Emerson Quad
344 Kinderkamack Road,
Emerson,
NJ
07630
344 Kinderkamack Road,
Emerson,
NJ
07630
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Became a Quad cinema on May 12th, 1989. Ad in photo section
This opened as the Town on January 12th, 1966. Grand opening ad posted.
I remember seeing an encore of the original “Ghostbusters” at this theater in August 1984.
Somehow, I’m sorry I didn’t go see it again at the Route 4 Tenplex or out in Totowa. Whereas those theaters had Dolby Stereo (and in the case of the Route 4, 70mm), the Emerson Quad auditorium I saw “Ghostbusters” in was 35mm and monaural. And instead of playing songs from the movie’s soundtrack album upon entering and leaving, they played a record by The Magic Organ.
How tacky was that? I’m glad to hear this cinema is no longer! (And if and when I make another return visit to Jersey down the road, I’ll be sure to avoid all Clearview locations. Thanks for the warning, John Fink – I feel sorry that happened to you!)
In the early to mid 70s it was $1 for third run movies. It would be packed and it was one of those small shopping strip cinemas. Incredible that it would become a quad. That short bald man was definitely there from the beginning of the 70s at least. Outside of nostalgia of seeing movies during that era one of the last places you would call a cinema treasure.
Many, many, many visits here in the late 70’s and early ‘80s. It was a single screen at that time. Second run house, $2 a ticket. I remember the old gent that tore the tickets very well. Very short and bald. Probably went there once a month for five years.
If it were not for the “seniors”, the place would have closed years ago.
Glad I Got of the Business in 83. Merry Christmas.
It was run by Clearview – while it was shocking to me then in retrospect nothing shocks me about that chain, they have such little regard for the customer experience (including proper masking/projection) – they actually for a little while got better, but I have many stories about how notoriously crappy their theaters are. I can forgive a small mom and pop operator or a small chain for inconsistencies from time to time, but Clearview is a major chain (that runs crappy theaters built on the cheap) AND charges first run prices that are equal to and in most cases more than the large national chains that offer better amenities.
Quick proof how downright evil they are: the Clairidge in Montclair FOR ONE WEEK ONLY had decided to eliminate matinee, senior (the majority of their audience I’d guesstimate), and child pricing – all seats, all times $10.50. After bad publicity they revered the policy the next week.
JOHN.Wow,what a Story.Would not have happened at the Theatres I managed.NO way.
closed, demolished….and not missed.
The theater is closed and demolished. The description should be changed to reflect this. Certainly not correct as is.
Man what happened to showmanship.
I once had an awful experience here: I was ejected from the theater because I entered the auditorium 5 minutes prior to the start of the show by some moron employee who though I had snuck in, even after I showed this a-hole my ripped ticket stub. (For the last 10 years I’ve seen 5+ movies a week and pay for each, this is the only time this has happened to me) The staff had no concept of crowd control I suppose and he accused me of not hearing his announcement that the theaters weren’t ready yet.
Fine, but every other scenario the theater the staff simply asks you to wait outside if the theater isn’t ready, they don’t forcibly remove you for no reason (this guy actually put his hands on me and at first refused to refund my ticket).
Needless to say I’m glad it’s gone (after complaining to corporate I was given 4 free passes for my trouble, disappointingly when I returned a few months later to see an independent film that had only been playing here and not at Montclair, the a-hole that ejected me had sold us our tickets – proving customer service wasn’t a top priority for Clearview I suppose).
Clearview as a chain has gotten better, but thinking in remember that incident I’m still angry that the film I had gone to see that night, I still have yet to see. They did show good independent film like Dogtown & Z-Boys that didn’t fit the bill at Tenafly which caters to a less teen centric crowd than this one did and that Westwood’s Pascack didn’t show.
Status should be ‘closed’. Current use – retail.
Here’s some info from the emerson township website…
“The Borough of Emerson seeks proposals for the Re-Development of its Central Business District (CBD).
The Central Business District includes 59 tax lots and approximately 19.7 acres of land, excluding rights-of-way.
The Borough of Emerson Re-Development Plan is designed to revitalize the commercial core of the community by enhancing the local shopping experience, improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation, increase parking, and improve the aesthetic character of the area consistent with the philosophy and policies of the state’s Smart Growth initiatives.
The Mayor & Council seeks to actively pursue Agreements that will set forth a practical Re-Development strategy consistent with the intent of the Borough of Emerson Re-Development Plan.
Copies of the Re-Development Plan and the Re-Development Ordinance are available by clicking on the links below. Please note the applicable deadlines set forth in the Request for Proposals. All proposals must be received by the Borough Clerk on or before Jan 5, 2007
Request For Proposal RFP Click Here (may take a few moments to load – please be patient)
Just a little clarification here; the building itself is still standing, but has been gutted and a new facade has been added. The rest of the stores, except for the bank, are totally gone. I don’t know if this means the theatre will return or not.
so sad to hear about it, my late uncle larry and aunt pat went to that theater, as well as Washington Township, Pascack, the Warner Quad, and of course, the Paramus theaters. Any word on when the new 16-plex will open? If it does, then most of the smaller theaters will be extinct.
demolished, not sure if they are rebuilding it, but it has been demolished
Justin, it’s my understanding that the whole complex will be torn down and a Super Stop & Shop and Marshalls will be built there. Yeah, progress, my foot! You would think that since the theatre is a separate building, there would be a way to save it. The Pascack in Westwood is about 2 miles away, so I guess the developers figure it’s no big thing. Especially if you like having the ushers growl at you!
Probably. What are they building there? The only closest theatres owned by clearview that are still open is the washington township theater and the closter cinema.
Mikey, I’m not so sure about that. The theatre closed on March 31, as did the chinese resturant and the Firestone tire dealership. The post office behind the theatre is also boarded up. I think it may be used by the construction company for something. The 1-sheet poster frames are gone, as well as some of the other stuff inside the theatre. The end of another era?
Also listed as part of General Theatre Corp. in the 1976 International Motion Picture Almanac. Another multiple affiliation.
Listed as a Brandt Theater in the 1976 International Motion Picture Almanac.
Listed as a Brandt Theatre in the 1985 International Motion Picture Almanac.
Listed as a single screen independent theatre in the 1991 International Motion Picture Almanac. Owner is D. Sanders.