Bow-Tie Strathmore Cinema 4
1055 State Route 34,
Matawan,
NJ
07747
1055 State Route 34,
Matawan,
NJ
07747
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The Alternate Ending Beer Company now occupies the former theater building since 2020.
Article in recent newspaper says its going to be converted to retail in the near future
The Strathmore Shopping Center opened theatre-less. But a $200,000 expansion to the center in 1971 brought about a twin mini-theater. The Matawan Twin Cinema launched in the Strathmore Shopping Center on New Jersey State Route 34 on December 22, 1971 with “Lady & the Tramp” and “Kotch.” A year later on December 2, 1972, the location’s name was changed to the Strathmore Cinema Twin I and II. Under Clearview Circuit operation, the theatre was closed to quadplex the theatre relaunching as,the Strathmore Cinema 4 on Sept 3, 1999
On my visit in September 2015 I was made very welcome by the manager, who even posed for a photo with the box office staff! Confirming what markp said, the auditoriums seat between 110 and 140, giving a total seating capacity of around 480.
Saw “Altered States” (in a chemically induced altered state) around 1980…also Strathmore Bowling nearby.
This theatre was originally operated by the Nathan chain. When it opened in the early 70’s each auditorium seated 300. I would guess that each of the 4 now seat about 130 each. I remember my dad taking me here to visit the projectionists, and ended up seeing a Walt Disney double feature, “Snowball Express” and “Lady & the Tramp.” They had one print of each mounted on 6000 foot reels, and alternated shows between each theater. Those were great days.
When I moved to NJ in 1980, this theater was within walking distance of my house. I went to matinees every weekend. I fondly recall seeing “Raiders of the Lost Ark” dozens of times. This was in the day when a film would stay in the same theater for months, so I had the opportunity to see this great film over and over again. I also recall seeing “Grease” multiple times as well.
When I first went to the theater it was known as the Strathmore Twin. It was a 2 theater cinema with the lobby in the center of the building and a screen on either side of the building. It has since been split into a 4 screen theater. Each of the 2 rooms were split in half to create a quad cinema.