Tilton Square Theatre
331 Tilton Road,
Northfield,
NJ
08225
331 Tilton Road,
Northfield,
NJ
08225
7 people favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 54 comments
http://screwattack.com/videos/3D-3D-3D
the tilton 9 pops up in the newest episode of Underbelly
You could be right. I thought it was in May, but it was thirty years ago. I do recall that I saw the film at the Tilton shortly after it opened there, within the first week.
It’s not possible for you to have seen “Star Wars” at the Tilton Twin in May ‘77 since the movie didn’t open there until July.
This sort of mis-recollection is common since it’s well known that the “official” release date of “Star Wars” was May 25, 1977. However, what many people overlook/don’t know/forget is that the movie was not given a broad, nationwide saturation release; the movie opened in May ‘77 in only a handful of markets and then had a slow, staggered distribution taking many weeks (or months in some cases) to reach certain markets.
Here is a February 2009 news story:
http://tinyurl.com/cptx8z
I remember a Burger Chef In Northfield,My aunt took me there In summer of 1972,the only reason This stands out In My Mind because she was also my God Mother and she died very suddenly on good friday 1973 at the very young age of 32,I remember the burger chef being on the main strip on tilton rd I cant remember how close It actually was to the Tilton Theatre…..
My brother worked at the Burger Chef in Absecon, which became a Burger King (and still is, I believe). I didn’t know there was a Burger Chef in Northfield as well.
The shopping center was there a short time before the Tilton was built. The department store was “MR. BIG”, before it became a “Jamesway”. The super market was called “Pantry Pride”. In front of the shopping center was a “Burger Chef”, was later called “Barney’s Reateaurant” I also remember an “Art Handler’s” appliance store.
I last worked at the Tilton in 1981. It was a Twin by that time. The Main store in the shopping center was “MR. BIG”, then it was changed to “JAMESWAY” The Tilton booth was still change over & carbon arcs with 6000' reels. Theatre #one had Century 35/70mm machines. The lamp houses were Ashcraft. Mort Hodge was the main projectionist and business agent of local 310 at that time. In 1977, Hodge was alone in the Tilton booth during the day. Three thugs came into the booth and tied him up and set the place on fire. One of the thugs substained burns. Mort managed to escape and the fire did minimal damage. The thugs were caught headed north on the Garden State Parway. I believe that the Tilton was getting ready to show “Star Wars”.
I can’t believe this theater is still standing, I haven’t been there in years, I always loved the building and the atmosphere. I wonder has it changed much? Could we maybe get some Interior pictures??
The Frank family have always been jerks even back in the 70’s.
Tilton 9 is the bomb diggity!! This theater has personality, an eclectic and affordable snackbar, and the friendliest/most laidback/most attractive staff in town! The Towne 16 doesn’t even compare. Besides, I hear the Frank’s overwork and underpay their employees. Boo, hiss. Spend your money on a theater that deserves it! Tilton 9 all the way baby!!
Listed as part of Milgrim Theatres, Inc. in the 1970 FDY.
The supermarket was an A&P, not a Shop Rite, after I thought about it for a while. This would be in the late 60s. There was another A&P in Pleasantville and a small one in Absecon around that time.
You may be talking about a different era. When I was a kid, the supermarket was a Shop Rite, across the street from the cemetery. The Woolworths was on the other side of the mall, by the movie theater. There was also a bank where the McDonalds is now. I ruined one of the summers of my youth cooking french fries at that McDonalds.
Ken Mc,
There used to be a Jamesway and a Thriftway in the center, but both have been replaced by a furniture Store and Senior Center.
Mikeoaklandpark,
Yes, The Tannenbaum Family and the Milgrams (from Philadelphia) still own the theatre as they did in 1965 when it opened.
…and thanks to kittybunny…a loyal customer…but, the Towne Theatre actually has 15 theatres.
William
Is Charles Tannenbaum still the owner of thsi theater? When I lived in AC and worked at the bank he was one of my customers. I know he lost all his other theaters.
Do they still have a Shop Rite supermarket and Woolworths department store at that location? I haven’t been there in a while.
There are only 14 theaters at the Towne 16. I was at the Ritz Bourse last night, and found it mediocre. Snack bar attendant taking tickets, stale popcorn, and small. Tilton 9 (and yes, there are actually nine theaters) is decorated with a mix of old theater flavor splashed with new and eclectic pieces (hey, you will never have to guess what time it is). Compared to any movie theater in a 40 mile radius, this is the place to be. Even 20 years ago my friends an I would be so excited if something we wanted to see was at the Tilton. If it was elsewhere, we would wait for it to come out on video. I think management at the Tilton has done a wonderful job keeping up with the movie going experience. In a world of “On Demandâ€, they have to be doing something right to keep them coming!!! Excellent service, tasty snack bar, clean facilities, accommodating staff, you name it, they have it!!!
I appreciate the comments by movie theatre fans and take them with the enthusiasm that they were
posted. I don’t believe this is a place for shilling and Mr A. should know better. Then again, he works for a company that can’t even tell the truth about amount of screens they have at the Towne 16. (?)
Seems odd it isn’t even listed as a ‘Cinema Treasure’
I saw Star Wars at this theater in May 1977. When I left the theater at ten o'clock at night, there was a line of people waiting for the late show that must have been half a block long.
There are two very large albeit narrow auditoriums at the Tilton. I think they hold more than 500 each. I know the theatre very well having done work there for the past 20 years or so. I have some great pics on my website; www.faystudios.net
Any theater opened by James Bond is ok with me.
It’s interesting to see that “Thunderball” was the premier attraction
at the Tilton when it opened in 1965. I was living in Atlantic City
at the time and saw “Thunderball” at the Beach Theatre which was also owned by Charles Tannenbaum (and for many first run “A” pictures
would share bookings with the Tilton). It’s funny, back in the mid 60’s when most of the big palaces in Atlantic City were still open,
the Tilton with its' huge screen, etc., did not quite stand out as much (I don’t think I ever saw a movie on anything less than a 50 foot screen until the original Town Twin opened at the Shore Mall in the 70’s)so I consider myself fortunate. I am glad to hear from Mr.Appenzeller that the Town 16 has been well renovated and if what he says is true, I look forward to seeing films again there this summer.
It’s interesting to see that “Thunderball” was the premier attraction
at the Tilton when it opened in 1965. I was living in Atlantic City
at the time and saw “Thunderball” at the Beach Theatre which was also owned by Charles Tannenbaum (and for many first run “A” pictures
would share bookings with the Tilton). It’s funny, back in the mid 60’s when most of the big palaces in Atlantic City were still open,
the Tilton with its' huge screen, etc., did not quite stand out as much (I don’t think I ever saw a movie on anything less than a 50 foot screen until the original Town Twin opened at the Shore Mall in the 70’s)so I consider myself fortunate. I am glad to hear from Mr.Appenzeller that the Town 16 has been well renovated and if what he says is true, I look forward to seeing films again there this summer.
Yes the orginal theater had masking that opened across. The screen was extremely large. I saw Freebie and The Bean there plus Tommy which had great sound for those days. Does Charels Tannembaum who owned the Charles, Beach and other theatres still run the Tilton 9?