The fire occured during the removal of the theatre equipment. The crews were using torches and the walls put up during conversion to a twin caught fire.
Lets all remember folks, this whole DLP thing is just going to save the film companies money. It aint going to diddly for the exhibitors and thats why they should just leave everything on 35mm like its been forever.
Nice going Charles. I love the days when we all watched for the “cue marks”. I’ve only been doing this for 33 years, and yes, I run those dang platters (hate em), but I remember my dad who was a projectionist for 55 years, before going to that cinema in the sky. Give me 20 minute reels and changeovers any day. Bravo to you and your theatre owners.
Hey Justin, I know the MPX system well. I ran it for a few months in 2004 at the City Center 15 Cinema DeLux in White plains N.Y. They converted a 455 seat house with stadium seating to a 325 seat house, took out all the front end seating, and moved the screen up 35 feet toward the booth. This new screen was huge, and all the extra speakers in both the rear of the auditorium and behind the new screen were killer.
Hey Memphis, take the advise of AlAlvarez and learn the floor as well. I have been a projectionist now for almost 33 years and for years the guys in my union would be telling me to get out. All the old timers have passed away, but here I am in the only unionized booth left in our local. While I have learned stagecraft, my true love is still projection, and I recently hooked up with a performing arts center that runs old classics on 20 min reels with changeovers. True projection. And I’m involved with another that is renovating and they are planning the same thing. As stated above, you’ll never be obsolete. I go to these 2 arts centers, and I am very much apprectiated for what I do. And THAT is what makes me vow to stick with projection.
As a union projectionist for almost 33 years, I may be old fashioned, and behind the times, but I just don’t see this whole digital thing taking off as fast as these big chains would like. With the economy tanking, we might see a repeat of years ago when Regal and AMC among others were in chapter 11. And lets not forget, when things get tough, and people cant eat, the first thing they cut out are resturants and movies. I’m also glad to read above from Giles that Indy 4 is going to be straight 35mm. Bravo Spielberg. And yes, I too would love to see 70mm back. Haven’t ran it since “The Abyss” in 1989.
Very well put BobT. It is that magic you speak of that seems to be missing in everyones life these days. My father, a projectionist for 55 years, before moving on to that movie palace in heaven always told me how I missed out on another great treasure, the Roxy, in New York City. And like you, I have seen many a great treasure from my youth fall to the wrecking ball. And yes, even as we speak here, our beloved Shea Stadium, home to those loveable Mets, will see the same fate in less than a year. How sad, how sad in deed.
Unfortunately, neither theatre 1 or 2 was ever THX certified. And to add to the above quotes, Cinema 1 was Dolby Stereo from the day it was twinned, and Cinema 2 got Dolby Stereo around late 1983 or early 1984.
Living here on the east coast (New Jersey), I never got out to see the National, but I can see by all the magnificent photo’s that you folks out there really lost a treasure. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it again, if this progress, you can have it!!!
Very true Warren, but also a sad testament to our society that no one except the good people here on CT care about old movies and classic movie palaces.
Today, March 8,2008, its raining again like it did in April 2007. I just heard that Bound Brook is under a flood warning. Lets hope it doesn’t get flooded out again.
markp
commented about
Cinema 34on
Mar 8, 2008 at 11:50 am
I remember going to see a movie here probably in the late 1970’s. I remember the theatre was really wide, and not to long. The screen was huge. I also remember the theatre smelled really musty when I was there.
As of Feb 26, 2008 Levitz is out of business, only sad part of this is that the Fox Theatre only lasted ruffly 15 or so years, while Levitz lasted almost 30.
Well Justin, I guess I miss judged you, and I apologize. Its refreshing to know people still do respect what we few union projectionists do. As a side note, having worked at the old Menlo Park Twin for the last 5 years of its existence, it never was THX certified, because the center split wall couldn’t keep sound from bleeding thru, and the old HVAC was noisey. Essex Green (the triplex) was THX in the original 1000 seat theatre. You may be interested in the film festival going on in Red BAnk, at the Count Basie theatre thru May. You can look it up here on CT under their listing. I was to work the commons tom'w (thurs 3/6) but I am now at the Basie doing a concert. The next time I am at the commons, I will check their THX, because a lot of equipment has been removed from here because of the possible closing, whenever that may be.
Hey Justin, hold the celebration!!! I work occasionally at the commons as a relief projectionist. They have been talking about that new theatre for almost 4 years now. The current building runs on a month to month lease. The mall would rather have retail there as they would make more in rent. All AMC is doing now is running this place into the ground. Also, it appears to me, from many of your posts here on CT, that you are not much of a film fan, but you rather embrace this new DLP technology. As someone who has been an IATSE union projectionist for 33 years, I can tell you that it will be years, and I mean years before the film companies will be able to get all the screens in this country to go digital. Many theatres just aren’t going to spend 1 million dollars per screen, just to go digital. And finally, what the theatres need to do is figure out how to get more butts in the seats, and digital alone is not going to do it. Changing how the end product is shown on the screen is not going to do it.
You got that right nub. National closed the Amboys Multiplex here in central N.J. in May 2005, and it still sits there boarded up. Every couple of months someone comes and paints over all the graffiti on the building.
I have relatives who live near this theatre, and they inform me that the last 2 big anchor stores are going to close. This mall, other than the 2 anchors and the cinema is empty. I guess its only a matter of time before this theatre is gone for good.
I ran “Wizard of Oz” today in 35MM, to a crowd of almost 1400. What a great day it was to see this great old palace filled up with people watching an all time great movie. Give me this anytime over what the future will be…digital projection, or big screen T.V. at your local cinema.
Not a bad little 8-plex. Nice big lobby. There was one huge auditorium, which sometimes flooded in the first few rows. The first ever manager was and still is a very good friend of mine.
I’m only guessing, but if this theatre is only 14 years old, then it was probably built just before the craze of stadium seating took, and that is why it is no longer making money.
The fire occured during the removal of the theatre equipment. The crews were using torches and the walls put up during conversion to a twin caught fire.
Very bland is right. Was a twin from day one.
Went to see the second Flintstones movie here in the early 2000’s. Real nice place, although the 2nd screen is small. Good eats.
Function shold be changed. This place was demolished years ago.
This theatre was VERY long and narrow after twinning. My T.V. set at home had a bigger screen.
Lets all remember folks, this whole DLP thing is just going to save the film companies money. It aint going to diddly for the exhibitors and thats why they should just leave everything on 35mm like its been forever.
Nice going Charles. I love the days when we all watched for the “cue marks”. I’ve only been doing this for 33 years, and yes, I run those dang platters (hate em), but I remember my dad who was a projectionist for 55 years, before going to that cinema in the sky. Give me 20 minute reels and changeovers any day. Bravo to you and your theatre owners.
Hey Justin, I know the MPX system well. I ran it for a few months in 2004 at the City Center 15 Cinema DeLux in White plains N.Y. They converted a 455 seat house with stadium seating to a 325 seat house, took out all the front end seating, and moved the screen up 35 feet toward the booth. This new screen was huge, and all the extra speakers in both the rear of the auditorium and behind the new screen were killer.
Hey Memphis, take the advise of AlAlvarez and learn the floor as well. I have been a projectionist now for almost 33 years and for years the guys in my union would be telling me to get out. All the old timers have passed away, but here I am in the only unionized booth left in our local. While I have learned stagecraft, my true love is still projection, and I recently hooked up with a performing arts center that runs old classics on 20 min reels with changeovers. True projection. And I’m involved with another that is renovating and they are planning the same thing. As stated above, you’ll never be obsolete. I go to these 2 arts centers, and I am very much apprectiated for what I do. And THAT is what makes me vow to stick with projection.
As a union projectionist for almost 33 years, I may be old fashioned, and behind the times, but I just don’t see this whole digital thing taking off as fast as these big chains would like. With the economy tanking, we might see a repeat of years ago when Regal and AMC among others were in chapter 11. And lets not forget, when things get tough, and people cant eat, the first thing they cut out are resturants and movies. I’m also glad to read above from Giles that Indy 4 is going to be straight 35mm. Bravo Spielberg. And yes, I too would love to see 70mm back. Haven’t ran it since “The Abyss” in 1989.
Very well put BobT. It is that magic you speak of that seems to be missing in everyones life these days. My father, a projectionist for 55 years, before moving on to that movie palace in heaven always told me how I missed out on another great treasure, the Roxy, in New York City. And like you, I have seen many a great treasure from my youth fall to the wrecking ball. And yes, even as we speak here, our beloved Shea Stadium, home to those loveable Mets, will see the same fate in less than a year. How sad, how sad in deed.
Unfortunately, neither theatre 1 or 2 was ever THX certified. And to add to the above quotes, Cinema 1 was Dolby Stereo from the day it was twinned, and Cinema 2 got Dolby Stereo around late 1983 or early 1984.
Living here on the east coast (New Jersey), I never got out to see the National, but I can see by all the magnificent photo’s that you folks out there really lost a treasure. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it again, if this progress, you can have it!!!
Very true Warren, but also a sad testament to our society that no one except the good people here on CT care about old movies and classic movie palaces.
Today, March 8,2008, its raining again like it did in April 2007. I just heard that Bound Brook is under a flood warning. Lets hope it doesn’t get flooded out again.
I remember going to see a movie here probably in the late 1970’s. I remember the theatre was really wide, and not to long. The screen was huge. I also remember the theatre smelled really musty when I was there.
As of Feb 26, 2008 Levitz is out of business, only sad part of this is that the Fox Theatre only lasted ruffly 15 or so years, while Levitz lasted almost 30.
Well Justin, I guess I miss judged you, and I apologize. Its refreshing to know people still do respect what we few union projectionists do. As a side note, having worked at the old Menlo Park Twin for the last 5 years of its existence, it never was THX certified, because the center split wall couldn’t keep sound from bleeding thru, and the old HVAC was noisey. Essex Green (the triplex) was THX in the original 1000 seat theatre. You may be interested in the film festival going on in Red BAnk, at the Count Basie theatre thru May. You can look it up here on CT under their listing. I was to work the commons tom'w (thurs 3/6) but I am now at the Basie doing a concert. The next time I am at the commons, I will check their THX, because a lot of equipment has been removed from here because of the possible closing, whenever that may be.
Hey Justin, hold the celebration!!! I work occasionally at the commons as a relief projectionist. They have been talking about that new theatre for almost 4 years now. The current building runs on a month to month lease. The mall would rather have retail there as they would make more in rent. All AMC is doing now is running this place into the ground. Also, it appears to me, from many of your posts here on CT, that you are not much of a film fan, but you rather embrace this new DLP technology. As someone who has been an IATSE union projectionist for 33 years, I can tell you that it will be years, and I mean years before the film companies will be able to get all the screens in this country to go digital. Many theatres just aren’t going to spend 1 million dollars per screen, just to go digital. And finally, what the theatres need to do is figure out how to get more butts in the seats, and digital alone is not going to do it. Changing how the end product is shown on the screen is not going to do it.
You got that right nub. National closed the Amboys Multiplex here in central N.J. in May 2005, and it still sits there boarded up. Every couple of months someone comes and paints over all the graffiti on the building.
I have relatives who live near this theatre, and they inform me that the last 2 big anchor stores are going to close. This mall, other than the 2 anchors and the cinema is empty. I guess its only a matter of time before this theatre is gone for good.
I ran “Wizard of Oz” today in 35MM, to a crowd of almost 1400. What a great day it was to see this great old palace filled up with people watching an all time great movie. Give me this anytime over what the future will be…digital projection, or big screen T.V. at your local cinema.
Theatre was an adult XXX theatre from 1973 until its closing in 1990.
Not a bad little 8-plex. Nice big lobby. There was one huge auditorium, which sometimes flooded in the first few rows. The first ever manager was and still is a very good friend of mine.
I’m only guessing, but if this theatre is only 14 years old, then it was probably built just before the craze of stadium seating took, and that is why it is no longer making money.