I dont blame you one bit MPol. I keep hoping that one day I can somehow get the owner of the Ritz in Elizabeth NJ to show movies again, classics, in a big 2700 seat theatre. I will never give up hope that things will change someday.
Its just going to continue until they find a way to kill theatres all together. The world is headed in a direction where there will never be a reason to leave your house. You can now work from home, shop from home, download music and video from home, its just never going to end. And that’s very sad.
I know I’m in the minority here, but it would be a shame for the Montauk to be demolished. Looking at the slide show on its link, it looks to be in terrific shape considering it was an adult movie house for years. At least in the case of the Ritz that I posted about above, the current owner has completely renovated it. It just needs someone who can bring it to life. People say no one will come to Elizabeth, but they said the same thing about New Brunswick 21 years ago, and now look at it. The State Theatre is one of New Jerseys finest. With the right shows, movies etc, people will come. I’ve been to the Ritz several times over the past 4 years and I feel safe there day or night. The same thing can happen to the Montauk, if only the right people cared.
I don’t know what you plan to do (movies, stage shows etc.) but the 2700 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, completely remodeled is supposedly for sale, or I guess could be leased. 908-352-7315 or www.ritztheatre.net Good luck with whatever you get.
Its ok I guess to remember a movie after 1 year, but how about some REAL anniversaries?? 70 years, “Gone With The Wind” AND “Wizard Of OZ”. 40 years, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, and “Woodstock”, 30 years ago, “Alien”, a movie that even today still scares the living you know what out of me. I mean some of the oldies are deserving of remembering, not something that only came out last year.
I always agree with my Cinema Treasures friend CinemarkFan, only this time, I hope hes wrong that 35MM might fade away, because then I’d be out of a job all together. As far as this whole 3-D thing goes, I’m running 3 of them in a 10 screen theatre. Besides having to charge $3.00 more per ticket, which seems like a nail in the coffin in these tough economic times, theres also the issue of storage, for both the new and used glasses. We have to send back the used one to get sanitized and re-packaged. Then, last week there was a problem, that the “key” they gave us didn’t work, and the show couldn’t start. The list goes on and on.
I just sit back, look at it and say to myself, “we never have these problems with the 35”.
As I’ve said many times, like many of you, 70MM would solve all these ill’s and cant be beat!!
1989 would be the correct date. I know this because the projectionist local I belong to picketed this place for almost 2 years. Hot summer days, cold winter nights, we were there. We even rented an airplane to fly a banner over the beaches during the summer telling people not to patronize this place. We never did get in, but we gave it a valiant effort. For my local, this was the beginning of the end for projectionists.
The owner of the theatre where I work knows the owners of this former theatre. They weren’t going to invest the money needed for digital projection, and they got a boat load of money for the building. Its like anything else today, show me the money.
MPol is right. KingBiscuits is Right. And most of all CinemarkFan is right. 70MM, not 3d, not IMAX or diet max or any other format. 70MM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think many people are going to confuse this with the old RKO Fabian in Paterson, which sits empty, waiting for some TLC. In its final years, the old Fabian was split into 5 screens, and most people will probably think they just reopened it with 3 more screens. I wish these people well, since I know someone who is involved with the company running the theatre. I just think getting people to Paterson is going to be a problem. I hope I’m wrong.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for that Xanadu Theatre. First of all, Muvico is having financial problems and there is absolutely zero work going at the theatre site, as well as most the rest of xanadu, for the same reason, money problems.
Those “suitcases"as they are refered to (which I personally HATE) being left out is so the film delivery people who have keys can come thru the night to pick them up. This is how its been done for 80 years.
I wish I could get the owner of the 2760 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth N.J. to see what a gem he has and do classic series of movies. I’ve been trying for the better part of 3 years, with no luck. But I keep hoping.
Well, as usual, my friend on CT, CinemarkFan has hit the nail square on the head. He knows my feelings on this subject, no need to go there. I agree with everything he said 1,000%. As for norelco’s comment on downtown theatres, while so many have been lost, many remain. I can only speak for my little corner of the world here in New Jersey, but within a 40 mile radius from my house, we have a theatre that funtions everyday as a performing arts center, the Count Basie in Red Bank, 1500 seats, with a complete operating projection booth. ( I know, I’m the house projectionist.) Then to the north are 2 georgous palaces that sit and wait. One I spoke of many times, the 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, and the other, I just recently found out is still standing, the 2800 seat Montauk in Passaic. ( The latter has a recently posted slide show link from here on CT ) My cousin from North Carolina just viewed the slide show, and said to me, “imagine sitting there with 2800 other people elbow to elbow watching a movie”. THAT’S what movies are all about, and to have 70MM on giant screens is something we need to get back too. And the industry needs to go back to the days of “Limited Engagements” where a film only played on select screens for a while before a wider release. It can be done, but the film companies are to worried that the video release dates would have to be pushed back. But I’m all for seeing big palaces saved, and CinemarkFan’s idea has my vote.
Ahh…those Disney Summer Festivals. We had them here in Jersey too. Rainy days were the WORST. 600 kids would show up to a 400 seat theatre. But, as I have said elsewhere here on CT, and as stated above, ‘those WERE the days’ and I’m sorry to say they will never, ever return.
You have to forgive Justin, Giles. I’m sure he is a very nice person, and he and I have gone back and forth on a lot of issues here on CT. But he does not work in the industry as I have for the past 34 years. He loves Digital, he sees it as the end-all-be-all. Someone like me sees 35 or 70MM and says, whats wrong with this. But thats what makes this forum so wonderful. They have their opinion, and we have ours. Personally, I dont see film going away for a long time. I could be wrong. I hope I’m not. Time will tell.
I have scanned all the above posts, perhaps I missed it. The photos by Mickeymike are just wonderful. The place looks to be in great shape. My question is, is it still there or is it demolished??
Theatres 2, 3, and 4 have digital projection.
I dont blame you one bit MPol. I keep hoping that one day I can somehow get the owner of the Ritz in Elizabeth NJ to show movies again, classics, in a big 2700 seat theatre. I will never give up hope that things will change someday.
Its just going to continue until they find a way to kill theatres all together. The world is headed in a direction where there will never be a reason to leave your house. You can now work from home, shop from home, download music and video from home, its just never going to end. And that’s very sad.
I know I’m in the minority here, but it would be a shame for the Montauk to be demolished. Looking at the slide show on its link, it looks to be in terrific shape considering it was an adult movie house for years. At least in the case of the Ritz that I posted about above, the current owner has completely renovated it. It just needs someone who can bring it to life. People say no one will come to Elizabeth, but they said the same thing about New Brunswick 21 years ago, and now look at it. The State Theatre is one of New Jerseys finest. With the right shows, movies etc, people will come. I’ve been to the Ritz several times over the past 4 years and I feel safe there day or night. The same thing can happen to the Montauk, if only the right people cared.
I don’t know what you plan to do (movies, stage shows etc.) but the 2700 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, completely remodeled is supposedly for sale, or I guess could be leased. 908-352-7315 or www.ritztheatre.net Good luck with whatever you get.
I agree longislandmovies. And I also like the way CinemarkFan thinks up above as well.
Its ok I guess to remember a movie after 1 year, but how about some REAL anniversaries?? 70 years, “Gone With The Wind” AND “Wizard Of OZ”. 40 years, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, and “Woodstock”, 30 years ago, “Alien”, a movie that even today still scares the living you know what out of me. I mean some of the oldies are deserving of remembering, not something that only came out last year.
I always agree with my Cinema Treasures friend CinemarkFan, only this time, I hope hes wrong that 35MM might fade away, because then I’d be out of a job all together. As far as this whole 3-D thing goes, I’m running 3 of them in a 10 screen theatre. Besides having to charge $3.00 more per ticket, which seems like a nail in the coffin in these tough economic times, theres also the issue of storage, for both the new and used glasses. We have to send back the used one to get sanitized and re-packaged. Then, last week there was a problem, that the “key” they gave us didn’t work, and the show couldn’t start. The list goes on and on.
I just sit back, look at it and say to myself, “we never have these problems with the 35”.
As I’ve said many times, like many of you, 70MM would solve all these ill’s and cant be beat!!
1989 would be the correct date. I know this because the projectionist local I belong to picketed this place for almost 2 years. Hot summer days, cold winter nights, we were there. We even rented an airplane to fly a banner over the beaches during the summer telling people not to patronize this place. We never did get in, but we gave it a valiant effort. For my local, this was the beginning of the end for projectionists.
The owner of the theatre where I work knows the owners of this former theatre. They weren’t going to invest the money needed for digital projection, and they got a boat load of money for the building. Its like anything else today, show me the money.
MPol is right. KingBiscuits is Right. And most of all CinemarkFan is right. 70MM, not 3d, not IMAX or diet max or any other format. 70MM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good call newt. I would love to see Ventnor saved. A nice theatre by the shore, a rarity these days.
I think many people are going to confuse this with the old RKO Fabian in Paterson, which sits empty, waiting for some TLC. In its final years, the old Fabian was split into 5 screens, and most people will probably think they just reopened it with 3 more screens. I wish these people well, since I know someone who is involved with the company running the theatre. I just think getting people to Paterson is going to be a problem. I hope I’m wrong.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for that Xanadu Theatre. First of all, Muvico is having financial problems and there is absolutely zero work going at the theatre site, as well as most the rest of xanadu, for the same reason, money problems.
Those “suitcases"as they are refered to (which I personally HATE) being left out is so the film delivery people who have keys can come thru the night to pick them up. This is how its been done for 80 years.
Could this have been one of the many Drive-ins that Walter Reade operated along the Jersey shore ??
Very well put MPol, but today its easier said than done.
I wish I could get the owner of the 2760 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth N.J. to see what a gem he has and do classic series of movies. I’ve been trying for the better part of 3 years, with no luck. But I keep hoping.
Well, as usual, my friend on CT, CinemarkFan has hit the nail square on the head. He knows my feelings on this subject, no need to go there. I agree with everything he said 1,000%. As for norelco’s comment on downtown theatres, while so many have been lost, many remain. I can only speak for my little corner of the world here in New Jersey, but within a 40 mile radius from my house, we have a theatre that funtions everyday as a performing arts center, the Count Basie in Red Bank, 1500 seats, with a complete operating projection booth. ( I know, I’m the house projectionist.) Then to the north are 2 georgous palaces that sit and wait. One I spoke of many times, the 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, and the other, I just recently found out is still standing, the 2800 seat Montauk in Passaic. ( The latter has a recently posted slide show link from here on CT ) My cousin from North Carolina just viewed the slide show, and said to me, “imagine sitting there with 2800 other people elbow to elbow watching a movie”. THAT’S what movies are all about, and to have 70MM on giant screens is something we need to get back too. And the industry needs to go back to the days of “Limited Engagements” where a film only played on select screens for a while before a wider release. It can be done, but the film companies are to worried that the video release dates would have to be pushed back. But I’m all for seeing big palaces saved, and CinemarkFan’s idea has my vote.
Right on larry2, now there’s someone speaking my kind of language. Finally someone who sees it the way I do.
Ahh…those Disney Summer Festivals. We had them here in Jersey too. Rainy days were the WORST. 600 kids would show up to a 400 seat theatre. But, as I have said elsewhere here on CT, and as stated above, ‘those WERE the days’ and I’m sorry to say they will never, ever return.
You have to forgive Justin, Giles. I’m sure he is a very nice person, and he and I have gone back and forth on a lot of issues here on CT. But he does not work in the industry as I have for the past 34 years. He loves Digital, he sees it as the end-all-be-all. Someone like me sees 35 or 70MM and says, whats wrong with this. But thats what makes this forum so wonderful. They have their opinion, and we have ours. Personally, I dont see film going away for a long time. I could be wrong. I hope I’m not. Time will tell.
Yea. Digital. No comment.
Great news for this one. Too late for many, many others.
I have scanned all the above posts, perhaps I missed it. The photos by Mickeymike are just wonderful. The place looks to be in great shape. My question is, is it still there or is it demolished??