There was a local Collingswood guy who used to rent that apt. beck in the early 80’s. We all would hang up there from time to time. Boy, if those walls cold talk!!! LOL
TerryN,I recently spoke to one of the guy’s who back in the early 1970’s helped with removing the balcony section in preperation for the theatre’s new use as a photography studio. Again, this was early 70’s. I had asked if he remembered seeing the old organ during the demolition and he said from what he could remember “there was just pieces of it (organ)laying there”. He said most likly those “pieces” ended up in the dumpster with the rest of the balcony.
Great post Lumpie, from what I’m told Budweiser and doobies may have been the way to go when seeing the Exorcist for the first time. The Collingswood Theatre does have it’s own page , You may want to check it out BUT I will tell You, there is NO plans to restore the Collingswood back into a thaetre. Unfortunatly, the current administration was a little late getting in power…Do You remember the Eric that was over at the ACME Plaza?
The Township own’s it. They got it just before the realestate boon for like $250,000. It’s to long to get into here on this sight BUT based on what’s going on with this gov’t I would'nt be suprised to see this thing turn into a big name drug store…I’ll E you the guy’s name doing the doc. Pic’s were sent…
For now the town has put up a fence under the marquee to protect by-stander’s and passer-by’s from gettting hit with falling paint chip’s. Local gov’t is currently in a “text-book” state of disaray. On another note, an independant, local film producer is currently working on a small documentary about the theatre that’s due to be completed somtime around Sept. In it, he goes over the history of the theatre and does some candid interview’s with people such as Alan-don’t ask me about the Orowitz’s-Haas and some other’s who either worked at the theatre or like myself just have some memorie’s of going to the movie’s there. And no, I did NOT tell of my experience of seeing that classic epic The “Rise and Fall of Edie Amin” or “The Heratic” and how those “urban young” men just could not help but voice their opinion’s of how Linda Blair looked in Her night gown…
I did however get to go inside the theatre. It’s been over twenty year’s since I’ve been inside and I gotta tell ya T.G. it felt like I was in there last week. I was able to take a lot of pic’s. The place is built like a bank vault. The balconey has been covered since the late 1940’s with a drop ceiling and this wall run’s down the center put there in a last ditch effort to make it into a “twin”. Other then removing the ceiling, tearing down the wall putting new seat’s back in and giving it a good cleaning I see no reason to knock this thing down. The choice is to pick it up and move it to Collingswood or get new gov’t in place. I do think the angry lesbien (commisioner) could possibly be the one to may-be, just may-be get it going BUT don’t hold your breath…
Don’t know Rick, I’ll have to try and look up one of my old Blackwood neighbor’s who grew up down there and see what they remember. like I said. It was closed in 87' when I moved there…
I remember seeing it get torn down. I was living in the Blackwood Estates section at the time. I moved there in late 87' and from what I was told, the theatre had been closed for several year’s. I do remember they were looking for a buyer but the building needed extensive repair’s mainly to the roof. In fact, if memory serve’s me correct, they were willing to sell the thing for like a dollar but the repair’s exceeded the “at time” value of the building. Of course and unfortunatly that was about ten year’s before the big realestate boon in South Jersey. Now as nursebrittany has described, sadly, it is a small grassy “area” complete with gazeeeebo! Had this theatre been in a Collingswood, Haddonfield or Woodbury it would probably be, if not a theatre of a sort, then a resturant or something other than a small grassy “area”. The above mentioned town’s know how to “preserve” and “restore”. This theatre was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!
I had my oil changed in the place a couple time’s. The theatre part itself has been completely gutted. I mean no sign’s of any seat’s, screen, stage, curtain’s nothin! It’s all been replaced with car lift’s, tool boxes and angry mechanic’s. The front door’s look pretty much original and the projection room probably store’s tire’s and motor oil who know’s? Very iffy neighborhood. Restoration as a theatre is well out of the question on this one. If the current tire store should ever pull out the old Crescent may see use as something else “auto repair related” or as a warehouse of a sort. As long as it doe'nt become a pile of rubble!
“Sam’s Son”-1984-Michael Landon uses the Rialto S Pacadena in place of the Westmont Theatre (New Jersey) In the movie you’ll not only see the outside of the Rialto theatre but also the inside especially the balconey where in one seen his father (Eli Wallach) has a heart attack while carrying film’s up to the projection booth. Landon (Gene Ormon) depict’s his youth around the 1950’s in and outside the theatre with car’s from the 40’s and 50’s and when he come’s back in 1984. Anyone who’s a fan of THIS theatre and /or a fan of Michael Landon should get a copy of this movie ( a cheapie on e-bay) Also, check out the Westmont Theatre where in real life Michael Landon’s father was the manager and the actual theatre that the Rialto and story line to “Sam’s Son” depict’s!
TC i can’t seem to find out anything about the Eric Westmont. In fact in driving by recently i noticed they did finally remove the marquee that was out by the road side. The lot is still empty in between the CVS and the Dollar store where the theatre once stood I just find it odd that they tore down a new building like that!
Was in Wildwood this past weekend. Actually i’m there a lot since i have a place in Diamond Beach. Anyway, we stopped at our friends restraunt on Pacific ave. just around the corner from both the Strand and The Shore 4. While discussing all the “changes” in regards to realestate, new construction and the overall rebirth of Wildwood it was brought up by “long time” buisness owners of Wildwood that the MOREY’S and for those of you who don’t know, the Morey’s are to amusements along with too much to list other “intrest” in Wildwood like Trump is to New York City and Atlantic City. Get it? Anyway, word is they the Morey’s are on a buying spree and on the list is THE STRAND and no not for knocking down and making condo’s but restoring back into its original theatre size…Atillis Gym will be gone however. So keep em crossed and lets hope for the best not just for The Strand but The Shore 4
1974, EARTHQUAKE ,in “surround sound” no less. Anybody remember seeing that one? I remember as we were walking in to the theatre the steps to the balconey were taped off with not just one BUT two usher’s standing guard to make sure nobody accidently, i’m assuming, happend to stumble upon or got to close to the “surround sound” which was situated up in the balconey. Two big amplifier’s that roared this loud, basey-like static during the actual earthquake seen and the aftershock seen.
The most memorable movie however had to be none other than THE EXORCIST. A group of us were in the ninth grade when we went to see it. If there’s one movie everybody remember’s seeing and where they saw it no doubt,that’s the one!
After that it was Capa’s. Everything from drum stick’s to an O.J.Simpson mask. Capa’s did however,get you in the spirit of halloween.
I drive by the sight of the former Century/Coronet from time to time. Eckerd Drug’s now reside’s on the property. I don’t think anyone who travel’s the WhiteHorse Pike will ever forget that big white building along with that huge marquee….
TC, I,m workin on it. The Eric (Westmont) had a very short life span. This was built as a brand new theartre and maybe fifteen yrs (tops)later torn down. The Coronet (Audubon)became CAPA’S a costume outlet. It was real popular around Halloween. I just drove by the sight and it has been torn down and now an Ekerd Drugs resides on the sight.
rg, i spoke to my 80 yr old dad. Anyway, he did, after a minute, recall the Broad. He said, from what he remember’s, that the Broad was a smaller theater then the Rockland/Logan. Do You remember roughly how big it was compared to the other two? And do You recall if it had a double door entrance off to the side with the ticket booth inside? For some reason i seem to remember that. Keep in mind, i was born in 60' so You slightly to moderate older guy’s have a better recollection of those detail’s over me. Also, my dad could'nt recall the name but he asked about the theater at Broad and Oloney. Do You remember that one?
rg, I vaguly remember that one (Broad). WOW, for some reason and I’m tryin my damdist here, we never went to that one and i don’t know why! I’m thinkin now,i remember mom in Her 1960 Chevy station wagon and all of us kids piled in it,slowen down in front of the Broad but for some reason i don’t think i went to that one ,of all the times we went to the other two,which is why i probably did'nt remember it till you mentioned it. I got make some calls now….
TC, his name was Eugene “Uggie” Orowitz Collingswood High class of 54'. No biggie! Just thought you oughtta know. Anyway, growing up in Collingswood the Westmont was probably considered our “local” theater since the Collingswood had allready been closed for a couple years when we moved over from Philly in the summer of 69'. The Westmont reminded me some of The Logan Theater, Broad St N. Philly, in size especially. I remember the Westmont having i guess was a stage below the screen. Is that what that was and did they remove it when they put up the “great wall”? I can remember seeing first run fims at the Westmont in the early to late 70’s. Allthough one movie in particuler which probably had the longest line i can remember, especially for the 70’s, was THE EXORCIST. I can remember riding by looking out the window of my parents car one Friday night and even the theater itself looked scarey. I ended up seeing that particuler movie over at the Coronet in Audubon i think like a year or so later. What a flick that was when you were a kid! I think everybody i ever spoke to who saw that movie back then had a story about lights flickering when they went home that night.
Tora,Tora,Tora was probably the last decent movie i remember seeing at the Westmont. After that it was The Heretic with who else Linda Blair. One thing that stood out about that movie were the “young men” from Camden who were insistent upon trying to talk to Linda Blair during the movie. Actually, they were telling Her and each other what they would like to do to Her during the movie and it did'nt have to do with “saving her soul”. Now,who saw THE RISE AND FALL OF EDIE AMIN at the Westmont? I thought during that movie i should take a page out of the “young men” from Camdens book and just hollar out to the screen “HEY EDIE, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS HERE WATCHING THE HERATIC”?
The House on Haunted Hill was the last movie i remember seeing at the Westmont. Looking back,I feel when the Eric went up over next to the Acme the Westmont’s days seemed numbered as far as a cinema theater BUT look which one’s still standing!
I guess Westmont itself just was'nt big enough for two movie theater’s and did'nt the Eric have or go to two screens? Anybody?
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry, The Trial of Billy Jack, Smokey and the Bandit,Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke and the Eric was up in smoke that night. The Kentucky Fried Movie to name a few.
They tore the Eric down and did'nt even rebuild or use the lot for parking. Anbody know what was up with that?
I did however, like when the high school kids from Haddon Township would from time to time climb up the Marquee of the Eric which is still there sitting on Cuthburt Road and change the spelling of some of the title’s like the “Beer Hunter” and “Who Rammed Rodger Rabbit”.
No doubt The Westmont will be heading in the right direction soon. When or if the politico’s of Haddon Twp ever “GET IT TOGETHER” or when the people of Haddon Twp throw them the hell out I’m sure this prodject will move along just fine.
We moved to Collingswood in the summer of 1969. The theater had allready been closed for some time. However, i grew up with kids who used to go there and they remember it well. I’m told the last movie to be shown was “Pinohcio”. I remember though in the early 70’s The Collingswood was being used as a Billiards and Pooltable storage facillity. They had these dredful paper painted signs over the doors advertising what they were. The old marquee stayed up till the late 70’s give or take. I know the seats were taken out early probably so it could be used as a warehouse. Who know’s?
I was in the lobby section of the old theater back in May. Team Collingswood the mayor and the commisioners rented it out as their campaign headquarters. In that section, the ceiling is still original along with the floor the original front doors are still there along with the original glass poster cases still mounted on the walls as you walk in.
As you walk towards what would have been the theater section you come to “The Great Wall of Sheetrock”. However, there’s a fountain in what would have been the center of the lobby butted up to the new sheetrock. Actually, the sheetrock is butted up to it and one can only thank God, that fountain has'nt seen the wrong end of a sledge hammer!
The rest rooms still appear to be pretty much original and that was as far as one could get.
The election’s over but i must say “had the current administration been in power back in the late 60’s or early 70’s this GEM would STILL be a funtioning well known theater used for plays,concerts and probably movies”. Who know’s, maybe with a little luck since the town of Collingswood has done an awsome turnaround maybe the right invester will come along and do whats right for this theater!
There was a local Collingswood guy who used to rent that apt. beck in the early 80’s. We all would hang up there from time to time. Boy, if those walls cold talk!!! LOL
TerryN,I recently spoke to one of the guy’s who back in the early 1970’s helped with removing the balcony section in preperation for the theatre’s new use as a photography studio. Again, this was early 70’s. I had asked if he remembered seeing the old organ during the demolition and he said from what he could remember “there was just pieces of it (organ)laying there”. He said most likly those “pieces” ended up in the dumpster with the rest of the balcony.
Great post Lumpie, from what I’m told Budweiser and doobies may have been the way to go when seeing the Exorcist for the first time. The Collingswood Theatre does have it’s own page , You may want to check it out BUT I will tell You, there is NO plans to restore the Collingswood back into a thaetre. Unfortunatly, the current administration was a little late getting in power…Do You remember the Eric that was over at the ACME Plaza?
TOOLS they are…
The Township own’s it. They got it just before the realestate boon for like $250,000. It’s to long to get into here on this sight BUT based on what’s going on with this gov’t I would'nt be suprised to see this thing turn into a big name drug store…I’ll E you the guy’s name doing the doc. Pic’s were sent…
For now the town has put up a fence under the marquee to protect by-stander’s and passer-by’s from gettting hit with falling paint chip’s. Local gov’t is currently in a “text-book” state of disaray. On another note, an independant, local film producer is currently working on a small documentary about the theatre that’s due to be completed somtime around Sept. In it, he goes over the history of the theatre and does some candid interview’s with people such as Alan-don’t ask me about the Orowitz’s-Haas and some other’s who either worked at the theatre or like myself just have some memorie’s of going to the movie’s there. And no, I did NOT tell of my experience of seeing that classic epic The “Rise and Fall of Edie Amin” or “The Heratic” and how those “urban young” men just could not help but voice their opinion’s of how Linda Blair looked in Her night gown…
I did however get to go inside the theatre. It’s been over twenty year’s since I’ve been inside and I gotta tell ya T.G. it felt like I was in there last week. I was able to take a lot of pic’s. The place is built like a bank vault. The balconey has been covered since the late 1940’s with a drop ceiling and this wall run’s down the center put there in a last ditch effort to make it into a “twin”. Other then removing the ceiling, tearing down the wall putting new seat’s back in and giving it a good cleaning I see no reason to knock this thing down. The choice is to pick it up and move it to Collingswood or get new gov’t in place. I do think the angry lesbien (commisioner) could possibly be the one to may-be, just may-be get it going BUT don’t hold your breath…
Don’t know Rick, I’ll have to try and look up one of my old Blackwood neighbor’s who grew up down there and see what they remember. like I said. It was closed in 87' when I moved there…
Was down this past weekend and saw the “pile”. The PVC is on it’s way!!!
I remember seeing it get torn down. I was living in the Blackwood Estates section at the time. I moved there in late 87' and from what I was told, the theatre had been closed for several year’s. I do remember they were looking for a buyer but the building needed extensive repair’s mainly to the roof. In fact, if memory serve’s me correct, they were willing to sell the thing for like a dollar but the repair’s exceeded the “at time” value of the building. Of course and unfortunatly that was about ten year’s before the big realestate boon in South Jersey. Now as nursebrittany has described, sadly, it is a small grassy “area” complete with gazeeeebo! Had this theatre been in a Collingswood, Haddonfield or Woodbury it would probably be, if not a theatre of a sort, then a resturant or something other than a small grassy “area”. The above mentioned town’s know how to “preserve” and “restore”. This theatre was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!
I had my oil changed in the place a couple time’s. The theatre part itself has been completely gutted. I mean no sign’s of any seat’s, screen, stage, curtain’s nothin! It’s all been replaced with car lift’s, tool boxes and angry mechanic’s. The front door’s look pretty much original and the projection room probably store’s tire’s and motor oil who know’s? Very iffy neighborhood. Restoration as a theatre is well out of the question on this one. If the current tire store should ever pull out the old Crescent may see use as something else “auto repair related” or as a warehouse of a sort. As long as it doe'nt become a pile of rubble!
“Sam’s Son”-1984-Michael Landon uses the Rialto S Pacadena in place of the Westmont Theatre (New Jersey) In the movie you’ll not only see the outside of the Rialto theatre but also the inside especially the balconey where in one seen his father (Eli Wallach) has a heart attack while carrying film’s up to the projection booth. Landon (Gene Ormon) depict’s his youth around the 1950’s in and outside the theatre with car’s from the 40’s and 50’s and when he come’s back in 1984. Anyone who’s a fan of THIS theatre and /or a fan of Michael Landon should get a copy of this movie ( a cheapie on e-bay) Also, check out the Westmont Theatre where in real life Michael Landon’s father was the manager and the actual theatre that the Rialto and story line to “Sam’s Son” depict’s!
Brent, try “Dennis St.John” 856-854-0926 or 609-685-0978 He will steer You in the right direction.
By the way TC the Coronet (Audubon NJ) is listed under its original name “The Century”
TC i can’t seem to find out anything about the Eric Westmont. In fact in driving by recently i noticed they did finally remove the marquee that was out by the road side. The lot is still empty in between the CVS and the Dollar store where the theatre once stood I just find it odd that they tore down a new building like that!
But the Shore 4 also!
Was in Wildwood this past weekend. Actually i’m there a lot since i have a place in Diamond Beach. Anyway, we stopped at our friends restraunt on Pacific ave. just around the corner from both the Strand and The Shore 4. While discussing all the “changes” in regards to realestate, new construction and the overall rebirth of Wildwood it was brought up by “long time” buisness owners of Wildwood that the MOREY’S and for those of you who don’t know, the Morey’s are to amusements along with too much to list other “intrest” in Wildwood like Trump is to New York City and Atlantic City. Get it? Anyway, word is they the Morey’s are on a buying spree and on the list is THE STRAND and no not for knocking down and making condo’s but restoring back into its original theatre size…Atillis Gym will be gone however. So keep em crossed and lets hope for the best not just for The Strand but The Shore 4
1974, EARTHQUAKE ,in “surround sound” no less. Anybody remember seeing that one? I remember as we were walking in to the theatre the steps to the balconey were taped off with not just one BUT two usher’s standing guard to make sure nobody accidently, i’m assuming, happend to stumble upon or got to close to the “surround sound” which was situated up in the balconey. Two big amplifier’s that roared this loud, basey-like static during the actual earthquake seen and the aftershock seen.
The most memorable movie however had to be none other than THE EXORCIST. A group of us were in the ninth grade when we went to see it. If there’s one movie everybody remember’s seeing and where they saw it no doubt,that’s the one!
After that it was Capa’s. Everything from drum stick’s to an O.J.Simpson mask. Capa’s did however,get you in the spirit of halloween.
I drive by the sight of the former Century/Coronet from time to time. Eckerd Drug’s now reside’s on the property. I don’t think anyone who travel’s the WhiteHorse Pike will ever forget that big white building along with that huge marquee….
Thanks rg
TC, I,m workin on it. The Eric (Westmont) had a very short life span. This was built as a brand new theartre and maybe fifteen yrs (tops)later torn down. The Coronet (Audubon)became CAPA’S a costume outlet. It was real popular around Halloween. I just drove by the sight and it has been torn down and now an Ekerd Drugs resides on the sight.
rg, i spoke to my 80 yr old dad. Anyway, he did, after a minute, recall the Broad. He said, from what he remember’s, that the Broad was a smaller theater then the Rockland/Logan. Do You remember roughly how big it was compared to the other two? And do You recall if it had a double door entrance off to the side with the ticket booth inside? For some reason i seem to remember that. Keep in mind, i was born in 60' so You slightly to moderate older guy’s have a better recollection of those detail’s over me. Also, my dad could'nt recall the name but he asked about the theater at Broad and Oloney. Do You remember that one?
rg, I vaguly remember that one (Broad). WOW, for some reason and I’m tryin my damdist here, we never went to that one and i don’t know why! I’m thinkin now,i remember mom in Her 1960 Chevy station wagon and all of us kids piled in it,slowen down in front of the Broad but for some reason i don’t think i went to that one ,of all the times we went to the other two,which is why i probably did'nt remember it till you mentioned it. I got make some calls now….
I meant,thanks for that Bryan!
Thank’s for that Bryon!
TC, his name was Eugene “Uggie” Orowitz Collingswood High class of 54'. No biggie! Just thought you oughtta know. Anyway, growing up in Collingswood the Westmont was probably considered our “local” theater since the Collingswood had allready been closed for a couple years when we moved over from Philly in the summer of 69'. The Westmont reminded me some of The Logan Theater, Broad St N. Philly, in size especially. I remember the Westmont having i guess was a stage below the screen. Is that what that was and did they remove it when they put up the “great wall”? I can remember seeing first run fims at the Westmont in the early to late 70’s. Allthough one movie in particuler which probably had the longest line i can remember, especially for the 70’s, was THE EXORCIST. I can remember riding by looking out the window of my parents car one Friday night and even the theater itself looked scarey. I ended up seeing that particuler movie over at the Coronet in Audubon i think like a year or so later. What a flick that was when you were a kid! I think everybody i ever spoke to who saw that movie back then had a story about lights flickering when they went home that night.
Tora,Tora,Tora was probably the last decent movie i remember seeing at the Westmont. After that it was The Heretic with who else Linda Blair. One thing that stood out about that movie were the “young men” from Camden who were insistent upon trying to talk to Linda Blair during the movie. Actually, they were telling Her and each other what they would like to do to Her during the movie and it did'nt have to do with “saving her soul”. Now,who saw THE RISE AND FALL OF EDIE AMIN at the Westmont? I thought during that movie i should take a page out of the “young men” from Camdens book and just hollar out to the screen “HEY EDIE, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS HERE WATCHING THE HERATIC”?
The House on Haunted Hill was the last movie i remember seeing at the Westmont. Looking back,I feel when the Eric went up over next to the Acme the Westmont’s days seemed numbered as far as a cinema theater BUT look which one’s still standing!
I guess Westmont itself just was'nt big enough for two movie theater’s and did'nt the Eric have or go to two screens? Anybody?
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry, The Trial of Billy Jack, Smokey and the Bandit,Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke and the Eric was up in smoke that night. The Kentucky Fried Movie to name a few.
They tore the Eric down and did'nt even rebuild or use the lot for parking. Anbody know what was up with that?
I did however, like when the high school kids from Haddon Township would from time to time climb up the Marquee of the Eric which is still there sitting on Cuthburt Road and change the spelling of some of the title’s like the “Beer Hunter” and “Who Rammed Rodger Rabbit”.
No doubt The Westmont will be heading in the right direction soon. When or if the politico’s of Haddon Twp ever “GET IT TOGETHER” or when the people of Haddon Twp throw them the hell out I’m sure this prodject will move along just fine.
We moved to Collingswood in the summer of 1969. The theater had allready been closed for some time. However, i grew up with kids who used to go there and they remember it well. I’m told the last movie to be shown was “Pinohcio”. I remember though in the early 70’s The Collingswood was being used as a Billiards and Pooltable storage facillity. They had these dredful paper painted signs over the doors advertising what they were. The old marquee stayed up till the late 70’s give or take. I know the seats were taken out early probably so it could be used as a warehouse. Who know’s?
I was in the lobby section of the old theater back in May. Team Collingswood the mayor and the commisioners rented it out as their campaign headquarters. In that section, the ceiling is still original along with the floor the original front doors are still there along with the original glass poster cases still mounted on the walls as you walk in.
As you walk towards what would have been the theater section you come to “The Great Wall of Sheetrock”. However, there’s a fountain in what would have been the center of the lobby butted up to the new sheetrock. Actually, the sheetrock is butted up to it and one can only thank God, that fountain has'nt seen the wrong end of a sledge hammer!
The rest rooms still appear to be pretty much original and that was as far as one could get.
The election’s over but i must say “had the current administration been in power back in the late 60’s or early 70’s this GEM would STILL be a funtioning well known theater used for plays,concerts and probably movies”. Who know’s, maybe with a little luck since the town of Collingswood has done an awsome turnaround maybe the right invester will come along and do whats right for this theater!