Clairidge Cinemas

This was one of the BEST theaters in NJ. I only saw 2 movies there in the 70's. I remember seeing Rocky 2 with a packed house. It was my all-time favorite movie experience. Now it is one of the worst theaters. Cut up to 6 screens. The architect should be sued. There is no way to sit in some of the seat locations as they are way off from the screen. The theater is run by youngsters who know nothing about movies, They NEVER shut the doors when the movie starts. I have to do it all the time. The sound from the projection booth practically drowns out the movie. This is one of the only theater that plays independents so it's the only place to go. It's a shame that this theater has gone downhill sooooo much.

This theater was a great 3 strip Cinerama house. Saw "Search For Paradise there in 57' or 58'. What a presentation. Clearview should sell it to someone who would restore it back to Cinerama.

If they were to restore it, they'd have to remove the "metal box" supposedly that now resides in side the original theater.

Is there any way for someone to climb the ladder to see it?? Not that anyone who workes there would notice. It is a nice thought though.

The Clairidge Theatre ran 3 strip Cinerama from 8/25/60 thru 4/14/64 and then converted to 70mm on 4/21/64. It had a louvered screen measuring 70ft. by 28ft.

I remember seeing "Jaws" (35mm scope) there in 1975. They used an anamorphic lens, or lens attachment, that spread the image across the entire width of the screen. Enough distortion to induce eyestrain, but was somehow still impressive.

Rhett, If you know someone who works there, you should ask them to show you the original ceiling. If you do, you will fall off the latter. It's amazing. When you go up, the first things you see are the original projection booth portholes. I pulled out some newspaper surrounding the ports. Roosevelt was giving a speech somewhere. Other than a few missing (extremely expensive and huge) light fixtures, everything else is there and basically untouched. It's disgusting to see it hidden like that.

Considering then how much still remains it would be wonderful if someone would restore it back to its roadshow glory days and use it as a widescreen showcase showing everything from 3 strip Cinerama to 2:55 cinemascope to contemporary widescreen film epics like they do in Seattle LA and Bradford England. And if Bradford England can do it why not a place close to NYC?
There's nowhere to do it anymore in NY.
Does anyone know the sizes of the screen when it played Cinerama and 70MM?
I wonder in the managers from the 50"s and 60"s are still alive who could help us with information.

Although the 6 theaters remind me of sitting in a public school basement, the theater seems to doing a brisk business with it's selection of films that very rarely play in other theaters.

They stopped making Cinerama films almost 40 years ago..forget that idea. If they showed wide screen epics it would be like any other theater and probably eventually close as so many neighborhood theaters have done over the years.

Leave it as it is..and besides, the popcorn is fresh made and great

Vincent just mentioned above re showing Cinerama, "there's nowhere to do it anymore in NY." I don't know if the Times Square multiplex known variously as the Embassy 2-3-4, and 1-2-3, and, long ago, as the DeMille, Mayfair, and Columbia is still standing. It was a few years back. The balcony had been plexed, but the orchestra was still intact. This was the auditorium in which the Russian flavor of Cinerama, called Kinopanorama, had a short run in 1959. Screen size was in excess of 60 feet, and the 3 projectors were the ones used at the nearby Roxy to show the CineMiracle "Windjammer." It was also the theatre in which the new owner, Walter Reade, Jr., having just been elected to the Board of Directors of Cinerama, Inc., had planned to exhibit future Cinerama films.

Yes I am aware of the Embassy and it has been discussed on the Embassy page. Of course that would be ideal but I am assuming that will one day be another Times Sqare retailing emporium. If not another skycraper.
As for Larry's comments "if they showed wide screen epics it would be like any other theater."
Larry please tell me where these large expansive single screen theaters like the old Claridge are!! I want to go to one tonight!

Vincent:

Actually, other than the I-Max theaters, there are no really wide screen theaters any more.

Actually, based upon "Alexander", "Troy" etc., no one will be intere3sted in making any more "epic" type of films.

This is an ad from the Jersey Journal dated August 1960, when the Clairidge first started running Cinerama. Remember - it's "worth the trip to Montclair". And it certainly was ...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/13Ghosts.jpg

Here are two more Bergen Record ads. In the first, from July 1968, "2001" was about to begin its exclusive North Jersey run at the Clairidge:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/2001Clairidge.jpg

It was still there in March 1969:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/33rdweek.jpg

According to in70mm.com, "2001" opened in this theater on July 17, 1968 and ran for 36 weeks.

I went to this theatre when I used to live in Clifton to see "Life is Beautiful" since it didn't play in Clifton or Wayne, and it was a decent experience. So-so sound, good picture, and fresh popcorn. I only went there once, when independent films were only playing at theatres like the Clairidge. Nowadays, you can see them at your local multiplex and on DVD, where most of the revenue is right now in an era where box office is down and DVD sales are up! Yet the Clairidge is still open and plays an eclectic mix of films, some of which are on two or three screens (ala the much bigger multiplexes!).

A Wurlitzer organ, opus 604, was installed in this theater on 11/24/1922. The organ was discarded in the 1950s during renovations, which included the addition of air conditioning.

I saw "How the West was Won" in 3-strip Cinerama at the Claridge back in the days when people dressed up to go to the movies, and it was a truly grand experience. I've not been back there since I was a kid, and based on the comments posted here it is probably a good thing. Some things are best allowed to survive in one's memories.

Old photo. Theater barely visible on the left:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf25b3127cce956dc3ee292800000016108IZsW7Zwzc-

GeneK...it's best you never go to the Claridge again.....I guarantee you will cry...it's like watching movies in a crowded basement....the glamour is gone

My experience with the Clairidge spans various phases of its existence. First time there was three days after "Jaws" opened in June 1975. At a Monday matinee, the place was packed. One of the greatest moveigoing experiences I've ever had: a mammoth Cinerama screen, a thoroughly involving movie, and a responsive (screaming, laughing and applauding as if on cue) but well-behaved audience. I saw the movie there three times more before it closed about five months later; each time I saw it, the projectionist left the maroon curtain closed for the first 30 seconds or so over the Universal Pictures header and the first couple of credits on a black screen, and then gradually opened it as the credits continued over that underwater "shark POV" shot and the familiar "Jaws" theme grew more menacing. A nice touch. I went to the Clairidge several more times while it was still a single-screen house, but the presentation seemed to decline after "Jaws" finished its run, particularly the sound.

The main auditorium of the Clairidge Triplex wasn't too bad, actually; you still had the feeling of being in a movie theatre rather than a storage closet with a screen tacked up. I saw "Fanny and Alexander," "Zelig," "Back to the Future" and "Cape Fear" there, among others. More recently, I've been to the Clairidge in its "arthouse" six-screen configuration. A shame that a theatre with an often-interesting slate of movies now shows them in such dismal conditions. Not only are the auditoriums about the size of the restroom in the old place, but the projection and sound have been pretty ratty the last few times I've gone. It's a good thing so many of the movies are shown with subtitles because I wouldn't have been able to make out the dialogue if it was in English! I don't plan on going there again unless I hear that conditions have improved.

Paul - I really enjoy your insightful postings on various NJ theaters. As far as the sadness of seeing a glorious single screen hacked into small theaers no bigger than a closet, remember "Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." Many of the younger CT members don't even have first hand experience of a single screen viewing.

You're right about that, and I would encourage anyone who hasn't ever been to a single-screen venue to try finding one, if it's at all convenient. As for the memories of single-screen moviegoing, I'm glad to have quite a few and not as glad that in so many cases, the memories of these places are now the only opportunities to "visit" them.

Listed as a 3 screen independent theatre in the 1991 International Motion Picture Almanac. Owner is P. Petersen.

1981 photos:

http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025314/05.jpg

http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025314/06.jpg

Goldmine! Check out these old photos:
http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025332/75.jpg
http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025332/77.jpg
http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025332/78.jpg
http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025332/81.jpg (from 1933)
http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025332/91.jpg (from 1951)
http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025332/92.jpg (from 1952)
http://www.quickpix.com/JPGMLIBRARY/IMAGE/025332/93.jpg (from 1952)

Attended this past Saturday (9/22/06). Yes, the glamour is definately gone as rhett posted up above.

The entrance way actually takes you under neath of the screen. No buffer so if the door opens during the movie, its a distraction. The theatre was very small. If not for the great movie (The Illusionist) and wonderful friends I attended with- Id rate this as a bad experience.

Let me agree that if anyone has the chance to visit any of the remaining single screen theatres, do so. Its quite the experience.

I remember the Claridge theater quite well. My parents used to take my sister and I there when we kids. I vividly remember seeing "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World there in Cinerama (circa 1962) and "Windjammer" in Cinerama as well. Even though I lived in Newark and was closer to the Stanley, Castle and Sanford movie theaters, I visited the Claridge quite often. It was a great place to see a film back then. Just down the street was Grunnings Ice Cream, which was an awesome place to visit after the movie was over. It closed in the 1980's I believe.

I worked at The Claridge theater for a few years in the mid 1970's when it was still a one screen theater. The paneled Cinerama screen was still being used and was bright and clear as ever. Behind the Cinerama screen was a stage and several dressing rooms. I managed to find some programs from the Cinerama era and other items stored in the dressing rooms. I remember running features for a long time, several months sometimes. We premiered 'Jaws' there in June 1975 and it ran through December. By the way, Peter Benchley (Jaws author) came to the Claridge on opening night. I have been there a few times since the six screen conversion and get upset walking in and remembering where things used to be. The Claridge was selected as New Jersey's Cinerama theater because it had a smoking lounge one flight up, between the restrooms (remember the marble stairs). This lounge was converted to the projection room because it had a straight shot to the screen. With three projectors you couldn't project downward because of the keystone effect. The forth Cinerama machine (for audio) was another flight up in the original projection room. Most of the original equipment was there when I worked there, it was great. The same owner also had the Wellmont in Montclair, a larger and more ornate theater. I recall it having 1700 seats (800 downstairs and a 900 seat balcony). This theater is in limbo right now, I hope something good will come out of it. We were talking about bringing in live concerts there as far back as back in 1975!

According to the book "Freedom Child" by Carrie Allen McCray, The Clairidge Cinema opened on February 17, 1923. It was at that time owned by a Mr Hinck.

Also mentioned in the same book was the Bellevue Theatre, located in Upper Montclair.

I photographed these classic Cinerama pictures that were hanging in the lobby of the Clairidge - and got my camera confiscated for it until the movie ended. They thought I was going to bring it into the theater, but I didn't bother telling them I'd never do that. I wasn't the least bit interested in how the Clairidge looks now, but in 1961 ... that's a different story.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/Clairidge7.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/Clairidge6.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/Clairidge5.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/Clairidge4.jpg

One benefit of being a nun back in the 60s - you got to see Cinerama:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/Clairidge1.jpg

$5 Clearview classics summer 2007 at Clairidge Cinema (973) 746-5564, sponsored by The Montclair Times, Wednesday & Thursday 7:15 PM, Saturday & Sunday 11 AM, June 6-7 & 9-10, Rebel Without a Cause, June 13-14 &16-17 East of Eden, June 20-21 & 23-24 Giant, June 27-28 & June 30, July 1 A Streetcar Named Desire, July 4-5 & 7-8 The Wizard of Oz, July 11-12 & 14-15 An Affair to Remember, July 18-19 & 21-22 Manhattan, July 25-26 & 28-29 Raging Bull

Oddly enough I don't see any modern photos posted here, so I found one:
http://www.homesmontclair.com/files/692224/0013.jpg.JPG

it's the back of the theater.

1718 S. Main is directly under the Santa Monica Freeway. No trace of the theater remains.

I didn't post the above comment.

Is this the front of the Clairidge Theater?

Yes

Thanks. Now we have a photo of the front and the back. Anyone have a view of the roof? :)

I grew up in Verona New Jersey in the 50's and 60's. I spent many afternoons at the Clairidge. One of the greatest movies I enjoyed at the Clairidge was Gone with the Wind. It started out with a small screen and then gloriously opened up into the full Cinerama screen. The sound was great too. What a treat it was to see movies in this theatre. There was also a beautiful round ceiling light that took up a good deal of the ceiling. It was beautiful as they dimmed the light for the movie.

Recently saw "Atonement". a good if not greatly overrated movie. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't at the Claridge. Unfortunately, some movies will only play there and we have to grin and bear it. The Box-office line is one of the slowest...only one ticket seller (although the customers usually take a long time to make a decision as well. Many times, I've left since the wait was endless). The lady in front of me spent $49 on tickets for an afternoon show in one of the smallest auditoriums. I told her, she'd be beeter off just buying the DVD...she agreed, she wasn't happy. I always close the theater door myself cause the employees never do or take a long time to. Again, sometimes the customers themselves won't take it upon themselves to.

I don't go there much anymore, unless I REALLY want to see something. Unfortunately, I kept waiting for "The Valley of Elajh" (Tomy Lee Jones) and "Jesse James" to open wide but they never did. and I didn't want to sit in the Claridge for a two and a half hour movie.

What sealed the deal was seeing "Streetcar Named Desire", it was screened in the 1:85 format, while shot in 1:33. The heads were cut off the entire movie. I fugured if I complained, an employee would just tell me that's how the movie was made. I didn't go see any of the other classic movies. I still remember seeing "Rocky II" in 79...what an experience.

The Claridge is a place with such bad atmosphere, it's hard to just enjoy a movie there. If they closed it, truthfully, I wouldn't be upset.

Saw Atonement at the Clairidge. I can tell that I really enjoyed the movie if despite the surroundings, I still come away with a positive experience. From the postings describing the sumptiousness of the single screen theater, the current 6 screen set-up does feel like a grade-school basement. There is nothing to contribute to the sense of going to the movies as an experience within itself. Sorry never to have been to the theater in its Cinerama days.

The location is convenient, but I'd rather go to the SOPAC screen which has a few more comforts. Otherwise, going across the Hudson is still a good option.

Anyone have access to microfilm of THE STAR-LEDGER or another North New Jersey newspaper? I wish to verify the closing date of the CLAIRIDGE's run of "This Is Cinerama" and the title of the film that followed it. (I believe "This Is Cinerama" premiered there on Aug. 25, 1960.)

you should go to a nearby library, such as the clifton public library, which has a huge collection of microfilm. They might have it, but it's mostly old issues of The Record and The New York Times, which usually run listings of NJ theaters on weekends, especially Sundays.

Justin's got the right idea, but I think Michael lives in the Los Angeles area.

Michael: I may be able to find out the dates for you the next time I go to the Hackensack Public Library. They have The Bergen Record on microfilm, which always carried ads for the Clairidge. I have a day off coming up on May 8th, so maybe then ... I'll let you know.

Michael and other Clairidge fans: "This is Cinerama" closed on 12/24/60, and was followed by "Seven Wonders of the World" on 12/25/60.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/billhuelbig/7wonders.jpg

My sister got to see "7 Wonders" on a class trip to the Clairidge. I was only 6 years old but I was very jealous.

Thanks, Bill!

In a movie that will surly piss off their core market (seniors) - I discovered today that Clearview has eliminated bargain pricing all together, now charging a general admission of $10.25, all ages, all seats, all times. This is sort of unheard of for a first run theater, it might be the first full price, non-luxury (Cinema De Lux, Lux Level, Muvico Premiere, ect) style theater in the country to do this (Hudson Mall for example is a first run, off-price theater charging $6, all seats, all times) - but what are the other alternatives for these kinds of movies? Wait for video or see it in the city.

or watch it on youtube in bootleg or order it on high-def pay-per-view. This is why the box office is still struggling in the 21st century, especially for indie films like Juno and foriegn flicks. BTW, did clearview eliminate matinee pricing for its other theaters? I hope AMC doesn't copy this stategy....since they show indie movies during AM Cinema weekends.

It looks like after one week of general admission pricing Clearview has reinstated senior, children and bargain pricing. While I found it groundbreaking, the Clairidge otherwise is an entirely ungroundbreaking theater - sure it shows good movies but the venue itself is finally comfortable with the upgrades they did last year. Still my condolences to anyone who gets stuck in Theater 4 with its distorted views and awkward framing, at a price thats more expensive than AMC Loews Wayne which, while being unpleasant due to the security checks by the Wayne, PD and the crowds, does know how to frame a picture

the last few times I was there have been lousy experiences. I guess I've gotten to the point where I really won't go see a movie there unless it's something I REALLY want to see. Unfortunately, movies have been getting more lousy with each release (is it just me that feels that?) The Clairidge is not a theater I look forward to going to. Long , slow service at the box office, basement like atmosphere, uncomfortable seating locations...who designed these theaters? it's outrageous, ...projection booth noise- it's like watching an old home movie on an old movie projector, the projector noise is louder than the movie, high school employees who know nothing about movies -try telling one of them the aspect ratio is wrong- the answer you get will astound you-....managers who, happy they got a job also know nothing about the movie going experience.....how many times, have I gotten out of my seat to tell someone something isn't working..

I HATE to say it but I'd rather pay more money for a top of the line theater OR just wait for the DVD to come out and watch it on my high def TV.....the Clairidge is not what it used to be and they lost a customer...

This is what happens when you have kids and managers running things. This started a long time ago when theaters started getting rid of qualified projectionists. Don't worry, D-Cinema is just around the corner...HA!!!!!!

I'm sure Clearview will find a way to screw up digital - projecting on film has only been around for what, like 100+ years - and they still have yet to master that.

Try telling that to AMC, which a year ago opened their flagship North Jersey theater in Paramus with two DLP projectors. I saw a showing of Ratatouille at the GS 16, and although the picture was blurry (like all other AMC screens), it was bright and the surround sound was loud and clear as opposed to what Clearview does with a dark picture and so-so surround sound, as was the case with the National Treasure sequel. I haven't seen a 3d movie at a clearview, but I saw the Nightmare re-release in 3D at Jersey Gardens and the 3D was darker than 2D hence the glasses but that can't beat IMAX 3D!!!

Seeing a picture there reminds me of my old high school basement. Very high prices for such an outdated theater. Unfortunately, there are very few "art" theaters around.

Pretty depressing, pretty distressing - feels like seeing movies in a bomb shelter. Last night the theater was packed given some pretty strong product. Staff were polite, but were inexperienced in how to direct the ticket holders. The lobby is stark and offers no distrations while you are waiting. Going through the old photos posted, there have been a good number of marquees at the main entrance, most fairly elaborate. The latest is little more than an illuminated sandwich board. Given the sad state of marquee listings especially at the AMC Loews houses, which refer you to Fandango instead of identifying the features, there's something to be grateful for.

1981 Photo

1982 Photo

My father owned the Clairidge Theater from 1958-59 until his physical demise circa 1995. As a kid I worked there selling programs, popcorn, and working the box office. I'm intimately familiar with the "Old" theater--pre Cinerama, during the renovation, and afterwards. Fortunately, i was not in the area for the demise. The old theater was quite a majestic showplace: dressing roome, orchestra pit, and little know, at the top of the proscenium, there was a trap door/secret hiding place where one could "spy" on the audience! The Cinerama sound system was called "Sound of the Theater": made by Altec-Lansing, and to a young boy the 6 speakers behind the screen looked like the size of a Holiday Inn. One post mentioned the Wellmont Theater down the street, which my father also owned: yes, it was much larger, and in the back there were 3 stories of dressing rooms, complete with make-up mirrors, sinks, and even a small resting area--I'm sure this was for live performances year ago. The Clairidge, in it's heyday was the only "hard ticket" theater in NJ. My father was quite a guy--spending his whole life in the movie industry, named to the first NJ State Film Commission. I don't know where he found the time to be so involved with NJ Film, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanus Club, NATO ( national asscociation of theater owners, etc. Yes sadly, a time gone by

A complete list of the Clairidge's Cinerama presentations can be found on this page.

Thanks, Paulp, for the recollections about your dad. I'm sure he was on duty the day I saw "How the West Was Won" in Cinerama in 1963, one of my most memorable moviegoing experiences ever.

The Wellmont is now open and hopefully thriving as a performing arts center. Those dressing rooms are being used again after all!

Michael and Bill, how fascinating to put together all the shows and dates! I worked there for all of them! As a matter of fact I used to know the dialogue to most of them after watching them so often! One of my many tasks was to re-stock the candy stand during the first half of the show (before Intermission), and I KNEW exactly when the break was coming in order to alert the candy stand. The renovated booth ( 2nd floor) was manned by 3 projectionists in the early years---quite a great feat of co-ordination to switch reels all at the same time. Then came, 70mm and it reduced the booth to 1 projectionist--I remember the union complaining like hell, but hey, life moved on as does everything else. Yes, at one point my father was involved in 14 screens in north Jersey. I remember one theater--i think it was the Brook, in Bound Brook, NJ, where they completely refurbished the great Wurlitzer, and opening night there was a concert by SPEBSQUA--a society for the preservation of barbershop quartets---what a grand palace that was!My father saw the end of what was then the theater business and chased me out--telling me that I should get a good job with a company and maybe I could make $25,000 a year with benefits! He was right..sadly, because I loved the business!

From what I heard from my dad, he went to the Wellmont to see David Bryne and enjoyed the show....although it's not great as a rock auditorium when compared with other movie theaters turned venues. As for this theater...it's past its prime, with the big fish now showing major art house movies (AMC has AMC Select, for example). It's also the only art house theater left in Montclair, with the two-screen Screening Zone gone. Too bad they don't have 3-D (Bellevue has it) if there were any 3-D indie or doc movies.