Loew's Jersey Theatre

Went to the Jersey for the Sat.9-23 showing of Hitchcocks "Vertigo". The presentation - a restored version was first rate, even though the sound seemed kind of low.The audience was absolutely magnificent- possibly the best Ive ever seen at this theater. There was a crying baby, but thank goodness he was quiet for the rest of the film. Even though I rank the “Master of Suspense” as among my favorite directors, this was the first time I ever saw this film in its entirety. Absolutely challenging and thought provoking. Jimmy Stewart was in fine form as was Kim Novak.It wa treat to see this film on the big screen, and it was even better to see it at an equally impressive theater. With all the winners of the summer- and the ones that are soon to be released, I`m glad the Jersey is finally open for the season.

To all the recent posters. I quess the point is moot. Wether or not you want to see a movie on a Christian, Jewish, Hindu or Muslim holiday derpends on the viewer. As a Catholic- albeit it a non practicing one, I have attended shows on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter in the past.After all, this is America and we DO have a seperation of church and state. Isn`t that better than Iran or Iraq where no such thing is allowed? The point of the matter is that the viewer should use his or her own discretion.Go to a movie if you want to on whatever day the showing happens to fall on.

Interesting point Luis V . I live in Asheville, NC and even though the theaters are open 365 days a year, Many resturants and small groceriy stores are closed on Sunday like the old days in the 60’s and 70’s. I actually went to films last year on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. They fell on Sat and that is usuallyour movie night.

I tend to agree with LuisV’s warning of a slippery slope. While the FOL should take into consideration the feelings of its constituency, whether or not the theater opens for business on one holiday or another might not have that big an impact on its success or good will within the community. Often, folks just plain don’t care that the world outside their door goes on while they observe their religion. I wouldn’t call my self a Catholic, but that’s the religion of my family and I’ve attended concerts on Easter Sunday and gone to the movies on Christmas Day. On the other side of that token, when I was married to a Jewish woman, I often had to do without a particular concert or show because of the holidays, but I didn’t hold it against, say, The Grateful Dead that their Spring tour seemed to hit the New York area every year without fail during Passover!

Anyway, isn’t it true that strict observance of one’s religion often involves a certain amount of personal sacrifice? What would be the point if the world were to shut down for one’s observances?

Probably just an oversight on the part of the management. I`m sure they did not go out of their way to show these films on Rosh Hassanah.

Fair point, YankeeMike. I was not aware of that. I wonder if these prints were only available on certain weekends. I’m not looking to defend the FOL, I just think folks shouldn’t rush to judgment. Perhaps FOL should be contacted and the concerns presented in this forum shared directly with the theater.

Frankie, I’m not sure that’s the proper response. Alto brings up a valid concern. However, I’m not sure if observances of ANY religious holiday have ever been a consideration in the day-to-day business of movie exhibition – even with a specialized revival or repertoiry houses where films are only presented for a single day or two. Is it a major blunder on FOL’s part? I don’t know about that. But I think it behooves FOL to ascertain the feelings of their patrons on the matter. Have there been previous scheduling conflicts with holidays such as these and if so have regular patrons complained about it? How does the Film Forum (another not for profit organization) handle such scheduling?

I wouldn’t rush to charge FOL with insensitivity, however. They are operating on limited funds and have only so many weekends on which they can book their programs. Would it have been acceptable to book a program of less notable stature rather than Hitchcock for this particular weekend? Or should the theater have gone dark and lost out on much needed ticket revenue?

So don’t GO !!! Stay HOME !!! Who NEEDS ya ???

Glad to see the Jersey is kicking off the opening season with 3 excellent Hitchcock films. Even though “Rear Window” will be shown on Friday, 9-22, Im kind of dissapointed that "Rope" will be shown at 4.30 on Saturday 9-23 with "Vertigo" starting at 8.pm. Too bad "Rope" could not start later, like, say 7.pm with "Vertigo" starting at 8.30 pm, but, hey, it will still be a great show. Anyway, after a less than stellar summer at theplexes, it is good to see the Jersey opened again.

Warren, that is correct, just trying to simplify things. The ornamentation on the outside of the cases also varied, as the photos of the decoration on the outside of the original Jersey Morton do not match the decoration on the outside of the Paradise Morton, now being installed at the Jersey, but the dimensions of both consoles are the same.

Will this new organ use an electropneumatic relay or are there plans to install a new solid state one?

Yes, the theatre itself was one of the five “Loew’s Wonder Theatres”, and each of the five Wonder Theatres had identical Robert Morton Theatre Organs. The original one from the Loew’s Jersey was removed in the late ‘60’s and shipped off to California. The organ that is currently being restored and installed by the G.S.T.O.S. (Garden State Theatre Organ Society) was the organ from another of the five Loews Wonder Theatres… the Loew’s Paradise Theatre in the Bronx, NY.

More info about the “Wonder Theatre’s Robert Morton Organs” can be found here:

http://gstos.org/wonder.htm

http://www.jclandmarks.com/loews.shtml