King Theatre
16-18 S. King Street,
Gloucester City,
NJ
08030
16-18 S. King Street,
Gloucester City,
NJ
08030
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The Apollo Theatre was opened on January 5, 1920 with vaudeville and movie shorts. It was equipped with a Moller organ which was opened by organist John Rhoads. It was rebuilt to the plans of architect William Harold Lee and re-opened on December 10, 1937 as the King Theatre with Bette Davis in “That Certain Woman”. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer organ. The King Theatre was still open in the 1960’s. It was demolished in the late-1980’s.
Contributed by
RSecinaro
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
Part of the local Savar chain in the early ‘70s, later became an independent theater. Always a second-run neighborhood house. Demolished by the late '80s; I think there’s a firehouse on the site now.
Listed in the 1951 FDY as having 847 seats.
From Camden County Historical Society, this theater was built on the site of the town’s first burying ground.
Originally opened as the Apollo Theatre in 1919. Had a Moller organ. Renamed King Theatre in 1939 at which time the Moller was replaced with a Wurlitzer.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, Page 33
The Moller was opus 2662 and the Wurlitzer 874. Interestingly, the Wurlitzer is shown with a delivery date of 7/1/74.
I remember going here as kid in the 70s. They had a free popcorn lottery with the tickets. A small piece of paper thumb-tacked to the wall, with hand written numbers. Maybe 2 dozen. Match a number, and you’d win. Even though we’d always get popcorn, I remember thinking the few times I won was more exciting than the movie.
The organ music was very popular from 1971-1974. My parents owned the theater during this time. Carlton Taylor (Carl) was the projectionist that played the organ for about 30 minutes prior to showtime (the old guy that smoked cigars and drank Yoo-Hoos)and he was a concert-quality organist! Jaws, The Exorcist, and KC and the Sunshine Band played at The King. I have photos of the organ and some of the front of the building. Webby was the older lady that worked the box office. My mother, Lee (now deceased) came up with the ‘popcorn lottery’. Bet you bought a soda if you won! It was a ‘third run’ theater. The idea was low cost admission (the film distributors get 50%+ of the admission) so that you would have change for the concession stand (or at least get to see a movie as the neighorhood was NOT wealthy). Non-alcoholic Pina Coladas and hot dogs sold big. Once they rented the theater to some Buddists for a viewing of Johnothan Livingston Seagull(Niel Diamond?)and sold out of goodies, borrowing stock from the neighboring moviehouse. If you want more info, John William Panchuk lives in Marlton, NJ and would remember more (I was 2 yrs old at the time).
This opened as Apollo on January 5th, 1920
Apollo theatre opening Wed, Dec 31, 1919 – 15 · Courier-Post (Camden, Camden, New Jersey, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
and reopened as King on December 10th, 1937
King theatre opening Fri, Dec 10, 1937 – 14 · Courier-Post (Camden, Camden, New Jersey, United States of America) · Newspapers.com