I recently called the bank holding the note on the theater to see if it was available to rent, I was informed that the theater is a complete wreck inside. The roof has caved in, No HVAC systems, Electric system is shot out, Anything and everything is gone seats, screen etc. Also it is a haven for junkies and homeless. Needles, trash and human waste litter the place. I was told that ½ million was still owed on the property and the place would need a minimum of 1 million to restore it. It will up for auction very soon to be sold only as a “shell” to renovate. I was surprised because from the street the lobby, box office area and office was in decent condition. Shame another theater bites the dust.
This week in the Montclair Times the Wellmont theater will be placed on sale with a price tag of $6.7 million in the next few weeks…All concern seemed to express the continued need of a theater venue in the town.
Ah memories, the smell of carbon rods, the warning bell, striking the arc and waiting for your cue start that motor cue 2 step on the pedal switch your sound and the show goes on!
Great drive-in, as a kid after supper and in pj’s we would head to the Natick with our parents, the smell of fresh bread from Wonder was always in the air! don’t remember ever being awake by the end of the movie? Years later I apprenticed in the booth(with my learners permit!) getting my ‘mileage'to take the state projectionist exam.
Hey movies534 you hit that right! I remember when I was in jr. high school I had my projectionist “learners Permit” and that summer I took the state issued test in Boston everything from wireing up the rectifiers,fuses and the lamp house, set up the carbon rods lace up and go! Passed with flying colors. That fall in school with “what you did on your summer vacation” report was easy, it made for a great report explaining what we do in the booth; changeovers, curtain cue’s, changeover cues, aperture plates/scope lens, what can be shown in both(Pink Panther), sound issues. You get it… the good days. Earned my dues one night with (In Cold Blood)motor on one proj. broke did the entire film on one projector, 30 seconds or less getting the next reel up and running! If you are in the area could you e-mail me, would like local union info.
What was I thinking? I checked out the Joan Rivers movie today at this poor excuse for a theater. After being hosed for $11.00 to get in and spending $9.00 for soda/raisenettes I proceded to Aud.#5 when I sat down I thought the seat was broke because it goes to the floor and tilts back, after changing seats to find they were all like this I just kept in mine I wasn’t at the Dentist…the screen was dark until the movie started I guess that was better than Verizon commercials? When the film started we heard 30 seconds of blank leader sound before the image hit, and thank God for that BIG framer dial, half the picture was on the floor…heck why set the intermitent sprocket when any kid can spin the dial.(and those old neat pics of the place in better day’s are gone?)
I looked in the door tonight and see that they have started to ‘dismantle’ the place. The chrome mouth piece’s and ticket pass thru window’s of both box office windows have been removed, the lighted poster display frames in the lobby have been removed along with the candy/soda counters.
To bad the excitement didn’t extend to the Dallastown Theater which was recently closed. Maybe if they sold beer?…yea that makes me want to go to the movies…not
Here is a thought; Imagine if the new Owner, Prudential/Rock, and Corey Booker and the City of Newark pooled thier resources together and refurbished the facade and marquee of this theatre it could be a win win for all involved. The Rock (around the corner) could advertise events at the arena on the marquee and to take it a step further reclaim the lobby space and have a mini pro-shop offering Devil’s and Newark Bears licensed merchandise, after all sports wear seems to be the attraction on Market St. and maybe a part time box office for all of Newarks Art’s, NJPAC, The Rock, Symphony Hall, Bears Stadium.
Just a poor man’s idear.The theatre may never open again but for a CT'r this would be a little foreplay!
Ross,this is on my agenda this weekend!I had viewed the “The Art of the Movie Theater” exhibit with friends a few months ago very nice, the museum is a beautiful venue. It would be nice to meet other CT members.I’m from Waltham, Ma. and live in New Jersey now and would like to meet some of those knowledgable Boston area CT members!
The Paul Family is selling the Marvel. Listed on E-bay for $169,000. Both screens are converted to digital.
I recently called the bank holding the note on the theater to see if it was available to rent, I was informed that the theater is a complete wreck inside. The roof has caved in, No HVAC systems, Electric system is shot out, Anything and everything is gone seats, screen etc. Also it is a haven for junkies and homeless. Needles, trash and human waste litter the place. I was told that ½ million was still owed on the property and the place would need a minimum of 1 million to restore it. It will up for auction very soon to be sold only as a “shell” to renovate. I was surprised because from the street the lobby, box office area and office was in decent condition. Shame another theater bites the dust.
This week in the Montclair Times the Wellmont theater will be placed on sale with a price tag of $6.7 million in the next few weeks…All concern seemed to express the continued need of a theater venue in the town.
Ah memories, the smell of carbon rods, the warning bell, striking the arc and waiting for your cue start that motor cue 2 step on the pedal switch your sound and the show goes on!
Wow, really nice. I remember going there in the sixties when a friend was stationed at the navel base
Nice photos Matt!
I would guess the dark square was were the original Box Office was
Nice flash back! steelbeard thanks for sharing
Posted some photos from 5/2011. Camera date wrong. Staff let me in around noon took a few pics.
great little theater, I did some “learners permit” time in the booth many years ago. glad to see it’s still going strong. I will post recent photos
Watching the demo video, very sad
Thats a strange entrance way. I thought that was a store on the left side
Has the inside been hacked up or are films still an option? Any intrerior pic’s
Great drive-in, as a kid after supper and in pj’s we would head to the Natick with our parents, the smell of fresh bread from Wonder was always in the air! don’t remember ever being awake by the end of the movie? Years later I apprenticed in the booth(with my learners permit!) getting my ‘mileage'to take the state projectionist exam.
I’ll go with that.
Does anyone know the status of the theater was it bought at auction?
Lost..Nice photo of the doors! This gem is on our agenda this weekend!!
Hey movies534 you hit that right! I remember when I was in jr. high school I had my projectionist “learners Permit” and that summer I took the state issued test in Boston everything from wireing up the rectifiers,fuses and the lamp house, set up the carbon rods lace up and go! Passed with flying colors. That fall in school with “what you did on your summer vacation” report was easy, it made for a great report explaining what we do in the booth; changeovers, curtain cue’s, changeover cues, aperture plates/scope lens, what can be shown in both(Pink Panther), sound issues. You get it… the good days. Earned my dues one night with (In Cold Blood)motor on one proj. broke did the entire film on one projector, 30 seconds or less getting the next reel up and running! If you are in the area could you e-mail me, would like local union info.
What was I thinking? I checked out the Joan Rivers movie today at this poor excuse for a theater. After being hosed for $11.00 to get in and spending $9.00 for soda/raisenettes I proceded to Aud.#5 when I sat down I thought the seat was broke because it goes to the floor and tilts back, after changing seats to find they were all like this I just kept in mine I wasn’t at the Dentist…the screen was dark until the movie started I guess that was better than Verizon commercials? When the film started we heard 30 seconds of blank leader sound before the image hit, and thank God for that BIG framer dial, half the picture was on the floor…heck why set the intermitent sprocket when any kid can spin the dial.(and those old neat pics of the place in better day’s are gone?)
I looked in the door tonight and see that they have started to ‘dismantle’ the place. The chrome mouth piece’s and ticket pass thru window’s of both box office windows have been removed, the lighted poster display frames in the lobby have been removed along with the candy/soda counters.
To bad the excitement didn’t extend to the Dallastown Theater which was recently closed. Maybe if they sold beer?…yea that makes me want to go to the movies…not
Sounds like it could be the Adams Theatre on Branford Place?
Here is a thought; Imagine if the new Owner, Prudential/Rock, and Corey Booker and the City of Newark pooled thier resources together and refurbished the facade and marquee of this theatre it could be a win win for all involved. The Rock (around the corner) could advertise events at the arena on the marquee and to take it a step further reclaim the lobby space and have a mini pro-shop offering Devil’s and Newark Bears licensed merchandise, after all sports wear seems to be the attraction on Market St. and maybe a part time box office for all of Newarks Art’s, NJPAC, The Rock, Symphony Hall, Bears Stadium.
Just a poor man’s idear.The theatre may never open again but for a CT'r this would be a little foreplay!
Ross,this is on my agenda this weekend!I had viewed the “The Art of the Movie Theater” exhibit with friends a few months ago very nice, the museum is a beautiful venue. It would be nice to meet other CT members.I’m from Waltham, Ma. and live in New Jersey now and would like to meet some of those knowledgable Boston area CT members!
David, it is listed as Burlington Opry on the CT Kansas listings.The website has a nice photo