For over seven years these skeptics have been monopolizing these pages. Now that the Bijou Theatre has reopened, (July 7, 2011), there hasn’t been a peep from this bunch! Wonder what theater restoration project they’ll target next. Maybe there’s still some room left here for the rest of us to share some photos or other information about the original Bijou Theatre cir. 1909.
“Located on Main Street, Bridgeport, at the intersection with Fern Street, …” is incorrect. (That would be the 3600 block). The Merritt Theater was located on Main Street, Bridgeport, at the intersection with Renzy Avenue (between Renzy Avenue and Goldenrod Avenue). The Merritt Theater was next to a single home at 3701-03 Main Street (at Renzy Ave.) that is still standing. A CVS/pharmacy now stands (in a strip center) where the theater once stood. (Please note: For anyone that needs to brush up on their geometry, summer classes are available at their local high school).
In September of 2010, Joe Vogel referred to an interesting item in the November 8, 1913 issue of the trade journal The Moving Picture World. After 3yrs.8mos., I thought someone would have an answer. I guess not?
Now an update. The marquees for both theaters had deteriorated to the point that wooden blocks were constructed to keep them up. For safety concerns, both marquees have since been removed. The vertical signs that rose above the marquees are long gone! Fire escapes have also been removed. At street level, movie themed murals were painted and now cover the façade. Concrete barricades surround the façade at the curb. A sign reads: Poli, Majestic Theaters & Hotel — Part of the Downtown Arts and Entertainment Revitalization Project. Another, older sign reads: STORES AVAILABLE.
Getting tired of these naysayers! Guys like raymondgordonsears and rastakurt offer nothing positive. Looking at the roofline, I see several surveillance cameras have been installed. Another large dumpster is in the parking lot. And the curtains from the Copa Room at the Sands in Atlantic City were purchased for the theater. And a new roof is in place.
A block from Franklin Square, this theater was also known as Lubin’s Auditorium. Built in 1909, it was expanded in 1915 to include 219-221 N. 8th Street. The theater closed in 1967 and was demolished that year to make way for the Metropolitan Hospital. (The hospital has since been converted into the Metro Club, a 129 unit condominium development).
How many did the Auditorium seat when it closed? Also, who were the architects (1909 & 1915) and in what style was the theater designed? If anyone has the answers, thanks!
Yes Tinseltoes, the Southern Theatre is still standing! Since July 2012, the month before your comment, the theater has been home to the Kevin O'Brien Studio, a textile design center. The upper portion of the façade remains as it was when it was a theater. At street level, a modern front now covers the old theater façade. You can visit it above. Enjoy!
More maps? BORING!! As for the PAB site, we already know it’s the Dixie Theater or we wouldn’t be here. Who was the architect —– in what style was it designed —– who was the operator —– when did it close? Things like that genius.
Thanks guys for establishing that it had been an auto repair shop. With that out of the way, does anyone have anything to share about those years that it was actually a movie theater? That would be different!
I guess the Devon can be officially listed as CLOSED now. It doesn’t appear that the new owners are going to reach out with their future plans. Only then might best wishes be in order. Until that time, it’s wait and see!
The Regal Theatre was designed by architect and builder Charles S. Dingleman and opened in 1935 as a neighborhood motion picture and vaudeville theatre. When it closed in 1968, it became the Regal Ballroom. It still boasts its thirty foot ceiling and much of its architectural detail.
There is no connection between this Regal Theatre and today’s Regal Cinemas or the Regal Entertainment Group (REG). The Regal chain was not established until 1989.
If anyone knows in what architectural style the Regal Theatre was designed, please share. Thanks!
Frank Theaters closed the Beach Stadium 5 at the close of the 2012 summer season and the wrecking ball gave a command performance. The Beach Stadium 5 was demolished to make way for an expansion of the ACME Market. Even though the theater had been upgraded over the years, Frank Theaters can never get enough! It was previously called the Beach Theatre, Beach Twin, and Beach 4. Now it’s the Beach Zero. Long Beach Island no longer has a movie theater. Thanks Frank’s.
Thanks Changedskyline! Under N would be where the World Theater would be found. Although this page is for the discussion of the (original) World Theater, some people insist on wondering off-topic. If you want the New World Theater, look up New World Theater. (You might even like it)!
Does anyone know who the architect was for the Ritz at the Bourse? And, since the Ritz has five screens, how many moviegoers does each auditorium seat?
Inside — this theater sparkles! Outside — blah, blah, blah! Just five single sided movie posters. NO marquee, NO chase lights, NO signage. Just RITZ etched in the glass. Even the box office is unmarked. This theater deserves better!
In a comment, alps makes a reference to “… Budco like twinning in ‘85.” I would like to make it clear, before this comment is misconstrued, that Budco Theatres Inc. never owned or had an interest in this theater.
In the overview, Chuck says the Avon closed in 1956. Jayfar comments that it’s been a supermarket since about 1950 and PAB says it was converted to a supermarket c. 1950. Does anyone know, for a fact, when the Avon Theatre closed and when it was converted to a Food Fair supermarket?
This theater opened as the Colonial Theatre in 1914, two blocks from the boardwalk. Located at 1517 Atlantic Avenue near Mississippi Avenue, it seated 1,391. Renamed the Center Theatre in 1954. Yes, the theater was capable of screening 70mm as it was equipped with 35mm/70mm Philips/Norelco projectors and Ashcraft Super Cinex carbon arc lamps. “Greased Lightning” starring Richard Pryor (Warner Bros.—July, 1977) was the last motion picture to be seen at the Center Theatre. The lettering was still on the marquee when the theatre was demolished. The site is now a part of Renaissance Plaza, a shopping center built in 1996. A KFC/Taco Bell now stands where the Center Theatre once stood.
PAB lists this theater under CITY SQUARE THEATRE in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, NJ. No additional details are listed. The Embassy Theatre, City Square Theatre, Shore Theatre, and Beach Theatre were various names for the same theater. Stores were built in front of the theater but that building remains behind those stores. Jersey Discount now claims the 1318 Atlantic Avenue address. The back of the old theater can be viewed from Central Avenue.
For over seven years these skeptics have been monopolizing these pages. Now that the Bijou Theatre has reopened, (July 7, 2011), there hasn’t been a peep from this bunch! Wonder what theater restoration project they’ll target next. Maybe there’s still some room left here for the rest of us to share some photos or other information about the original Bijou Theatre cir. 1909.
“Located on Main Street, Bridgeport, at the intersection with Fern Street, …” is incorrect. (That would be the 3600 block). The Merritt Theater was located on Main Street, Bridgeport, at the intersection with Renzy Avenue (between Renzy Avenue and Goldenrod Avenue). The Merritt Theater was next to a single home at 3701-03 Main Street (at Renzy Ave.) that is still standing. A CVS/pharmacy now stands (in a strip center) where the theater once stood. (Please note: For anyone that needs to brush up on their geometry, summer classes are available at their local high school).
In September of 2010, Joe Vogel referred to an interesting item in the November 8, 1913 issue of the trade journal The Moving Picture World. After 3yrs.8mos., I thought someone would have an answer. I guess not?
Now an update. The marquees for both theaters had deteriorated to the point that wooden blocks were constructed to keep them up. For safety concerns, both marquees have since been removed. The vertical signs that rose above the marquees are long gone! Fire escapes have also been removed. At street level, movie themed murals were painted and now cover the façade. Concrete barricades surround the façade at the curb. A sign reads: Poli, Majestic Theaters & Hotel — Part of the Downtown Arts and Entertainment Revitalization Project. Another, older sign reads: STORES AVAILABLE.
I agree. This theater doesn’t look all that bad! Very salvageable.
Getting tired of these naysayers! Guys like raymondgordonsears and rastakurt offer nothing positive. Looking at the roofline, I see several surveillance cameras have been installed. Another large dumpster is in the parking lot. And the curtains from the Copa Room at the Sands in Atlantic City were purchased for the theater. And a new roof is in place.
A block from Franklin Square, this theater was also known as Lubin’s Auditorium. Built in 1909, it was expanded in 1915 to include 219-221 N. 8th Street. The theater closed in 1967 and was demolished that year to make way for the Metropolitan Hospital. (The hospital has since been converted into the Metro Club, a 129 unit condominium development).
How many did the Auditorium seat when it closed? Also, who were the architects (1909 & 1915) and in what style was the theater designed? If anyone has the answers, thanks!
Yes Tinseltoes, the Southern Theatre is still standing! Since July 2012, the month before your comment, the theater has been home to the Kevin O'Brien Studio, a textile design center. The upper portion of the façade remains as it was when it was a theater. At street level, a modern front now covers the old theater façade. You can visit it above. Enjoy!
More maps? BORING!! As for the PAB site, we already know it’s the Dixie Theater or we wouldn’t be here. Who was the architect —– in what style was it designed —– who was the operator —– when did it close? Things like that genius.
Stop by this variety store. Maybe they’ll have some information about this theater. Except for the location and the organ, no one here has any!
Again, another theater no one can comment on. Mom or dad, grand mom or grand pop, an aunt or uncle; someone must have shared some memories.
In what style was this theater and who was the operator? Was this also a vaudeville theater?
Thanks guys for establishing that it had been an auto repair shop. With that out of the way, does anyone have anything to share about those years that it was actually a movie theater? That would be different!
I guess the Devon can be officially listed as CLOSED now. It doesn’t appear that the new owners are going to reach out with their future plans. Only then might best wishes be in order. Until that time, it’s wait and see!
The Regal Theatre was designed by architect and builder Charles S. Dingleman and opened in 1935 as a neighborhood motion picture and vaudeville theatre. When it closed in 1968, it became the Regal Ballroom. It still boasts its thirty foot ceiling and much of its architectural detail.
There is no connection between this Regal Theatre and today’s Regal Cinemas or the Regal Entertainment Group (REG). The Regal chain was not established until 1989.
If anyone knows in what architectural style the Regal Theatre was designed, please share. Thanks!
Frank Theaters closed the Beach Stadium 5 at the close of the 2012 summer season and the wrecking ball gave a command performance. The Beach Stadium 5 was demolished to make way for an expansion of the ACME Market. Even though the theater had been upgraded over the years, Frank Theaters can never get enough! It was previously called the Beach Theatre, Beach Twin, and Beach 4. Now it’s the Beach Zero. Long Beach Island no longer has a movie theater. Thanks Frank’s.
28-30 South 52nd Street is now KICKS USA. Yes, the Nixon Theater was demolished!
Apparently everyone is gone now. There is nothing to share at all? What a shame!
Thanks Changedskyline! Under N would be where the World Theater would be found. Although this page is for the discussion of the (original) World Theater, some people insist on wondering off-topic. If you want the New World Theater, look up New World Theater. (You might even like it)!
Does anyone know who the architect was for the Ritz at the Bourse? And, since the Ritz has five screens, how many moviegoers does each auditorium seat?
Inside — this theater sparkles! Outside — blah, blah, blah! Just five single sided movie posters. NO marquee, NO chase lights, NO signage. Just RITZ etched in the glass. Even the box office is unmarked. This theater deserves better!
In a comment, alps makes a reference to “… Budco like twinning in ‘85.” I would like to make it clear, before this comment is misconstrued, that Budco Theatres Inc. never owned or had an interest in this theater.
In the overview, Chuck says the Avon closed in 1956. Jayfar comments that it’s been a supermarket since about 1950 and PAB says it was converted to a supermarket c. 1950. Does anyone know, for a fact, when the Avon Theatre closed and when it was converted to a Food Fair supermarket?
In case we missed something —
This theater opened as the Colonial Theatre in 1914, two blocks from the boardwalk. Located at 1517 Atlantic Avenue near Mississippi Avenue, it seated 1,391. Renamed the Center Theatre in 1954. Yes, the theater was capable of screening 70mm as it was equipped with 35mm/70mm Philips/Norelco projectors and Ashcraft Super Cinex carbon arc lamps. “Greased Lightning” starring Richard Pryor (Warner Bros.—July, 1977) was the last motion picture to be seen at the Center Theatre. The lettering was still on the marquee when the theatre was demolished. The site is now a part of Renaissance Plaza, a shopping center built in 1996. A KFC/Taco Bell now stands where the Center Theatre once stood.
PAB lists this theater under CITY SQUARE THEATRE in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, NJ. No additional details are listed. The Embassy Theatre, City Square Theatre, Shore Theatre, and Beach Theatre were various names for the same theater. Stores were built in front of the theater but that building remains behind those stores. Jersey Discount now claims the 1318 Atlantic Avenue address. The back of the old theater can be viewed from Central Avenue.