Lee Theater
Lemoine Avenue,
Fort Lee,
NJ
07024
Lemoine Avenue,
Fort Lee,
NJ
07024
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This was a fine theater located near the George Washington Bridge. The Lee Theater opened in around 1951 and was operated by the B.S. Moss Theatres circuit. Seating capacity at opening was said to be provided for 2,500 in a spacious, but rather plain auditorium. It was closed & demolished in 1973.
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Peter Pagano
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Recent comments (view all 22 comments)
1953 photo:
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Thanks, TC, for that great picture of the Lee. When I’d go there as a 7-year-old in 1962, it always seemed very futuristic-looking to me. The funny thing is, it still does!
Here are several early images. The Lee was built and first operated by B.S. Moss Theatres, whose holdings at the time also included the Criterion in NYC’s Times Square. Charles B. Moss, head of the company, is listed as the Lee’s decorator. Credited as architects are the firms of Roche & Roche and Schlanger & Hoffberg:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/137-3736_IMG.jpg
www.18.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/137-3740_IMG.jpg
Thank you all! The Lee Theater an icon of my Teaneck childhood, my parents' favorite destination, most likely for the comfortable seating. Find us in the balcony, left side facing the screen, about three rows back from the rail. Always bought candy ahead at paper stand a couple of doors down (dad: goobers; mom: raisinettes). This was the “Pal Joey” era. “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” “The Joker is Wild” (all 1957) among the nights out for this lucky 8 year old. Also, Mister Roberts (1955), Ocean’s Eleven (1960), Advise and Consent (1962).
Warren, do you know if Roche & Roche connected to modernist Kevin Roche?
Now I am a historic preservation professional. Even teach it! Could the Lee’s sad story be why?
Helaine Kaplan Prentice
(THS ‘67)
Sorry, but I have information about a possible connection between Roche & Roche and Kevin Roche.
Listed as part of B.S. Moss Theatres in the 1970 FDY.
I know The Godfather played the Lee for the longest time in 1972, does anyone recall The Godfather playing at the Linwood Theater also.
Very young I remember seeing “Hollywood or Bust”, “That
Touch of Mink” and “A Summer Place” A little later I saw “The Birds” and after it was over there were pigeons on Main Street and I was scared to leave the theater. In high school it seems like I went to the Oritani more often. It must have shown a more lowbrow selection.
Mike Steuer
(THS ‘67)——Hi Helaine
Mike: Maybe this was the day you saw “The Birds” at the Lee.
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Here are new links to images described above on 9/4/05:
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