Ritz Theater

After extensive renovations by owner Eugene Levy, the State re-opened as the Ritz Theatre on Thanksgiving Eve, November 29th, 1933. The Ritz would have two program changes weekly, presenting a new movie with “Big Time” vaudeville from Thursday through Saturday, and a new movie with short subjects on Monday through Wednesday. In that era, Newburgh had a “blue law” requiring theatres to close on Sundays. The first film shown at the Ritz was Fox’s B&W El Brendel comedy, “Olsen’s Big Moment,” with singer Miriam “Babe” Miller and comedians Gene Gory and Fred Werner heading the stage bill. On opening night only, radio singer Johnny Marvin and film/stage star Bernice Claire traveled from NYC to add glitter to the stage proceedings. From Monday through Friday, the Ritz gave one afternoon show starting at 2:15pm, and two evening performances at approximately 7:00 and 9:00pm. On Saturdays only, performances were continuous from 2:00pm. From Thursday through Saturday, matinee prices were 30 cents for all seats, and 10 cents for children. Evenings were 50 cents for orchestra and mezzanine, 25 cents for balcony, and 15 cents for children. From Monday through Wednesday, when no vaudeville was presented, all matinee seats were 25 cents; in the evenings, orchestra and mezzanine were priced at 40 cents, and the balcony at 25 cents.

Anyone have photos looking up or down Broadway when the Ritz Theatre was Cinema I and II? Thanks

A disturbing article in the October 3 issue of New York Magazine calls Newburgh the “Murder Capital” of New York State. What’s the nearest cinema for the villains to attend? Here’s a link: nymag

It’s interesting that of the 17 Newburgh theatres listed on CT only two are open; both are single screen. One goes back to the beginning of the 20th century the other is in the beginning of the 21st.

I think it’s sad that someone has to bring up the article above. This thread was all about fond memories and the granduer that was Newburgh way back when, and how its slowly returning to that. Siting the article above has no bearing on the topic at hand (Cinemas), and only creates the image that Newburgh is a place you have to fear. There are a lot of wondeful things in Newburgh today, maybe you should point these things out instead of an article that conveys only reinforces the stereotype close-mindedness that plagues the area…

We are working very hard to restore this historic gem! Please contact us if you would ever like to take a tour of the space, or would like more information. Sincerely, Kristen Cronin (Ritz Theater)

Saw this theatre 2 weeks ago on my bike trip. There’s a hopeful revival of this theatre with plenty of posters in the window detailing the history, especially about the Lucy/Desi precursor to the tv show. Newburgh is definitely a little run-down and could use something to uplift it.

Just re-registering for alerts with this link:
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Thank you to Mr. Harris and all regarding the Ritz Theatre. It was a truly beautiful work of archtecture, totally unique to anything in the mid Hudson Valley. I recall the manager of the theatre in the ‘60’s was a nice gentleman named Fred Boyea.
I have many wonderful, fond memories of this glorious theatre: even bad movies always looked good here!

TO Roger Katz:

please note- Safe Harbors of the Hudson owns the theater and the adjoining property- not Common Ground ( if that correction could be made- thanks)

also anyone who visits this page and is interested in helping to restore the theater, which we think is a vital project for the entire City of Newburgh- please contact Safe Harbors at 845-562-6940

Thanks- Tricia Haggerty Wenz

To Robert R. from 10/17/05: The Mid-Valley Twin was a seperate theater located in the Mid-Valley Mall accross town. It opened in 1967, twined in 1979 and closed in 1986, when United Artists built a multiplex, now known as “Showtime Cinemas”.

Here is a recent photo of the Ritz Theater.

Mr. Treitano – It may have been Levine in your day, but it was definitely Sonny Levy in my day (back in the late 1940’s), Ray Boyea was the manager of the Broadway and the Cameo, and Lester Scott ran the Academy back then. You say you’ve played in many restored ‘palaces’ around the country…just what was it you played? Did you graduate from NFA? What year?