Clairidge

The theater was closed August 14-31 in order to replace all the seating in the 6 theaters. Reopens Sept 1

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

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.

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.

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

I remember as a boy going through the Bergen Record and seeing My Fair Lady playing a reserved seat engagement at the Claridge. Did it play on the Cinerama screen in 70mm? Was anybody in it during this period? Montclair had 3 hard ticket houses. The Bellevue, the Claridge and the Wellmont. That’s a lot for a suburban town when New York city was not that far from it. I wonder how well these reserved seat engagements did. SOM obviously did very well as it played longer there than at Manhattan’s Rivoli.

CCMPI, thanks for that very nice comment!

I know it’s asking too much for them to put the Cinerama screen back up, but I’m really glad the Clairidge is going to reopen soon.

Think it is all over.

Apparently, the Bellevue is on hold again. The newest investors have lease issues with the owner - which is why the previous owners left. COVID didn’t help the situation I’m sure. The Montclair Film Festival montclairfilm.org had used the Clairidge, Wellmont and Bellevue as venues in 2019 and before.

I think it’s OK. Anyone who lives in North Jersey who visits the Clairidge page is naturally going to be concerned about the Bellevue as well, and be hoping for the best.

I found an article dated last Thursday (August 27) in the Montclair Local which deals with the movie scene there. What I found interesting was the “no comment” by managers when asked if the Clairidge was permanently closed and the building’s owner saying their lease had “at least another year to go”.

The article also talks about the local film festival and their plans for this year’s event, and ends with an update on the nearby Bellevue Cinema 4, which will be reopening with 6 screens at some point after the pandemic ends.