Casino Theatre

A Robert Morton organ was installed in the original Casino Theatre in 1923.

Actually the Robert Morton was installed in the 2nd Casino Theatre.
The first (aka Airdome) burned down in 1922. The 2nd burned down in 1939. Fate of the organ is unknown. Bill Hunt then rebuilt the theatre again in 1940.

"Although vaudeville was losing popularity, Hunt's movie houses continued to present live entertainment acts between movies throughout the 1920s. The first motion picture featuring sound was shown in the Wildwoods in February, 1929, at Hunt's Casino Theatre. Within a month, the Casino was showing "talkies" almost exclusively."

source: Wildwood by the Sea by David W. Francis, page 80

The Godfather in 1977 had a very long run at this theatre. I saw Rollercoaster there in Sensurround. That though didn't have too long of a run as fissures showed up in the sides of the theatre due to the rumbling.

I remember as a kid, seeing :Up THe Down Staircase" with Sandy Dennis and "Sweet Charity: with Shirley McClain" there. Does anybody remember the other Theatre in Wildwood: The Ocean, The Strand, The Shore, The Blake. The Blake, Casino and Shore were on practically next door to each other. There was one other theatre, that was by Fun Pier, located on the Boardwalk, can't remember the name, but I remember seeing: The Odd Couple and True Grit there.

The one by Fun Pier was the Regent. That is now the Boardwalk Mall. All of the Wildwood theatres have been listed here.

Just reviewed the web-site for the other theatres, sure brings back memories of my childhood in Wildwood, in the the 60's. It is a shame what the did with the Strand, I was in there two years ago, dirt, sticky floors, people talking, this is not the way to go the movies.

1978 postcard:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d728b3127cce944c17be01c400000006108IZsW7Zwzc-

I believe it was the Shore Theatre that served as Wildwood's year-round theatre, not the Casino. Could be wrong though.
Just prior to demolition I was able to get into the building, which was thoroughly gutted. The steps up to the original projectionists loft were still there, and so was the restroom. This restroom was untouched and the violet tiles (the shade of those on the front of the building) still shined like 1940.
Another note....some of the neon marquee letters were removed in the 80's and still exist in storage in Florida...I've been told.

Acording to another site, the Shore and Casino were operated as a year round theater prior to the Shore being twined.

Listed as part of Hunt's Theatres, Inc. in the 1970 FDY & 1976 International Motion Picture Almanac.

1973 program:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd25b3127cce82dc8152295a00000016108IZsW7Zwzc-

Couple of pictures of the Casino theatre in its heyday are featured below

http://www.angelfire.com/nj/wwbysea/HUNT/huntstheaters.html

First photo circa 1967, 2nd one date unknown.

This webpage has a number of pictures of the theater and its later use as an amusement arcade: http://www.funchase.com/Images/Theatres/Casino.htm