Old Movies by The Sea

4005 Pacific Avenue,
Wildwood, NJ 08260

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Old Movies by The Sea (Official)

Additional Info

Functions: Movies

Previous Names: Sea Theater

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News About This Theater

Old Movies by The Sea

The Sea Theatre opened in 1915 as a nickelodeon, but apparently closed by 1920, the Sea Theatre became a hardware store. In 1925 it became a music store. By the early to mid-1960’s it had become a baby store which closed in the 1980’s and the building became vacant. It was purchased in 1998 by the Penkalskyj family and reopened in 2003 as a 68-seat movie house.

As reported in the July 23, 2012 Philadelphia Inquirer, in 2012, the theatre did not reopen and has been placed for sale with an asking price in the mid-$200, 000. The Inquirer also reported that in reopening the theatre, the new owner found the sloped concrete floor and the original red wallpaper, and he installed a 1940’s Super Simplex projector and a platter in the original projection room.

It was purchased by new owners and reopened on December 8, 2022 as Old Movies by The Sea with 40-seats. At the rear of the theatre is an outdoor space which has 35-seats and an 85" T.V. screen.

Contributed by Lost Memory, Howard B. Haas

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

Porkface
Porkface on October 31, 2005 at 6:32 pm

We are glad to see this theatre listed here. We’ve attended severaltimes, its worth the drive from 30 mi. north…we’ve seen 1st run as well as cult films in this intimate setting…you can park literally right outside and walk in…the owner is always personable and a lover of film. Its open all year now. The shame is the locals, especially the movers & shakers of the new Wildwood, don’t support it. (Who said they had TASTE?).

brucemarch
brucemarch on February 20, 2006 at 7:02 am

I just met Taras (Ted) Saturday night at the State Theatre in Boyertown Pa. where I work. He told me he is using a platter system and is open seasonal at this time. The web address is www.seatheater.net but is not completed yet. Ted traveled approx 3 hours to visit our theatre and other single screens in the area. After exchanging stories and info I can say he is very personable as mentioned above.

teecee
teecee on July 1, 2006 at 4:21 am

May have been a nickelodeon at one time.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 65

Crazy Bob Madara
Crazy Bob Madara on September 18, 2006 at 10:20 am

I met Ted at the Delsea Drive-in in August, 2004. He was there to watch a show under the stars while sitting on the hood of his vintage car. He came into the booth and introduced himself. What a great person! He truly loves theatres and isn’t all about money. We talked for well over an hour about his, mom& pop, Sea Theatre in Wildwood. I’ve been past it but it was closed for the season. It would be worth the trip for anyone just to meet Ted!

nerwall16
nerwall16 on September 2, 2007 at 12:44 pm

ted and his wife have been nothing but supportive this summer the theater is amazing fully restored to its early glory and is one of the most enjoyable spots to see a movie down the shore

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on October 15, 2009 at 4:53 pm

From the mid 1950’s, my wife’s family lived in a charming seaside town called Pacifica, just 15 miles south of San Francisco. The local cinema was called the “Seaview” which was cleverly decorated in an underwater theme and colors.
She said there were door prizes and plate nights, etc., and it was just total fun, especially for the Saturday morning kids shows!
Later it was twinned, then came the greedy multiplexes, the place went down with increasing costs and that was the end of the Seaview Cinema…lock, stock and barrel, as they say!

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on August 10, 2010 at 11:08 am

Cool looking little theatre.

njdrivein
njdrivein on July 10, 2012 at 2:03 pm

It is now closed and is for sale http://www.seatheater.net/

Crazy Bob Madara
Crazy Bob Madara on March 22, 2021 at 8:27 pm

Ted has sold the SEA Theatre in 2020.

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