Count Basie Theatre

do you have any on-line seating charts/diagrams. it would be extremely helpful for those not familiar with the venue and for those wanting a clear idea of their seating choices.

Jerome, you can find the Count Basie Theatre's seating chart at http://209.191.6.101/images/seats.gif. Enjoy!

Can you please e-mail me a calendar of events for 2002? Thank you!

When this theatre opened it was called the Carlton Theatre and it seated 1783 people.

I remember the Carlton (now the Count Basie). We lived in Middletown at the time and my brother was an usher at the Carlton in the early-to-mid 1960's. Saw "Bambi" there for the first time (I was about 5 yrs old) from the balcony seats; my brother yelled at me for tossing bits of popcorn over the rail on the audience on the main floor.

After "Herbie the Love Bug", never had reason to go there again; usually saw movies at the Walter Reade in Middletown or the Route 35 Drive-In in nearby Hazlet (New Jersey's last surviving drive-in until it was torn down and replaced by a multi-plex in 1992).

The Basie once again has the capability to show 35MM film. A complete renovation of the projection booth has been completed. A new screen has been installed, along with a state of the art sound system featuring Dolby Digital sound with Dolby SR analog backup.

Currently, this changeover booth features Simplex XL projectors and the original Peerless Magnarc arc lamps. The theatre hosted the Red Bank International Film Festival last fall and will do so again in 2004. Recently, the Basie ran New Line's Laws of Attraction as an advance screening for subscribers, and is scheduled to present The Notebook on June 21st.

Let's correct some wrong data that has been floating around for years. The Carlton Theatre was a motion picture theatre that featured vaudeville and not a vaudeville house. It was originally to be called the State Theatre and it's original interior was pure Americana. The change of name in the 1970s to Monmouth Arts Centre was a move in the right direction. The current name of the theatre is quite out of place as its namesake, Count Basie, was forced to attend motion pictures at the Strand Theatre formerly located on the corner of Broad and Linden. Of course this was a racial situation of the times. To maintain the historic and artistic integrity of the theatre, it should be named The Carlton Arts Centre.

Interesting note from "Archives". As a resident who grew up in Red Bank and viewed motion pictures at both the Strand Theatre and the Carlton Theatre, I was unaware of any racial bias in the town, much less the alligation that Count Basie was "forced to attend the Strand Theatre." Red Bank was always racially mixed, and I cannot recall discrimination, per say, growing up and attending every one of the public schools from 1949 through 1962.

Basie called himself "the Kid from Red Bank", and never forgot his roots. He was a citizen of "Goosetown", a connotation known only to a small number of long time Red Bank residents, both black and white.

I reject the notion that the theatre's name is out of place. This venue will be opening for the fall season after an extensive rennovation and replacement of all its seats. On August 20th the theatre will celebrate a grand re-opening, featuring The Count Basie Orchestra, and honoring the 100th anniversary of Count Basie's birth.

I actually met Cary Grant at this theatre when he was touring with his one-man show "An Evening With Cary Grant" in 1985 six months before he died.

Excellent history at this link:
http://anthonykearns.tripod.com/basiehistory.html


Note that the original architect was reportedly Thomas Lamb.

Architect for recent alterations:
http://www.kgdarch.com/his-cbt.html

Archives/JTH:

I found an article on the web which claims Basie would watch movies at the Palace theater. "For fun, Basie loved seeing slient movies at the Palace Theater in Red Bank, particularly because he could listen to the live piano accompanying the movies." Is the Palace another theater in Red Bank or a previous name for the Strand?

TC; I can't help much on this one as I don't have records for the 1920's NJ theatres. I do have from 1940 through to 1950 listings which only show two theatres in Red Bank: the Carlton (now Count Basie) and the Strand Theatre, Broad Street that had 1,000 seats in 1940 and 821 in 1943 & 1950.

The Palace Theatre was on the corner of E Front and Wharf (now an empty lot). It was originally a live theatre in the 1880s named Frick's and staged "The Squaw Man" (later to be Cecil B. De Mille's
first short film). The theatre was renamed the Palace.

Old program from July 22, 1927:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d738b3127cce941f1913e88d00000015108IZsW7Zwzc-

In case anyone is interested, I found this photo of the restroom:
http://www.artisannj.com/work_countbasie.html

Here is a nice night photo:
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues04/may04/images/da_rb_theatre.html

TC....This is even better than the keychain photo of the drive-in that you found. I don't know if I can top this one. :)

Just noticed that on TC's Smithsonian photo above, it has the name 'State' on the facade. This was the projected name of the theatre, then it was changed to Red Bank Theatre and it was promised that the name 'State' on the facade would be removed. Red Bank was then dropped in favour of Carlton and it opened as the Carlton Theatre, but obviously they never got round to removing the 'State' name.

This is a night view of the Count Basie Theater.

Listed as part of Music Makers Theatres, Inc. in the 1976 International Motion Picture Almanac.

I saw Count Basie and his orchestra at the theater a week before he died. I briefly met him after the show. He was great! The theater used to have a large chandelier which fell down one night when the theater was empty. During the 1950's, the lobby had a large Dumont TV built into the wall. I found the TV in an unused room in the 1980's. During the 1920's the ticket booth was out in the sidewalk.

Here is a photo of the Count Basie Theater.

Here is a more recent photo of the Count Basie Theater.

I know that the theater showed movies into the 1980's. I think the last one I saw there was "Romancing the Stone" with Michael Douglas & Kathleen Turner (and a young Danny DeVito).

In July of 2006, I saw a concert by Dion at the Count Basie. That day it was a record 100 or 101 degrees, and when we got to the theater, a large crowd was outside - the AC was on the blink, working at about 25% of normal. They offered for everyone to watch the opening act & see how it (the temp, not the act) was, and you could get a refund anytime up until 9PM. I was in the balcony near the A/C outlet so it was tolerable. The people in the orchestra were much warmer. It turned out most people stayed for the whole show.

Upcoming Movie Festival statrs Tuesday Feb 27, 2008. Most will be 35MM, some will be DVD.
Feb 27 5:00 P.M. Casablanca
March 2 2:00 P.M. Wizard of Oz
March 27 7:30 P.M. Godfather (1972)
April 8 7:30 P.M. Unforgiven
April 17 8:00 P.M. Breakfast at Tiffany's
April 20 2:00 P.M. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
May 4 2:00 P.M. Singin in the Rain
May 4 7:00 P.M. Woodstock
May 6 7:30 P.M. Ray
From what I understand, the movies are being presented Free.

Bruce played the Carlton on 8/14/74. It's the last show on the page. I think Clarence Clemons is from Red Bank. He used to have a band called the Red Bank Rockers.
http://tinyurl.com/24lh7k

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.

movie534 and www.countbasietheatre.org:
This venue has been in violation of wrongful advertisment of product as non-profit organization exhibition conflict ad pages Two Rivers Times.flyers/etc in 1992. It is appropriate to state:
Legal License to exhibit the following product:

Feb 27 5:00 P.M. Casablanca
March 2 2:00 P.M. Wizard of Oz
March 27 7:30 P.M. Godfather (1972)
April 8 7:30 P.M. Unforgiven
April 17 8:00 P.M. Breakfast at Tiffany's
April 20 2:00 P.M. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
May 4 2:00 P.M. Singin in the Rain
May 4 7:00 P.M. Woodstock
May 6 7:30 P.M. Ray

Has been granted by legal contract for exhibition at your venue.

It is understood that DVD exhibition of the above media cannot be accomplished with DVD commercial (broad public available product).

Case to point being the broad public available product of 20th-Fox
GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES exhibited at the Paramount Theater (Asbury Park) -
GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES [1953] on December 3, the presentation system is an EIKI video projector, probably DLP, using DVD and positioned in the front row of the mezzanine/balcony and giving a very good image and sound. Considering the DVD aspect, I would wonder if this is a legal licensing through the distributor or a general exhibition contract through MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Corporation). Otherwise, public exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures without these legal articles is a severe problem. Why I say this comes from the GENTLEMEN exhibition that began directly with the Main Titles and not with the 20th Century-Fox logo.

Make CERTAIN you exhibition is legal by copyright holder contract and delivery.

http://www.mplc.com/

"Legal" what on earth???
I don't understand your 1st sentence and those movie titles. 1992? Are those films shown at this theater?
Are you legal counsel or representative for an entity involved? If so, can you please state YOUR name and position?
If you involved in an official capacity, who are you to state who's in violation of what?
And, if you are, this website might not be the appropriate forum for such posts.
I'm not involved in any way as an attorney at law in this matter.

Ah, I meant to ask "If you are not involved in an official capacity...."

This is the part of the above comment that sounds like babble:

This venue has been in violation of wrongful advertisment of product as non-profit organization exhibition conflict ad pages Two Rivers Times.flyers/etc in 1992.

Perhaps "Legal" doesn't realize that most of the major studios (Warner, Paramount, Fox, & Sony; I don't know about Universal) have recently been granting theatrical booking contracts that allows the exhibition of a DVD to the public in repertory situations.

True Peter. By the way, how is Nelson, and how are your festivals up in the Layfayette going? Great I hope. Now if someday, I can figure out a way to get the owners of the Ritz in Elizabeth, N.J. to do something, there would be another Cinema Treasure showing 'movies the way they were meant to be'.

HowardBHaas: Integrity in Cinema and Theatres is a guildline for future generations and possibilities to experience the best, especially in the environment of a theatre of historical integrity. The goal is a unified purpose, along legal contracts, for the ancillary renevues, rightfully due to those involved in fully copyrighted product. The advent of multiple videometric applications
warrants true product for theatrical venues and the personal use of product in privately sanctioned/personal domains under law. The Two River Times issues involved not-for-profit and profit theatrical exhibition being printed and displayed as equal. Films were pulled by disribution agencies, as well as, at a later date, notification of copyright infringement to View Askew [Kevin Smith's "coming attractions" exhibited at the above venue

PeterApruzzese: My Personal Onservation! Aw LITTLE ONE - YOU HAVE YET TO LEARN!

Legal, you answered my question by failing to identify yourself and continuing to write in such a fashion that nobody can understand. Merely because you can plaque a theater page from a community theater does not mean you should do so.

Ah, I meant "plague"

Hi, "Legal". Please re-write your posts so that we may understand you better. Thanks.

Again, it appears that the current series (none of us are talking about anything else) at Count Basie is completely licensed and correct. If they have booked their theatrical showings through the studios - since these are shows where they are charging admission, that would be the correct procedure - they do not need your "Umbrella License" service.

Boy, that brand spanking new print of "The Big Lebowski" looked great last night. I was the first to project it, in good old 35MM, I might add (the way it SHOULD be). And the intro by "The Dude" whom the movie was loosely based on was also great. What a fun night. And the sound was awesome.

Bruce Springsteen will be playing a benefit concert tonight in support of the upcoming 4 month renovation project at the theater:

http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-13/1210134985247870.xml&coll=1

Anybody want to loan me 2K for a ticket?

Today must be chit-chat day.

Well they raised a lot of money and it was a great show that Bruce did playing Born To Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town in sequential order plus 4 encores.

E Street minus one. RIP Danny Federici.

It is too bad about Danny. Here is some information about the show from backstreets.com:

Darkness and Born to Run in their entirety at the Basie, May 7
Ah, the stuff that dreams are made of... or at least the stuff that fan rap sessions are made of: "They should do the Darkness album start to finish!" Well, they just did, at the 1,500-seat Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. And it wasn't just a Darkness 30th anniversary celebration -- Bruce and the E Street band tackled the full Born to Run album in order, too, for what he described at the outset as "something we've never done before and you're not gonna see anywhere else." An E Street Band theater show -- finding them packed tighter than ever on a small stage like this, with Nils, Patti, and Soozie all added to the line-up since the theater days -- would have been exceptional enough, but the four Perfect Album Sides of the setlist put this one over the top.

The evening began with the Basie's Rusty Young describing the benefit show's mission, to raise money for the restoration of this 80-year-old theater to its original glory -- "when the ceiling wasn't covered in netting" -- and this night alone brought in more than three million dollars. Young noted that Patti Scialfa is the "honorary co-chair of our capital campaign," and after he asked her for ideas... "tonight is her answer." Generous donations also made it possible, Young said, for 37 wounded veterans to attend the show, talking the bus in from Walter Reed.

Patti came out next to a mighty standing ovation -- "I'm supposed to welcome you, and you're welcoming me!" -- speaking of her and the rest of the band's history at the Basie, and of the importance of saving venues like this one. She was followed by NBC anchor Brian Williams, who goes back a long way as a fan and was clearly psyched just to be talking through Springsteen's mic ("the first and last time that will ever happen"). He recalled hitting the Stone Pony and the Tradewinds back in the day, ever on Bruce-watch; he also touched on the recent loss of Danny Federici, saying that "Great families endure. And great, great bands endure." "The netting is just to keep the larger pieces of debris from falling down," he added, "and if there's an entity that could cause the big ones to fall, it's this group here.... Ladies and gentlemen, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band!"

And with that, it was Darkness, side one, to start the show. "We're gonna start with Darkness, so we don't send you home suicidal!" Bruce quickly aborted "Badlands" seconds in, after a rough start: "We fucked it up already! I knew there was a reason why we didn't do this," he laughed. "Maybe we shouldn't do it!" But they did it. And man, they did it. From track to track, for the first time live, it was Darkness sequenced as Bruce originally intended it to be heard, full of intensity from the howls on "Something in the Night" to the seemingly never-ending coda of "Racing in the Street," a straight-ahead "Factory" (not the Bruce/Patti duet of recent years) with Steve on mandolin, the modern twist on "Prove It All Night" as Nils rocked the new solo, and at the end of "side two," a hugely powerful vocal on the title track. Loads of guitar from Springsteen, too -- every solo except that Nils spectacular, in fact. Bruce offered a solo to Steve at one point, which was respectfully declined.

After an only-fitting intermission, Born to Run got the same sequential treatment, offering a distinct reminder of what a freakin' masterpiece it is, as well as of the difference in tone between the two records. After the ferocity of the first set, here Bruce was having a blast, jumping into the crowd on the "Freeze-out" and even being held up by the crowd -- did we mention this was a theater show? Several clambers up on the piano throughout this second set, too. "Tenth" also brought a full horn section to the stage -- "The Mighty Max Horns," as Bruce later called them -- consisting of Mark Pender on trumpet, LaBamba on trombone, Jerry Vivino and Ed Manion on saxes. Pender came back out for "Meeting Across the River," giving his own spin to Randy Brecker's original trumpet part for a few minutes of absolute magic, also thanks to the beautfiul accompaniment from Roy and Garry. "Jungleland" had Steve stepping up for a soaring solo, and of course Clarence -- invigorated, up and around for much of this night -- did his thing and did it well.

And that wasn't the end -- as the needle hit the runout groove, Bruce said, "Let's bring out the horns! We've got a few more for you!" And they used the horn section to maximum effect for the entire encore, four bonus tracks starting off with BTR/Darkness outtake "So Young and in Love." "Kitty's Back" was next -- "and she's got somebody with her!" Bruce teased at the end, "Kitty's back, and she's got somebody with her!" That somebody was "Rosalita," and finally, Eddie Floyd's "Raise Your Hand" made sure we got an R&B cover in there for the full effect of this '70s theater revival.

It was a particular bygone era brought back to life, a celebration of the band's history and just one of its heydays, and a tip of the hat to a couple of 30th anniversaries... yet as ever with Springsteen, it was most notably moving forward and trying something new at the same time. And playing for a take-'em-all-in-with-one-glance crowd from the orchestra to the balcony, a packed theater practically on top of Bruce and the band (at least compared to where they have been and will be playing in this new millenium), it was the perfect crucible for revisiting the passion and the power of these classic records. An experiment, no doubt -- and an electrifying success.

Great stuff. I would have bought the theater to be there that night.

Thursday, 3 July 2008

For those who are interested in theatre renovation, the following link will provide a continuous view of this theatre's auditorium during the renovation process. Hope you enjoy unique experience.

http://www.ibeamsystems.com/private/countbasie/

Here are some August 2008 photos.

The theatre is looking great. Its amazing what they did in a little over 3 months.

Todays Star Ledger had a full page story with a great shot of the auditorium, and about events leading up to this friday's re-opening.

The architect of record for the 2008 restoration is Farwell Mills Gatsch Architects out of Princeton NJ (also did the State Theater in New Brunswick). William E. Lehman is the 1925 architect for the building. This building has undergone an amazing transformation from a white-washed eyesore to an amazing space.

Here is the schedule for the upcoming 'Take 9 Count Basie Theatre Foundation Film Series.'

Sun Feb 22 2:00pm Doctor Zhivago 1965 DVD
Wed Mar 4 7:30pm Citizen Kane 1941 35MM
Sun Mar 8 2:00pm Adventures of Robin Hood 1938 35MM
Sun Mar 8 7:30pm Dial M for Murder 1954 35MM
Tue Mar 31 7:30pm Cool Hand Luke 1967 DVD
Sat Apr 11 2:00pm Happy Feet 2006 DVD
Sat Apr 11 7:00pm Titanic 1997 35MM
Tue Apr 28 7:30pm American Graffitti 1973 35MM
Wed May 6 7:30pm Pretty in Pink 1986 35MM

More info can be found on the theatres website "www.countbasietheatre.org"

I just heard CITIZEN KANE was shown in 1.85. What the heck?!! That would totally destroy the compositions! How can they make such a presentation error?

ANY film produced before mid-1953 should be presented in 1.37.

Unfortunately Bob, I had no choice but to show it in 1.85 because I do not have the lens selection to do 1.33 or 1.37. It makes me sick as well, but you must remember, this is a stage venue, that only does this once a year, and even that, all the movies are not 35mm, some are DVD. I just ran 'Robin Hood' from 1938 and 'Dial M for Murder' 1954 yesterday. I made it look as good as I could. I tried using the back-up from the 'scope' lens with the scope aperture, but I ended up with picture all over the place. I even tried the scope aperture with the flat lens, but to no avail. So I went with what fit the screen. But I will say this, not to toot my own horn, but man my changeovers were crisp.

Why would a film programmer book academy ratio films when they don't have the appropriate lens to present it properly? That's very poor showmanship.

Dial M was intended for 1.85 presentation so I'm sure it looked fine.

Running DVD's is pretty sad too. The Lafayette in Suffern, New York ran a beautiful 35mm print of DR. ZHIVAGO a few years ago.

With all the money spent on that booth, it's a shame they couldn't spring for a pair of lenses and plates to do this properly.

Again Bob, this venues main fare is stage. And I don't think they have a bonafide film programmer. They are given a very small budget to work with, and try to make it work. I know part of the problem is the cost of shipping the films. And I agree with you about Zhivago. I remember running it when I first became a projectionist in '76. What I did with that intermission, and curtains , it was remarkable. And I know the Union County Arts Center also ran it a few years back, and had a decent print. But I am just the house projectionist, and do what I can, with what I have.

I was just informed this morning that "Titanic" will now be a DVD and not 35MM. Sorry folks.

Movie534: I'm not blaming you personally, and I know that you are doing your best. It's just frustrating that they have such a great booth and SO much potential to do it right.

I know you're not blaming me Bob, and believe me I'm not taking it that way. I can only tell them what to do, how to do, and hope they do. Beyond that, Oh well...

As I said elsewhere here on CT, if the Ritz in Elizabeth ever gets going, and I have a say in the projection, well I will bring in anyone who wants to help do it right. From start to finish.

WOW, that really is a shame about TITANIC and video projection. What gives? 35mm prints ARE available. This epic DESERVES 35mm projection to appreciate all that went into this wonderful production. I don't understand this logic(?) with video projection, ESPECIALLY when it is advertised in local papers as a "FILM Program". I'll skip that trip, even for free.

I'm sorry screeningroom, because for me as the house projectionist, it means not only a days pay lost, but also more important, the joy of running reel-to-reel the way film should be shown. The problem is that the sponser only gave the theatre so much money to work with. I've been told that to ship the film prints back and forth costs a lot, and it chews the budget up. I agree that if its advertised as a FILM series, then it should be shown on FILM. But most of todays public, except for us true film and palace lovers here on CT, most people today dont know or care if its film or video. And thats really the true sadness of it all.

most people today don't know or care if its film or video

True, but they do care about good and bad presentation. What most people don't do is complain about poor presentation, they just don't come back.

A few more photos can be seen here.

This is a 2008 marquee photo.

To MBD from March 25, 2009, at least when I'm there they get a great presentation. Thats what 34 years or expierience will get you.

On another note, I was just informed that the last movie "Pretty in Pink" will now be a DVD. Why dont they just call it a DVD festival and be done with it.

Here is a 1983 photo of the Monmouth Arts Center.

Tonight at 7:30 'American Graffitti' in Cinemascope on the giant screen. I'll be the projectionist.

This is a recent photo of the Count Basie Theater.

A 2008 view of the auditorium can be found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/nyregion/new-jersey/09basienj.html?_r=1&sq=Basie Theater&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1258667366-fVOtfF3c4UmO8s8XPatn0A

Last nights showing of "The Maltese Falcon" looked and sounded great. Nice crowd too. Next week "North By Northwest" with yours truly at the projection helm once again.

Looking forward to the March 24 presentation of "The Red Shoes"! Excited this will be my first movie at the Cound Basie.

am searching for some information about a Vaudeville show that may have performed at the theatre in the late 1920's somewhere between 1927-1929. The show was called "Jungleland" which was a traveling contortionist show. If anyone could help out, that would be great.