Loew's Jersey Theatre

Thanks for the comments, guys!

I think that the “Wonder Theatre” project was begun by the Publix theatre chain, for whom Rapp and Rapp had done a lot of work. Loew’s inherited the project as part of an agreement with Publix, and probably kept the same architects and plans.

I agree with you, jazzland, the Jersey is most absolutely not by Lamb. It does not have his touch at all. It is most absolutely by Rapp and Rapp. To go with MarkDHite’s reasoning, it may bear a resemblance to the San Francisco Fox, but it also bears a resemblance to the Times Square Paramount (by Rapp and Rapp), so I suppose THAT theatre must be by Lamb also.

Jazzland is perfectly correct when he says that Lamb had a sense of taste different from Rapp and Rapp, and that his details are more finely wrought. Lamb’s architecture looks like it was built line upon line. Rapp and Rapp’s tends to look like it was created with a frosting spreader. This is not meant to disparage their work at all, it’s just that the two had different styles. Rapp and Rapp went for the grand gesture, and Lamb went after the details. I guess it’s similar to the way some paintings are best viewed close up and some look better from a few feet away, but you wouldn’t say one is better than the other.

I buy tickets to theaters, not movies. Bring on the razzmatazz. The bigger the better. And don’t forget the free dishes.
-Old Timey Moviegoer.

I didn’t say I thought there was anything wrong with it, I’m surprised that AMC (of course, not Sony now) thinks it’s okay since Loews is a registered trade owned by them.

The name “Loews” is now owned by AMC Theatres, not Sony, which has not had an interest in movie theaters in almost a decade. This theater uses the original pre-1968 name (with apostrophe) “Loew’s”. It was always called “Loew’s Jersey” so why not keep the name? The name “Loew’s” is evocative of the classic era of movie palaces this theater so lovingly maintains.

Another puzzling thing to me is the architectural styles of this and a few other late Loew’s movie palaces. This theatre while attributed to Rapp and Rapp has none of their hallmark grand sweeping features and large ornamental details. It looks very much like the work of Thomas Lamb’s firm. The lobby is remarkably similar to Lamb’s beautiful Keith Memorial Theatre in Boston, and comparisons to Lamb’s San Francisco Fox auditorium have been made before. Did the leading theatre designers sometimes share designers or even designs in the mad productive period of movie palace building in the late 20’s? Do any of you architecture scholars out there have a theory?

On the weekend of October 2nd and 3rd, The Landmark Loews Jersey Theatre located on Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey will open it’s 9th season of classic films. Since it is also the theatre’s 80th Birthday Jubilee, we will be presenting a selection of films either set in, or filmed in, the 1920’s when the Loews Jersey was young!

The theatre is located directly across from the PATH subway station connecting Manhattan with Jersey City, it is also easy to reach from most area highways. Discounted parking is located directly behind the theatre.

All Show Are Presented In 35mm On Our Huge 50 Foot Wide Screen

Friday October 2nd at 8:00pm â€" “The Untouchables” (1987) Follow the exploits of Elliot Ness and his G-Men as they take down Al Capone back in the violent days of the roaring 20’s.

Saturday October 3rd at 4:00pm â€" “The Coconuts” (1929) One of the Marx Brothers earliest and funniest films, watch as they wreak havoc on a Florida hotel and it’s unfortunate guests.

Saturday October 3rd at 8:00pm â€" “Safety Last” (1923) One of silent comedian Harold Lloyd’s wildest and best films, it features the famous scene of him high above a street hanging off a clock. There will be live organ accompaniment on the Landmark Loews Jersey’s Mighty Morton Theatre Pipe Organ.

Visit The Landmark Loews Jersey web site for details.

[size=1]The Landmark Loews Jersey Theatre[/size]

Hi Debbie,

I’m curious…..what theaters in our area have you visited or do you plan to visit? (theater name and location, please)
I’d really like to find some of the old movie palaces, especially in Northern NJ, that I’ve never visited.
Personally some of my favorites are The Lafayette, in Suffern, NY, the Cedar Lane, in Teneck, and (of course) the Loews Jersey.
It would be great to pool our knowledge of some of the great theatres that are still around and operational.(I checked the list of theatres in the general North NJ/New York area on “Cinema Trasures” but, sadly many of those that I was familiar with are either closed and/or demolished. I wonder if I am missing some?)

That’s my friend Jeff S! His comments can be found all over CT, mostly on the Lafayette Theater page.

As much as I would love to see the cross-over lobby brought back to original working order, what I’m really hoping for is work to begin on the ventilation/AC system at the Loews (a costly project, I’m sure)…… when that is accomplished, then the possibilty of summer classic film programs might become a reality. I know the summer is when the FOL does most of their renovations, but to have a couple of weekends of “summer” film classics wouild be something to be hoped for.

Great point Ziggy! I do see the day when, once the interior is completed, the focus can shift to the outside. My preference would be marquee first then the blade. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE theater blades, but the main theater focal point is the marquee and the Jersey had a beauty. The blade would be the feather in the cap so to speak.

Ziggy, I agree about the blade, but why stop there? The entire marquee should be restored. I know that’s a big wish and that a lot of money would be required, but…..it would be beautiiful and someday…….