Coate, I was a projectionist for NA in NJ at the Amboys Multiplex for 21 years. If they followed the pattern of splits/additions like they did at ours, then it was probably every two years. Ours opened as a 6 in 79. 2 were added in 81. 2 more in 83. 2 more in 85, and 2 were split in 87 to get us to 14.
A few weeks ago there were 2 huge genie lifts parked outside the building. I was thinking maybe they were taking molds of the ceiling dome to use in the new building. There are also a few holes cut into the roof. I hope construction starts soon on the new building.
Mr_Film, those were the days. The drive ins and dollar houses always had the double features with the main feature run twice. I remember my father who was secretary of IATSE local 379 had to see someone at one of the drive ins, and they were showing “Woodstock” and “Prudence and the Pill” together, and “Woodstock” was shown twice.
Guess the wiz bangs that run the equipment never heard of Lens adjust which is on every digital projector, or changing the xenon bulb that probably has a few thousand hours on it.
While I agree with you about not going in there, thanks for the photos, particularly the projection room. I spent 21 years working in that booth. The theater you took the photo with no screen has to be either 8 or 14. We removed those screens in dec 2008 to take to the Ritz in Elizabeth. I think a lot of the water damage is from the fact vandals have stripped the a/c units on the roof.
Mikeoaklandpark, I remember also getting the NY papers to see the ads and showtimes of all the theatres. That’s something that’s missing these days. And its sad how many of the grand old palaces in NY and Philly as well as NJ have all been demolished.
Mikeoaklandpark, I remember we were sitting up in the balcony. It was quite awesome for a little boy in the third grade. Of course my father enjoyed it too, since he was a projectionist in many central New Jersey theatres
Recently when cleaning out my childhood home, I came across a souvenier book from the movie “Doctor Doolittle.” My father wrote the date March 18, 1968 on the inside cover. I remember going there as part of a class trip. It was still a huge single screen then.
I’m curious if it was like our Jerry Lewis Twin in Carteret NJ, where cinema one was a blue scheme, and cinema two was a red scheme. And the two were separated by the concession stand in the lobby.
Another of the many former clearview theatres whose screens my wife and I would clean. I agree they were super small. Theres only so much you can do in a building that wasn’t big to begin with
My wife currently works at the new Lyric on Paramour, for a few more weeks till it closes. She tells me Harry Potter is going in there and they are removing close to 500 seats and extending the stage.
Once again I will say, all you folks with the 3D and 3D glasses and laser etc really cracks me up. Give me a good old 35MM or 70MM film presentation that I can sit anywhere in the theatre and not worry about right eye left eye, turning my head, filters not being removed and all the other crap digital has brought about. Maybe its because I ran film for 41 years, but at least you guys give me a good laugh.
Coate, Ive seen many of your posts. I’m sorry I couldn’t provide exact dates. You do a great service to all of us CT readers.
Coate, I was a projectionist for NA in NJ at the Amboys Multiplex for 21 years. If they followed the pattern of splits/additions like they did at ours, then it was probably every two years. Ours opened as a 6 in 79. 2 were added in 81. 2 more in 83. 2 more in 85, and 2 were split in 87 to get us to 14.
A few weeks ago there were 2 huge genie lifts parked outside the building. I was thinking maybe they were taking molds of the ceiling dome to use in the new building. There are also a few holes cut into the roof. I hope construction starts soon on the new building.
Yes they sure did ruin all the Wildwood theatres. They ruin everything they touch.
HowardBHass, I’m sure it was DCP. I wasn’t there, I was working, but given that 35mm seems like a curse these days, I’m sure it was digital.
Mr_Film, those were the days. The drive ins and dollar houses always had the double features with the main feature run twice. I remember my father who was secretary of IATSE local 379 had to see someone at one of the drive ins, and they were showing “Woodstock” and “Prudence and the Pill” together, and “Woodstock” was shown twice.
My wife does day work on
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and is a wardrobe attendant on Broadway Bandstand at the Bernard Jacobs.
According to news reports there was a fatal shooting at this theatre last night
Sad to say, but I was really looking forward to seeing a show at the Kings, but now I will have to think twice.
I must admit it was better when all the grind houses were there.
Guess the wiz bangs that run the equipment never heard of Lens adjust which is on every digital projector, or changing the xenon bulb that probably has a few thousand hours on it.
Good old management run projection at its best
While I agree with you about not going in there, thanks for the photos, particularly the projection room. I spent 21 years working in that booth. The theater you took the photo with no screen has to be either 8 or 14. We removed those screens in dec 2008 to take to the Ritz in Elizabeth. I think a lot of the water damage is from the fact vandals have stripped the a/c units on the roof.
Mikeoaklandpark, I remember also getting the NY papers to see the ads and showtimes of all the theatres. That’s something that’s missing these days. And its sad how many of the grand old palaces in NY and Philly as well as NJ have all been demolished.
Mikeoaklandpark, I remember we were sitting up in the balcony. It was quite awesome for a little boy in the third grade. Of course my father enjoyed it too, since he was a projectionist in many central New Jersey theatres
I should add to the above comment, he wrote Loews State Theatre New York.
Recently when cleaning out my childhood home, I came across a souvenier book from the movie “Doctor Doolittle.” My father wrote the date March 18, 1968 on the inside cover. I remember going there as part of a class trip. It was still a huge single screen then.
I’m curious if it was like our Jerry Lewis Twin in Carteret NJ, where cinema one was a blue scheme, and cinema two was a red scheme. And the two were separated by the concession stand in the lobby.
Another of the many former clearview theatres whose screens my wife and I would clean. I agree they were super small. Theres only so much you can do in a building that wasn’t big to begin with
My wife currently works at the new Lyric on Paramour, for a few more weeks till it closes. She tells me Harry Potter is going in there and they are removing close to 500 seats and extending the stage.
According to Cinegrands facebook page they have reopened as of this past Friday Jan 20. They posted photos and all. Looks really nice.
We ran the DCP last summer at the Basie
I would have to assume Regal would have first crack at getting the new theatre. Either them or AMC.
I remember when we ran the original Star Wars in 1977 at the GCC Menlo Park Twin. Those were some days that will never ever be duplicated
Once again I will say, all you folks with the 3D and 3D glasses and laser etc really cracks me up. Give me a good old 35MM or 70MM film presentation that I can sit anywhere in the theatre and not worry about right eye left eye, turning my head, filters not being removed and all the other crap digital has brought about. Maybe its because I ran film for 41 years, but at least you guys give me a good laugh.