea Drive-in reopened after being closed for almost 20 years. And in Maryland and Texas, I believe some brand new ones were built in the last few years.
So many theatre I have seen torn down, with all their projection equipment still inside. In 33 years as an IA projectionist, I’ve seen and heard it all. (sadly more than I’d like)
From a drive-in to a garbage dump…that’s really really sad.
I’m sorry to hear they are not using the curtains, but as I’ve said before, that’s clearview for you. Anything Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers gets their hands on, somehow gets ruined.
Wow, “Joe” and “Diary of a Mad Housewife.” I remember I had to be like 13 years old when my dad ran these 2 back in the early 70’s. Those were the days.