Westmont Theatre
49 Haddon Avenue,
Westmont,
NJ
08108
49 Haddon Avenue,
Westmont,
NJ
08108
17 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 89 comments
Please name the revival houses in the United States that make “a killing” for investors.
they could make a killing it they created a revival house and promoted it as such, getting investors and the historical society on board, being so near philly is can be a prime spot for film on the east coast and great for the community
It should be noted that the Scottish Rite Auditorium, located inside the Collingswood Masonic Temple, is not now, nor was ever intended to be uses as a performing arts spaace. It is adequate for small concerts, but by design cannot show motion pictures in a professional manner, nor can it handle a Broadway touring show as it lacks fly space and sufficient stage footage. The Ritz Theatre is a more intimate space that is being wonderfully utilized for a most successful subsription series of local theater as well as presenting superb special events for children. The goal of “Neighbors Celebrating the Westmont” is to provide ALL of Camden County with a much larger, true “Performing Arts Center” to showcase professional touring theatre, concerts ranging from full opera to small jazz groups, and of course, film of all gauges presented professionally.
I just don’t see this theatre competing against the Scottish Rite (Collingswood) for concerts OR The Ritz for play’s.
Here is the proposal from the Retzler Group:
http://tinyurl.com/6bdax6
Check this out — a great blog and information site on a grassroots movement to save The Westmont. This is more than just a decaying boarded up time capsule. Check out the tabs and links and vote.—Turn your sound on for trailers, clips, etc. http://westmonttheatre.wordpress.com/about/
Awesome!
DO YOU HAVE ANY WESTMONT THEATRE PHOTOS/ITEMS — I am with the Haddon Twp. Historical Society. I have written a small book on the thetare and helped with the documetary. We are actively looking for anything tha can help perserve and reconcontruct the theatre’s history. If you have anything related to the Westmont (photos, memorabilia, handbills, ticket stubs, etc) pre-1990s or related to Handel-Rovner, its builders, owners, architect (Wrifford), remodlers (Supowitz, etc) or anyone who worked on or at the theatre —we would be very excited to get a scan or copy or even if you wish to donate images/items. e-mail: or I can also provide a snail-mail (USPS) address. Copies of any photos or documents of signifiance that we don’t already have in our collection, I will send a free autographed book (whiles supplies last) as thanks. Anecdotes or newstories that you think we don’t have would be welcome too. Some of our collection is on the web at View link Thanks!
i would love to see it reopen and split time between classic films and live theater
the broadway in pitman was able to do it but have all but sufficated the films out of the picture
The Rentzler Group presented its proposal to the Haddon Township Mayor and Councilmen Monday, June 23 to an enthusiastic audience. The other two proposals, which would have turned the building into either retail space or condos, were greeted politely. So, now it’s up in the air until the powers-that-be vote at some future date.
Wishing success to all those involved in trying to saving the Westmont theatre.
Hope somebody can save this treasure.
Hey Everyone,
The Westmont Theatre Blog site is now online.
Be sure to check it out: read some posts, make some comments, scroll through the photo gallery, brush up on your theatre history, check the status of The Grand Old Lady project or send us an email.
www.westmonttheatre.wordpress.com
Thanks!
photo of exterior, with broken windows & fence around it:
View link
I grew up in Collingswood and remember seeing Disorderlies (featuring the Fat Boys…..not exactly a classic) at the Westmont. I still drive past it frequently and always wonder what’s happening. Very glad I found this site! Anybody have any recent info?
I was a regular customer at the Westmont in the 50’s&60’s,Audubon HS1955. This site is a real trip down memory lane. Live in Lewes,De. now,The “Grand Old Lady” is being shown this weekend at the Rehoboth Beach Film Festival here.r.joyce
i had never herd of this building im an assistant manager at the pitman theater whats the current status could this ever open again
Tickets for Wednesday’s Tribute to South Jersey Movie Houses are still available, however the 6PM tour is SOLD OUT.
Don’t miss what should prove to be a very special event beginning at 7:30pm!!!
If you did not get a chance to see the SOLD OUT premiere of the documentary — Brent J. Donaway’s The Grand Old Lady about the Westmont Theatre. Here is another chance. Brent J. Donaway’s The Grand Old Lady is coming to The Broadway Theatre in Pitman, NJ on Wednesday August 22, 2007 @ 7:30PM. Tickets are $8 each (box office opens at 7PM). Schedule for the evening:(1.)A short Charlie Chaplin film with accompaniment by a member of the South Jersey Theatre Organ Society (The Broadway still houses its ORIGINAL theatre organ) (2.)Theatre history slide show presentation by author Allen Hauss, based on his book South Jersey Movie Palaces (3.)Brent J. Donaway’s The Grand Old Lady — a documentary about the historic Westmont Theatre in Haddon Township, NJ. Famed Movie Theatre Historian, Allen Hauss, has created a comprehensive walk-through history tour of the Broadway starting at 6PM. Tickets are $12 each and include catered food afterwards. SPACE IS LIMITED, so please book early if interested in the tour. Visit the Broadway Theatre Web Site The Broadway Theatre is located in Pitman, NJ (about twenty minutes away from Haddon Township) and is easily accessible from Route 55 (driving directions). If you are interested on how to sign up for the DVD package and/or purchase the Commemorative KEEPSAKE book written on the film, the history of the Westmont Theatre and the town, please visit the Haddon Township Historical Society’s Store
Brent J. Donaway’s documentary about the Westmont Theatre is done and preparing for its May 6, 2007 premiere at the Ritz (Oaklyn)— the premiere will be done in full golden-era “red-carpet” style with searchlights, tuxeoed ushers, 1930s period candy, etc. For info and ticket info (less than 150 seats left)see www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org (you can also support the project and get your names listed in the companion book which is being compiled now). The editors of the book are also seeking any anecdotes, stories or memories anyone would be willing to share about The Westmont Theatre—historic, funny, sentimental, whatever. If you wish to contribute or if you worked at the Westmont and have something to share please e-mail by April 17, 2007. Thanks.
The Haddon Township Historical Society has just added a substantial amount of information about the Westmont including Michael Landon’s time working as a doorman there, the World Premier of The Exorcist (it was one of 30 thetares nationwide to open the fim in 1973) a sneak preview of Kramer v. Kramer in 1979 that was attended by Dustin Hoffman and the film’s director and lots of other details including a relatively comprehensive chain of ownership. The link: View link The historical society has also added as link to a trailer for Brent J. Donaway’s The Grand Old Lady a documentary film (footprint films) about the historic Westmont Theatre. Debut date is offiially set for May 6th at the Ritz Thetare (Oaklyn) Haddon Twp. Check out the film’s trailer. Great for anyone who remembers the old Westmont.
The Haddon Township Historical Society has a very good page of pictures and memorabilia from the old Westmont Thetare. Here is the link: View link Brent J. Donaway’s documentary film The Grand Old Lady about the historic Westmont Theatre is going to have a premiere at the Ritz Thetare in Oaklyn in May. I’ll post more info when I have it. The production company is Foot Print Films. There is a myspace page: www.myspace.com/TheWestmontTheatre
I remember the Eric too. When I was a kid we would drive by it every week to my grandmother’s house on the White Horse Pike. Reading the marquee, I thought “Terms of Endearment Yentl” was one movie. Later I saw a few movies there like “Gremlins 2” and “Ghostbusters 2” and a couple of others that weren’t sequels (“Ferris Bueller” was one). “Ishtar” played on both screens when it opened. Oops! Cruddy twin. It was originally a single screen, is that right?
Anyway, the Westmont played movies no one else did: “The Quiet Earth,” “UFOria,” “Desert Hearts,” “In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro.” That was pretty cool.
I would love to see The Westmont Theater saved, but unfortunately I don’t think the structure is any good at this time. I worked with the Westmont Theater Co. for 6 years and have been in and out of every part of that building. The roof is no good and might be beyond repair, and the structure itself may also be well beyond repair. My dream was to see someone knock everything but the front facade down and build a new supporting structure behind it.
Halc, I live in Oaklyn and I know the old town feel you speak of, I also am annoyed by the “army of blue hairs” that invades the pike every time the Ritz theater has a show, and they rarely drink, smoke and pee on lawns. I work in the arts as well as rock and roll, I watch the destruction that comes out of the Tweeter Center on a nightly basis, and I also see how Camden city is consumed by cars and police, in an effort to safely facilitate each concert. Camden City may not have an old town charm or any charm at all. But as much as they buck the Tweeter Center, it has done great things for Camden, as well as investing millions of dollars into the city. I only wish that they didn’t eliminate the SJPAC program that I until recently worked for.
I digress, it seems to me that the owners of the Troc may not be saving the theater, and you are losing another piece of old town charm, but at least you are getting center that would support performing arts and bring a whole new economy to your town, instead of another “Ultra Mega CVS”.
Hopefully as they say it will be a multipurpose performing arts center and not just a rock and roll venue. I think even though it’s in a horrible location, The Scottish Rite in Collingswood is a great example of these efforts. Neither will ever be high art/ theater that is found in Philadelphia, nor The Tweeter Center, but they serve the community well.
Either way it’s more work for me that I don’t have to go over the bridge to get.
I live a stone’s throw from the theater. I’ve been to meetings where Pang attended. She, of course, also owns the Troc in Philly and is looking to open a similar venue in the Westmont. Also in the works are two, count ‘em, two, nightclub/“restaurants” in the plan, to be built adjacent to the theater. In all, 4 bars are planned for the site.
Parking is touted as the big issue — there is none.
However, I think the biggest issue for the neighborhood is that none of the folks that live here want this in our residential neighborhood. No homeowner in their right mind would want 2,000+ partying concert goers, drinking for hours, then drinking some more in the nightclub attached, letting out at 2am, looking for their cars parked on out streets, while peeing on our lawns. What home owner would?
Mayor McCheese has repeatedly stated that this theater would be a low key affair, offering plays for children after Sunday School, but J. Pang herself is quoted in the City Paper, saying “Think Entertainment Complex”.
I know I may sound like a stick-in-the-mud, but my own experiences going to Punk Concerts at the places like the Hot Club, way back when, tells me that this sort of Concept does not belong in an old fashioned neighborhood like the one we live in.
I actually used to make fun of our neighboerhood as “Leave it to Beaver”-ville, when I first moved in 20 some years ago, but after raising a Family here, I have actually came embraced the old fashioned feel of the Place. Children, on an evening ride on their scooters would have to negociate their way past drunken smokers hanging out on Haddon Ave. Is this the experience we want to subject them to on their way to get some Water Ice? I don’t think so.
And I am not alone in my opinion. Classic Rock DJ Michael Tearson, a neighbor directly on the other side of Haddon Avenue, has spoken out against the use of the Westmont Theater as a Rock Venue at at least one of the public meetings that I have been to. He stated that he moved to Haddon Twp for the school system and the addition of such an 'Entertainment Complex" would be detrimental to the neighborhood.
I am all for the rehabiltation of the Westmont Theater. It’s a Great Lady, and it’s history should be Honored and Restored. But Mayor Park and J. Pang are trying to put their big, ugly step-sister foot into the dainty glass slipper that is the Historic Westmont Theater. They must be stopped!
Hey wmann -
Great post. As I mentioned earlier I no longer live in the area but during a recent visit to South Jersey, I ate lunch with my wife and son at a really neat restuarant that has replaced the infamous Westmont Inn. If that location can be improved, then anything is possible!! Good leadership is the missing ingredient. Good luck!
Yo JBon -
I do remember the Eric. I saw Kramer vs Kramer there with my date, F.U.
HEY, Habitat For Humanity IS a wonderful organization but there are a lot of better uses for that structure. Something cultural, historical, artsy. Camden is loaded with places that could be used for a “HFH ReStore”.
Happy New Year!!
Lumpy