Westmont Theatre
49 Haddon Avenue,
Westmont,
NJ
08108
49 Haddon Avenue,
Westmont,
NJ
08108
17 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 89 comments
Fifty years ago today THE EXORCIST opened here. Westmont was among only two-dozen cinemas in twenty-one North American markets to play the film at release launch.
Camden County unveils historical marker where Steven Spielberg discovered his love for cinema
https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/steven-spielberg-historical-marker-haddon-township-camden-county
The 2022 Oscar-Nominated “The Fablemans” references Steven Spielberg’s visits to this theatre in his youth.
Article in today’s PhillyVoice
https://www.phillyvoice.com/steven-spielberg-haddon-township-westmont-theatre-film-fabelmans/
This is where I saw SONG OF THE SOUTH in 1986, its last release.
Sorry, Moviebuff 82, E. T. Did not open at the Westmount, Three others in South Jersey.
This opened on September 5th, 1927.
Westmount theatre opening Mon, Sep 5, 1927 – 7 · Courier-Post (Camden, Camden, New Jersey, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
65 years ago Speilberg went to see his first movie that made him want to be a director. 35 years ago next Sunday marks the release of ET. Did this movie play at this theater?
Philly.com story on downtown Westmont includes a picture of the theater. Planet Fitness has moved in, keeping the marquee but apparently changing the colors.
It’s unfortunate that nobody seems to have gotten a really good color nighttime picture of this theater, as the marquee has pink and green neon and is huge for a suburban house. This one is all I could find.
The original marquee wasn’t too shabby either.
The latest idea: Planet Fitness. Philly.com story here.
A buyer, perhaps—but for what use? Philadelphia Inquirer story here.
Results of the study are in: restoration would run about $3.1 million. Philadelphia Inquirer column here.
A $50,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust “will help pay for the first comprehensive study of the physical condition and redevelopment potential” of the theater. Philadelphia Inquirer story 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
Very exciting to see that kind of publicity, looking at the theatre as part of a big picture. This is a grass roots effort making great strides. Thanks to all who have contributed in any way with advice, virual or even moral support. Continue w/ timely news & show of support. Visit our sites—Only a fraction of the info gets posted here:
Facebook [ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=63366902867# ]
Blog [ http://westmonttheatre.wordpress.com/ ]
This article mentions the Westmont and recent moves in the direction of its possible revitalization: View link
Some Recent Stories and Links of Interest Concerning The Westmont
Saving The Westmont (Film Threat Magazine/site) View link
Additionally this story was picked up by Google News. NCW and Cinema Treasures mentioned in Philadelphia Daily News: View link
Cafe Press Items: tp://www.cafepress.com/WestmontTheatre. Haddon Township Blog Listing: http://haddontwp.wordpress.com/
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
Here is a 2003 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dj92yr
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
Mr. Haas,
They may not make a killing, but its worth noting that the Broadway Theatre of Pitman does show classic films every month, such as this month’s presentation of Citizen Kane on September 24th.
I’m sure Newt will do a bang up job presenting it in a way that honors classic film presentation
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
Of course, I do hope that film including classics can return as a component of a program to the Westmont. I’m sure the community leaders are wisely planning.
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.
Howard….“killing,” is a difficult word to define… however, many do make a profit, have very supporting audiences, and bring lots of traffic and money to their area/main streets. To name just a few, including some that also share the space for performing arts: Ziegfeld, Paris, Film Forum in NYC, Byrd in Richmond VA, Ohio in Columbus Ohio, The Music Hall in Portsmouth NH, The Bryn Mawr and Ambler in Phila. PA, The Colonial in Phoenixville, the Castro in San Francisco CA, the Uptown in DC, Loews in Jersey City NJ, and hundreds more throughout the country. There is serious interest redeveloping in seeing film presented correctly in proper and often original surroundings and on large screens with proper sound levels. (Very difficult to do in today’s multiplexes!)
Alleb F Hauss