Cameo Twin Cinema XXX
68 Orange Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
68 Orange Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
6 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Independent Theater Service Inc.
Previous Names: Crawford Theatre, Robert Treat Theatre, Treat Theatre, Cameo Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Crawford Theatre was opened in 1914 at 68 Orange Street at the corner with Broad Street. In 1920 it was renamed Treat Theatre and was still operating as a regular movie theatre in 1957. By the 1970’s it went over to screening adult movies and was renamed Cameo Theatre on September 25, 1981. It was twinned on October 26, 1981. In the early-2000’s, Cinema 1 screened regular adult movies and Cinema 2 screened all male adult movies. The Cameo Twin Cinema XXX was equipped with new projection and sound systems that were installed in the 2000’s.
The Cameo Twin Cinema XXX was closed on August 22, 2010, following a tragic murder in the building, and the refusal of the City of Newark to renew its licence to operate. It had been demolished by June 2022 and the site was in use as a parking lot.
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Recent comments (view all 81 comments)
@ Sarah B. Was it just torn down recently or did they tear it down years ago?
Paging Patrick Crowley (or a reasonable fascimilie there of)
“Patrick Crowley on April 7, 2008 at 10:49 am Yeah, I couldn’t agree more, guys. I’ve removed all the off-topic/sexual comments.
Note to adult theater patrons: Cinema Treasures isn’t the place to discuss such topics. If you post anything that is of a sexual nature, we’ll delete your comment and account without warning."
I must be honest here. I truly miss the Cameo Theatre and my trips to Newark. I had so much fun at the theatre. I was young, full of life, full of energy. At 58, I deeply yearn for those days again.
Patrick Crowley on April 7, 2008 at 10:49 am Yeah, I couldn’t agree more, guys. I’ve removed all the off-topic/sexual comments.
Note to adult theater patrons: Cinema Treasures isn’t the place to discuss such topics. If you post anything that is of a sexual nature, we’ll delete your comment and account without warning."
I’ve read nycman’s comment 3 times (also the others for other theaters he posted the last couple of days) and what am I missing here? There is nothing sexual about the comments.
guess you’re not reading between the lines then.
Look at the other comments he left, many have been removed because of the over the top nature. I don’t think that’s really necessary here.
I am not reading anything offensive (here or anywhere else). Aren’t there moderators on the site here to take care of that sort of thing?
Some of the best years of my youth were spent at this theatre. Is there another adult theatre close to NYC? There’s got to be another place like this theatre once was. Does anyone know?
Before showing porn, was the auditorium on the second level?
At this address was Joseph Michel’s Hall / Michel’s Hall (1907-1911), Prospect Hall (1911), Zimmerman’s Hall (1912-1914). The estate of John Frank Crawford built the Crawford likely incorporating some elements of the existing building. The new Crawford Theatre opened late in 1914 as an 800-seat movie house. Louis H. Gold of Gold Theatres took on the venue from the Crawford family in 1920 renaming it as the Treat Theatre after Newark co- founder, Robert Treat.
Gold continued it as a film theater and also converted the venue to sound to keep it viable. Orange Theatre Corp. took on the venue and sued both Brandt Circuit and Rayherstz in 1940 for antitrust violations claiming that they were denied quality second-run features (they ultimately lost the case of Orange Theatre Corp. v Rayherstz Amusement in 1943). A 1954 advertisement for a free showing of “From Here to Eternity” overwhelmed the theater. Operator Lewis Tortoriello had to call in the police and fire department to remove folks.
The Treat moved from Hollywood fare to porno chic rated “X” films in the 1970s getting charged with obscenity counts along its journey. It rebranded to the Cameo Theatre which moves from a grind policy of “X” rated films to unrated “XXX” adult films in the home video era of the 1980s ultimately operating as a twin-screen facility to its August 22, 2010 closure.