Cameo Twin Cinema XXX
68 Orange Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
68 Orange Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
6 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 44 comments
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.
Before showing porn, was the auditorium on the second level?
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?
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?
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’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.
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.
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."
@ Sarah B. Was it just torn down recently or did they tear it down years ago?
@ m00se1111 lol 😅
@ I’m not sure because I’m not familiar with New Jersey at all 😕
here we go again.
@nycman I bet it’s hard to see your favorite theaters closed now. I’ve never been fortunate enough to go to one as I’ve lived in Maine my whole life. We did have a couple in Maine many years ago but by the time I was old enough to go to one they were all closed.
@nycman from what I’ve heard the Fair Theatre is the only one left in N.Y. I’ve tried to find out if they’re still open in 2022 or not because it seems they were closed in 2021.
It took one bad apple to ruin it for everyone else. I also blame the Cameo for not having better security because if they had someone checking bags this incident could have been avoided. As for Michael Handy he clearly knew what went on at the Cameo and if touched all he had to do was open his big mouth and say not interested and if dude persisted leave. Now both theater’s are gone and Newark is officially dead and boring now what is one to do when bored or just wants to release? I miss the Cameo had some fun times. Hopefully Michael Handy gets what’s coming to him behind bars because in prison they don’t ask permission they take it.
Raided by the cops on November 22nd, 1974. An article in the photo section.
Had a Wurlitzer organ installed in 1924 which appears to be its first year of operation.
I use to make the trip from NYC here a few times a month and it sucks that its gone.
Why only 12 years for such a brutal killing? Is that his picture at the top of the page? I don’t understand how the law works. Someone butchers a human being and they get anything short of life in prison…
Michael Handy got 12 and a half years
The Treat was showing Spanish language films in the early sixties.
I visited this theater many times. There was a bathroom that you climbed a few steps to get to. The steps were rickety. the bathroom was completely dark. it was a terrible place. It’s a shame what happened. I had not visited there in a long time. I am sure glad I wasn’t there that night.
I passed by recently – the place is still shuttered. I also telephoned (973-621-7622) – an automated recording answered “you have reached a number that is disconnected or no longer in service”.
According to second-hand information posted in mid-September on a leading “cruising” website, the City of Newark has refused to renew their operating license – and given the recent happenings here, it should come as no surprise. The theatre has been closed since the end of August, and there is no indication that it will ever reopen.
This would make the Little Theatre the last [and only] remaining full-fledged porn theatre in Newark (and with the previous demise of the Montauk in Passaic, all of Northern New Jersey).
It looks like this place is finished. Yet another adult theatre with the status “closed”.