Thanks.
The Nixon was previously known as Nixon’s Vaudville Theatre and may go back as far as the 1920s.
older photo on page 80 of “Wildwood by the Sea” by David W. Francis
When this theatre was rebuilt in 1947, it was the largest theatre constructed in the US since World War II began.
In 1952, 20th Century Fox selected the Strand for the world premiere of “What Price Glory” starring James Cagney. In 1958, the Mickey Mouse Club visited the theatre.
In 1953, Hunt spent $25000 to purchase the first stereophonic sound system in NJ and the first RCA Synchro Panoramic screen in the world for the Strand.
“Although vaudeville was losing popularity, Hunt’s movie houses continued to present live entertainment acts between movies throughout the 1920s. The first motion picture featuring sound was shown in the Wildwoods in February, 1929, at Hunt’s Casino Theatre. Within a month, the Casino was showing "talkies” almost exclusively."
source: Wildwood by the Sea by David W. Francis, page 80
Actually the Robert Morton was installed in the 2nd Casino Theatre.
The first (aka Airdome) burned down in 1922. The 2nd burned down in 1939. Fate of the organ is unknown. Bill Hunt then rebuilt the theatre again in 1940.
The main history link doesn’t explain that Hunt was forcibly evicted by Blaker after a dispute over the rent. Must have felt great for Mr. Hunt to turn around and eventually buy the theatre from Mr. Blaker.
source: Wildwood by the Sea by David W. Francis, page 57
A close of up the horizontal marquee (not visible in the main entry link) can be found on page 183 of “Greetings from New Jersey: A Postcard Tour of the Garden State”. The marquee reads:
BACK in the SADDLE AND
MURDER AMONG FRIENDS
On page 41 of Greetings from New Jersey: A Postcard Tour of the Garden State, there is a promotional card for a movie the theater. On the front is a photo of the star Julian Eltinge. On the rear it reads:
A H Woods presents Julian Eltinge in “The Fascinating Widow” Newark Theatre Newark, N.J. Week com. Mon., April 28th Matinees Wed. & Sat.
“In 1929, Harry Warner spent a fortune building the Warner Theater on the Boardwalk-from its terra-cotta facade and terrazzo floors to the gilt-framed mirrors and twinkling lights embedded in the fresco on the domed ceiling, the place was plush and huge, seating over two thousand people. (The gorgeous facade remains and has been incorporated, somewhat awkardly, into the Boardwalk frontage of Caesars.)”
You can buy an old postcard with this description:
UPPER MONTCLAIR (ESSEX COUNTY). “HIGHGATE HALL/ Bellvue Theater Building/Est. 1922” showing tables & a mural in the interior, unused chrome post card made by Dexter Press, rounded corners as issued, light toning in back message area. $1.00 nt NEW/NY/NOUVEAU/ÚJ
I too found the wetland reference. The name Weiland came from the Ventnor Theater listing on CT. You may be correct that this theater was twinned at one time.
Go to this link and type in “Paramount” for two opening night photographs:
View link
Go to this link and type in “Strand” in the search box for an old postcard:
View link
The Strand is barely visible on the right side.
Go to this link and type “theatre” in the search block for old postcards of both the Proctor’s and Oxford marquees:
View link
type in “Oxford” for a 1920 photograph:
View link
World-theatres.com lists the opening date as 1960.
Later operated by a young Bill Hunt.
Later operated by a young Bill Hunt.
Thanks.
The Nixon was previously known as Nixon’s Vaudville Theatre and may go back as far as the 1920s.
older photo on page 80 of “Wildwood by the Sea” by David W. Francis
When this theatre was rebuilt in 1947, it was the largest theatre constructed in the US since World War II began.
In 1952, 20th Century Fox selected the Strand for the world premiere of “What Price Glory” starring James Cagney. In 1958, the Mickey Mouse Club visited the theatre.
In 1953, Hunt spent $25000 to purchase the first stereophonic sound system in NJ and the first RCA Synchro Panoramic screen in the world for the Strand.
During its heyday in the 1930s, the Regent Theatre operated only during the summmer season, while the Casino & Blaker Theatres operated year round.
“Although vaudeville was losing popularity, Hunt’s movie houses continued to present live entertainment acts between movies throughout the 1920s. The first motion picture featuring sound was shown in the Wildwoods in February, 1929, at Hunt’s Casino Theatre. Within a month, the Casino was showing "talkies” almost exclusively."
source: Wildwood by the Sea by David W. Francis, page 80
Actually the Robert Morton was installed in the 2nd Casino Theatre.
The first (aka Airdome) burned down in 1922. The 2nd burned down in 1939. Fate of the organ is unknown. Bill Hunt then rebuilt the theatre again in 1940.
The main history link doesn’t explain that Hunt was forcibly evicted by Blaker after a dispute over the rent. Must have felt great for Mr. Hunt to turn around and eventually buy the theatre from Mr. Blaker.
source: Wildwood by the Sea by David W. Francis, page 57
According to the Philadelphia Athaeneum, the owner of this theatre was the Woodbury Amusement Company. Architect is listed as Paul J. Henon, Jr.
Two small photos can be found at this link:
View link
This person was obviously upset at the closing:
http://www.philadungeonsociety.com/oz_plaza.htm
A close of up the horizontal marquee (not visible in the main entry link) can be found on page 183 of “Greetings from New Jersey: A Postcard Tour of the Garden State”. The marquee reads:
BACK in the SADDLE AND
MURDER AMONG FRIENDS
Both of these films were released in 1941.
On page 41 of Greetings from New Jersey: A Postcard Tour of the Garden State, there is a promotional card for a movie the theater. On the front is a photo of the star Julian Eltinge. On the rear it reads:
A H Woods presents Julian Eltinge in “The Fascinating Widow” Newark Theatre Newark, N.J. Week com. Mon., April 28th Matinees Wed. & Sat.
This movie was released in 1925.
“In 1929, Harry Warner spent a fortune building the Warner Theater on the Boardwalk-from its terra-cotta facade and terrazzo floors to the gilt-framed mirrors and twinkling lights embedded in the fresco on the domed ceiling, the place was plush and huge, seating over two thousand people. (The gorgeous facade remains and has been incorporated, somewhat awkardly, into the Boardwalk frontage of Caesars.)”
The Last Good Time by Jonathon Van Meter, Page 27
4/30/1949 ad about midway down this link:
View link
1969 ad for 2001 courtesy of Bill Huelbig:
View link
A Wurlitzer organ (opus 66) was installed in the Opera House on 8/23/1915.
Was also called the Goodwyn Theater. An American Master organ was installed in this theater in 1916.
You can buy an old postcard with this description:
UPPER MONTCLAIR (ESSEX COUNTY). “HIGHGATE HALL/ Bellvue Theater Building/Est. 1922” showing tables & a mural in the interior, unused chrome post card made by Dexter Press, rounded corners as issued, light toning in back message area. $1.00 nt NEW/NY/NOUVEAU/ÚJ
extracted from http://www.judnick.com/NewJersey.htm
I too found the wetland reference. The name Weiland came from the Ventnor Theater listing on CT. You may be correct that this theater was twinned at one time.
Excellent history & photos at this link:
http://www.maplesrep.com/RoyalTheatre.htm
1971 ad. Note the theater chain “Adams”. Courtesy of Bill Huelbig:
View link