Strand Theater

Information from the 1945 Theatre Catalog.
As one of the larger summer resorts of the southern New Jersey ocean front, the population of Wildwood during three other seasons of the year could not possible support a modern, first-run, fire-proof theatre of this size. Therefore the entire investment must be supported by its summer operation only, and, as it is located on the boardwalk, the eleven shops are an important adjunct to the financial success of the project. Designed for maximum income at a minimum cost consistant with modern contructio, this theatre seats 1,600 on one floor with a total cubical content of only 400,000 feet. The overall size of the plot is 151 feet by 191 feet.
By creating an air chamber in the outside walls as a meand of weather-proofing, the decoration on the interior walls will be applied directly on the concrete block thereby eliminating all plaster or fabric. As such block has some sound absorption qualities, the accoustical threatment will, therefore, be confined to the ceiling and rear walls.
Another structural economy is the locating of the projection booth over the rear third of the auditorium instead of at the normal rear, substantially reducing the cubical contents of the structure and of the auditorium. The resultant high ceiling at the stage will be glamourized by the proscenium-draping treatment, while the low ceiling at the rear forms the top of the standee breaker rail. The savings that can be effected in construction costs, projection throw and air conditioning and heating equipment capacities are obvious.
Glass entrance doors will be used without the possibility of daylight flashes on the screen, because the entrance is on the end of the standee area, rather than at the usual center.
The booth portholes barely below the ceiling line are adjusted by a series of three ceiling steps at either side that will be worked into the decoration, lighting and air-duct plan.
The 22-foot depth of the standee area across the full back of the auditorium, permitting access to all toilet and rest rooms, not only eliminates the need for the normal foyer or lounge, but provides tremendous waiting space for the expected week-end crowds.
A simple but brightly lighted marquee dominates the block and a neon lightd canopy with flush downlights, together with a brightly colored terrazzo pavement trim, carries the theatre’s lobby treatment from on end to the other.

2009 photo of the Strand Theatre.
View link

Photo of the Strand Theatre courtesy of Nick’s Classic American Theatres.

View link

Hunt Theatre Enterprises intended to build their new Strand Theatre on the same site as their previous Strand, according to an item in Boxoffice Magazine of October 13, 1945. The architect’s rendering of the facade of the proposed house published in the magazine matches the photos linked above quite closely. The architect of the new Strand was William H. Lee, of Philadelphia.

The name of this theater should be Strand 5 Theater and the screens updated to five. Here is their website.

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2sba98

Here is another photo of the Strand Theater.

Two old postcards:

View link

View link

But the Shore 4 also!

Small current photo at this link:
View link

I already listed the others, except for the Ocean, which didn’t have a history narrative yet.

History & old photos:
http://www.funchase.com/Images/Theatres/Strand.htm

The Frank theater chain ruined this theater like they did so many by chopping it up. Using the beautiful front as an arcade sucks.