Great post !!! How wonderful to hear such memories !!! I wonder what it looked like as a movie theater. All I can recall is driving past the poster of “Nabonga” when I was a kid in the early 50s.
I’m reading the autobiography of my favorite singer, Vic Damone, and he mentions having performed here early in his career while he was doing radio, records, & clubs.
WHATEVER ! It was a thrill to have a real, live movie star right before our eyes at a real, live movie palace ! Yes, you CAN go home again ! Thank you, Loew’s Jersey !!!
I think Arlene said about 6 months. The real shocker was her saying that Darryl Zanuck made them re-dub the entire film because he thought the American audience wouldn’t understand the accents. Nowadays, it’d be just dandy since no one in America speaks English anymore !!!!!
Thanks, Bill, for those sensational photos ! I was there with my grade school friend on his maiden voyage to the Loew’s, and he was predictably dazzled by it and the lovely Miss Dahl. She autographed my CD of the 1989 concert she did with Jane Russell and the fabulous Dottie Lamour ! My friend was put off by the idea that there was a $20.00 fee which provided access for “special people.” Those of us who support the Loew’s are rather special, too !
Mae herself again mention the Royal in the new Charlotte Chandler interview-type bio of Mae: “She Always Knew How.” Mae also mentions the Gorham. Anyone know about that one ?
The building on the corner is or was a bar, and if you go in and pass thru to the back, there is an enormous auditorium with a stage, and a balcony going all around. In the early 80’s, I did a production of “The Country Wife” there with a local theater group. I hope to go there very soon just to see if this performance space is still there. I know the theater group lost the use of the hall after that show.
Jeffrey: As fresh air is to human beings, debate is to the non-human automaton known as Warren. It’s just who he is. He goes ballistic if he sees the word “the” before a theater. Me, I’d rather just go to the Loew’s Jersey and watch Norma Desmond rather than nit-pick on this site. Just ask Peter K. and Lost Broadway !
This MAY be the theater where Mae West did her pre-Broadway try-out of “Diamond Lil” in 1928. Her autobiography mentions a theater where 3 streets come together.
Don’t wait too long ! I don’t know how the Kent survives. You may be pleasantly surprised like I was. But hurry up & get there before it goes the way of the Midwood.
I believe I asked the question before the theater closed: How can it keep going ? Now we see it can’t, because movie-going is no longer an entertainment priority for people. When I’m the only person watching “Smart People” at the Pavilion, what hope is there for the future ? I predict a time without movie theaters. If people would rather buy pirated copies of Indy 4 on the street rather than go see it at the Ridgewood,——give it up. I’m going to see “King Kong” at the Loew’s Jersey City on June 14th. Are you goin, P. Koch ? Brooklyn Jim ? Lost Memory ?
Cranky fella never lets up, does he, Lost ? Even in the face of this tragedy. When I was there for the Queen Latifah recently, i was one of 3 people, so it’s no wonder.
Did you live in the Garden Apartments, or one of the buildings across the street ?
Great post !!! How wonderful to hear such memories !!! I wonder what it looked like as a movie theater. All I can recall is driving past the poster of “Nabonga” when I was a kid in the early 50s.
But will it show movies and live Broadway musicals ??? And Mitzi Gaynor in concert ??? AND BARBRA !!!
Films I remember seeing here: “By Love Possessed”, “Pal Joey”, Return to Peyton Place", “Road to Hong Kong”.
I’m reading the autobiography of my favorite singer, Vic Damone, and he mentions having performed here early in his career while he was doing radio, records, & clubs.
Get the guy from “Targets” to shoot ‘em all !!!
STUNNING !!! THANK YOU !!
WHATEVER ! It was a thrill to have a real, live movie star right before our eyes at a real, live movie palace ! Yes, you CAN go home again ! Thank you, Loew’s Jersey !!!
I think Arlene said about 6 months. The real shocker was her saying that Darryl Zanuck made them re-dub the entire film because he thought the American audience wouldn’t understand the accents. Nowadays, it’d be just dandy since no one in America speaks English anymore !!!!!
Thanks, Bill, for those sensational photos ! I was there with my grade school friend on his maiden voyage to the Loew’s, and he was predictably dazzled by it and the lovely Miss Dahl. She autographed my CD of the 1989 concert she did with Jane Russell and the fabulous Dottie Lamour ! My friend was put off by the idea that there was a $20.00 fee which provided access for “special people.” Those of us who support the Loew’s are rather special, too !
In 1974 or so, a friend & I saw a double bill (remember them ?) of “Claudine” and “Harry & Tonto” here.
A concert venue sounds very likely. Sounds like the auditorium where I did the play years ago is still there.
Mae herself again mention the Royal in the new Charlotte Chandler interview-type bio of Mae: “She Always Knew How.” Mae also mentions the Gorham. Anyone know about that one ?
The building on the corner is or was a bar, and if you go in and pass thru to the back, there is an enormous auditorium with a stage, and a balcony going all around. In the early 80’s, I did a production of “The Country Wife” there with a local theater group. I hope to go there very soon just to see if this performance space is still there. I know the theater group lost the use of the hall after that show.
Jeffrey: As fresh air is to human beings, debate is to the non-human automaton known as Warren. It’s just who he is. He goes ballistic if he sees the word “the” before a theater. Me, I’d rather just go to the Loew’s Jersey and watch Norma Desmond rather than nit-pick on this site. Just ask Peter K. and Lost Broadway !
This MAY be the theater where Mae West did her pre-Broadway try-out of “Diamond Lil” in 1928. Her autobiography mentions a theater where 3 streets come together.
In 1928 Bette Davis played a pre-Broadway try-out here in her play “Broken Dishes” !!! I was so excited to find that out !
Don’t wait too long ! I don’t know how the Kent survives. You may be pleasantly surprised like I was. But hurry up & get there before it goes the way of the Midwood.
Attention ! The name is not simply: Warren G. Harris, but THE Warren G. Harris. You know how he is about leaving out (or adding) THEs !!!
My most memorable moment here was seeing “The Chosen”. It was probably still a single then. What a beautiful movie !
I believe I asked the question before the theater closed: How can it keep going ? Now we see it can’t, because movie-going is no longer an entertainment priority for people. When I’m the only person watching “Smart People” at the Pavilion, what hope is there for the future ? I predict a time without movie theaters. If people would rather buy pirated copies of Indy 4 on the street rather than go see it at the Ridgewood,——give it up. I’m going to see “King Kong” at the Loew’s Jersey City on June 14th. Are you goin, P. Koch ? Brooklyn Jim ? Lost Memory ?
Sad news. A co-worker just told me the building is currently being demolished, so the status can be changed. And I never even got to go here !
STOP IT !!!!!!!
we ARE ! We agreed on that LONG ago ! I bet cranky fella just LOVES these off-topic things !!!
Cranky fella never lets up, does he, Lost ? Even in the face of this tragedy. When I was there for the Queen Latifah recently, i was one of 3 people, so it’s no wonder.