The Fabian was acquired from RKO-Stanley Warner theaters by Rudy De Blasio of Theater Management Associates in July, 1977. It re-opened in Christmas 1977 as the Fabian 1-2-3 with 1200 seats on the upper level and two 500 seat theaters on the ground floor. According to an article in Boxoffice dated 10/17/77, the upstairs theater was one of the few in the area capable of presenting 70mm films in stereophonic sound.
Here’s a 2002 picture of the balcony theatre after the triplexing and the “modern” Pepto-Bismol paint job:
The boxes are long gone, and the original proscenium is there but hidden above the drop ceiling created in the new booth for theaters 4 and 5, which were built sometime in the late seventies/early eighties.
When they triplexed it, they put up a fake wall in front of the proscenium with a floor leading to it from the balcony. That’s where they put the new screen. The area under the balcony was used for theaters 1 and 2. The backstage was gutted when they made theaters 4 and 5.
Later today I’ll post a color image of the balcony theater. It’s pretty ugly!
Moyossi; thank you for a most interesting post. It’s great to have some first-hand documentation from someone that was actually behind the scenes.
I am in the process of documenting the history of the Central Theater which once stood around the corner from the Capitol. While it’s star only briefly shone for live performances in the 1940’s, some of the greatest acts from that era played its stage, including the last stateside appearance of Glenn Miller, and the first solo appearances of Frank Sinatra, just after leaving the Dorsey orchestra.
I know that John Scher did some shows at the Central shortly before moving to the Capitol, including Alice Cooper and the Allman Brothers – both in 1971. Would you be able to shed some light on this period? If so, may I contact you privately to discuss this for our documentation?
I had the mis-fortune to be in Passaic a few days ago. The Montauk looks exactly as it did a year ago: text still on the marquee and a iron gate pulled down across the entrance doors. Any news on this Passaic landmark?
I bought a ticket for EXORCIST II in the Summer of 1977, and spent the entire time exploring the theater. I seem to recall somebody telling me that the theater had closed and was re-opened with new management. Did somebody briefly try to revive the place after Loew’s pulled out?
If I can, I certainly will. But all of the things which I outlined in my post of April 12 should be done.
I put ten years of volunteer work into the Jersey, giving up much of my free time during those years. It was an unbelievable amount of hard work. While I’d like to have that time back, I don’t regret it because the theater was saved and will eventually be restored. But I don’t like the way it ended for me, and I don’t like politics.
Have you reached out to the community yet, and what is their opinion of the theater? Do the locals understand, or care about this once grand showplace?
I had planned on attending your initial meeting, but a nasty flu kept me in bed throughout most of the weekend.
As much as I would like to assist your endeavor, I’m afraid that helping to save one movie palace was enough for me. It took enough time out of my life, and now I’m more interested in spending my free time with friends and loved ones.
But it should be done, and every person interested in these great structures should try to save and restore at least one. It will be an interesting experience, and you’ll certainly feel better for doing it.
A very big part of our early support for saving the Jersey came from the local community. Friends of the Loew’s volunteers took to the streets to raise awareness of this hidden jewel in their neighborhood; we went to street fairs, met with city council members and built support for saving the theater. We handed out flyers to the thousands of commuters traveling through the Path transportation center across the street. We were very visible, and VERY proactive. We arranged (with much difficulty and opposition from the developer who intended to demolish the building) to open the theater and present shows in the lobby, even though the building had no heat, running water and limited electricity. We met with, and ultimately convinced journalists to write about this fabulous movie palace in their respective newspapers. We contacted and received support from the arts and entertainment communities.
In short, the effort to save the Jersey took years and thousands of volunteer hours.
Support from the local citizens and politicians is crucial for such an undertaking. Does anyone living in the King’s neighborhood have any concept of this building, or (like the RKO Keith’s in Flushing) do they see it has a huge, bulky eyesore that would look much better as condos or retail space?
Have any of these outreach projects been attempted at the Kings over the last 20 years? If not – why?
This theater has the unique distinction of being one of the few venues in the country to present the 3-D burlesque short, LOVE FOR SALE. It opened on July 22, 1953.
Apparently, the Paris was not strictly a theater for “adult” entertainment. A few weeks prior to the 3-D film, they were playing a Realart re-issue of some Universal horror films.
I cut school in the mid-70’s and was walking up 42nd Street. Imagine my shock when one of the theaters had a double-bill of HORROR OF DRACULA and CURSE OF FRANKENTSTEIN, 2 films from the late 1950’s!
If the street wasn’t riddled with bums, hookers and drug dealers, I would have thought I stepped into a time machine.
I’ve been to many shows at the Lafayette and the presentations have always been perfect. Pete takes the time to rehearse the show each week, and always get it right.
It’s quite amazing when an 82 year old theater in Suffern has better presentation standards than the flagship Ziegfeld Theater in NYC!
The Montauk presents its “Great Holiday Show” for December, 1953:
View link
The Fabian presents their “Great Holiday Show” in December, 1953:
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The King plays the Gem, circa 1963:
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It’s a nice use of a cut out from the 24 sheet for IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD’S FAIR.
The Fabian was acquired from RKO-Stanley Warner theaters by Rudy De Blasio of Theater Management Associates in July, 1977. It re-opened in Christmas 1977 as the Fabian 1-2-3 with 1200 seats on the upper level and two 500 seat theaters on the ground floor. According to an article in Boxoffice dated 10/17/77, the upstairs theater was one of the few in the area capable of presenting 70mm films in stereophonic sound.
Here’s a 2002 picture of the balcony theatre after the triplexing and the “modern” Pepto-Bismol paint job:
View link
Here is a photo of the lobby when the theater opened in 1925:
View link
Stand by, there will be more vintage photos posted of this once grand showplace in the next few days…
Not much I’m afraid.
The boxes are long gone, and the original proscenium is there but hidden above the drop ceiling created in the new booth for theaters 4 and 5, which were built sometime in the late seventies/early eighties.
When they triplexed it, they put up a fake wall in front of the proscenium with a floor leading to it from the balcony. That’s where they put the new screen. The area under the balcony was used for theaters 1 and 2. The backstage was gutted when they made theaters 4 and 5.
Later today I’ll post a color image of the balcony theater. It’s pretty ugly!
I’m sorry for the poor quality, but here is a rare photo of the Fabian’s interior, circa 1925:
View link
Moyossi; thank you for a most interesting post. It’s great to have some first-hand documentation from someone that was actually behind the scenes.
I am in the process of documenting the history of the Central Theater which once stood around the corner from the Capitol. While it’s star only briefly shone for live performances in the 1940’s, some of the greatest acts from that era played its stage, including the last stateside appearance of Glenn Miller, and the first solo appearances of Frank Sinatra, just after leaving the Dorsey orchestra.
I know that John Scher did some shows at the Central shortly before moving to the Capitol, including Alice Cooper and the Allman Brothers – both in 1971. Would you be able to shed some light on this period? If so, may I contact you privately to discuss this for our documentation?
Bob Furmanek
I had the mis-fortune to be in Passaic a few days ago. The Montauk looks exactly as it did a year ago: text still on the marquee and a iron gate pulled down across the entrance doors. Any news on this Passaic landmark?
Loew’s Jersey has a narrow proscenium? Geez, at 50 feet with the screen filling that width, a widescreen movie looks pretty good there.
How wide is the proscenium at the Paradise?
I don’t think there was an outcry when any of the grand Times Square palaces were demolished. People just didn’t care in the 1960’s.
Terrific photos, thanks so much for sharing them!
Did you get into the projection booth?
Daddy Yankee?
I guess George Steinbrenner is in concert.
The mono surround channel in the Warnerphonic system consisted solely of surround sound effects.
The original stereo tracks for HOUSE OF WAX are lost. All that survives of the original Warnerphonic sound is the mono surround channel.
St. George and the dragon are intact at Loew’s Jersey. The figure that was stolen was at Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx.
This is not the same theater. The Paris theater profiled on this page was on Hollywood Boulevard.
I bought a ticket for EXORCIST II in the Summer of 1977, and spent the entire time exploring the theater. I seem to recall somebody telling me that the theater had closed and was re-opened with new management. Did somebody briefly try to revive the place after Loew’s pulled out?
Dear Bruce,
If I can, I certainly will. But all of the things which I outlined in my post of April 12 should be done.
I put ten years of volunteer work into the Jersey, giving up much of my free time during those years. It was an unbelievable amount of hard work. While I’d like to have that time back, I don’t regret it because the theater was saved and will eventually be restored. But I don’t like the way it ended for me, and I don’t like politics.
Have you reached out to the community yet, and what is their opinion of the theater? Do the locals understand, or care about this once grand showplace?
Bob
Dear Kings,
I had planned on attending your initial meeting, but a nasty flu kept me in bed throughout most of the weekend.
As much as I would like to assist your endeavor, I’m afraid that helping to save one movie palace was enough for me. It took enough time out of my life, and now I’m more interested in spending my free time with friends and loved ones.
But it should be done, and every person interested in these great structures should try to save and restore at least one. It will be an interesting experience, and you’ll certainly feel better for doing it.
Bob
A very big part of our early support for saving the Jersey came from the local community. Friends of the Loew’s volunteers took to the streets to raise awareness of this hidden jewel in their neighborhood; we went to street fairs, met with city council members and built support for saving the theater. We handed out flyers to the thousands of commuters traveling through the Path transportation center across the street. We were very visible, and VERY proactive. We arranged (with much difficulty and opposition from the developer who intended to demolish the building) to open the theater and present shows in the lobby, even though the building had no heat, running water and limited electricity. We met with, and ultimately convinced journalists to write about this fabulous movie palace in their respective newspapers. We contacted and received support from the arts and entertainment communities.
In short, the effort to save the Jersey took years and thousands of volunteer hours.
Support from the local citizens and politicians is crucial for such an undertaking. Does anyone living in the King’s neighborhood have any concept of this building, or (like the RKO Keith’s in Flushing) do they see it has a huge, bulky eyesore that would look much better as condos or retail space?
Have any of these outreach projects been attempted at the Kings over the last 20 years? If not – why?
This theater has the unique distinction of being one of the few venues in the country to present the 3-D burlesque short, LOVE FOR SALE. It opened on July 22, 1953.
Apparently, the Paris was not strictly a theater for “adult” entertainment. A few weeks prior to the 3-D film, they were playing a Realart re-issue of some Universal horror films.
And the amazing Carl Ballantine!
I cut school in the mid-70’s and was walking up 42nd Street. Imagine my shock when one of the theaters had a double-bill of HORROR OF DRACULA and CURSE OF FRANKENTSTEIN, 2 films from the late 1950’s!
If the street wasn’t riddled with bums, hookers and drug dealers, I would have thought I stepped into a time machine.
I’ve been to many shows at the Lafayette and the presentations have always been perfect. Pete takes the time to rehearse the show each week, and always get it right.
It’s quite amazing when an 82 year old theater in Suffern has better presentation standards than the flagship Ziegfeld Theater in NYC!
Seems to me that the Ziegfeld needs Peter Apruzzese in the booth!