Elwood Theatre

Newark, NJ

164 Broadway

, Newark, NJ 07104 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed/Demolished
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Art Deco

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	1270
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

Situated in the outskirts of Newark, the Elwood Theatre first opened in August, 1931, with a policy of second-run double features. I have no other information about it, but it was the very first movie theatre that I ever attended. My parents took me there to see Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" during its first go-round. More than sixty years later, I still have occasional nightmares about the cackling witch and the poisoned apple.

I'm sure that the Elwood is no longer operating as a cinema, but does the building still exist?

Contributed by Warren G. Harris

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Managed by Mr. Eddie Steinberg from the mid 1950s until its closure in 1968.

posted by TC on Mar 9, 2005 at 6:33am

the elwood served for a few years in the mid-sixties as the mid-atlantic zone headquarters for General Cinema Corporation. When that lease expired, GCC moved its offices to the Palace in Orange. The Elwood became a Spanish language theater in the early seventies, operated by Dick Nathan. I don't know the current status of the Elwood.

posted by jimmyt on Mar 21, 2005 at 10:13am

Sorry to say that the Elwood theatre is no more. Demolished in the mid 80's now has a White Castle on the site. I really hated to see it demolished.

posted by LUISMEL on Jun 25, 2005 at 8:00am

http://oldnewark.com/busind/theatre/elwood.htm

posted by TC on Jul 7, 2007 at 1:15pm

TC's link gives an address of 642 Broadway for the Elwood Theatre. The 1957 Film Daily Year Book, which I used as my source for the introduction, claims 164 Broadway. Which is correct?

posted by Warren G. Harris on Jul 7, 2007 at 1:48pm

Just past by where the building once stood and the building right next to it has 565 so im sure it can't be 164.

posted by LUISMEL on Jul 28, 2007 at 12:39pm

The address for the Elwood displayed at oldnewark.com seems to be correct. The address given in various editions of the Directory of Motion Picture Theatres--Metropolitan Territory is also 642 Broadway. The 1957 FDYB's claim of 164 Broadway was obviously wrong. I hope that the address in the introduction can be corrected so that the Elwood Theatre maps accurately. Incidentally, the Elwood's phone number in 1941 was reported as HUmboldt 3-1222.

posted by Warren G. Harris on Aug 2, 2007 at 1:48pm

Thanks to the accurate address of 642 Broadway (still not changed in the introduction above), I was able to chart my very first movie-going experience. It turns out that our house on Tiffany Boulevard was only 1.2 miles from the Elwood, and it would have taken my father about three minutes to drive us there to see Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." There was probably a co-feature, but I doubt that we stayed since I was only four and wouldn't have been able to sit through two movies. "Snow White" was traumatic enough with its wicked witch.

posted by Warren G. Harris on Aug 6, 2007 at 11:36am

Just past by where the building once stood and the building right next to it has 565 so im sure it can't be 164.

Edit:

Want to correct this it is actually 656, so yes 642 would be the correct address.

posted by LUISMEL on Aug 6, 2007 at 5:06pm

Here's is where the Elwood Theater once stand now as you can see is a White Castle look at the image http://maps.google.com/maps?q=642%20Broadway%2C%20Newark%2C%20NJ%2007104%20United%20States&hl=en

posted by LUISMEL on Mar 14, 2009 at 3:00pm

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