Westmont Theater

Results of the study are in: restoration would run about $3.1 million. Philadelphia Inquirer column here.

Saw ALTERED STATES, EXCALIBUR, ANDY WARHOL’S FRANKENSTEIN in 3-D, COMING AT YA in 3-D, TREASURE OF THE FOUR CROWNS in 3-D and the original THE EVIL DEAD at the Westmont. Had to go through HALLOWEEN producer Debra Hill’s hometown of Haddonfield, NJ to get there.

When I was a kid, I lived about 5/6 blocks down the street from the theater. I still remember those Sat afternoon SF double features with 6/8 cartoons and the latest episode of Flash Gordon, Tarzan or someone. All for less than a dollar as I recall.

As a grownup, I was around when the split the theater to make it a twin and in fact the last movie I saw there was Murphy’s Romance with James Garner and Sally Field in 1985 or 1986. Probably one of the last movies they screened. Saw it with my wife and I think there were a total of 5 paying customers besides the 2 employees who also watched it.

There was an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Dec 28th about future plans for the theater.
View link

This article mentions the Westmont and recent moves in the direction of its possible revitalization: View link

Theatre might be added to New Jersey and National Historic Registry

Several years ago the township began a process to put the theatre on the NJ historic registry listing. And although that application was never finalized it did help secure a certificate of eligibility for the Westmont â€" which is an important step towards getting on the registry.

When the some members of Neighbors Celebrating the Westmon (NCW) [ http://westmonttheatre.wordpress.com/ ] and on Facebook [ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=63366902867# ]were made aware of this certificate of eligibility they decided to submit a new application package. Over the course of a few months, and with the help from several people (including theatre historians, architects and preservationists), they completed the application package and submitted it to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office.

In March the application was received, reviewed and is now officially listed on the docket for consideration at the next meeting, which will be held in Trenton on June 23, 2009

citizen kane was a hit and i hope it gets people excited for oct 22nd when i present BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN at 10:30am and 1:30pm
sorry no late show this month movie fans as there are auditions or warm ups or somting having to do with the live plays that night

but its a great show and for just 3 dollars

people show up every night cinemark does a classic feature, exhumed films is a draw with there cult and double bills. every month the later shows for my classic series at pitman grows

if people know its out there they are more willing to try somthing new….or in this case old

i have very little budget to promote films it all goes to live theater but i have taken a page from the old fashion carnival barkers i talk with great passion about 35mm film prints and my classic trailers and the shows which i labor over and it rubs off on people

movie houses today are missing that belly full of fire

I’m considering a “revival house” as full time classic films. Not an arthouse. Not one classic on weekend matinees (Colonial in Phoenixville) or one week day eve show (Ambler). Not one weekend of classics per month (Loews Jersey). None of those have investors, because none make a profit.

Not one or two festivals per year (Ziegfeld) or an occasional classic (Paris, NY).

I wish the Uptown in DC would sure an occasional classic again but it is all mainstream fare now.

The Castro also shows arthouse films, but is somewhat a revival house.

There used to be full time revival houses in all the cities- that’s the only way that I know the term. Most of them closed.

If the Westmont is considering film, my guess is it wouldn’t only be classics.

Please name the revival houses in the United States that make “a killing” for investors.

It should be noted that the Scottish Rite Auditorium, located inside the Collingswood Masonic Temple, is not now, nor was ever intended to be uses as a performing arts spaace. It is adequate for small concerts, but by design cannot show motion pictures in a professional manner, nor can it handle a Broadway touring show as it lacks fly space and sufficient stage footage. The Ritz Theatre is a more intimate space that is being wonderfully utilized for a most successful subsription series of local theater as well as presenting superb special events for children. The goal of “Neighbors Celebrating the Westmont” is to provide ALL of Camden County with a much larger, true “Performing Arts Center” to showcase professional touring theatre, concerts ranging from full opera to small jazz groups, and of course, film of all gauges presented professionally.

Here is the proposal from the Retzler Group:
http://tinyurl.com/6bdax6

DO YOU HAVE ANY WESTMONT THEATRE PHOTOS/ITEMS — I am with the Haddon Twp. Historical Society. I have written a small book on the thetare and helped with the documetary. We are actively looking for anything tha can help perserve and reconcontruct the theatre’s history. If you have anything related to the Westmont (photos, memorabilia, handbills, ticket stubs, etc) pre-1990s or related to Handel-Rovner, its builders, owners, architect (Wrifford), remodlers (Supowitz, etc) or anyone who worked on or at the theatre —we would be very excited to get a scan or copy or even if you wish to donate images/items. e-mail: or I can also provide a snail-mail (USPS) address. Copies of any photos or documents of signifiance that we don’t already have in our collection, I will send a free autographed book (whiles supplies last) as thanks. Anecdotes or newstories that you think we don’t have would be welcome too. Some of our collection is on the web at View link Thanks!

The Rentzler Group presented its proposal to the Haddon Township Mayor and Councilmen Monday, June 23 to an enthusiastic audience. The other two proposals, which would have turned the building into either retail space or condos, were greeted politely. So, now it’s up in the air until the powers-that-be vote at some future date.