Lavallette Theatre
605 Grand Central Avenue,
Lavallette,
NJ
08735
605 Grand Central Avenue,
Lavallette,
NJ
08735
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Independent Theater Service Inc., Walter Reade Theatres
Functions: Retail
Nearby Theaters
The Lavallette Theatre was listed in the 1943 & 1944 editions of Film Daily Yearbook as (Closed) with 540 seats. It had reopened by 1950 and seating was given as 248. This was a wonderful old theatre one of many the dotted the barrier island on the Jersey shore only opened in summer. In the 1970’s it showed such movies as “The Poiseidon Adventure”, “High Plains Drifter”, “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”. It would fill up with families at night and be a wild matinee place with kids on rainy days.
No AC, but 2 giant fans under the stage. Sometimes on especially warm nights they would leave the side doors open- a neighbor had a flock of chickens or ducks and they would occassionaly stroll through squarking. The longtime manager for over 40 years was a guy named Jimmy Cagney -no not that Jimmy Cagney but a true character nevertheless.
Contributed by
dave hosseini
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
“Despite this laissez-faire attitude toward history, much of old Lavallette remains; of particular interest are the Lavallette Hotel on Grand Central Avenue and the Lavallette Theater to the south, whose stucco alterations suggest an effort to streamline and modernize."
from View link
1975 Thomas Carr and Earle Heckeroth Jr., who one year ago purchased the Algonquin Theater, take over operation of the Lavallette Cinema in April.
from View link
Listed in the 1944 Film Daily Yearbook as closed with 540 seats.
Listed in the 1951 & 1956 versions with 248 seats. None list a street address. Perhaps there was a larger predecessor theatre of the same name?
Was here once in the 1970s. Dad took me to see “Support Your Local Gunfighter” — a comedy western. I remember the two big fans and the lack of air-conditioning. It was old and plain. I liked it.
From Lavallette a photo postcard image of the Lavallette Theater.
My family vacationed in Lavallette for around 20 years, always the last 2 weeks of the summer, from around 1958 – 1978. We always went to this theatre and saw such classics as “Hard Day’s Night” in 1964 and the original “Batman” movie in 1966. We would get our candy across the street at Martin’s Department store!
I grew up right around the corner from the theater and worked sometimes for Mr. Cagney (he was also the Post Master if I remember). Imagine a theater with no snacks or drinks! One time I was meeting some friends from 8th grade and he told me where to sit and escorted my friends in when they got there….no charge. Friends were impressed. Regular prices: Adults 0.65 Kids 0.35
This was peanuts compared to today’s prices!!!