U.S. Theatre
284 Main Street,
Paterson,
NJ
07505
284 Main Street,
Paterson,
NJ
07505
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Stanley-Warner Theatres
Previous Names: Paterson Opera House, U.S. Photo Play Theatre, United States Theatre
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News About This Theater
- Apr 1, 2004 — Memories of Paterson's U.S. Theatre
The Paterson Opera House was opened on April 2, 1866.In 1900 it was severely damaged in a fire. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1901. In 1914 another fire caused some damage and following renovations it reopened as the U.S. Photo Play Theatre on March 6, 1916 with the film “Battle Cry of Peace”. It was listed in 1930 as the United States Theatre with a 2,000 seat capacity and equipped with an RCA sound system. It was operated by the Stanley Warner chain and was closed in September 1967.
The building was sold and demolished in 1969.
Contributed by
ROBERT NEIL
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Recent comments (view all 42 comments)
Rhett39, No photos but did you go to the Plaza? I managed the Plaza for a few years? I understand it’s now some retail store.
Hi all who have been involved in the information for the U. S. Theatre, Paterson, New Jersey. I have a long history with this theatre. My father was the manager for many many years and I also worked as an usher. This old movie palace was really my second home. I’ve been trying to locate photos of the U. S. without much success. If all of you feel a bit investigative and would like to help moviekid with some photos, I’d be very apprecitive. As the years fly by, there will be less of us with knowledge of one of Paterson’s fine theatres. Thanks for your help!!! Moviekid
While the Plaza was within walking distance Brooks-Sloate my favorite was the U.S..
My dad knew a Plaza manager(?) named Mosca(?) and we used to get in for free a lot.
I think I remember one Plaza usher. Rich Waywell.
One of my vivid memories was leaving the lit Plaza on dark, wintry, Saturday nights and seeing the news vendors hawing thier piles of Sunday newspapers.
Yes, Bill Mosca was my assistant manager at the Plaza Theater
We are trying to locate any old photos of the U.S.Theatre, 284 Main Steet, Paterson, New Jersey.
Would love to hear from you because of history with the theatre throughout my entire life until it was taken down to be a parking lot.
Are my movie friends from Paterson all napping? Havn’t heard from any of you for a long time. We all have new or old thoughts that may have popped into our minds again about this old grand movie palace, the U.S. Theater, Main Steet, Paterson, NJ. Or any of the other grand movie houses, The Majestic, Rivoli, Regent, State, Orpheum, Garden, Fabian. Imagine, 9 movie houses all within blocks of each other, all playing different distributor films (ie) Paramount, U.A. Fox, etc. and lines out the door each weekend. Those were the days!
Those were the days!
Theatre closed Sep 1967.
The Paterson Opera House launched April 2, 1866. A 1900 fire caused most of the venue to be extensively rebuilt relaunching in 1901. Another fire in 1914 caused more remodeling and led to a name change. The opera house became the U.S. Photoplay Theatre on March 6, 1916 with the film, “The Battle Cry of Peace.” The theatre converted to sound and finally, under the Stanley Warner Circuit, the theatre closed in 1967. It was sold in 1969 and was razed for a parking lot.
March 6th, 1916 grand opening ad posted.