U.S. Theatre
284 Main Street,
Paterson,
NJ
07505
284 Main Street,
Paterson,
NJ
07505
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 42 of 42 comments
Ryunkin,
Opps! You are correct. The old State Theater. Old and run down, but it was there. With all of my contacts with the theaters, I can’t remember ever going inside. As I write this, I’m looking above to my paragraphs about the theaters. I do mention it was being the least desirable at that time. Lots of history in those old houses! moviekid
ryunkin:
You failed to list the State Theater which was down the side street from Quakenbush Department Store. There were actually 8 theaters in the 40’s and 50’s
Atmos,
Sorry, I don’t know what you mean by atmospheric.
Moviekid
Can anyone confirm that the US theatre was an atmospheric.I had info that it may have been.
atmos.
Hello Ryunkin,
Let me bring you some info on the Majestic Theater. It really was a movie house that was in the ‘40s and early '50s a theatre that showed western double features, with great vaudeville shows in between. You’re incorrect about your description of the theater. By chance, my godfather was the manager of that ole great vaudeville house. His name was Lou Martin. The stage shows encompassed Red Skelton, Abbott & Costello and names of the times. My father’s U.S. Theater, was across from the Majestic and was really superior in its architecture and gradeur, as was the Fabian. But I loved the westerns, much better than Bogart and I could always be found there. The theater least desirable at that time was the State Theater, tucked away around the corner from the Rivoli. You and I are proably the only ones that remember Harry’s on W. Broadway. They had great lunches and was a few doors from my mother’s shop, Jean’s Maternities. Lots of memories. Moviekid
Hello Ryunkin,
Let me bring you some info on the Majestic Theater. It really was a movie house that was in the ‘40s and early '50s a theatre that showed western double features, with great vaudeville shows in between. You’re incorrect about your description of the theater. By chance, my godfather was the manager of that ole great vaudeville house. His name was Lou Martin. The stage shows encompassed Red Skelton, Abbott & Costello and names of the times. My father’s U.S. Theater, was across from the Majestic and was really superior in its architecture and gradeur, as was the Fabian. But I loved the westerns, much better than Bogart and I could always be found there. The theater least desirable at that time was the State Theater, tucked away around the corner from the Rivoli. You and I are proably the only ones that remember Harry’s on W. Broadway. They had great lunches and was a few doors from my mother’s shop, Jean’s Maternities. Lots of memories. Moviekid
When I was a kid there were 7 movie theatres in Paterson. The US, the Fabian, the Garden, the Rivoli, the Plaza, the Majestic, and the Regent.
Because I moved from the city when I was 6 years old, my recollections are those of a child. For example: I loved the Regent because it had colorful life-saver-shaped lights on the walls. The Rivoli had that magnificent fountain in the upstairs lobby. The Fabian was huge and classy. The Garden was my least favorite because I don’t remember anything outstanding about it. The Majestic was considered the black theater and whites never went in. The Plaza reminded me of a suburban theater. The US was a theater that I remember mostly because I saw She Wore a Yellow Ribbon in it, and they seemed to play a lot Fred Astaire and Randolph Scott pictures.
Since I am trying to find anything I can that shows how beautiful the business section of the city was in the late 40s, I am looking for photos of Paterson during it’s architectural heyday. Incidentally, a lot of the most visually pleasing buildings, such as Our Lady of Victories and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Smith Street, to name two, were built in the 40s. In particular, the theaters, Myer Brothers, Quakenbush’s, WT Grant’s, Woolworth’s, Kreske’s, Chas. W. Elbow’s, the Port Arthur’s, Lower Main Street, north of Barney’s, the Silk City Drug Store, MR. Peanut, Sears on Market, Harry’s lunchenette on W. Broadway, the Republican Club, and a little bar that used to be across from the Fabian theatre. Ryunkin at
Rhett,
A correction, The Allwood Theatre, Clifton and the Plaza Theatre, Paterson, looked almost alike on the exterior. Same builder, same time, same owners Harold Hecht Theatres. The Clifton Theatre, Main Ave., Clifton was a different group.
Rhett…I know the Rivoli Chandollier well. All hungarian crystals. In fact, I’ve raised and lowered it from the ceiling, with a big crank that took 45 minutes to do each way. I had left the management a year before the fire, but assisted the Williams Center with their movie efforts. In 1976 at the Clifton Theatre, I believe Hecht Theatres were operating it. If you think back the Clifton and Plaza had the same stone fronts. Built at the same time by the same builder. No rememberances of the Plaza, but I can tell you backstage of the old Rivoli, when you walked up the stairs, 3 flights to the dressing rooms, there was interesting grafiti on the walls from the old acts that played there with a glued page from management telling the performers to behave like ladies and gentlemen when walking the streets of Rutherford. Douglas Fairbanks and big stars of the ‘30s and '40s played the Rivoli along with a double feature. Lots of memories. RADarby
Darby..I did a play years ago at the Rivoli (now called the Williams center) The chandollier was still there as was the stage area, they were renovating due to a fire. What a theater that must have been. My first job ever was as an usher at the Clifton Theater in 1976. I loved it. When was the last time you saw an usher? We had “smoking sections” back then. I DO really miss the days of the Plaza and fabian. There’s a theater in Suffern, NY (Rockland County) called the Lafayette. It’s the last of the old time vaudville style big theayers. They show classic movies every Saturday complete with Wurlitzer organ. It’s a throwback to the day, you’d love it. Check out bigscreenclassics.com.
At some point I’m going to write about the Plaza and Clifton and include it on this web site. I’d like to start a dialogue. Do you have any keepsakes or remembrances of the Plaza at all?? Thanks Darby. Rhett
Rhett, I was there! I did dish nights! I did the ads! I worked for Harold Hecht for many years and then went to the Rivoli Theatre, Rutherford. The Rivoli, another old house, was purchased and we renovated it and I then managed that house for several years. The Plaza holds fond memories for me. The Plaza had seen its day! Big screen theatres were coming in and neighborhood theatres were going out. Since then, all of the neighborhood theatres are gone. Nice to see someone who still remembers! RADarby
RADarby, you managed the Plaza? I’d probably remember you. Remember showing all 5 Planet of the Ape movies? I was there. I’ve been going through old microfilms at the library and have many ads from the Plaza (it’s very nostalgic for me)I took pictures when they tore the theater down last year. There’s a couple with the interior wallpaper still on the walls. What a great theater. For me, it was a home away from home as I was always there. In those days you can slip a kid 2 dollars to go to the movies and he’s have money left over for popcorn and candy. Not like today where you have to mortgage your home just to see a lousy flick.
I do remember dish night. Always went with my mother. Those WERE the days.It’s really a shame that theater went down hill in the mid to later 70’s. Do you think it was the neighborhood deteriorating or the influx of Karate and cheapie exploitation flicks? Do you know of ANY pictures of the Plaza at all I can see??
Warren,
Right,U.S. stood for United States. No mention of Sherwood. It had nothing to do with the theatre.
RADarby
Rhett,
Sorry, there are no interior photos of the U.S. Theatre or Fabian that I know of. You mention the Plaza Theatre. Was at 436 Union Avenue, and I managed the theatre for years. Was owned by Harold Hecht. Loved that house! Those were the dish giveway days, remember them?
RADarby
RADarby, the US sounds like a great theater. I am a Paterson native and I went to the Fabian and Plaza Theaters. I have so many fond memories of them that I’m trying to locate ANY photos (interior and exterior) of these theaters. I have a few of the Fabian, but are there ANY of the Plaza and of the US?? I have made this a mission..any help you can give me?
Rhett
The U.S. Theatre, 284 Main Street, Paterson, New Jersey was owned by the Adams Brothers, Peter Adams and Adam Adams, two brothers originating from Greece. They also owned the Park Lane Theatre, Palisades Park and the Adams Theatre, Newark.
William Darby, my father, was the general manager of the U.S. Theatre from 1938 until his death in 1956. His assistant manager was William Tegtmeyer, who ultimately retired to Florida. The theatre has previously been a big stage concert hall. I know, as a kid, I rummaged backstage through the orchestra arangements, old sets, props, costumes, magnificent oil paintings and memoriabilia that today would be worth multi millions.
The theatre was comparable to the Fabian Theatre in Paterson, and we as theatre families were very close in business dealings and interfacing with Sy Fabian on a regular basis.
The theatre was ultimately closed and demolished and today stands a large parking lot. Sad but true, for the U.S. Theatre was magnificent in its architecture and outstanding beauty.
The U.S. Theatre was located at 284 Main Avenue and it seated 1495 people.