Iselin Theatre

1404 Oak Tree Road,
Iselin, NJ 08830

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Independent Theater Service Inc.

Functions: Retail

Nearby Theaters

Iselin Theater 1947

The Iselin Theatre was opened in the mid-1920’s. It spent its final years as a discount price double feature house, but fell into a decline with the opening of a couple of mall multiplexes in the area. Closed in the mid-1970’s and the space is now used for retail. I have been told (however unsubstantiated) that the auditorium is still pretty much intact and that a renewal of the building might be possible. Let’s hope!

Contributed by jim thatcher

Recent comments (view all 15 comments)

CALIOBED
CALIOBED on June 22, 2006 at 3:18 am

Iselin Theater closed doors in the middle of the 80’s, it was sold to a company from Hoboken NJ. it was converted into an office building. I was the last manager. Good memories. Thanks JJ Forero

captnemo
captnemo on July 24, 2006 at 11:56 am

If someone could recall the exact address of this theater, I will drive by and inquire about its interior. I live just up the street from it and would love to find out where it used to be. I spent many hours watching the old splotchy screen.

markp
markp on January 27, 2008 at 10:03 am

I know Jerry Kampo from years ago. My dad and I were projectionists with him in the same IATSE local. My dad would always tell me how the business agent would BEG projectionists to go there, and many of them would have rather had their legs cut off. I never had the pleasure of working there (thank god). I had enough fun at the Forum in Metuchen, the Royal in Perth Amboy, and the Sayrewoods in Old Bridge.

lolly
lolly on August 18, 2010 at 3:54 pm

My husbands father worked there as a projectionist during the 1950’s. I have many fond memories of going there as a kid. My shoes used to stick to the floor because of all the spilled soda and candy.
It used to cost 35 cents to see the double feature. I remember cashing in all the empty soda bottles for money so it could pay my way in to see the movies.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on August 18, 2010 at 4:04 pm

Thanks for the Story.lolly.

HarryGribbon
HarryGribbon on September 23, 2010 at 8:12 pm

Thom T – Just read your post from a few years back. The theater was located on the corner of Coreja Avenue and Oak Tree Road. It appears to have been completely gutted, but you can see the outside, which has 4 flat “columns” in the front. Between the center two were the entrance to the theater. There were two stores to either side of the theater entrance, between the remaining columns, and if I rember correctly, the corner store sold Italian Ice and Hot Dogs at one time during the 60’s. THe main store in the theater now is a Sari shop. At one time in the early 80’s, Bollywood films were shown. When the midnight shows were popular, I tried to rent the theater. Could not come to an agreement with the owner. I think it closed around 1984.

escolar294
escolar294 on October 2, 2013 at 5:38 am

Tom Cif…Went to the Iselin since mid 1950’s Theatre used to be referred to as “The Iselin Rat Trap” Saturday matinees where the best. Sticky floors, popcorn boxes flattened out went flying in the air. JoJo’s was an Italian hot dog joint on the front corner of the theatre outside. Many a good time was spent there.

johngs54
johngs54 on May 25, 2015 at 1:03 pm

I lived in Iselin from 54(birth) to 64. We went to this theater every weekend matinee. I still remember it clearly. Heck I may even have met some of you that attended during the late 50s early 60s. I attended School 18. LOL. Wow, never thought I would see that old building again. Been in Florida since 64

Paul
Paul on October 11, 2016 at 3:25 pm

I grew up in Iselin, but sadly, was too young to see a movie here before it closed. I keep an old black-and-white photo of it, though, in my office, sort of as a relic of what the old Iselin was like.

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