Would love to see this sometime on the big screen of the Loew’s. Could you imagine the audiences' faces?! The last time I saw a reaction like that was when the Loew’s shows “Dr. Who and The Daleks.” People were speechless, non-plussed. Later on they talked about it for weeks.
Totally agree. That is a wonderful restaurant. Lots of atmosphere there and the food is good too. I also highly recommend it. I’ve been going there for years—since it was the Summit House. I like how you used Google Maps to show where the restaurants are located around “The Square.” When I was a kid we used go to White Castle, but that was another time in my life. Newark Ave. is getting to be a fun place these days! Lots of nice street activity and very interesting stores and restaurants.
The easiest way to get to the Blue Ribbon from the Loew’s on foot is through the PATH Center. Just go downstairs to the concourse and walk straight on through to Magnolia Ave. Follow Magnolia one short block to Summit Ave. and the Blue Ribbon is right there, directly across the street.
New York Paramount and the Loew’s Jersey — a very short comparison (since the two theatres were built by the same architects and are about the same size):
Bob, there are two sides of the coin to this great theatre being in NJ. One is that it is in the relative “boonies.” OK, that’s a problem. Perhaps things will get better as Journal Square develops into an upper-middle class residential area. The other side of the coin is that if this theatre had been in say Times Square, it would in all likelihood no longer exist. The Times Square Paramount was very similar to the Loew’s Jersey. It was by the same architectural firm, and the auditoriums were nearly identical. Also, the organs consoles in both theatres were nearly identical. Both theatres had that French curved front entrance. THE Paramount has been gone for 40+ years now. The Loew’s is still with us. Adrian and Luis are both correct. We should be grateful for what is left and “do what we can, wherever we can.”
To LuisV: You are entitled to your own tastes and opinions. I’m glad that you think so highly of the 5 Wonder Theatres. We are in total agreement on that count. I would place the King’s as a very close 2nd to the Jersey, but that’s just my opinion. I’m not unbiased. H grew up with the Loew’s Jersey. It was my neighborhood movie house. The lobby of the King’s is without question one of the most beautiful in the country (restored or not). Next to the Loew’s Jersey, the King’s is my biggest concern. I hope it can be saved and fully restored. It should be.
Isn’t this thread about the Loew’s Jersey (and more broadly about movie palaces), Rory? I am strictly speaking of theatres that were built to show movies, and not converted vaudeville houses. The Loew’s Jersey Theatre was created specifically to show movies, with the 2nd purpose being vaudeville. The old Roxy Theatre in New York was also created to show movies, as were Broadway’s Rivoli and Rialto. If you should go to the Loew’s Jersey, you would see that this is obvious. Radio City is not strictly speaking a movie palace because it was created for a grander form of vaudeville. Similarly, the State Theatre (Jersey City) was not a movie palace, because it was a converted vaudeville house.
The Loew’s Jersey was/IS a MOVIE palace. Loew’s was a theatre chain that created/bought MGM to fill its theatres with “product.” After 1935, and while Loew’s still owned the Jersey Theatre, vaudeville was dead. So from 1935 to 1948 the parent company Loew’s showed their subsidiary company’s (MGM) movies in their movie theatres. So in this case, the theatre was intimately tied in with the studio.
Of course that’s in the past, and modern Hollywood has little to do with the old theatres, if anything. Yet modern Hollywood is more than happy to ride on the coat tails of old Hollywood, aren’t they? Don’t you think they owe old Hollywood something for that goodwill? Modern Hollywood (collectively, and even if they are just sub’s of major corporations) OWES old Hollywood and its theatres something. New Yorkers believed that the New York Central R.R. owed Grand Central Terminal something. The railroad wanted to tear it down and make a real estate killing. The battle went all the way to the Supreme Court. New Yorkers won, and Grand Central is still there. As it turns out, NY State actually restored the structure. So perhaps it will take government intervention to restore the best of the old movie palaces. If NJ were only more like Ohio in that regard. Have you ever seen the (Loew’s) Ohio Theatre in Columbus?! What a job the state did on that old theatre. Why can’t that be done in NJ?
Perhaps in 100 years, modern Hollywood will be defunct (thanks in no small part to its blown up video game comic book movies) and the existing movie palaces will still be here beautifully restored. They were certainly built to last forever. Call my views naive, tradition bound, or “European,” but these ideas are my opinions. Money is not God. People need culture too.
To Rory: Yes, the “corporate subsidiaries” that are “the studios” have a duty to preserve their history, including the breath-taking theatres that they created from about 1920 to 1933 (or so). Look at what Ted Turner did to save many of the old movies! TCM is a literal television museum of old movies and obviously it doesn’t make a red cent for Turner or his companies. He did it because he recognizes his duty to preserve our heritage. The Dolan family of Cablevision restored Radio City. Why? To make money? I don’t think so. If the studios won’t step up to the plate of saving their history, the government should step in and save them. The Paris Opera and La Scala don’t turn a profit, but there they are. Can’t we in America have at least one grand movie palace whose main purpose is to show movies (which, btw, are our greatest artistic contribution to the world)? Is that too much to ask? Well, the English had to make “Chaplin” so perhaps England and France will step in and save a couple of our movie palaces. One of them would certainly be the Loew’s Jersey Theatre.
The new site is wonderful! I think you are doing a great job of combining the best of the old site with the updated elements and pages. The main page really grabbed my attention and it is faithful to the atmosphere of the theatre. I also like the Quicktime VR view. Perhaps you could do one of the auditorium as well, and perhaps the auditorium from the stage? Just a thought. All in all, the new web site is a very nice improvement!
BTW, I’m so glad you included that video of the interior. People should see this theatre in motion, so that they can get a spacial sense of the place.
This is not my video, but I highly recommend it if you’re curious to see what all the fuss is about. The best thing about this video is that it gives an excellent idea of the lobby of the theatre (a tour really), and you do get a peek (a dark one) of the auditorium as well. Also, you do get to see the real movie screen as it begins to show “Miracle on 34th Street.” Again, this is well worth watching:
When we talk about the Loew’s Jersey, we are not talking “small change.” This is one of the grandest movie palaces still standing; and it is largely (99 percent) unchanged from it’s 1929 opening.
And might I add, IMHO, that this theatre is perhaps the most beautiful and least “gimmicky” of the remaining 1920s movie palaces. There are no Chinese temples or Egyptian sphinxes here, just sheer red and golden Italian Baroque grandness, as only Rapp & Rapp could accomplish. Sure R&R took architectural liberties here, but in general they stayed pretty close to the books as far as proportion and balance go. The theatre is just plain beautiful without engendering a snicker. Yes, this theatre is beautiful and huge. It is something to be awed. It should and does leave people looking up with their mouths wide open, speechless. In that way, it reminds me of Grand Central Terminal. Both are places whose loss would be unacceptable. They must be saved and restored at all costs. That is my opinion of this truly great theatre. Nothing should be holding this place back, nothing. I agree with Brucec that Hollywood needs to respect and recognize it’s past by giving this place money to continue and someday finish the restoration. For the Loew’s Jersey was, in many respects and from 1929 to 1948, Hollywood; not just the Loew’s Jersey, of course, but all movie theatres on the scale and grandeur of the Jersey. During that time, the theatres came first, and the movies were 2nd in terms of investment and in their ability to draw an audience. Hollywood really should recognize it’s real history. If we could ask him, Marcus Loew, which came first and second, I’m sure he would say without hesitation, that the theatres always came first; not DVDs and not concession stands, and not even the movies themselves. Remember, Loew’s owned MGM. It was NOT the other way around. I’ll even go so far as to say that Hollywood (is that TCM today?) has a duty to save the best of what is left, and certainly this theatre is among those places.
Why are the FOL’s hands tied? What’s the problem? NOTHING should hold back this great theatre from becoming again what it once was. It is all to rare and a precious jewel today. You don’t throw away the Hope diamond.
Just a very choice few of these places remain. It is a crime to not restore them to the completion — including everything from the ticket booth to the draperies, to the orchestra pit railing, to the lounges, etc. etc.
What on earth could be the problem with progress on this true Wonder Theatre — an equal (IMO) of the Chicago, the Ohio, and Shea’s Buffalo?
The City of Jersey City owns the Loew’s Jersey Theatre and the FOL, the operators of the theatre lease it. Is that correct? Is the long term lease still being negotiated, has the new lease been signed by both parties, or what kind of an arrangement does the FOL have at this point with the city?
I am concerned because there has been some gossip that the theatre is in danger thanks to the skyrocking real estate values around Journal Square. The Loew’s sits on a prime site. Others say that the theatre will benefit from the new affluent residents in the area.
Are the city’s plans to preserve the theatre at all costs are they becoming greedy? Can we rest easy or is it time to get out our picket signs, petitions, and lawyers?
And BTW, the showing of “The Jazz Singer” was sheer magic to me. The presentation was just perfect in every way. Not only did the projectionist do a flawless job, but the venue is ideal for showing such films. It just wouldn’t have the same impact for me if it was shown in a smaller/newer cinema. I have seen Jolson many times on television, but you’re missing a lot if you don’t see him on the big screen. I now have a new appreciation of Jolson. He could emote effectively enough to make people cry, and he was a good dancer as well (watch his moves in “Toot Toot Tootsie”), and his singing is sublime in a large hall. He was easily one of the best of the 20th Century, and I doubt we’ll see anything like him again.
Since this is Cinema Treasures, please don’t misunderstand. I have been to many Loew’s films without the organ playing and I have taken guests to such events. In my opinion, the Loew’s is THE perfect venue for showing classic films.
Personally, I would love to see “Laura” on the big screen even without the organ prequel, but since the organ is working and since my guests and I are interested in organs (as are many others, I’m sure), it would be really, really nice if the organ was playing; and it would be nice to know one way or the other ahead of time. That is what I meant to say. Thanks again.
Does anyone know if The organ will be played before Sat. night’s showing of “Laura.” We have folks from out of town and we only want to go if the organ is going to be played. Any information would be helpful. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for this video. I was planning on writing a short review, but now I don’t need to. This remarkable instrument speaks for itself in your wonderful new video (which I have played 5 times already!).
Also, thanks for your encouraging words about volunteering. I would be glad to do so, and will do so, sometime very soon.
Quite a building! Thanks for answering my questions. I will be there today for the organ trials. In all my time of visiting the Loew’s, I have never heard the organ. I suppose before 1974 it didn’t work? and after that there was no organ for a very long time. The first time I was there was in 1965. It was my neighborhood movie house while I was growing up. (All of us should be so lucky!)
I also plan on being there for “The Jazz Singer.” It wouldn’t surprise me if you sold out! Wouldn’t that be great?!
Just love the work you’re doing at the Loew’s. Please keep it up!
One more quick question. Is it possible to walk from the stage to the lobby (and onto the upstairs backstage rooms) without being seen by the audience? Are there backstage passages from the stage (or under it) to the front of the house)?
Like Bluebeard’s wife, I’m just very, very curious about what lies behind the locked doors, besides being interested in stagecraft and theatrical history.
Thanks, Bob. I kind of figured there weren’t, but I was hopeful. Didn’t know about the band cart. That’s quite interesting.
I’ve been on the tour of the Loew’s several times, but I have never actually been backstage (except to see the projection booth—a true wonder to see in 2007). Do you know what’s on the floor below the projection booth? If you look at almost any photo of the exterior of the Loew’s, you can see two floors of windows. I believe the top one is the projection booth, but what is on the floor under that? Old offices, I would assume.
Also, it would be fascinating to sometime see the trap room, dressing rooms, and the big room under the lobby. Here’s hoping I get to do it one day.
Two questions regarding the theatre building, perhaps someone out there might have the answer: The Kings Theatre had (or has) 2 stage elevators (besides the orchestra pit elevators). I know that the Jersey has a trap room under the stage, but by any chance does the Jersey have stage elevators there as well?
I am aware that the firm that designed the theatre was Rapp & Rapp. But is there any chance that auditorium was designed by Thomas W. Lamb (as a consultant)? The reason I ask is that the Jersey auditorium looks almost exactly like the Loew’s Midland and The Fox Theatre in San Francisco, and both of these were designed by Lamb.
Really looking forward to the “Apes Marathon.” I haven’t seen an apes marathon in Journal Square since I was 12 years old.
BTW, why do I always think of the Loew’s Jersey when I watch this clip?: “The Polka Dot Polka” from “The Gang’s All Here.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTIgbXtRW4I
Would love to see this sometime on the big screen of the Loew’s. Could you imagine the audiences' faces?! The last time I saw a reaction like that was when the Loew’s shows “Dr. Who and The Daleks.” People were speechless, non-plussed. Later on they talked about it for weeks.
Totally agree. That is a wonderful restaurant. Lots of atmosphere there and the food is good too. I also highly recommend it. I’ve been going there for years—since it was the Summit House. I like how you used Google Maps to show where the restaurants are located around “The Square.” When I was a kid we used go to White Castle, but that was another time in my life. Newark Ave. is getting to be a fun place these days! Lots of nice street activity and very interesting stores and restaurants.
The easiest way to get to the Blue Ribbon from the Loew’s on foot is through the PATH Center. Just go downstairs to the concourse and walk straight on through to Magnolia Ave. Follow Magnolia one short block to Summit Ave. and the Blue Ribbon is right there, directly across the street.
New York Paramount and the Loew’s Jersey — a very short comparison (since the two theatres were built by the same architects and are about the same size):
Marquee:
View link
http://www.leonardmaltin.com/LoewsJersey.jpg
Organ console:
http://lostprovince.com/PTOS/CentII.jpg (NY Paramount)
View link
Auditorium:
View link
View link
Bob, there are two sides of the coin to this great theatre being in NJ. One is that it is in the relative “boonies.” OK, that’s a problem. Perhaps things will get better as Journal Square develops into an upper-middle class residential area. The other side of the coin is that if this theatre had been in say Times Square, it would in all likelihood no longer exist. The Times Square Paramount was very similar to the Loew’s Jersey. It was by the same architectural firm, and the auditoriums were nearly identical. Also, the organs consoles in both theatres were nearly identical. Both theatres had that French curved front entrance. THE Paramount has been gone for 40+ years now. The Loew’s is still with us. Adrian and Luis are both correct. We should be grateful for what is left and “do what we can, wherever we can.”
To LuisV: You are entitled to your own tastes and opinions. I’m glad that you think so highly of the 5 Wonder Theatres. We are in total agreement on that count. I would place the King’s as a very close 2nd to the Jersey, but that’s just my opinion. I’m not unbiased. H grew up with the Loew’s Jersey. It was my neighborhood movie house. The lobby of the King’s is without question one of the most beautiful in the country (restored or not). Next to the Loew’s Jersey, the King’s is my biggest concern. I hope it can be saved and fully restored. It should be.
Isn’t this thread about the Loew’s Jersey (and more broadly about movie palaces), Rory? I am strictly speaking of theatres that were built to show movies, and not converted vaudeville houses. The Loew’s Jersey Theatre was created specifically to show movies, with the 2nd purpose being vaudeville. The old Roxy Theatre in New York was also created to show movies, as were Broadway’s Rivoli and Rialto. If you should go to the Loew’s Jersey, you would see that this is obvious. Radio City is not strictly speaking a movie palace because it was created for a grander form of vaudeville. Similarly, the State Theatre (Jersey City) was not a movie palace, because it was a converted vaudeville house.
The Loew’s Jersey was/IS a MOVIE palace. Loew’s was a theatre chain that created/bought MGM to fill its theatres with “product.” After 1935, and while Loew’s still owned the Jersey Theatre, vaudeville was dead. So from 1935 to 1948 the parent company Loew’s showed their subsidiary company’s (MGM) movies in their movie theatres. So in this case, the theatre was intimately tied in with the studio.
Of course that’s in the past, and modern Hollywood has little to do with the old theatres, if anything. Yet modern Hollywood is more than happy to ride on the coat tails of old Hollywood, aren’t they? Don’t you think they owe old Hollywood something for that goodwill? Modern Hollywood (collectively, and even if they are just sub’s of major corporations) OWES old Hollywood and its theatres something. New Yorkers believed that the New York Central R.R. owed Grand Central Terminal something. The railroad wanted to tear it down and make a real estate killing. The battle went all the way to the Supreme Court. New Yorkers won, and Grand Central is still there. As it turns out, NY State actually restored the structure. So perhaps it will take government intervention to restore the best of the old movie palaces. If NJ were only more like Ohio in that regard. Have you ever seen the (Loew’s) Ohio Theatre in Columbus?! What a job the state did on that old theatre. Why can’t that be done in NJ?
Perhaps in 100 years, modern Hollywood will be defunct (thanks in no small part to its blown up video game comic book movies) and the existing movie palaces will still be here beautifully restored. They were certainly built to last forever. Call my views naive, tradition bound, or “European,” but these ideas are my opinions. Money is not God. People need culture too.
To Rory: Yes, the “corporate subsidiaries” that are “the studios” have a duty to preserve their history, including the breath-taking theatres that they created from about 1920 to 1933 (or so). Look at what Ted Turner did to save many of the old movies! TCM is a literal television museum of old movies and obviously it doesn’t make a red cent for Turner or his companies. He did it because he recognizes his duty to preserve our heritage. The Dolan family of Cablevision restored Radio City. Why? To make money? I don’t think so. If the studios won’t step up to the plate of saving their history, the government should step in and save them. The Paris Opera and La Scala don’t turn a profit, but there they are. Can’t we in America have at least one grand movie palace whose main purpose is to show movies (which, btw, are our greatest artistic contribution to the world)? Is that too much to ask? Well, the English had to make “Chaplin” so perhaps England and France will step in and save a couple of our movie palaces. One of them would certainly be the Loew’s Jersey Theatre.
The new site is wonderful! I think you are doing a great job of combining the best of the old site with the updated elements and pages. The main page really grabbed my attention and it is faithful to the atmosphere of the theatre. I also like the Quicktime VR view. Perhaps you could do one of the auditorium as well, and perhaps the auditorium from the stage? Just a thought. All in all, the new web site is a very nice improvement!
BTW, I’m so glad you included that video of the interior. People should see this theatre in motion, so that they can get a spacial sense of the place.
This is not my video, but I highly recommend it if you’re curious to see what all the fuss is about. The best thing about this video is that it gives an excellent idea of the lobby of the theatre (a tour really), and you do get a peek (a dark one) of the auditorium as well. Also, you do get to see the real movie screen as it begins to show “Miracle on 34th Street.” Again, this is well worth watching:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VA2ArQFb38
When we talk about the Loew’s Jersey, we are not talking “small change.” This is one of the grandest movie palaces still standing; and it is largely (99 percent) unchanged from it’s 1929 opening.
And might I add, IMHO, that this theatre is perhaps the most beautiful and least “gimmicky” of the remaining 1920s movie palaces. There are no Chinese temples or Egyptian sphinxes here, just sheer red and golden Italian Baroque grandness, as only Rapp & Rapp could accomplish. Sure R&R took architectural liberties here, but in general they stayed pretty close to the books as far as proportion and balance go. The theatre is just plain beautiful without engendering a snicker. Yes, this theatre is beautiful and huge. It is something to be awed. It should and does leave people looking up with their mouths wide open, speechless. In that way, it reminds me of Grand Central Terminal. Both are places whose loss would be unacceptable. They must be saved and restored at all costs. That is my opinion of this truly great theatre. Nothing should be holding this place back, nothing. I agree with Brucec that Hollywood needs to respect and recognize it’s past by giving this place money to continue and someday finish the restoration. For the Loew’s Jersey was, in many respects and from 1929 to 1948, Hollywood; not just the Loew’s Jersey, of course, but all movie theatres on the scale and grandeur of the Jersey. During that time, the theatres came first, and the movies were 2nd in terms of investment and in their ability to draw an audience. Hollywood really should recognize it’s real history. If we could ask him, Marcus Loew, which came first and second, I’m sure he would say without hesitation, that the theatres always came first; not DVDs and not concession stands, and not even the movies themselves. Remember, Loew’s owned MGM. It was NOT the other way around. I’ll even go so far as to say that Hollywood (is that TCM today?) has a duty to save the best of what is left, and certainly this theatre is among those places.
Why are the FOL’s hands tied? What’s the problem? NOTHING should hold back this great theatre from becoming again what it once was. It is all to rare and a precious jewel today. You don’t throw away the Hope diamond.
Just a very choice few of these places remain. It is a crime to not restore them to the completion — including everything from the ticket booth to the draperies, to the orchestra pit railing, to the lounges, etc. etc.
What on earth could be the problem with progress on this true Wonder Theatre — an equal (IMO) of the Chicago, the Ohio, and Shea’s Buffalo?
Thanks, plenum. Will save my questions for the next movie.
Rory, that’s a very good idea. I agree completely.
I apologize. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I just simply care greatly about this theatre.
I’ll take your word for it when you say “Any rumors about the theatre being in danger of demolition or profiteering are just that.”
The City of Jersey City owns the Loew’s Jersey Theatre and the FOL, the operators of the theatre lease it. Is that correct? Is the long term lease still being negotiated, has the new lease been signed by both parties, or what kind of an arrangement does the FOL have at this point with the city?
I am concerned because there has been some gossip that the theatre is in danger thanks to the skyrocking real estate values around Journal Square. The Loew’s sits on a prime site. Others say that the theatre will benefit from the new affluent residents in the area.
Are the city’s plans to preserve the theatre at all costs are they becoming greedy? Can we rest easy or is it time to get out our picket signs, petitions, and lawyers?
Thanks for the new info. I will be there, with guests of my own. Really looking forward to it.
And BTW, the showing of “The Jazz Singer” was sheer magic to me. The presentation was just perfect in every way. Not only did the projectionist do a flawless job, but the venue is ideal for showing such films. It just wouldn’t have the same impact for me if it was shown in a smaller/newer cinema. I have seen Jolson many times on television, but you’re missing a lot if you don’t see him on the big screen. I now have a new appreciation of Jolson. He could emote effectively enough to make people cry, and he was a good dancer as well (watch his moves in “Toot Toot Tootsie”), and his singing is sublime in a large hall. He was easily one of the best of the 20th Century, and I doubt we’ll see anything like him again.
Good idea, plenum! Thank you. I just left my name and number and am waiting for a reply.
Since this is Cinema Treasures, please don’t misunderstand. I have been to many Loew’s films without the organ playing and I have taken guests to such events. In my opinion, the Loew’s is THE perfect venue for showing classic films.
Personally, I would love to see “Laura” on the big screen even without the organ prequel, but since the organ is working and since my guests and I are interested in organs (as are many others, I’m sure), it would be really, really nice if the organ was playing; and it would be nice to know one way or the other ahead of time. That is what I meant to say. Thanks again.
Does anyone know if The organ will be played before Sat. night’s showing of “Laura.” We have folks from out of town and we only want to go if the organ is going to be played. Any information would be helpful. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for this video. I was planning on writing a short review, but now I don’t need to. This remarkable instrument speaks for itself in your wonderful new video (which I have played 5 times already!).
Also, thanks for your encouraging words about volunteering. I would be glad to do so, and will do so, sometime very soon.
Quite a building! Thanks for answering my questions. I will be there today for the organ trials. In all my time of visiting the Loew’s, I have never heard the organ. I suppose before 1974 it didn’t work? and after that there was no organ for a very long time. The first time I was there was in 1965. It was my neighborhood movie house while I was growing up. (All of us should be so lucky!)
I also plan on being there for “The Jazz Singer.” It wouldn’t surprise me if you sold out! Wouldn’t that be great?!
Just love the work you’re doing at the Loew’s. Please keep it up!
One more quick question. Is it possible to walk from the stage to the lobby (and onto the upstairs backstage rooms) without being seen by the audience? Are there backstage passages from the stage (or under it) to the front of the house)?
Like Bluebeard’s wife, I’m just very, very curious about what lies behind the locked doors, besides being interested in stagecraft and theatrical history.
Thanks again for any info. you might have.
Thanks, Bob. I kind of figured there weren’t, but I was hopeful. Didn’t know about the band cart. That’s quite interesting.
I’ve been on the tour of the Loew’s several times, but I have never actually been backstage (except to see the projection booth—a true wonder to see in 2007). Do you know what’s on the floor below the projection booth? If you look at almost any photo of the exterior of the Loew’s, you can see two floors of windows. I believe the top one is the projection booth, but what is on the floor under that? Old offices, I would assume.
Also, it would be fascinating to sometime see the trap room, dressing rooms, and the big room under the lobby. Here’s hoping I get to do it one day.
Two questions regarding the theatre building, perhaps someone out there might have the answer: The Kings Theatre had (or has) 2 stage elevators (besides the orchestra pit elevators). I know that the Jersey has a trap room under the stage, but by any chance does the Jersey have stage elevators there as well?
I am aware that the firm that designed the theatre was Rapp & Rapp. But is there any chance that auditorium was designed by Thomas W. Lamb (as a consultant)? The reason I ask is that the Jersey auditorium looks almost exactly like the Loew’s Midland and The Fox Theatre in San Francisco, and both of these were designed by Lamb.
If anyone heard it, how was the organ?! Nice and loud I hope!