Thanks for answering my questions about the Music Hall! Very interesting and useful information.
The Bouche murals in the Grand Lounge are stunning. Visitors should take the time to look at them more closely. After doing so, I came to my personal conclusion that Surrealism is one of the overlying styles in the Music Hall’s interior design. That, along with Classical Greek design.
There is (or was) an underground passage (below 50th St.) that connected the Grand Lounge and the GE Building.
I know it was there because my 8th grade class used it some 33 years ago. We saw “The Little Prince” and I never got over it. I last recall seeing this passage sometime in the ‘90s.
Given the crowded streets when the Christmas shows let out and admit (at almost the same time), has anyone thought of re-opening this totally logical and efficient pathway to the Subway? I think it’s best use would be as an exit.
HowardBHaas raises another question with his photo of a corner of the Grand Lounge. The walls have wooden patterns—such as walnut or mahogany. Yet, today ALL of the walls in the Grand Lounge are painted a semi-gloss black. Does anyone know if the Grand Lounge once had wood paneled walls, such as the walls in the Roxy apartment upstairs?
Where did all of the missing furniture go? I have never been able to find a good answer to that question. I would guess it was all sold off sometime in the 1980s.
Dear Mr. Haas, between having been on the tour more than once and seeing the Christmas show (more than once), I can safely tell you that each and every lounge in the theater is still there, and they all look to be in mint condition. I’m talking about the Grand Lounge, the basement elevator lounge, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Mezz. Gentlemens' and Ladies Lounges. The are all still there.
Quite lovely. I saw it in 2004 also. This is the oldest theater I have ever seen in person; and I have seen a lot of old theaters, living close to NYC.
saps and Ed Solero. Thanks! You brought back some great memories. The 1970s was also “my time” at the Music Hall. I used to go there once a month, as the movie and show would change. Back then you could stay for two (or more) shows, if you liked, and no one said anything.
I also enjoyed sitting in the Grand Lounge and reading. That’s not so easy to do so today.
I remember that the 1st mezzanine was reserved seating (and the 3rd mezz. was usually closed) but other than that, you were to sit where every you wanted to in the theatre. I used to sit by the organ or 2nd mezz. center.
What ever happened to all of the Art Deco furniture that used to be in the Grand Lounge? Has there ever been any talk of re-creating it?
Found this on the ‘net. Personally, I think it is good news. I don’t like the new LED screen. For it seems that the top grossing theatre of it size, tries to save money ('cause Cablevision isn’t doing well) and it is a disaster. PLEASE, Radio City, go back to backdrops. Here’s your chance. They seemed to work just fine for 74 years, and they are just fine for many B'way productions.
I went to Radio City monthly in the 1970s. I expected and payed for a movie and a short show, as advertised. Today, when I go to the Christmas Show, which is billed as a live event, I don’t expect to see the some of the scenery and backdrops “on film,” which is what the LED screen amounts to.
BTW, I LOVE movies, and I LOVE Radio City. I believe that Radio City is the best movie theatre that was ever built (even though it was initially built for live shows).
Radio City filed a lawsuit yesterday in U.S. District Court in New York against Barco Media & Entertainment for breach of contract relating to the purchase of a multi-million dollar LED screen installed at Radio City Music Hall last fall.
“In an effort to provide our patrons with a state-of-the-art, first-class entertainment experience, last year we purchased the largest indoor, high-definition LED screen in the country,” says Jay Marciano, president of MSG Entertainment, which oversees Radio City, in a statement. “Our experience with Barco has been an unmitigated disaster.”
Does anyone know if there is even a “ballpark” date for the Robert Morton organ being playable again? It seems as though GSTOS made such great progress recently (up until 2003 or so) and then everything came to a standstill.
On my wish list is to have just a small section of the lobby walls fully restored. It would knock peoples' socks off and might spur donations for a complete restoration of the interior. The exterior (terra cotta facade) looks fantastic.
I used to visit this theatre very frequently when I was a teenager and lived in Jersey City. I used to ask for a ticket to “Theatre 2” no matter what movie was playing, because that was the “balcony theatre” and one had a truly grand view of the huge auditorium.
I’ve also been to many of the new classic film screenings here. They are a unique experience not to be missed.
“The Loweys” has always been and always will be the most important theatre in my life. The first movie I saw here was “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t” when I was 5 years old. You can only imagine the impression this place left on a 5 year old—changed my life forever. I dearly, dearly love this place.
I agree with you completely, Ziggy. Both Jersey City and the Stanley Theatre deserve better than half researched and written articles.
To answer RobertR’s question:
I clearly recall the Stanley Theatre just before it closed, having been a teenager in Jersey City in the 1970s. Apparently, even in the early 1960s, it was a place to get dressed up in order to visit. My aunt and mother both said that it still had its statues and furniture then. They went their to see “Romeo and Juliet,” the musical version from the 1960s.
However, I recall this theatre from the 1970s when, yes, it was an RKO grind house—and it deserved better.
Still the management tried to keep it going as best as they could. They still turned on what lights they could and the usher (a very elderly man as I recall, perhaps he was also the manager) wore a nice but tattered uniform.
But in the 1970s, if you can believe it, all of the beautiful metal work in the theatre was painted in a terrible glossy coat of blue paint. (Ask the Jahovah Witnesses about that blue paint and its removal.) Also, you couldn’t even see the proscenium arch because the theatre was so dimly lit. Of course, the balcony was closed and much of the front orchestra was closed as well. The downstairs lounges were still open.
What was oddest about the place is that although it was in a state of true disrepair, it was completely intact—completely. It was quite literally a window to the 1920s, covered with a thick layer of brown (cigarette) grime, and a leaky roof. I used to love to wonder about the theatre and pretend I was there in 1920s.
The theatre also had offices and these were also period piece 1920s architecture. These offices housed the Hudson County Democratic Headquarters in the 1970s. One of the stores on the ground floor was a pizza place. The offices have since been modernized and the stores are gone too.
The movie I best remember seeing here is “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” in 1976 or so. Out of the 4,332 seats, perhaps 60 were filled. Not a very good business model I suppose.
The only changes to this building that I regret is that the former orchestra pit is now a baptismal pool, and the organ was removed in the 1970s. If any theatre should have a big Wurlitzer pipe organ, it is this one. The organ is now in Grand Rapids:
The sensitively designed pool is fairly easy to live with, given the wonder of a restoration job that has been accomplished. If any theatre is a timewarp and flashback to the 1920s, this is the one. From the fountains to the lighting to the downstairs lounges to the various lobbies and galleries. It is a magnificent and perfectly cared for vintage theatrical building.
I am still completely amazed that my two childhood theatres still remain—the Stanley and the Loew’s Jersey. Rather, it is more like I am dumbfounded that they still remain. My third childhood theatre is gone. This was a 2,000 seater called the State Theatre.
Some stats about the much under-appreciated Stanley Theatre of Jersey City.
I played with Cinema Treasure’s statistics and it proves to be interesting.
If one looks at the ranking by number of seats for older, one screen movie theatres, the Stanley ranks as the 9th largest movie house ever built. If you include those still standing, it ranks No. 4. It is behind Radio City, and the Detroit and St. Louis Fox Theatres, and that’s about it.
In addition, unless the Virginia Theatre was an atmospheric theatre, these stats also make the Stanley the largest atmospheric theatre ever built—larger than the Atlanta Fox, Loew’s Paradise, etc.
Here is a photo of the auditorium. Judge for yourself:
1 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY Open 5940
2 Roxy Theatre New York, NY Closed/Demolished 5920
3 Capitol Theatre New York, NY Closed/Demolished 5230
4 Hippodrome Theatre New York, NY Closed/Demolished 5140
5 Fox Theatre Detroit, MI Open 5045
6 Virginia Theater Danville, VA Closed/Demolished 5000
7 Mastbaum Theatre Philadelphia, PA Closed/Demolished 4717
8 Teatro Maximo Mexico City, Mexico Closed/Demolished 4553
9 Fox Theater St. Louis, MO Open 4500
10 Stanley Theatre Jersey City, NJ Closed 4332
I was also there on Saturday, but only for the first film. Nice presentation! I highly recommend this venue to anyone who cares about seeing classic films in their original environment. The theatre itself will knock your socks off. It is an amazing sight to see. Not only is it huge and ornate, but it is largely intact — a definite time warp to c. 1929.
This former theatre, now used as a church but breathtakingly and very sensitively and carefully restored, is absolutely stunning — not to be missed. It MUST be one of the largest theatre buildings in the country, not to mention the fact that may be one of our best remaining examples of the atmospheric style of cinema design.
DO NOT MISS (not so subtle hint) seeing this glorious building if you are in the greater NYC area.
The vintage marquee along Kennedy Blvd. has to be seen in person to be believed. It is certainly one of the best in the country — a landmark in and of itself.
There is a tall office/residential mixed-use building rising on the site of this former theatre. In 1997, I worked nearby and could see the roof of this theatre from my office window. As far as I know, the building was in good repair. However, it did have a spectular collapse as it was being demolished. My understanding is that the wreckers forgot about something called gravity, in a very dense urban block. As a result, part of the roof collapsed onto the next door mutli-story retail building. This debris crashed through all three floors of the building—while the store was open. I understand that luckily, no one was hurt. I miss this theatre a great deal. It was large, it could have been refined and elegant (I’m sure it was at one time), and I saw many good movies there. My best memories are “Live And Let Die” in 1973 and around the same time, they had a “Planet Of The Apes” movie marathon. In addition, my parents took me to this theatre to see “Gone With The Wind.” It has an illustrious past too. In 1928, Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys played at this theatre.
Status: closed, being used as a church. The former foyer has been turned into a store.
Screens: 1
Style: Art Deco
Function: church/retail
Seats: 500
Chain: ?
Architect: ?
Firm: ?
There is an old bronze plaque on the office building portion of this edifice that says, “Bergen Theatre Building.” The theatre was almost certainly built during the 1930s. I went there many times in the 1970s as a kid for their 99 cent Saturday matinees. There was a small “grand staircase” with a large mirrored wall on the side of it. Above the foyer was an upstairs lounge (where the coffee was served) next to the projection booth. The door to the booth was usually open. It was a nice little cinema and well remembered.
Dear lbnybill,
Thanks for answering my questions about the Music Hall! Very interesting and useful information.
The Bouche murals in the Grand Lounge are stunning. Visitors should take the time to look at them more closely. After doing so, I came to my personal conclusion that Surrealism is one of the overlying styles in the Music Hall’s interior design. That, along with Classical Greek design.
Regards,
Gabe
There is (or was) an underground passage (below 50th St.) that connected the Grand Lounge and the GE Building.
I know it was there because my 8th grade class used it some 33 years ago. We saw “The Little Prince” and I never got over it. I last recall seeing this passage sometime in the ‘90s.
Given the crowded streets when the Christmas shows let out and admit (at almost the same time), has anyone thought of re-opening this totally logical and efficient pathway to the Subway? I think it’s best use would be as an exit.
HowardBHaas raises another question with his photo of a corner of the Grand Lounge. The walls have wooden patterns—such as walnut or mahogany. Yet, today ALL of the walls in the Grand Lounge are painted a semi-gloss black. Does anyone know if the Grand Lounge once had wood paneled walls, such as the walls in the Roxy apartment upstairs?
Where did all of the missing furniture go? I have never been able to find a good answer to that question. I would guess it was all sold off sometime in the 1980s.
Dear Mr. Haas, between having been on the tour more than once and seeing the Christmas show (more than once), I can safely tell you that each and every lounge in the theater is still there, and they all look to be in mint condition. I’m talking about the Grand Lounge, the basement elevator lounge, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Mezz. Gentlemens' and Ladies Lounges. The are all still there.
Quite lovely. I saw it in 2004 also. This is the oldest theater I have ever seen in person; and I have seen a lot of old theaters, living close to NYC.
saps and Ed Solero. Thanks! You brought back some great memories. The 1970s was also “my time” at the Music Hall. I used to go there once a month, as the movie and show would change. Back then you could stay for two (or more) shows, if you liked, and no one said anything.
I also enjoyed sitting in the Grand Lounge and reading. That’s not so easy to do so today.
I remember that the 1st mezzanine was reserved seating (and the 3rd mezz. was usually closed) but other than that, you were to sit where every you wanted to in the theatre. I used to sit by the organ or 2nd mezz. center.
What ever happened to all of the Art Deco furniture that used to be in the Grand Lounge? Has there ever been any talk of re-creating it?
Found this on the ‘net. Personally, I think it is good news. I don’t like the new LED screen. For it seems that the top grossing theatre of it size, tries to save money ('cause Cablevision isn’t doing well) and it is a disaster. PLEASE, Radio City, go back to backdrops. Here’s your chance. They seemed to work just fine for 74 years, and they are just fine for many B'way productions.
I went to Radio City monthly in the 1970s. I expected and payed for a movie and a short show, as advertised. Today, when I go to the Christmas Show, which is billed as a live event, I don’t expect to see the some of the scenery and backdrops “on film,” which is what the LED screen amounts to.
BTW, I LOVE movies, and I LOVE Radio City. I believe that Radio City is the best movie theatre that was ever built (even though it was initially built for live shows).
Thoughts, opinions?
View link
Radio City filed a lawsuit yesterday in U.S. District Court in New York against Barco Media & Entertainment for breach of contract relating to the purchase of a multi-million dollar LED screen installed at Radio City Music Hall last fall.
“In an effort to provide our patrons with a state-of-the-art, first-class entertainment experience, last year we purchased the largest indoor, high-definition LED screen in the country,” says Jay Marciano, president of MSG Entertainment, which oversees Radio City, in a statement. “Our experience with Barco has been an unmitigated disaster.”
Shouldn’t this listing be merged with the listing for the “Loew’s Jersey Theatre” with the apostrophe after the w?
Technically speaking, “Loew’s Jersey Theatre” is the correct name of the theater.
Does anyone know if there is even a “ballpark” date for the Robert Morton organ being playable again? It seems as though GSTOS made such great progress recently (up until 2003 or so) and then everything came to a standstill.
On my wish list is to have just a small section of the lobby walls fully restored. It would knock peoples' socks off and might spur donations for a complete restoration of the interior. The exterior (terra cotta facade) looks fantastic.
I used to visit this theatre very frequently when I was a teenager and lived in Jersey City. I used to ask for a ticket to “Theatre 2” no matter what movie was playing, because that was the “balcony theatre” and one had a truly grand view of the huge auditorium.
I’ve also been to many of the new classic film screenings here. They are a unique experience not to be missed.
“The Loweys” has always been and always will be the most important theatre in my life. The first movie I saw here was “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t” when I was 5 years old. You can only imagine the impression this place left on a 5 year old—changed my life forever. I dearly, dearly love this place.
Trivia…
and before it was the Route 1 Flea Market it was a Great Eastern department store.
Still it’s the only multiplex I know of with a graveyard in the middle of the parking lot (“only in New Jersey”). Do you think I’m kidding?:
http://www.weirdnj.com/stories/_cemetery04.asp
How is that for unique!?
Nope — it’s certainly not a treasure, but it is a clean and well run “facility.”
I was here last weekend to see a film. It is a somewhat unusual suburban mulpiplex. It also appears to be an indy but I could be wrong.
Given large multiplexes, I’ll choose this one over the nearby New Brunswick on Route 1.
I agree with you completely, Ziggy. Both Jersey City and the Stanley Theatre deserve better than half researched and written articles.
To answer RobertR’s question:
I clearly recall the Stanley Theatre just before it closed, having been a teenager in Jersey City in the 1970s. Apparently, even in the early 1960s, it was a place to get dressed up in order to visit. My aunt and mother both said that it still had its statues and furniture then. They went their to see “Romeo and Juliet,” the musical version from the 1960s.
However, I recall this theatre from the 1970s when, yes, it was an RKO grind house—and it deserved better.
Still the management tried to keep it going as best as they could. They still turned on what lights they could and the usher (a very elderly man as I recall, perhaps he was also the manager) wore a nice but tattered uniform.
But in the 1970s, if you can believe it, all of the beautiful metal work in the theatre was painted in a terrible glossy coat of blue paint. (Ask the Jahovah Witnesses about that blue paint and its removal.) Also, you couldn’t even see the proscenium arch because the theatre was so dimly lit. Of course, the balcony was closed and much of the front orchestra was closed as well. The downstairs lounges were still open.
What was oddest about the place is that although it was in a state of true disrepair, it was completely intact—completely. It was quite literally a window to the 1920s, covered with a thick layer of brown (cigarette) grime, and a leaky roof. I used to love to wonder about the theatre and pretend I was there in 1920s.
The theatre also had offices and these were also period piece 1920s architecture. These offices housed the Hudson County Democratic Headquarters in the 1970s. One of the stores on the ground floor was a pizza place. The offices have since been modernized and the stores are gone too.
The movie I best remember seeing here is “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” in 1976 or so. Out of the 4,332 seats, perhaps 60 were filled. Not a very good business model I suppose.
The only changes to this building that I regret is that the former orchestra pit is now a baptismal pool, and the organ was removed in the 1970s. If any theatre should have a big Wurlitzer pipe organ, it is this one. The organ is now in Grand Rapids:
http://www.grago.org/organs/doc/vanandel.htm
The sensitively designed pool is fairly easy to live with, given the wonder of a restoration job that has been accomplished. If any theatre is a timewarp and flashback to the 1920s, this is the one. From the fountains to the lighting to the downstairs lounges to the various lobbies and galleries. It is a magnificent and perfectly cared for vintage theatrical building.
I am still completely amazed that my two childhood theatres still remain—the Stanley and the Loew’s Jersey. Rather, it is more like I am dumbfounded that they still remain. My third childhood theatre is gone. This was a 2,000 seater called the State Theatre.
Correction: It is the 10th largest ever built (according to these statistics).
Some stats about the much under-appreciated Stanley Theatre of Jersey City.
I played with Cinema Treasure’s statistics and it proves to be interesting.
If one looks at the ranking by number of seats for older, one screen movie theatres, the Stanley ranks as the 9th largest movie house ever built. If you include those still standing, it ranks No. 4. It is behind Radio City, and the Detroit and St. Louis Fox Theatres, and that’s about it.
In addition, unless the Virginia Theatre was an atmospheric theatre, these stats also make the Stanley the largest atmospheric theatre ever built—larger than the Atlanta Fox, Loew’s Paradise, etc.
Here is a photo of the auditorium. Judge for yourself:
View link
It looks pretty big to me…
1 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY Open 5940
2 Roxy Theatre New York, NY Closed/Demolished 5920
3 Capitol Theatre New York, NY Closed/Demolished 5230
4 Hippodrome Theatre New York, NY Closed/Demolished 5140
5 Fox Theatre Detroit, MI Open 5045
6 Virginia Theater Danville, VA Closed/Demolished 5000
7 Mastbaum Theatre Philadelphia, PA Closed/Demolished 4717
8 Teatro Maximo Mexico City, Mexico Closed/Demolished 4553
9 Fox Theater St. Louis, MO Open 4500
10 Stanley Theatre Jersey City, NJ Closed 4332
I was also there on Saturday, but only for the first film. Nice presentation! I highly recommend this venue to anyone who cares about seeing classic films in their original environment. The theatre itself will knock your socks off. It is an amazing sight to see. Not only is it huge and ornate, but it is largely intact — a definite time warp to c. 1929.
This former theatre, now used as a church but breathtakingly and very sensitively and carefully restored, is absolutely stunning — not to be missed. It MUST be one of the largest theatre buildings in the country, not to mention the fact that may be one of our best remaining examples of the atmospheric style of cinema design.
DO NOT MISS (not so subtle hint) seeing this glorious building if you are in the greater NYC area.
The vintage marquee along Kennedy Blvd. has to be seen in person to be believed. It is certainly one of the best in the country — a landmark in and of itself.
There is a tall office/residential mixed-use building rising on the site of this former theatre. In 1997, I worked nearby and could see the roof of this theatre from my office window. As far as I know, the building was in good repair. However, it did have a spectular collapse as it was being demolished. My understanding is that the wreckers forgot about something called gravity, in a very dense urban block. As a result, part of the roof collapsed onto the next door mutli-story retail building. This debris crashed through all three floors of the building—while the store was open. I understand that luckily, no one was hurt. I miss this theatre a great deal. It was large, it could have been refined and elegant (I’m sure it was at one time), and I saw many good movies there. My best memories are “Live And Let Die” in 1973 and around the same time, they had a “Planet Of The Apes” movie marathon. In addition, my parents took me to this theatre to see “Gone With The Wind.” It has an illustrious past too. In 1928, Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys played at this theatre.
Status: closed, being used as a church. The former foyer has been turned into a store.
Screens: 1
Style: Art Deco
Function: church/retail
Seats: 500
Chain: ?
Architect: ?
Firm: ?
There is an old bronze plaque on the office building portion of this edifice that says, “Bergen Theatre Building.” The theatre was almost certainly built during the 1930s. I went there many times in the 1970s as a kid for their 99 cent Saturday matinees. There was a small “grand staircase” with a large mirrored wall on the side of it. Above the foyer was an upstairs lounge (where the coffee was served) next to the projection booth. The door to the booth was usually open. It was a nice little cinema and well remembered.