markp, fascinating with your dad and uncle working at the Majestic and Royal. I have fond memories of going to both theaters countless times growing up in the 60s. The Majestic was the classier operation but the Royal had its own particular charm despite the musty smell, worn seats and frayed carpeting. There were one or two elderly gentlemen we’d always see I’m assuming owned or operated the Royal. Unlike the Majestic which had uniformed ushers these old codgers were right on top of any potential trouble in the auditorium and wouldn’t hesitate to eject any youthful offenders.
The old Perth Amboy High School was located on State Street in the downtown area. I don’t know when the tradition began but the senior class graduation ceremony would always take place at the Majestic Theater. Much more seating room for friends and relatives than the school auditorium. I was a graduate of the Class of ‘71 and a member of the last group to have the festivities take place in that great old theater. The following school year would see the opening of the new high school several miles away in another part of town. As we all filed into the Majestic the X-rated advertising was still on display as that’s what the theater was showing at the time. From what I remember they would occasionally switch to mainstream movies but porn apparently proved more lucrative and that is what they stayed with until the the theater finally closed some years later.
markp, fascinating with your dad and uncle working at the Majestic and Royal. I have fond memories of going to both theaters countless times growing up in the 60s. The Majestic was the classier operation but the Royal had its own particular charm despite the musty smell, worn seats and frayed carpeting. There were one or two elderly gentlemen we’d always see I’m assuming owned or operated the Royal. Unlike the Majestic which had uniformed ushers these old codgers were right on top of any potential trouble in the auditorium and wouldn’t hesitate to eject any youthful offenders.
The old Perth Amboy High School was located on State Street in the downtown area. I don’t know when the tradition began but the senior class graduation ceremony would always take place at the Majestic Theater. Much more seating room for friends and relatives than the school auditorium. I was a graduate of the Class of ‘71 and a member of the last group to have the festivities take place in that great old theater. The following school year would see the opening of the new high school several miles away in another part of town. As we all filed into the Majestic the X-rated advertising was still on display as that’s what the theater was showing at the time. From what I remember they would occasionally switch to mainstream movies but porn apparently proved more lucrative and that is what they stayed with until the the theater finally closed some years later.