Right. The south end of the lot, looking north. That’s what I figured. It is amazing to think that railroad tracks ran straight up the middle of Main Street. Then again, the path of the railroad is still quite visible if you know what you’re looking for. Off topic: The tracks in Passaic were the Main Line of the Erie Railroad, which had two parallel lines, one being the main line, that ran through Passaic, and up through Paterson, Hawthorne and Glen Rock. The other, the Bergen County line, left the main at BJ tower in Rutherford and traveled up through Wallington, Garfield, Fairlawn, and Glen Rock before rejoining the Main at Ridgewood Jct (WJ tower). The Bergen County line is now the busily used New Jersey Transit line. On the old Mainline, the tracks split at BJ Tower (BJ for “Bergen Jct”) in Rutherford and paralleled West Erie Ave, crossing Carton Ave in Rutherford, then crossing the river into Passaic. Up through busy Passaic center, then passing the behind the site of the old Central Theater. The tracks then paralleled Main Ave on a right of way taking it behind factories and businesses and up into Paterson. Most of the original Main line is gone, running from Paterson behind St. Joe’s Hospital to just south Rt 46 in Clifton where you drive under them at a concrete bridge prominently marked ERIE. What NJT refers to today as the “Main Line” from Lyndhurst to Paterson is actually the old Lackawanna Main Line which superseded the Erie’s Main Line through Passaic when the two railroads merged in the 1960’s. That main line from Paterson up to Ridgewood Jct is still the old original Erie section. OK, enough railroad history. Back to the Central!
Passaic Kid: Can you pinpoint the exact location of this picture? I know approximately, but would like to know exactly where the photographer was standing.
I’ve sent several emails to the site’s operators about this theater, and the Rt 17 RKO Century (which is demolished). No response, no change. I’ve been doing it for months. This site’s on auto-pilot.
The side balcony boxes had special dignitaries siting in them, such as the mayor of Suffern, Rockland County politicos, and the owner of the building (the gentleman from Met Life, who bought and saved the place a few years ago).
SPECTACULAR! That’s what it was billed as, and it lived up to it in every way. Saturday December 15th was the Christmas Spectacular at the Lafayette. On the ticket was IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, with the short subject BIG BUSINESS with Laurel & Hardy. Also shown were vintage Christmas Greetings & Happy New Year snipes from 1955 and 1952 respectively. Nelson Page did a reading “The Night Before Christmas”, after which Santa Claus appeared with greetings and a message for the children.
The show was a SELL OUT! The auditorium was filled to capacity, and over 200 people were turned away. This was by far, the best Christmas show the Lafayette has produced.
Here, the brave begin to gather outside the theater about a half hour before the doors open:
Thanks to Nelson, Pete, and all the Lafayette staff for a wonderful show! The Lafayette opens it’s Spring season on March 8, 2008 with an outstanding film! I’m going to let Pete provide the info on this, I don’t want to spoil his surprise.
Hmmm, it took 55 years to build it, one week to tear it down, and four weeks to cart it away. That must have been one lazy construction crew for sure! :)
Boy, whoever was projectionist at that time must have really been sick of listening to that film soundtrack for 20 weeks. I can envision him pacing the floors of that small booth, or hiding out in the rectifier room/toilet directly beneath the booth!
I said the same thing MONTHS ago, and even sent an email to the site “owners” via a contact us link (months ago). You can see how well they respond to their emails or maintain the site.
Pete, a building that has no “cell availability” because of location (underground/basement), dead zone, or other consideration beyond the control of the building owner is one thing. Purposely constructing a building in an area with good cell signals to specifically block cell frequencies out is another, and that’s where the trouble with a lawsuit would arise. On this we agree. As you say, people sue for any reason nowadays, and are always looking for “someone to blame”. It would make for an interesting case. Companies are allowed to use cell blocking (not active, but passive) techniques to “secure” their buildings, and you could argue that a theater is a “private establishment” that could do what it wants. However, there are no “corporate secrets” to be protected in that scenario. Again, it would make an interesting case, or argument.
“They are entitled to construct their buildings in such a way that cell phones don’t work”
Pete, you really think so? I’m not so sure about that. Even if that were the case, and the proper signage was put up, and made very obvious to anyone entering the building, I think the theater is still opening themselves up for a huge lawsuit the first time a patron is unable to receive a call that a family member is sick or in need of aid, and in the worst case, dies, because they weren’t able to get through. Taking the obvious out of the formula, like why didn’t that person just dial 911, etc, you’re still looking at liabilities a theater chain isn’t going to want to deal with.
Blocking cell phones is against federal law, and I could see a whopping lawsuit if a blocked cell phone call got in the way of a medical emergency in either direction (in or outbound).
Gee Howard, sorry to ruffle your feathers, but that’s no need to be rude. I will continue to express my opinion as I see fit, and I will not “Shut Up!”.
Although as I told you on Saturday Bill, I really regret not having gone to Porgy & Bess. I missed out bigtime, regardless of cost. But then, that falls with my past statements about the movie not being from the current crop of crap which I have no interest in paying $12 for.
Well, the movies don’t interest me. I’m no longer their target demographic (I’m in the mis 50’s). The product is crap, they make no money off me. I’m not the only 50+ in existence, and I can’t be the only one who feels this way. There is maybe 1 movie or less per year I see or even interests me, and it’s when it comes out on DVD. I’m not interested in paying $12 to see people text message, cough, talk, block my view, or talk on the cell phone.
My choice of films is the classics series up in Suffern. Say what you will. Pete: Thank you. Great show again today.
“Sounds to me like Jeff S. needs to open up his own theater and charge $6 admission to all and $ dollar soft drinks and candies for everyone. We’ll see how long that theater stays in business. :–)”
No, that’s not the case at all. My only topic is “it’s too expensive”. I don’t care about the high rent district, the politics, the subsidies, the anything. $12 is just too high. It is what is killing the industry. G R E E D.
It doesn’t matter if anyone agrees with me or not. It’s my opinion.
We can agree to disagree. I do not think $12, $10, or even $8 is a fair price for a movie of today’s caliber. Given the unfair splits the studios give the houses, no wonder you’re paying $12, $6 for a candy bar, and $4 for a bottled water. remember, this is just my opinion. I’ll be perfectly happy to go to the Lafayette tomorrow and pay my $6 to see a classic film, in a movie palace, with a pipe organ.
Vito, in this day and age, automation could do anything. I even built and programmed an automation system for my home screening room. At the touch of a single start button, the projector starts, and after several seconds the house lights are dimmed, the processor is switched from music to film, the motorized douser is opened, and then the failsafe switches are monitored for film path problems. Any film problems causes a shutdown of the projector, up come the lights, on comes the music. If I had motorized curtains I would have programmed them also into the PLC logic that does everything. It’s possible, but perhaps their equipment isn’t modern or flexible enough for that. And with digital, I would think it would be easier to have a PC issue commands via connected peripherals. I know the old automation systems used motors with cams, some used patch panels, who knows what theirs is? It could just be “open/close” buttons a projectionist is too lazy to push. The Lafayette in Suffern just has open and close buttons, and gee, they always use them! My point? None really, just that with a little effort things can be automated. But, then, you already knew that! We agree.
I think Bill has seen 2001 more times than any of you combined! What is it Bill, 57 times?
“There’s nothing like seeing a classic movie with a good audience.”
Ain’t it the truth? Ain’t it the truth? [Cowardly Lion]
Right. The south end of the lot, looking north. That’s what I figured. It is amazing to think that railroad tracks ran straight up the middle of Main Street. Then again, the path of the railroad is still quite visible if you know what you’re looking for. Off topic: The tracks in Passaic were the Main Line of the Erie Railroad, which had two parallel lines, one being the main line, that ran through Passaic, and up through Paterson, Hawthorne and Glen Rock. The other, the Bergen County line, left the main at BJ tower in Rutherford and traveled up through Wallington, Garfield, Fairlawn, and Glen Rock before rejoining the Main at Ridgewood Jct (WJ tower). The Bergen County line is now the busily used New Jersey Transit line. On the old Mainline, the tracks split at BJ Tower (BJ for “Bergen Jct”) in Rutherford and paralleled West Erie Ave, crossing Carton Ave in Rutherford, then crossing the river into Passaic. Up through busy Passaic center, then passing the behind the site of the old Central Theater. The tracks then paralleled Main Ave on a right of way taking it behind factories and businesses and up into Paterson. Most of the original Main line is gone, running from Paterson behind St. Joe’s Hospital to just south Rt 46 in Clifton where you drive under them at a concrete bridge prominently marked ERIE. What NJT refers to today as the “Main Line” from Lyndhurst to Paterson is actually the old Lackawanna Main Line which superseded the Erie’s Main Line through Passaic when the two railroads merged in the 1960’s. That main line from Paterson up to Ridgewood Jct is still the old original Erie section. OK, enough railroad history. Back to the Central!
Passaic Kid: Can you pinpoint the exact location of this picture? I know approximately, but would like to know exactly where the photographer was standing.
I’ve sent several emails to the site’s operators about this theater, and the Rt 17 RKO Century (which is demolished). No response, no change. I’ve been doing it for months. This site’s on auto-pilot.
The side balcony boxes had special dignitaries siting in them, such as the mayor of Suffern, Rockland County politicos, and the owner of the building (the gentleman from Met Life, who bought and saved the place a few years ago).
SPECTACULAR! That’s what it was billed as, and it lived up to it in every way. Saturday December 15th was the Christmas Spectacular at the Lafayette. On the ticket was IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, with the short subject BIG BUSINESS with Laurel & Hardy. Also shown were vintage Christmas Greetings & Happy New Year snipes from 1955 and 1952 respectively. Nelson Page did a reading “The Night Before Christmas”, after which Santa Claus appeared with greetings and a message for the children.
The show was a SELL OUT! The auditorium was filled to capacity, and over 200 people were turned away. This was by far, the best Christmas show the Lafayette has produced.
Here, the brave begin to gather outside the theater about a half hour before the doors open:
View link
The auditorium before anyone arrives. The inside of the Lafayette is a beautiful place:
View link
The place begins to fill up:
View link
All filled up! On with the show:
View link
Here is a video of the Classic Christmas and New Years greeting snipes that were run before the feature:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8F_9kbF3bk
Thanks to Nelson, Pete, and all the Lafayette staff for a wonderful show! The Lafayette opens it’s Spring season on March 8, 2008 with an outstanding film! I’m going to let Pete provide the info on this, I don’t want to spoil his surprise.
Hmmm, it took 55 years to build it, one week to tear it down, and four weeks to cart it away. That must have been one lazy construction crew for sure! :)
Boy, whoever was projectionist at that time must have really been sick of listening to that film soundtrack for 20 weeks. I can envision him pacing the floors of that small booth, or hiding out in the rectifier room/toilet directly beneath the booth!
Status should be changed to “Closed.”
I said the same thing MONTHS ago, and even sent an email to the site “owners” via a contact us link (months ago). You can see how well they respond to their emails or maintain the site.
Pete, a building that has no “cell availability” because of location (underground/basement), dead zone, or other consideration beyond the control of the building owner is one thing. Purposely constructing a building in an area with good cell signals to specifically block cell frequencies out is another, and that’s where the trouble with a lawsuit would arise. On this we agree. As you say, people sue for any reason nowadays, and are always looking for “someone to blame”. It would make for an interesting case. Companies are allowed to use cell blocking (not active, but passive) techniques to “secure” their buildings, and you could argue that a theater is a “private establishment” that could do what it wants. However, there are no “corporate secrets” to be protected in that scenario. Again, it would make an interesting case, or argument.
“They are entitled to construct their buildings in such a way that cell phones don’t work”
Pete, you really think so? I’m not so sure about that. Even if that were the case, and the proper signage was put up, and made very obvious to anyone entering the building, I think the theater is still opening themselves up for a huge lawsuit the first time a patron is unable to receive a call that a family member is sick or in need of aid, and in the worst case, dies, because they weren’t able to get through. Taking the obvious out of the formula, like why didn’t that person just dial 911, etc, you’re still looking at liabilities a theater chain isn’t going to want to deal with.
Blocking cell phones is against federal law, and I could see a whopping lawsuit if a blocked cell phone call got in the way of a medical emergency in either direction (in or outbound).
Gee Howard, sorry to ruffle your feathers, but that’s no need to be rude. I will continue to express my opinion as I see fit, and I will not “Shut Up!”.
According to the online inflation calculator at www.westegg.com/inflation/:
What cost $3.50 in 1955 would cost $25.35 in 2006.
Although as I told you on Saturday Bill, I really regret not having gone to Porgy & Bess. I missed out bigtime, regardless of cost. But then, that falls with my past statements about the movie not being from the current crop of crap which I have no interest in paying $12 for.
Well, the movies don’t interest me. I’m no longer their target demographic (I’m in the mis 50’s). The product is crap, they make no money off me. I’m not the only 50+ in existence, and I can’t be the only one who feels this way. There is maybe 1 movie or less per year I see or even interests me, and it’s when it comes out on DVD. I’m not interested in paying $12 to see people text message, cough, talk, block my view, or talk on the cell phone.
My choice of films is the classics series up in Suffern. Say what you will. Pete: Thank you. Great show again today.
“Sounds to me like Jeff S. needs to open up his own theater and charge $6 admission to all and $ dollar soft drinks and candies for everyone. We’ll see how long that theater stays in business. :–)”
No, that’s not the case at all. My only topic is “it’s too expensive”. I don’t care about the high rent district, the politics, the subsidies, the anything. $12 is just too high. It is what is killing the industry. G R E E D.
It doesn’t matter if anyone agrees with me or not. It’s my opinion.
No, I do not live in Manhattan, but live close enough to feel it’s “overhead” effects. Cost of living is too high in this area.
“$12 is fine as long as its a Ziegfeld or similar venue.”
But the list included other “black box” venues that were $11.75. As far as I’m concerned, that’s $12. Too high.
We can agree to disagree. I do not think $12, $10, or even $8 is a fair price for a movie of today’s caliber. Given the unfair splits the studios give the houses, no wonder you’re paying $12, $6 for a candy bar, and $4 for a bottled water. remember, this is just my opinion. I’ll be perfectly happy to go to the Lafayette tomorrow and pay my $6 to see a classic film, in a movie palace, with a pipe organ.
Could be the reason I don’t go to Broadway shows, and only the elite do. Keeps the “riff-raff” out.
“$12.00 is a bargain for this theater!”
$12 is not a bargain at any theater. Just my opinion. If they continue to raise prices, and you continue to pay, they’ll just keep raising prices.
I guess we’ll consider gasoline a bargain when it’s $5 a gallon too.
And they wonder why people stay home to watch their movies.
Vito, in this day and age, automation could do anything. I even built and programmed an automation system for my home screening room. At the touch of a single start button, the projector starts, and after several seconds the house lights are dimmed, the processor is switched from music to film, the motorized douser is opened, and then the failsafe switches are monitored for film path problems. Any film problems causes a shutdown of the projector, up come the lights, on comes the music. If I had motorized curtains I would have programmed them also into the PLC logic that does everything. It’s possible, but perhaps their equipment isn’t modern or flexible enough for that. And with digital, I would think it would be easier to have a PC issue commands via connected peripherals. I know the old automation systems used motors with cams, some used patch panels, who knows what theirs is? It could just be “open/close” buttons a projectionist is too lazy to push. The Lafayette in Suffern just has open and close buttons, and gee, they always use them! My point? None really, just that with a little effort things can be automated. But, then, you already knew that! We agree.
I don’t understand why the curtains aren’t part of the automation system.