I almost made a futile trip to see Amadeus. During one last final check of their website I couldn’t see the movie listed anywhere. I called and left a message and also sent an email – both of which are unanswered. I have seen this issue with other playhouses that want to showcase a movie now and then – the movie schedules are erratic and last minute. It would be most appreciative if a note is put on the theater’s website to announce the cancellation. It is hard to support these theaters with ever changing schedules, particularly when you have to drive over a hour to get there. Sorry for complaining, it is not my style but I hope that you all understand. Communication with customers is a key to success!
Film Daily Yearbook – the #1 source. You can find them at a good university library or quality used bookstore. I personally think that eBay is overpriced but they sell some at times.
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), Nov 30, 1997 p040
Bound Brook looks to become class act with theater revival. (SOMERSET)
Byline: Cathy Bugman
Bound Brook, once home to three vaudeville theaters that drew women in glittering gowns and men in tuxedos, wants to regain the renown it had then as an entertainment hub.
Nearly a century after that heyday, the dream has taken on new life with the renovation of one of those theaters and the restoration of another.
Renovations already have begun at the old Palace Theater on Maiden Lane, where an executive of an entertainment production company is planning to open a performing arts center.
Marc Calamaras, 25, of Scotch Plains sees the upper level of the two- story building once again becoming a lively night spot, featuring live acts of multi-generational appeal.
“We want to cover a broad base – theatrical events, bands,” he said. “We’re getting an overwhelming response from rock bands. I want to do jazz, string quartets and symphony stuff. We want to make the space available to other promoters to rent.”
Calamaras, president of American Company of Entertainment and Sound, plans to bring in a new stage that is portable – “so we can be flexible for the shows” – and install 250 to 300 seats.
He said he is anticipating opening the second week in January.
“We chose Bound Brook because the train station was right nearby, and it’s close to Rutgers, New Brunswick,” Calamaras said. “And we feel the New Brunswick area has a lot of artists in it and it’s a good location. I like the town. They have such a good attitude of welcoming the arts. They’re very open-minded.”
Borough code enforcement officer Michael Gupko said the concept of a new theater in the old vaudeville building is a positive one.
“The borough is very excited about him coming into town,” he said. “I wish Marc well. I hope it’s a success and also a success for the borough – that’s the important part.”
The restoration of the Brook Theater on Hamilton Street is planned as part of a borough takeover of the now privately held property.
The borough, in cooperation with its Downtown Management Corp., has applied for $1.5 million in economic-development funding from Somerset County to create what is being billed as the Brook Theater Arts Center.
The 70-year-old, 825-seat theater now shows primarily art films, but the restored theater would be home to live performances, including Broadway revivals and children’s classics, as well as art movies and classic Hollywood oldies.
Along with the restoration, the town also would like to establish an “art incubator,” or group that would provide technical and business tips to artists and nonprofit artistic groups.
“The town is a center of a growing art and entertainment core,” said downtown planner Mary Moody.
She said the borough hosts the Somerset Valley Orchestra, artists' lofts, the Palmyra coffee house and Jacob Swerdlow art gallery, both of which offer cafe-type music programs.
Evan Carzis, who owns the third former vaudeville theater in the imposing Voorhees building across from the train station on Main Street, does not have any plans for the theater, which is on the top floor and is being rented to an artist, who is using the space for a studio.
“But I fully support the town’s efforts to make Bound Brook a destination for entertainment,” he said.
CAPTION(S):
The old Palace Theater on Maiden Lane in Bound Brook is expected to open in January as a performing arts center.
This must be a different Opera House than the original.
The original Opera House opened in the newly constructed Masonic Hall on the SW corner of George & Albany streets in 1871. That building was destroyed by fire in 1896. Great photo on page 99 of “New Brunswick & Middlesex County” by Gary Karasik 1986
May be operating now as a teen dance/concert hall known as the New Palace Performing Arts Center
12 Maiden Lane 1-888-588-ARTS http://www.nbgroove.com/Bars.htm
This theater closed as a burlesque on February 7, 1957
THE CLOSING OF BURLESQUE — 1957 (From the Newark Evening News: February 6, 1957)
“Harold Minsky, who brought burlesque to the old Adams Theater in August 1953, said the 50 permanent employees at the theater had received one-week layoff notices. He said tomorrow night’s last show, beginning at 10 o'clock, would ring down the curtain.”
“Minsky estimated that Newark now is one of only 15 to 20 cities in the country where burlesque shows operate.”
source: Newark, A Chronological & Documentary History, by Arnold S. Rice, 1977, page 111.
Harry Colmer converted this building into a full time movie theatre in the late 1920s. This was the third of three theatres in his chain (along with the Colonial in Beach Haven and the Colony in Brant Beach). Colmer died in 1956 and his family operated all three theatres until 1964 when they sold to Frank Theatres.
Source – Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island by John Bailey Lloyd, pages 160-162.
Originally built in the late 1920s by a real estate development company seeking to develop Brant Beach. The real estate market didn’t pick up quickly enough for the investors, who sold the theatre to Harry Colmer. This was the second of three theatres in his chain.
Source – Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island by John Bailey Lloyd, pages 160-162.
Opened on July 4, 1922 as the New Colonial on the corner of Bay & Center. This theatre replaced an older and smaller Colonial Theatre on 3rd Street, which was still used in the winters when crowds were smaller. Opened by Harry Colmer and his partner Leon Cranmer (who soon got out of the business). This was a wooden structure. The four sides were constructed in the Firman Cranmer Lumber Yard across the street and hoisted up with pulleys. In the early days before air conditioning, Colmar would use ice blocks and fans to cool the place. Colmar died in 1956 but his family continued to run this theatre and two others until 1964 before selling.
Source – Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island by John Bailey Lloyd, pages 160-162.
Poscard from 1929 – theatre visible in the back:
View link
Old programs from 1944:
View link
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Early 1960s postcard:
View link
I almost made a futile trip to see Amadeus. During one last final check of their website I couldn’t see the movie listed anywhere. I called and left a message and also sent an email – both of which are unanswered. I have seen this issue with other playhouses that want to showcase a movie now and then – the movie schedules are erratic and last minute. It would be most appreciative if a note is put on the theater’s website to announce the cancellation. It is hard to support these theaters with ever changing schedules, particularly when you have to drive over a hour to get there. Sorry for complaining, it is not my style but I hope that you all understand. Communication with customers is a key to success!
Film Daily Yearbook – the #1 source. You can find them at a good university library or quality used bookstore. I personally think that eBay is overpriced but they sell some at times.
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), Nov 30, 1997 p040
Bound Brook looks to become class act with theater revival. (SOMERSET)
Byline: Cathy Bugman
Bound Brook, once home to three vaudeville theaters that drew women in glittering gowns and men in tuxedos, wants to regain the renown it had then as an entertainment hub.
Nearly a century after that heyday, the dream has taken on new life with the renovation of one of those theaters and the restoration of another.
Renovations already have begun at the old Palace Theater on Maiden Lane, where an executive of an entertainment production company is planning to open a performing arts center.
Marc Calamaras, 25, of Scotch Plains sees the upper level of the two- story building once again becoming a lively night spot, featuring live acts of multi-generational appeal.
“We want to cover a broad base – theatrical events, bands,” he said. “We’re getting an overwhelming response from rock bands. I want to do jazz, string quartets and symphony stuff. We want to make the space available to other promoters to rent.”
Calamaras, president of American Company of Entertainment and Sound, plans to bring in a new stage that is portable – “so we can be flexible for the shows” – and install 250 to 300 seats.
He said he is anticipating opening the second week in January.
“We chose Bound Brook because the train station was right nearby, and it’s close to Rutgers, New Brunswick,” Calamaras said. “And we feel the New Brunswick area has a lot of artists in it and it’s a good location. I like the town. They have such a good attitude of welcoming the arts. They’re very open-minded.”
Borough code enforcement officer Michael Gupko said the concept of a new theater in the old vaudeville building is a positive one.
“The borough is very excited about him coming into town,” he said. “I wish Marc well. I hope it’s a success and also a success for the borough – that’s the important part.”
The restoration of the Brook Theater on Hamilton Street is planned as part of a borough takeover of the now privately held property.
The borough, in cooperation with its Downtown Management Corp., has applied for $1.5 million in economic-development funding from Somerset County to create what is being billed as the Brook Theater Arts Center.
The 70-year-old, 825-seat theater now shows primarily art films, but the restored theater would be home to live performances, including Broadway revivals and children’s classics, as well as art movies and classic Hollywood oldies.
Along with the restoration, the town also would like to establish an “art incubator,” or group that would provide technical and business tips to artists and nonprofit artistic groups.
“The town is a center of a growing art and entertainment core,” said downtown planner Mary Moody.
She said the borough hosts the Somerset Valley Orchestra, artists' lofts, the Palmyra coffee house and Jacob Swerdlow art gallery, both of which offer cafe-type music programs.
Evan Carzis, who owns the third former vaudeville theater in the imposing Voorhees building across from the train station on Main Street, does not have any plans for the theater, which is on the top floor and is being rented to an artist, who is using the space for a studio.
“But I fully support the town’s efforts to make Bound Brook a destination for entertainment,” he said.
CAPTION(S):
PHOTO BY TONY KURDZUK
Article CJ81907709
This must be a different Opera House than the original.
The original Opera House opened in the newly constructed Masonic Hall on the SW corner of George & Albany streets in 1871. That building was destroyed by fire in 1896. Great photo on page 99 of “New Brunswick & Middlesex County” by Gary Karasik 1986
Another recent photo showing the retail stores in the building:
View link
Recent photo of the ticket booth:
View link
Why limit yourself to the marquee? There are a lot of nice interior shots in this person’s album:
View link
Closed in the mid 1940s after a fire. Opened in 1999 as the New Palace Performing Arts Center.
see page 4 http://members.aol.com/njskydance/newsletter.pdf
Another tel # 732-560-7450
http://www.newjerseyrocks.com/clubs.htm
Owned by Messrs. Hilsizer and Hamilton at the time that they opened the nearby Dunellen Theatre in May 1915.
http://jerseycentraltheatre.com/history_a.html
May be operating now as a teen dance/concert hall known as the New Palace Performing Arts Center
12 Maiden Lane 1-888-588-ARTS
http://www.nbgroove.com/Bars.htm
This theater closed as a burlesque on February 7, 1957
THE CLOSING OF BURLESQUE — 1957 (From the Newark Evening News: February 6, 1957)
“Harold Minsky, who brought burlesque to the old Adams Theater in August 1953, said the 50 permanent employees at the theater had received one-week layoff notices. He said tomorrow night’s last show, beginning at 10 o'clock, would ring down the curtain.”
“Minsky estimated that Newark now is one of only 15 to 20 cities in the country where burlesque shows operate.”
source: Newark, A Chronological & Documentary History, by Arnold S. Rice, 1977, page 111.
This theater closed in February 1957
THE CLOSING OF BURLESQUE — 1957 (From the Newark Evening News: February 6, 1957)
“The Hudson Theater in Union City, where anti-burlesque amendments similar to Newark’s were passed, will shut down Saturday.”
source: Newark, A Chronological & Documentary History, by Arnold S. Rice, 1977, pages 111-112.
Listed in the 1920 Trenton directory as the “Park Theatre, moving pictures, 13 Pennington av”
View link
Aeriel view in the left center of this photo:
View link
Still open as of 1959:
http://www.drive-ins.com/pictures/njtcirc04.jpg
Old program:
cover:
View link
Inside pages:
View link
Boy you guys really jumped on this one. Thanks..
Here is the old ticket from 1918:
View link
Old postcard:
View link
View link
or go back to the index for multiple lookups:
View link
Old photo with 1942 movie on marquee:
View link
Harry Colmer converted this building into a full time movie theatre in the late 1920s. This was the third of three theatres in his chain (along with the Colonial in Beach Haven and the Colony in Brant Beach). Colmer died in 1956 and his family operated all three theatres until 1964 when they sold to Frank Theatres.
Source – Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island by John Bailey Lloyd, pages 160-162.
Originally built in the late 1920s by a real estate development company seeking to develop Brant Beach. The real estate market didn’t pick up quickly enough for the investors, who sold the theatre to Harry Colmer. This was the second of three theatres in his chain.
Source – Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island by John Bailey Lloyd, pages 160-162.
Opened on July 4, 1922 as the New Colonial on the corner of Bay & Center. This theatre replaced an older and smaller Colonial Theatre on 3rd Street, which was still used in the winters when crowds were smaller. Opened by Harry Colmer and his partner Leon Cranmer (who soon got out of the business). This was a wooden structure. The four sides were constructed in the Firman Cranmer Lumber Yard across the street and hoisted up with pulleys. In the early days before air conditioning, Colmar would use ice blocks and fans to cool the place. Colmar died in 1956 but his family continued to run this theatre and two others until 1964 before selling.
Source – Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island by John Bailey Lloyd, pages 160-162.