And John J Fink, don’t forget another treasure that HAS been restored and just sits, the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, N.J. I have been trying now for almost 3 years to get some classic movies going there. I got them a 17 X 39 foot screen, which was only 6 months old at the time, a dolby cp-55 sound rack with amps, carbon arc lamphouses, all I need is cash to put it all together. But now the place is for sale, so who knows.
Happy Holidays.
I agree Cinemark. You and I have gone back and forth on this for a while now. I have nothing against Justin, he’s a good patron of our industry, and I applaud him for that. But he does not work in the industry, and as a projectionist for almost 34 years, I can tell you, been there, done that. I have not run or seen digital IMAX (dietmax as you so apptly put it) but I have not heard one good thing yet. When I ran the IMAX at White plains N.Y. in 2004, it blew me away. Imax will destroy itself, like you said. Give it a few years.
Happy Holidays.
If they start construction on the first monday in January, the 5th, then it is possible to have the IMAX going on the 23rd. When I was involved with the one in White Plains N.Y., it took a little over 3 weeks, and that was only because of the problem of how to get the MPX projector, which was HUGE, up 5 stories. The screen and speaker conversions take about a week, and another week to integrate all the existing and new projection systems together.
I still would rather see them get 15/70 IMAX, but I know the whole world is ga-ga over this digital crap, so be it. Enjoy your new IMAX when you get it.
Recent news being posted on CT has a major redevelopement going on in this town to include an entertainment complex. Heres all the complex you need. NOTHING they build will even come close to matching this. Just check out Bob’s photos above from Feb 6, 2008.
If the Fabian is still standing, why not just try to convert IT to a multi-use facility. All your going to get out of this new constuction is a sheetrock multiplex, with broom closet sizes theatres. One look at the Fabian on its CT site will show you a true cinema treasure, (in need of TLC)
Exactly what I said too longislandmovies. I wish you could talk to the owners of the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. Heres a treasure waiting to be used, but the owners just sit on it. And everyone tells me they have to be non-profit. I tell them why dont they just open, advertise, and maybe it can function. I’m also happy to hear your triplex out grosses these big sheetrock multiplexes. I always said give me a good 2, 3, or 4 screen theatre, and it will make money.
As someone who lives eats and will die by the theatre business, I cant help but think that this Ridgewood theatre thing is going in a bad direction. Look at whats happened around the country. Take a few years ago when the Colonial in Allentown PA. was demolished because the owner let it sit and rot since 1988. Or how about right here in New York with the Keiths in Queens. If these palaces are just allowed to sit and sit, its only a matter of time nothing good will come. I hope this one and the Kings in Brooklyn get the attention they need and deserve, and SOON.
This once mighty and glorious chain of theatres seems to be headed to the scrap heap. I remember when I worked for them from 1985 up till the end of 2004, how all the ducks were in a row, everything was like a well oiled machine. I can only imagine what the people who work there must be thinking day in and day out. If Shari Redstone cant wrestle away control soon, this chain will be history.
Seating Capacity for this complex. Please note that Theatres 1, 2, 5 & 6 are sloped, while 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 & 10 are stadium. Dolby Digital and D.T.S. sound thru out.
Went by the building tonight on my way home from work. The drop ceiling from office max is gone, and to my surprise, the front wall of the old projection booth was torn out, exposing the empty booth. The blue color wall paint looks just like it did in 1992 when the place closed.
Meredith, are you now doing all the tech work for clearview? I am wondering if you do the theatre I worked for 10 years, the Middlebrook Galleria in Ocean N.J.? I had that booth looking and running like a hospital ward. Clean and quiet. I’m sorry clearview kicked us all to the curb.
Hey Meredith, a quick question. My fellow union brother worked here up till March 2004. He spent like 3 years working with the tech’s from NCS getting everything in working order when clearview kicked us to the curb. Just how bad was the booth? I remember it running smooth when he left.
I have to agree with Peter and Bob Jensen. I still cant believe this digital thing is ever going to take off the way the theatres and studios hope it does, and Mini-Max is just owesome. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
And thats a shame, because the longer it sits, the worse the condition gets. It will reach a point someday (lets hope not) that the building will be beyond repair.
The theatre has recently had all its sound systems upgraded to Dolby Digital.
Seating capacity as follows:
Cinema 1..188
Cinema 2..143
Cinema 3.. 93
Cinema 4.. 83
Cinema 5.. 99
Cinema 6..115
Total of 721 seats. Very well kept theatre, and nice safe parking in the giant shopping plaza it helps to anchor. And it has matinees daily.
Very cool. I wish more of todays theatre used these, instead of those electronic signs that only flash one movie at a time. But then again, with 20 screens, you would need a marquee the size of a city block.
Thank you Ross. The same to you and your staff. Lets all keep working to save more treasures in 2009.
By all means Cinemark, please, please tell us how it is.
And John J Fink, don’t forget another treasure that HAS been restored and just sits, the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, N.J. I have been trying now for almost 3 years to get some classic movies going there. I got them a 17 X 39 foot screen, which was only 6 months old at the time, a dolby cp-55 sound rack with amps, carbon arc lamphouses, all I need is cash to put it all together. But now the place is for sale, so who knows.
Happy Holidays.
I agree Cinemark. You and I have gone back and forth on this for a while now. I have nothing against Justin, he’s a good patron of our industry, and I applaud him for that. But he does not work in the industry, and as a projectionist for almost 34 years, I can tell you, been there, done that. I have not run or seen digital IMAX (dietmax as you so apptly put it) but I have not heard one good thing yet. When I ran the IMAX at White plains N.Y. in 2004, it blew me away. Imax will destroy itself, like you said. Give it a few years.
Happy Holidays.
If they start construction on the first monday in January, the 5th, then it is possible to have the IMAX going on the 23rd. When I was involved with the one in White Plains N.Y., it took a little over 3 weeks, and that was only because of the problem of how to get the MPX projector, which was HUGE, up 5 stories. The screen and speaker conversions take about a week, and another week to integrate all the existing and new projection systems together.
I still would rather see them get 15/70 IMAX, but I know the whole world is ga-ga over this digital crap, so be it. Enjoy your new IMAX when you get it.
Recent news being posted on CT has a major redevelopement going on in this town to include an entertainment complex. Heres all the complex you need. NOTHING they build will even come close to matching this. Just check out Bob’s photos above from Feb 6, 2008.
If the Fabian is still standing, why not just try to convert IT to a multi-use facility. All your going to get out of this new constuction is a sheetrock multiplex, with broom closet sizes theatres. One look at the Fabian on its CT site will show you a true cinema treasure, (in need of TLC)
What a beauty. Glad to see it was saved (especially from the alternative, a parking lot).
Sounds like the second coming of National Amusements. The theatres are doing great, but all the other activities are sucking them dry.
Exactly what I said too longislandmovies. I wish you could talk to the owners of the 2800 seat Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. Heres a treasure waiting to be used, but the owners just sit on it. And everyone tells me they have to be non-profit. I tell them why dont they just open, advertise, and maybe it can function. I’m also happy to hear your triplex out grosses these big sheetrock multiplexes. I always said give me a good 2, 3, or 4 screen theatre, and it will make money.
As someone who lives eats and will die by the theatre business, I cant help but think that this Ridgewood theatre thing is going in a bad direction. Look at whats happened around the country. Take a few years ago when the Colonial in Allentown PA. was demolished because the owner let it sit and rot since 1988. Or how about right here in New York with the Keiths in Queens. If these palaces are just allowed to sit and sit, its only a matter of time nothing good will come. I hope this one and the Kings in Brooklyn get the attention they need and deserve, and SOON.
This once mighty and glorious chain of theatres seems to be headed to the scrap heap. I remember when I worked for them from 1985 up till the end of 2004, how all the ducks were in a row, everything was like a well oiled machine. I can only imagine what the people who work there must be thinking day in and day out. If Shari Redstone cant wrestle away control soon, this chain will be history.
Seating Capacity for this complex. Please note that Theatres 1, 2, 5 & 6 are sloped, while 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 & 10 are stadium. Dolby Digital and D.T.S. sound thru out.
Cinema 1.. 97
Cinema 2..128
Cinema 3..181
Cinema 4..283
Cinema 5.. 97
Cinema 6..128
Cinema 7..245
Cinema 8..210
Cinema 9..197
Cinema 10.181
Total of 1747.
Very nice and unique 10-plex. Movie props thru-out the lobby and hallway ares.
It looks like the theatre is intact, except for no seats.
Went by the building tonight on my way home from work. The drop ceiling from office max is gone, and to my surprise, the front wall of the old projection booth was torn out, exposing the empty booth. The blue color wall paint looks just like it did in 1992 when the place closed.
Meredith, are you now doing all the tech work for clearview? I am wondering if you do the theatre I worked for 10 years, the Middlebrook Galleria in Ocean N.J.? I had that booth looking and running like a hospital ward. Clean and quiet. I’m sorry clearview kicked us all to the curb.
Hey Meredith, a quick question. My fellow union brother worked here up till March 2004. He spent like 3 years working with the tech’s from NCS getting everything in working order when clearview kicked us to the curb. Just how bad was the booth? I remember it running smooth when he left.
I have to agree with Peter and Bob Jensen. I still cant believe this digital thing is ever going to take off the way the theatres and studios hope it does, and Mini-Max is just owesome. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
If its not 15 perf 70MM Imax, I cant be bothered.
Jack Roe USA Inc sells rods. Toll Free number is 800-213-9956.
We need more people like you Bill. Happy Holidays.
And thats a shame, because the longer it sits, the worse the condition gets. It will reach a point someday (lets hope not) that the building will be beyond repair.
The theatre has recently had all its sound systems upgraded to Dolby Digital.
Seating capacity as follows:
Cinema 1..188
Cinema 2..143
Cinema 3.. 93
Cinema 4.. 83
Cinema 5.. 99
Cinema 6..115
Total of 721 seats. Very well kept theatre, and nice safe parking in the giant shopping plaza it helps to anchor. And it has matinees daily.
Nice to here someone still knows how to run a theatre the RIGHT way.
Very cool. I wish more of todays theatre used these, instead of those electronic signs that only flash one movie at a time. But then again, with 20 screens, you would need a marquee the size of a city block.