The Queen Theatre launched in 1929 by Russell Williams and Joe Deutsch. Under the Johnny G. Long Circuit in 1941, the Queen got a new streamlined look and new name becoming the Hollywood. It closed briefly in 1945 years because so many GIs left the area for the War effort. The Hollywood reopened after the War.
The Gold Coast Twin launched December 21, 1986. It had two THX-certified auditoriums seating 211 and 205 patrons showing first-run titles. It set a standard followed by many off-Strip hotels which would feature larger multiplexes in the future.
For those in the know, a free shuttle operated taking tourists from the strip to the Gold Coast Casino and cinema. That perk went out of favor when UA opened its Showcase 8 on the Strip. The theatre tried discount operation and, finally, art house fare closing on April 9, 2000. Patrons were given pretty much anything they wanted as the theatre began the boxing up process during the final showings.
The Ray Amusement Company established in 1916 in downtown Passaic at 37 Lexington Avenue and launched the Rialto there on January 13, 1917 likely on a 20-year lease. In November of 1929, both the Palace and the Rialto converted to Western Electric sound to play talkies.
Harry Hecht shut down the Rialto in March of 1938 for a refresh to the plans of architect Eugene DeRosa that included new air cooling system, a more modern look, new floors, lobby, signage, and box office. The theatre re-emrged as the Lincoln Theatre on a new 20-year lease. Pictures are in the Photos section.
The Lincoln Theatre shut down in 1958 at end of lease and, after another refresh, relaunched as the Fine Arts Theatre on May 29, 1958 showing art films. In 1960, art films were paired with adult films with the theatre running more adult films by year’s end and to its end of operation. The theatre suffered a minor fire in 1964 but continued operation. During its run, the film switched to adult films running to January 12, 1970 when it appears to have closed with “Lady Godiva Rides Again” and “The Girls” (1968) running under the name, “Lysistrata.”
Here’s a 1919 ad for the Pleasant Hour Theatre in Passaic, a silent era theater that opened as The Pleasant Hour Theatre and closed as the Pleasant Hour Theatre.
The original Palace Theatre launched September 3, 1918 with “The Reason Why.” A spectacular fire beginning in the projection booth totally destroyed the Palace in December 24, 1921. Architect Abram Preiskel drew the new plans with the theatre built in the same spot. The new theatre launched October 13, 1922. Not sure why 1925 is significant in the description above.
Opened March 1, 1907 with 200 seat capacity. Closed February 15, 1915. A classified ad thereafter offers all 200 theater seats, the mirrored screen, projector and poster frames for sale “cheap.”
Opened as The Pleasant Hour Theatre on June 12, 1909. It closed August 30, 1919. It does not have any ads as the Idle Hour and was converted for other retail purposes.
After two open houses, the Hippodrome launched October 20, 1910. It closed October 31, 1914. After serving as a meeting hall briefly, the space was converted to a furniture store.
Closed on September 25, 1979 with “The Hitter” and “Queen Boxer.” The theatre proved challenging to raze and was demolished from October of 1979 to May of 1980.
Closed September 14, 1997 with two triple features: “Excess Baggage,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” an “Men in Black” on one screen and “Fire Down Below,” “Conspiracy Theory” and “Addicted to Love” on the other.
The Odeon Circuit shuttered the Paramount Drive-in after the October 10, 1959 showing of “The Big Circus.” A dairy interest bought the land for a new facility. The theatre was razed in 1959.
The Chinook’s last show was on September 13, 1958 with “Enemy Below.” The theatre was torn down September 19, 1958 to make way for the Chinook Shopping Center which took its name from the ozoner.
Closing on Halloween with Halloween (and Phantasm) in 1979. That’s going out in style. That was followed by a salvage sale so that you could have a piece of the drive-in.
Irv Tamler of Indianapolis opened the Moonlite Drive-In Theatre on October 17, 1948 with “Life with Father”. The capacity was 700 cars. In development stages, it was known as the East Side Drive-In. In 1972, operator John K. Patterson was arrested for showing obscene films. A tornado destroyed the Moonlight Drive-In complex on April 3, 1974. It was not rebuilt.
Launched at 109-111 Third Street on November 9, 1923 with the film, “Three Wise Fools” by the Castle Theatre Circuit. An ad on May 23, 1952 announces that the Castle Theatre will close for the summer but it didn’t reopen in the Fall. In August of 1953, it was the new home of Berean Baptist Church.
Clearview closed the Cinema 23 on May 11, 2010 at the end of lease. It did outlast the Blockbuster Video Store that was a near neighbor in the same complex by one month.
Grand opening ad for the Lincoln Theatre on March 7, 1914 with the film, “A Message From Mars” in photos. The theater closed in 1930. The theatre became the Broadmoor Theatre equipped with new sound systen by Rapf & Ruden in 1931 likely on a 15-year lease. It closed though re-emerging on March 21, 1946 and was renamed the Center Theatre launching with a new streamlined look and the films, “My Reputation” and “The Lone Wolf.”
This one is closer to Angleton TX – my bad
The Queen Theatre launched in 1929 by Russell Williams and Joe Deutsch. Under the Johnny G. Long Circuit in 1941, the Queen got a new streamlined look and new name becoming the Hollywood. It closed briefly in 1945 years because so many GIs left the area for the War effort. The Hollywood reopened after the War.
Also known as the Passaic Theatre
The Gold Coast Twin launched December 21, 1986. It had two THX-certified auditoriums seating 211 and 205 patrons showing first-run titles. It set a standard followed by many off-Strip hotels which would feature larger multiplexes in the future.
For those in the know, a free shuttle operated taking tourists from the strip to the Gold Coast Casino and cinema. That perk went out of favor when UA opened its Showcase 8 on the Strip. The theatre tried discount operation and, finally, art house fare closing on April 9, 2000. Patrons were given pretty much anything they wanted as the theatre began the boxing up process during the final showings.
The Ray Amusement Company established in 1916 in downtown Passaic at 37 Lexington Avenue and launched the Rialto there on January 13, 1917 likely on a 20-year lease. In November of 1929, both the Palace and the Rialto converted to Western Electric sound to play talkies.
Harry Hecht shut down the Rialto in March of 1938 for a refresh to the plans of architect Eugene DeRosa that included new air cooling system, a more modern look, new floors, lobby, signage, and box office. The theatre re-emrged as the Lincoln Theatre on a new 20-year lease. Pictures are in the Photos section.
The Lincoln Theatre shut down in 1958 at end of lease and, after another refresh, relaunched as the Fine Arts Theatre on May 29, 1958 showing art films. In 1960, art films were paired with adult films with the theatre running more adult films by year’s end and to its end of operation. The theatre suffered a minor fire in 1964 but continued operation. During its run, the film switched to adult films running to January 12, 1970 when it appears to have closed with “Lady Godiva Rides Again” and “The Girls” (1968) running under the name, “Lysistrata.”
Here’s a 1919 ad for the Pleasant Hour Theatre in Passaic, a silent era theater that opened as The Pleasant Hour Theatre and closed as the Pleasant Hour Theatre.
May 31, 1965 was the end of the line for the building after a fire gutted it.
Launched October 29, 1927 patterned after the Embassy Theater in New York.
The original Palace Theatre launched September 3, 1918 with “The Reason Why.” A spectacular fire beginning in the projection booth totally destroyed the Palace in December 24, 1921. Architect Abram Preiskel drew the new plans with the theatre built in the same spot. The new theatre launched October 13, 1922. Not sure why 1925 is significant in the description above.
Opened March 1, 1907 with 200 seat capacity. Closed February 15, 1915. A classified ad thereafter offers all 200 theater seats, the mirrored screen, projector and poster frames for sale “cheap.”
Opened September 10, 1913. Closed at end of lease on October 31, 1923. Address at launch was 2-4-6 (2-6) Lexington (not 246).
Opened as The Pleasant Hour Theatre on June 12, 1909. It closed August 30, 1919. It does not have any ads as the Idle Hour and was converted for other retail purposes.
After two open houses, the Hippodrome launched October 20, 1910. It closed October 31, 1914. After serving as a meeting hall briefly, the space was converted to a furniture store.
Closed on September 25, 1979 with “The Hitter” and “Queen Boxer.” The theatre proved challenging to raze and was demolished from October of 1979 to May of 1980.
Closed September 14, 1997 with two triple features: “Excess Baggage,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” an “Men in Black” on one screen and “Fire Down Below,” “Conspiracy Theory” and “Addicted to Love” on the other.
The Odeon Circuit shuttered the Paramount Drive-in after the October 10, 1959 showing of “The Big Circus.” A dairy interest bought the land for a new facility. The theatre was razed in 1959.
The Chinook’s last show was on September 13, 1958 with “Enemy Below.” The theatre was torn down September 19, 1958 to make way for the Chinook Shopping Center which took its name from the ozoner.
Closing on Halloween with Halloween (and Phantasm) in 1979. That’s going out in style. That was followed by a salvage sale so that you could have a piece of the drive-in.
Provided that you don’t get allergic smelling hay.
Correction – It was razed August 21, 1994. (not 1984)
Opening ad as the Willow Theatre in photos. Was the Willow Theatre for 20 years (1949-1969).
Irv Tamler of Indianapolis opened the Moonlite Drive-In Theatre on October 17, 1948 with “Life with Father”. The capacity was 700 cars. In development stages, it was known as the East Side Drive-In. In 1972, operator John K. Patterson was arrested for showing obscene films. A tornado destroyed the Moonlight Drive-In complex on April 3, 1974. It was not rebuilt.
Launched at 109-111 Third Street on November 9, 1923 with the film, “Three Wise Fools” by the Castle Theatre Circuit. An ad on May 23, 1952 announces that the Castle Theatre will close for the summer but it didn’t reopen in the Fall. In August of 1953, it was the new home of Berean Baptist Church.
Clearview closed the Cinema 23 on May 11, 2010 at the end of lease. It did outlast the Blockbuster Video Store that was a near neighbor in the same complex by one month.
Grand opening ad for the Lincoln Theatre on March 7, 1914 with the film, “A Message From Mars” in photos. The theater closed in 1930. The theatre became the Broadmoor Theatre equipped with new sound systen by Rapf & Ruden in 1931 likely on a 15-year lease. It closed though re-emerging on March 21, 1946 and was renamed the Center Theatre launching with a new streamlined look and the films, “My Reputation” and “The Lone Wolf.”