Clairidge
486 Bloomfield Avenue,
Montclair,
NJ
07042
486 Bloomfield Avenue,
Montclair,
NJ
07042
15 people
favorited this theater
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The Clairidge (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Bow-Tie Cinemas, Clearview Cinemas, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: Nathan Harris, William E. Lehman
Functions: Movies (Film Festivals), Movies (Foreign), Movies (Independent)
Styles: Mission Revival
Previous Names: Clairidge Theatre, Clairidge Triple Cinema, Clairidge Cinemas
Phone Numbers:
Manager:
973.381.5588
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Apr 1, 2013 — "2001: A Space Odyssey" 45th Anniversary – The Cinerama Engagements
- Jun 18, 2010 — "Jaws"... Happy 35th!
- May 14, 2010 — Please Post Today, May 14 --- "Jaws," Happy 35th
- Dec 12, 2008 — Remembering Cinerama (Part 15: Northern New Jersey)
The Clairidge Theatre opened as a deluxe movie palace in 1922. All 1,300-seats seats were on one level–no balcony, and the house featured a Wurlitzer 2 manual, 10 ranks organ (now at the Paramount in Middletown, NY). By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. In the 1960’s the Clairidge Theatre became a Cinerama house (there are historic photos in the lobby). Divided into a triplex on May 13, 1983, and from April 4, 1997 a six-plex, the current Clairidge Cinemas is housed in a metal ‘box’ within the original theatre.
In the HVAC room off of the projection booth, I discovered a hatch in the ceiling. After climbing the ladder through the hatch, I was in shock when I saw that the original theatre is still almost 100% intact!! There is some damage to the proscenium and organ screens from the metal ‘box’ described above, and someone stole some of the stained-glass light fixtures ringing the ceiling dome, but otherwise the theatre is all still there and can be restored in the future!
It was closed on March 16, 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Renovations were being carried out in June 2021. It reopened on October 22, 2021 by the non-profit Montclair Film as The Clairidge. It was closed in August 2023 to be reseated and reopened on September 1, 2023 with a total reduced seating capacity of 458-seats, split as 101-seats, 121-seats, 38-seats, 88-seats, 83-seats and 27-seats.
Contributed by
Joe Masher
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Recent comments (view all 117 comments)
It’s only because I’ve loved attending the independent and “European” offerings over the past 20 or so years that I might seem a bit “impatient” for information but, is there an official Clairidge web site that would provide periodic up-dates as to the fate of this wonderful venue? (whether it’s permanently closed or in the process of being renovated? And if so, is there some kind of timeline as to its completion?) I know these are nearly impossible and or, at best tough questions to answer during these “times” but I’m trying to hold on to a sense of optimism and hope for one of my favorite movie houses
It is supposedly going to be completely renovated very shortly.
Robert Kratky: A press release in June said that the Montclair Film Festival had secured a long-term lease on the Clairidge Cinemas and would begin renovations immediately with the intent of opening the house for the 10th Festival, which is scheduled for October 21-30. The Information about the events will be posted on the festival’s web site, which is apparently going to be serving as the theater’s web site as well.
Adding the word ‘The’ to a theatre name would make searching Cinema Treasures ne'er impossible. eg. ‘The’ Capitol', ‘The’ Rialto, ‘The’ State etc. To keep things consistent on the site, the word ‘The’ will not be used. The correct name is given on our link to The Clairidge website. Ken Roe, Theatre Editor.
First time back since it closed. New lobby, looks nice. The staff very friendly and courteous. But the theaters are pretty much the same, small screens, dank atmosphere. They’re showing mainstream movies I suppose to get the revenues. Would I go back?,,,,Yes!! For the classic film showings or something new on the independent front. Drove by the BELLEVUE on the way home, says a new theater soon and is boarded up in front. Maybe that will open soon too.
As I’ve said before what’s the point? They’re now nothing but shoe box multi-plexes. Now if you were going to restore them to what they once were…
I saw an independent movie here and I enjoyed the film. But yes very small theaters. They really didn’t do anything to fix them up. Just a new lobby and the staff seems more outgoing. They really won’t restore the theater to what it once was years ago. So be glad that there’s a theater in the downtown that’s open showing films
The Clairidge was in the news spotlight yesterday with a unique “BYOB” event. Details can be viewed here
The theater was closed August 14-31 in order to replace all the seating in the 6 theaters. Reopens Sept 1
Please update, total seats is 458. Theatre 1 101 Theatre 2 121 Theatre 3 38 Theatre 4 88 Theatre 5 83 and theatre 6 27 seats. Source: Clairidge Cinemas Website