Clairidge

486 Bloomfield Avenue,
Montclair, NJ 07042

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The Clairidge (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Bow-Tie Cinemas, Clearview Cinemas, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Architects: Nathan Harris, William E. Lehman

Functions: Movies (Film Festivals), Movies (Foreign), Movies (Independent)

Styles: Mission Revival

Previous Names: Clairidge Theatre, Clairidge Triple Cinema, Clairidge Cinemas

Phone Numbers:
Manager: 973.381.5588

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News About This Theater

Clairidge

The Clairidge Theatre opened as a deluxe movie palace in 1922. All seats were on one level–no balcony, and the house featured a Wurlitzer 2 manual, 10 ranks organ (now at the Paramount in Middletown, NY). By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. In the 1960’s the Clairidge Theatre became a Cinerama house (there are historic photos in the lobby). Divided into a triplex on May 13, 1983, and from April 4, 1997 a six-plex, the current Clairidge Cinemas is housed in a metal ‘box’ in the original theatre.

In the HVAC room off of the projection booth, I discovered a hatch in the ceiling. After climbing the ladder through the hatch, I was in shock when I saw that the original theatre is still almost 100% intact!! There is some damage to the proscenium and organ screens from the metal ‘box’ described above, and someone stole some of the stained glass light fixtures ringing the ceiling dome, but otherwise the theatre is all still there and can be restored in the future!

It was closed on March 16, 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Renovations were being carried out in June 2021. It reopened on October 22, 2021 by the non-profit Montclair Film as The Clairidge.

Contributed by Joe Masher

Recent comments (view all 116 comments)

Bill Huelbig
Bill Huelbig on June 26, 2021 at 5:14 am

The only reserved seat attraction I saw at the Clairidge was How the West Was Won in 1963, but I remember it being a very big audience. These engagements must have been successful because they almost all ran for quite a long time. 2001 played there for 36 weeks. How the West Was Won had the longest run, 39 weeks.

Robert Kratky
Robert Kratky on July 20, 2021 at 6:49 am

It’s only because I’ve loved attending the independent and “European” offerings over the past 20 or so years that I might seem a bit “impatient” for information but, is there an official Clairidge web site that would provide periodic up-dates as to the fate of this wonderful venue? (whether it’s permanently closed or in the process of being renovated? And if so, is there some kind of timeline as to its completion?) I know these are nearly impossible and or, at best tough questions to answer during these “times” but I’m trying to hold on to a sense of optimism and hope for one of my favorite movie houses

lfreimauer
lfreimauer on July 20, 2021 at 9:54 am

It is supposedly going to be completely renovated very shortly.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on July 20, 2021 at 2:09 pm

Robert Kratky: A press release in June said that the Montclair Film Festival had secured a long-term lease on the Clairidge Cinemas and would begin renovations immediately with the intent of opening the house for the 10th Festival, which is scheduled for October 21-30. The Information about the events will be posted on the festival’s web site, which is apparently going to be serving as the theater’s web site as well.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on October 27, 2021 at 8:46 am

Adding the word ‘The’ to a theatre name would make searching Cinema Treasures ne'er impossible. eg. ‘The’ Capitol', ‘The’ Rialto, ‘The’ State etc. To keep things consistent on the site, the word ‘The’ will not be used. The correct name is given on our link to The Clairidge website. Ken Roe, Theatre Editor.

RHETT52
RHETT52 on November 26, 2022 at 10:20 am

First time back since it closed. New lobby, looks nice. The staff very friendly and courteous. But the theaters are pretty much the same, small screens, dank atmosphere. They’re showing mainstream movies I suppose to get the revenues. Would I go back?,,,,Yes!! For the classic film showings or something new on the independent front. Drove by the BELLEVUE on the way home, says a new theater soon and is boarded up in front. Maybe that will open soon too.

vindanpar
vindanpar on November 26, 2022 at 11:20 am

As I’ve said before what’s the point? They’re now nothing but shoe box multi-plexes. Now if you were going to restore them to what they once were…

Moviefan333
Moviefan333 on December 7, 2022 at 10:35 am

I saw an independent movie here and I enjoyed the film. But yes very small theaters. They really didn’t do anything to fix them up. Just a new lobby and the staff seems more outgoing. They really won’t restore the theater to what it once was years ago. So be glad that there’s a theater in the downtown that’s open showing films

Comfortably Cool
Comfortably Cool on February 23, 2023 at 8:28 am

The Clairidge was in the news spotlight yesterday with a unique “BYOB” event. Details can be viewed here

lumiere
lumiere on August 29, 2023 at 5:29 pm

The theater was closed August 14-31 in order to replace all the seating in the 6 theaters. Reopens Sept 1

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