King Theatre
16-18 S. King Street,
Gloucester City,
NJ
08030
16-18 S. King Street,
Gloucester City,
NJ
08030
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The organ music was very popular from 1971-1974. My parents owned the theater during this time. Carlton Taylor (Carl) was the projectionist that played the organ for about 30 minutes prior to showtime (the old guy that smoked cigars and drank Yoo-Hoos)and he was a concert-quality organist! Jaws, The Exorcist, and KC and the Sunshine Band played at The King. I have photos of the organ and some of the front of the building. Webby was the older lady that worked the box office. My mother, Lee (now deceased) came up with the ‘popcorn lottery’. Bet you bought a soda if you won! It was a ‘third run’ theater. The idea was low cost admission (the film distributors get 50%+ of the admission) so that you would have change for the concession stand (or at least get to see a movie as the neighorhood was NOT wealthy). Non-alcoholic Pina Coladas and hot dogs sold big. Once they rented the theater to some Buddists for a viewing of Johnothan Livingston Seagull(Niel Diamond?)and sold out of goodies, borrowing stock from the neighboring moviehouse. If you want more info, John William Panchuk lives in Marlton, NJ and would remember more (I was 2 yrs old at the time).
I remember going here as kid in the 70s. They had a free popcorn lottery with the tickets. A small piece of paper thumb-tacked to the wall, with hand written numbers. Maybe 2 dozen. Match a number, and you’d win. Even though we’d always get popcorn, I remember thinking the few times I won was more exciting than the movie.
Here is a photo of the King Theater. As TC mentioned in a previous comment, this theater should have an aka name of Apollo Theater.
Status of Wurlitzer organ, “The organ still exists and is playable”. If it was installed in 1974, it should be in great condition. Was theater organ music real popular in the 1970’s, or could 1974 be a typo?
The Moller was opus 2662 and the Wurlitzer 874. Interestingly, the Wurlitzer is shown with a delivery date of 7/1/74.
Originally opened as the Apollo Theatre in 1919. Had a Moller organ. Renamed King Theatre in 1939 at which time the Moller was replaced with a Wurlitzer.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, Page 33
From Camden County Historical Society, this theater was built on the site of the town’s first burying ground.
Listed in the 1951 FDY as having 847 seats.
Part of the local Savar chain in the early ‘70s, later became an independent theater. Always a second-run neighborhood house. Demolished by the late '80s; I think there’s a firehouse on the site now.