Was just out in Ohio this past week. Did not get a chance to go to this drive-in because it rained every night. Newspaper ads in the Akron-Beacon Journal stated that this drive in has all digital projection.
Maybe if the strip mall was there while the theatre was open it would have lasted longer. Was it the standard JLC twin scheme?? The one my father, uncle and I worked at in New Jersey was Blue in Cinema 1 and Red in Cinema 2. Each theatre seated 300.
I dont want to disagree with someone who might be from the area, but from the pictures I see on the news, A) how do they expect to get the theatre fixed in 2 days, and B) will there even be power or for that matter people in the area to go to the movies.
The weather channel is just now showing video of a tornado that they say hit the Moore warren Theatre, and from the video, it looks to be the same shot as the photo above.
You are so right Mikeoaklandpark. I just lost my full time job yesterday, as the last of the 6 screens in the theatre I worked at went digital. And my owner told me that theatres have to be done even sooner now. It was supposed to be the end of summer, but 20th Fox for one is running out of film stock. They may be able to release 1 or 2 more features on 35mm and thats it. Same for the other companies too. Very sad indeed. I was at this theatre back in the late 90’s when my buddy was manager up the road at the Mahoning Valley Cinema 8. Nice drice-in.
I"m planning on being there. Already took the day off from work. One of the very first movies I ever saw on the big screen, and years later I ran it in my early days as a projectionist.
The Boyd would be excellent. Another one would be the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth New Jersey. Although it has been about 85% renovated by a real estate person who owns it, he only books the occasional spanish show. The theatre is 2 blocks from a train station, in the center of town, and can serve many different types of shows.
jojo, yes I am. Mark Pus…. should be enough for you to find me. My profile picture is of me threading a projector, mostly upper magazine. I see the paramount and the adams and proctors in Newark when I work at the new arena.
jojo, nice to hear about old union guys from the good old days. Although I am only 54, and have been a projectionist for the past 37 years, I enjoy reading about the days when my father was involved. I joined local 379, Perth Amboy, later 534, and most recently we merged with 21 in Newark. I am in my final days as a projectionist due to all the digital conversions. Its on to stagehand work for me. I will still get occasional reel to reel work at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Some of the more notable theatres I worked at were the Menlo Park Twin, Woodbridge Twin, Sayrewoods Theatre, Amboys Multiplex, Old Rahway Theatee, Linden Theatre and the Ritz in Elizabeth. Good old days indeed.
On my way to New York City this morning just after sunrise, the Turnpike was void of any traffic so I slowed to look at this theatre. It appears from the road that all of the roof top air condition units have been stripped of useable parts/copper, etc. All panels are removed and you can clearly see empty spaces within the units. No doubt rain water must pour in during storms. There is also a banner on the building “For Sale”
projectionist1, dying??? Its dead. I am a projectionist in New Jersey of 37 years. My deceased father was also a projectionist for over 55 years. Although our work was mostly indoor theatres, I have many fond memories too. Today I work in the last 6 plex still running 35mm until later this year when it goes all digital. Then I will only get work once a month or so in theatres doing film festivals and such. My main work these days is as a stagehand. The union up here tries to keep me busy. Its very sad how our profession has been destroyed over the years.
Just curious why the top header has it listed as 1 screen but the last photo in the photo section shows a picture that says A Walter Reade Twin Theatre. When was it twinned and how? Down the middle etc??
Tinseltoes, no need to be sorry. You are one of the more knowledgeable people on this site. I enjoy all your postings about things that happened 40, 50, 60 years ago. I only know this from working there. Otherwise, I would have thought the same like you did.
DARCYDT, having been in the industry for over 35 years, as a projectionist, with some management expierience, I can tell you that while you are frustrated, and you have a right to be, there is something either about the theatre or its film grosses on newer movies that AMC sees and just doesnt justify putting in new releases there. This is what we use to call a dump off or move over house. UA had them. GCC had them. Heck even Loews had them. I even worked a few of them here in Jersey. And judging from your posts, the only NEW movies they get are ones that are sure to bomb. In the end AMC’s bean counters will look one day and say, “enough” and just shut it down. I’ve seen it happen, even after a company would spend big bucks to renovate. A year later the doors were padlocked.
Tinseltoes, I usually dont differ with people here on CT, but I work here on occassion as a stagehand. The actual number of fixed seats in the building is probably correct at the top, because only the balcony has fixed seats. The entire orchestra is flat concrete used mostly for standing room. If a show comes in requiring seats, they set up portable chairs.
Tonight, Monday Jan 7 and tom'w Jan 8, I am screening 2 films, both in 35mm. I will be there after 2 pm to begin inspecting them. I believe tonights movie is “West of Memphis” and tom'w is “Neil Youngs Journey.” Hope to see you all there.
saps, I’m sure the curtain works just fine and dandy. The bigger problem today is that no one at the theatre cares about showmanship. I can almost bet that the managers are a tad older than the kids selling concession. Gone are the days of managers in their 40’s and 50’s and projectionists like myself and my father who really truely cared about the presentation. Today, its get em in, get em out and how much is our per cap. I’m sure no one at Clearview (or any other chain who may end up with this theatre) gives a hoot about us old timers who are passionate about things like curtains and intermissions. Its really very sad.
I wish I could get copies of those pictures to add to my collection. This projectionist of 37 years only has memories left now that theatres have gone digital. All i have left is a gig in the Count Basie theatre in red bank NJ. Simplex XL’s reel to reel. (20 min.)
rcdt55b, some people have way too much time on their hands. I loved your booth photos. I still wish someday I could get up there to see it, but I know its next to impossible. Christmas show ends next weekend so my wife will be finished there till probably next year.
Was just out in Ohio this past week. Did not get a chance to go to this drive-in because it rained every night. Newspaper ads in the Akron-Beacon Journal stated that this drive in has all digital projection.
Maybe if the strip mall was there while the theatre was open it would have lasted longer. Was it the standard JLC twin scheme?? The one my father, uncle and I worked at in New Jersey was Blue in Cinema 1 and Red in Cinema 2. Each theatre seated 300.
Willburg145, you know that the Proctors also stands in Newark, not far from the Adams.
There was a rumor that AMC might take this one back because they sold East Hanover and that one will be closing.
I dont want to disagree with someone who might be from the area, but from the pictures I see on the news, A) how do they expect to get the theatre fixed in 2 days, and B) will there even be power or for that matter people in the area to go to the movies.
This theatre was possibly opened as an original Jerry Lewis Cinema in the 1970’s. Clearview did not take it over until 1998.
The weather channel is just now showing video of a tornado that they say hit the Moore warren Theatre, and from the video, it looks to be the same shot as the photo above.
Howard, I would enjoy anything at the Ziegfeld, but WHY would anyone want to see the new Gatsby, and in 3D no less?
You are so right Mikeoaklandpark. I just lost my full time job yesterday, as the last of the 6 screens in the theatre I worked at went digital. And my owner told me that theatres have to be done even sooner now. It was supposed to be the end of summer, but 20th Fox for one is running out of film stock. They may be able to release 1 or 2 more features on 35mm and thats it. Same for the other companies too. Very sad indeed. I was at this theatre back in the late 90’s when my buddy was manager up the road at the Mahoning Valley Cinema 8. Nice drice-in.
I"m planning on being there. Already took the day off from work. One of the very first movies I ever saw on the big screen, and years later I ran it in my early days as a projectionist.
moviebuff82, your weekly update of comments have fallen off dramatically. Everything ok?
The Boyd would be excellent. Another one would be the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth New Jersey. Although it has been about 85% renovated by a real estate person who owns it, he only books the occasional spanish show. The theatre is 2 blocks from a train station, in the center of town, and can serve many different types of shows.
jojo, yes I am. Mark Pus…. should be enough for you to find me. My profile picture is of me threading a projector, mostly upper magazine. I see the paramount and the adams and proctors in Newark when I work at the new arena.
jojo, nice to hear about old union guys from the good old days. Although I am only 54, and have been a projectionist for the past 37 years, I enjoy reading about the days when my father was involved. I joined local 379, Perth Amboy, later 534, and most recently we merged with 21 in Newark. I am in my final days as a projectionist due to all the digital conversions. Its on to stagehand work for me. I will still get occasional reel to reel work at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Some of the more notable theatres I worked at were the Menlo Park Twin, Woodbridge Twin, Sayrewoods Theatre, Amboys Multiplex, Old Rahway Theatee, Linden Theatre and the Ritz in Elizabeth. Good old days indeed.
On my way to New York City this morning just after sunrise, the Turnpike was void of any traffic so I slowed to look at this theatre. It appears from the road that all of the roof top air condition units have been stripped of useable parts/copper, etc. All panels are removed and you can clearly see empty spaces within the units. No doubt rain water must pour in during storms. There is also a banner on the building “For Sale”
projectionist1, dying??? Its dead. I am a projectionist in New Jersey of 37 years. My deceased father was also a projectionist for over 55 years. Although our work was mostly indoor theatres, I have many fond memories too. Today I work in the last 6 plex still running 35mm until later this year when it goes all digital. Then I will only get work once a month or so in theatres doing film festivals and such. My main work these days is as a stagehand. The union up here tries to keep me busy. Its very sad how our profession has been destroyed over the years.
Just curious why the top header has it listed as 1 screen but the last photo in the photo section shows a picture that says A Walter Reade Twin Theatre. When was it twinned and how? Down the middle etc??
Tinseltoes, no need to be sorry. You are one of the more knowledgeable people on this site. I enjoy all your postings about things that happened 40, 50, 60 years ago. I only know this from working there. Otherwise, I would have thought the same like you did.
DARCYDT, having been in the industry for over 35 years, as a projectionist, with some management expierience, I can tell you that while you are frustrated, and you have a right to be, there is something either about the theatre or its film grosses on newer movies that AMC sees and just doesnt justify putting in new releases there. This is what we use to call a dump off or move over house. UA had them. GCC had them. Heck even Loews had them. I even worked a few of them here in Jersey. And judging from your posts, the only NEW movies they get are ones that are sure to bomb. In the end AMC’s bean counters will look one day and say, “enough” and just shut it down. I’ve seen it happen, even after a company would spend big bucks to renovate. A year later the doors were padlocked.
Tinseltoes, I usually dont differ with people here on CT, but I work here on occassion as a stagehand. The actual number of fixed seats in the building is probably correct at the top, because only the balcony has fixed seats. The entire orchestra is flat concrete used mostly for standing room. If a show comes in requiring seats, they set up portable chairs.
Tonight, Monday Jan 7 and tom'w Jan 8, I am screening 2 films, both in 35mm. I will be there after 2 pm to begin inspecting them. I believe tonights movie is “West of Memphis” and tom'w is “Neil Youngs Journey.” Hope to see you all there.
My man Vito just summed it all up with the last sentence. Enough said.
saps, I’m sure the curtain works just fine and dandy. The bigger problem today is that no one at the theatre cares about showmanship. I can almost bet that the managers are a tad older than the kids selling concession. Gone are the days of managers in their 40’s and 50’s and projectionists like myself and my father who really truely cared about the presentation. Today, its get em in, get em out and how much is our per cap. I’m sure no one at Clearview (or any other chain who may end up with this theatre) gives a hoot about us old timers who are passionate about things like curtains and intermissions. Its really very sad.
I wish I could get copies of those pictures to add to my collection. This projectionist of 37 years only has memories left now that theatres have gone digital. All i have left is a gig in the Count Basie theatre in red bank NJ. Simplex XL’s reel to reel. (20 min.)
rcdt55b, some people have way too much time on their hands. I loved your booth photos. I still wish someday I could get up there to see it, but I know its next to impossible. Christmas show ends next weekend so my wife will be finished there till probably next year.