Hawthorne Theaters

GlennG on September 11, 2006 at 9:24 pm

Text from Hawthorne’s Tercentenary Book (published in 1964):

“Our borough has a modern and attractive motion picture theatre, the HAWTHORNE THEATRE.

In the late ‘20’s, a group of Hawthorne citizens decided that Hawthorne needed a theatre and they formed the Community Theatre Corporation. The theatre was built and leased to Mark Block who opened the doors of the Hawthorne Theatre on January 14,1928. A capacity audience that night came to admire the new theatre and to see the picture “Topsy and Eva” with the Duncan Sisters.

A few years later the operation of the theatre was taken over by William C. Herman. Bill, together with his wife, Jessie, and son, Howard, reopened the theatre on October 30, 1930, with “Common Clay” starring Constance Bennett and Lew Ayres. Excep for an interval of a few years, the Herman family has been operating the theatre ever since. Today Howard and his wife, Dorothy, are carrying on with the same personal supervision and attention that has helped make this showplace so popular over the years.

In 1950, the theatre was completely remodelled by John Eberson, noted theatre architect. His many improvements and innovations have made the theatre one of the most eautiful in the State. To insure that the theatre is always up-to-the-minute, another major refurbishing was given it two years ago.

The Hawthorne Theatre was among the first theatres in the State to be air-conditioned. It also pioneered in the policy of special shows for children on Saturday matinees. A series of “Great Opera Nights” the past few years has proved very popular.

During the last war the Hawthorne Theatre helped in the sale of War Bonds and in 1950 helped in the Korean Orphan Clothing Drive. Throughout the years, the theatre has helped raise funds for the Red Cross, March of Dimes, and many other charities.

The Hermans have always taken great care in the quality of movies shown at the Hawthorne Theatre and they will strive to continue the policy of bringing the best motion picture entertainment to Hawthorne in comfortable and attractive surroundings."

stillsteveb on January 8, 2007 at 8:46 pm

The construction is for another, unrelated, business (jewelry, I believe).

moviebuff82 on July 2, 2009 at 8:06 pm

recently added with 3d projection.

GlennG on August 14, 2011 at 1:09 am

Some over-the-top marketing paragraphs from the theater’s opening night brochure (January 14, 1928):

THE POLICY OF THE BLOCK’S HAWTHORNE THEATRE

The ideal that prompted perfection in foundation and material surroundings is now, we hope, to be brought more directly to your consciousness. The harmony of spirit that it shall be our effort to infuse into the atmosphere of this theatre, must, we realize, be made a physical consideration as well. In the summertime, when the sun actually bites ravages into our very souls, and in the winter when the frost fairly numbs us, the HAWTHORNE shall offer a regulated comfort, and an even restful relief from the thoughts of weather. For, however pleasant the general environment may be, unless we are wholly well disposed, we cannot gain full benefit, nor derive complete pleasure from the most excellent programs.

The music is to be a special feature at the HAWTHORNE Theatre. The Master U.S. Pipe Organ is designed especially for this house, and of the same type as that used in the leading theatres of the country. If there is a good picture made, the HAWTHORNE will run it as soon as possible after its Broadway release, at popular HAWTHORNE prices. The theatre-going public of Hawthorne will find it unnecessary to go out of town for good pictures as we will present them promptly at the HAWTHORNE Theatre in the most attractive manner.

We take great pleasure in announcing at this time just a few of the outstanding productions that will be presented at the HAWTHORNE this season: “BEN HUR,” “BEAU GESTE,” “BIG PARADE,” “THE GAUCHO,” “THE DOVE,” “CHANG,” “THE ROUGH RIDERS,” “THE BETTER ‘OLE,” “METROPOLIS,” “BLOODSHIP,” “THE CIRCUS,” “LES MISERABLES,” “CAT AND THE CANARY,” “ALIAS THE DEACON,” and two hundred other outstanding productions, also first run News Reels, Comedies and Novelties.

ridethectrain on June 26, 2021 at 12:31 am

Please update, theatre open January 24, 1928, Twin on December 1, 1978, quad on December 24, 1984 and 5 on May 9, 1992 Some grand opening ads in photos section