Mayfair Theater

My mother grew up in Hillside in the 1920s and ‘30s. In those days the Mayfair was the big,beautiful, first run theatre in town. There was another, run down theatre that locals called “The Flea Circus.” (Anyone out there have any idea what the real name of this other theatre might have been?)

My mother especially recalled one time her grandfather took her to the Mayfair and tried to buy tickets with coins left over from the Civil War! He couldn’t convince the box office clerk that it was still valid currency.

I thank you for your info “Movie Guy”. It did jar my memory a bit. I spoke with my Father last night. He grew up in that area of Newark. As I am sure you must know back in those days it was a mostly Jewish area and my Zada (Grandfather) was the local bookmaker. He also owned a few nightclubs. The following is almost verbatim what my Father toll me.

“The There was Two Mayfairs. One somewhere off of South Orange ave the one you mean was in Hillside across from Moon Motors. Longie die some time in the mid 50’s. I don’t remember when but before I meet your Mother (1958). His business was taken over by a guy name Myron Surgerman. His big this was pinball. I knew they guy who own the Mayfair in fact I knew he since we were kids. His father bought it right after the war”

My Father gave me the name and I remember this man. I will try and track him down and report back.

I grew up Hillside and went to the Mayfair many times. First pic I remember seeing was “The Blob” with Steve McQueen. I was about 4 or 5. Went to many Satuday matinees. That was a trip—a theater full of screaming, belching, candy-throwing kids!! Seems funny now.
I remember the lady that either owned or ran the place. I know my mother used to talk with her. I remember the Mayfair was overhauled in the mid-60s—new paint, upholstery, and carpets. For many years,
there was a restaurant next-door called “The Flamingo Diner”. Funny thing is, this place was always closed. It was leveled in the early
70s. The slot car place was called Tom Thumb Raceway and there was another one in Union. It was in a vacant Woolworth.

I use to go here almost ever Saturday in the early 70’s. Not sure when it started to show porno but do remember driving passed it about 1982 and it was still open. My Father use to work at a place called Moon motors right across the street from here. I also use to go to the slot car racing place near by. Does anyone remember the name of that place?

A Robert-Morton organ was installed in this theater in 1927 or 1928.

Listed at 1450 N. Broad Street with 1200 seats in the 1951 Film Daily Yearbook.