Strand Theater

The Strand Theater was built for the Ferber Amusement Company and opened on July 13, 1922 with Mae Murray in “Peacock Alley”. It was designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb, to serve as a tryout venue for Broadway shows before they actually went to Broadway, and the first of these came a week after opening, when Florence Reed starred in “The Devine Crook”.

However, within a couple years of its opening, the Strand Theatre began to host vaudeville shows and silent films, as well as the occasional play or musical. Among the stars who appeared on the Strand’s stage early in their careers included Burns & Allen, Milton Berle, and Ray Bolger.

By the end of the 1940’s, the theatre was only showing films. By 1957 it was operated by Liggett-Florin Booking Service. The theatre ended its cinematic days as a porn theatre and closed in the late-1970’s, unable to compete with television and nearby suburban mall theatres.

In 1981, the vacant but still intact Strand Theatre was added to the New Jersey Register of Historical Places, as well as the National Register of Historical Places. A few years later, a campaign was kicked off to raise funds for the theatre’s restoration, but actual restoration of the Strand Theatre did not begin until 1992. Within a year, the theatre reopened as a performing arts center, looking very much like it did when it opened 70 years before.

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

SheldonWolpin on March 23, 2002 at 6:04 pm

The Strand Theatre. Lakewood, NJ, is observing its 80th anniversary this year. We are seeking any information, memorabilia, etc, etc, etc, available……originals, photocopies, anything! The theatre was designed by Thomas W. Lamb…. we are seeking any info about him. Welcome any and all contacts.

Thank you.

Sheldon Wolpin
c/o Strand Theatre
400 Clifton Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701

William on December 9, 2003 at 1:57 pm

The Strand Theatre seated 1484 people as of 1955 listings.

RobertR on October 25, 2004 at 10:50 pm

I show a listing from 3/14/80 that the theatre was showing adult films. Is this what was there when it closed?

teecee on May 10, 2005 at 2:22 pm

NJ historic trust information & photo:
http://www.njht.org/profiles/strand-theatre.html

teecee on March 2, 2006 at 3:37 am

Listed as a Lightstone Theatre in the 1985 International Motion Picture Almanac.

teecee on March 2, 2006 at 5:29 am

Listed in the 1970 FDY as part of G.G. Theatres.

teecee on January 20, 2008 at 3:40 pm

Old program:

View link

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teecee on May 13, 2009 at 8:18 pm

1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/qegdxb