This theater goes way back. Originally built as The Taylor Opera House and then renamed Keith’s Capitol.
“The coming of Taylor Opera House (opened March 18, 1867) meant the eclipse of both Temperance and Bechtel Halls as theatrical show places. The former went on for many years as a resort for lectures, fairs, etc., but Bechtel Hall was less adapted for such occasions and was advertised for sale in 1870.
It is an interesting commentary on the state of mind of the “unco guid” at that period that John Taylor who was the chief promoter of the modern playhouse here did not dare to advertise it as a theatre but placated public feeling by calling it “Taylor Opera House.” His fellow directors also yielded to public sentiment to the extent that a narrow twelve-foot stage was to be installed suitable only for concerts, lectures and other innocuous forms of entertainment, but Henry E. Finch, the architect, put in a stage 32 ½ feet wide and told the directors to place the blame on him for misunderstanding orders. A still more rigorous hewing of the line had attended Mr. Quintin’s opening of The Atheneum in 1857.
“The influence of the theatre,” commented the virtuous State Gazette, “is generally pernicious socially and morally. Nevertheless, we think a place of dramatic amusement can be maintained in this city without detriment, if it be carefully supervised.”
Taylor Opera House, which had cost about $110,000, was long the pride of local theatre-goers and not without reason, in view of the generous tributes paid to its modern construction, spacious auditorium and ample stage equipment. It was for a generation the home of the finest in dramatic performance that the country could offer. The greatest stars of the profession appeared here, tragedians, dramatic favorites, queens of the comic opera, with their perfectly trained, colorful supporting companies. To name them would mean merely a recital of the full roll of America’s celebrated artists before the -film seized popular favor.
Other Theatres
Trenton was growing at such a rate that it became necessary in 1887 to raise the Opera House roof and put in a second gallery. After a few years, the pressure for room manifested itself again to such an extent that when a banner attraction was booked, lines of speculators stood all night awaiting the opening of the box-office in order to reserve seats. …….
Meanwhile old Taylor’s had become Keith’s Capitol Theatre and has been remodelled into a gorgeous palace of amusement."
My research shows that a Moller organ (opus 3472) was installed in this theater in 1922 and then another Moller (opus 4305) was installed in 1925.
This theater is listed as the RKO Capital in the 1951 FDY.
I actually called 609-492-4450 (the number that I had for this theater) and the owner stated that indeed it had been an operating theater that was recently converted into a residence. Maybe the Hoyts was the last owner?
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), April 9, 1998 p045
Union theater gets new look at 75. (UNION)
Byline: Christopher M. Loder
A downtown movie theater in Union Township turns 75 years old this year, and its new owners are extending its life by giving it a facelift.
The father-son team of Spiros and Stefan Papas bought the Union Theatres on Stuyvesant Avenue from Cineplex Odeon in December and is pouring at least $600,000 into renovations.
Major improvements include increasing the number of screens, from two to seven, and adding such offerings as gourmet coffee, cotton candy and more comfortable seats.
“We’re looking to attract family-type entertainment,” Stefan Papas said yesterday. “We’re a smaller operation, not like Sony Theaters, and we’re looking to be a hometown-type of theater.” Local officials believe the theater upgrade will result in a positive domino effect on businesses in downtown Union Center.
“It’s going to obviously bring additional traffic to the center and increase the nighttime business,” said Michael Minitelli, director of economic development and the special improvement district for Union.
Minitelli called the massive multiplex theaters on the highway “consumer unfriendly,” and added that the new Union theater will aid such businesses as Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe and the Sports Section Cafe.
“If it brings more people, I know it would be good for us,” said Lou Crescenzi, an employee of Van Gogh’s, a restaurant and coffeehouse down the street from the theater. “Anybody that walks by has a better chance of walking in than if they are not here.”
Papas and his father own the Pascack Theatre in Westwood, Valleyview Cinema in Wayne and the Lincoln Cinemas in Arlington.
He said Cineplex Odeon gave him and his father a choice to buy either the Cranford, Millburn or Union theaters.
“We bought Union because of the town,” Papas said. “We love the way they are fixing up the sidewalks and the stores.”
When he first saw the theater, Papas could not believe what he saw. The heating and air conditioning systems were lousy, he said, and the seats and sound system were bad.
The improved theater will have rocking lounger seats like the ones in bigger theaters, digital surround sound in all seven auditoriums, and a birthday party room. It will be fully accessible for the disabled and include listening devices for the hearing-impaired.
The theater is closed during the renovations, and the grand opening is expected to be held within a month.
Papas promised the new Union theater will not be like bigger chains on the highway.
“It’s just like an airport when you enter those theaters,” he said. “You don’t get a movie atmosphere. You get a feeling that they’re moving people in and out like cattle.”
Taylor Opera House, S Broad bel State, Montgomery Moses mgr
Taylor Opera House Block, S Broad bel State
listings from the 1920 Trenton City Directory.
This theater goes way back. Originally built as The Taylor Opera House and then renamed Keith’s Capitol.
“The coming of Taylor Opera House (opened March 18, 1867) meant the eclipse of both Temperance and Bechtel Halls as theatrical show places. The former went on for many years as a resort for lectures, fairs, etc., but Bechtel Hall was less adapted for such occasions and was advertised for sale in 1870.
It is an interesting commentary on the state of mind of the “unco guid” at that period that John Taylor who was the chief promoter of the modern playhouse here did not dare to advertise it as a theatre but placated public feeling by calling it “Taylor Opera House.” His fellow directors also yielded to public sentiment to the extent that a narrow twelve-foot stage was to be installed suitable only for concerts, lectures and other innocuous forms of entertainment, but Henry E. Finch, the architect, put in a stage 32 ½ feet wide and told the directors to place the blame on him for misunderstanding orders. A still more rigorous hewing of the line had attended Mr. Quintin’s opening of The Atheneum in 1857.
“The influence of the theatre,” commented the virtuous State Gazette, “is generally pernicious socially and morally. Nevertheless, we think a place of dramatic amusement can be maintained in this city without detriment, if it be carefully supervised.”
Taylor Opera House, which had cost about $110,000, was long the pride of local theatre-goers and not without reason, in view of the generous tributes paid to its modern construction, spacious auditorium and ample stage equipment. It was for a generation the home of the finest in dramatic performance that the country could offer. The greatest stars of the profession appeared here, tragedians, dramatic favorites, queens of the comic opera, with their perfectly trained, colorful supporting companies. To name them would mean merely a recital of the full roll of America’s celebrated artists before the -film seized popular favor.
Other Theatres
Trenton was growing at such a rate that it became necessary in 1887 to raise the Opera House roof and put in a second gallery. After a few years, the pressure for room manifested itself again to such an extent that when a banner attraction was booked, lines of speculators stood all night awaiting the opening of the box-office in order to reserve seats. …….
Meanwhile old Taylor’s had become Keith’s Capitol Theatre and has been remodelled into a gorgeous palace of amusement."
old sketch:
View link
courtesy of trentonhistory.org
++++++++++++++++++
A Moller organ, opus 2849, was installed in the Taylor Opera House in 1921.
TRENT THEATRE, 17-19 N Warren, Montgomery Moses mgr
TRENT THEATRE BUILDING, 17-19 N Warren
Trent Theatre Candy Kitchen, (Philip Vaflas and Sons), 17 N Warren
listings from the 1920 Trenton City Directory as hosted by trentonhistory.org looks like the mgrs. name needs to be corrected in my previous post.
“Strand Theatre, (Frederick R Parker; Charles C Hildinger and David Johnston), moving pictures, Hermitage av cor West End”
listing from the 1920 Trenton City Directory as hosted by trentonhistory.org
“STATE STREET THEATRE, 211 E State, Herman Wahn mgr”
listing in the 1920 Trenton City Directory as hosted by trentonhistory.org
Manager in 1920 was Moses Montgomery
trentonhistory.org
“Grand Theatre, (Benjamin Levine & Joseph Levine), 179 S Broad”
listing in the 1920 Trenton City Directory as hosted by trentonhistory.org. I belive that the Levines were the managers.
Garden Theatre, (Benjamin Robinson), moving pictures, 150 N Broad"
listing in the 1920 Trenton City Directory as hosted by trentonhistory.org I believe that Mr. Robinson was the theatre manager.
“Princess Theatre, moving pictures, N Clinton av cor Mead”
listing in the 1920 Trenton City directory as hosted by trentonhistory.org
Original name was the Grand Theatre.
trentonhistory.org
The Trent opened December 7, 1903.
trentonhistory.org
The Robert Morton organ was installed when this theater was known as the Center Street.
On 12/1/1923, a Wurlitzer organ, opus 592, was installed in the Center Theatre.
My research shows that a Moller organ (opus 3472) was installed in this theater in 1922 and then another Moller (opus 4305) was installed in 1925.
This theater is listed as the RKO Capital in the 1951 FDY.
A Wurlitzer organ, opus 1109, was installed in this theater on 7/21/1925.
A Wurlitzer organ, opus 1121, was installed in this theater on 8/5/1925.
A Wurlitzer organ, opus 863, was installed in this theater on 7/21/1924.
A Wurlitzer organ, opus 873, was installed in the Treat theater on 8/7/1924.
A Wurlitzer organ, opus 512, was installed in this theater on 1/27/1922.
A Wurlitzer organ, opus 511, was installed in this theater on 1/21/1922.
I actually called 609-492-4450 (the number that I had for this theater) and the owner stated that indeed it had been an operating theater that was recently converted into a residence. Maybe the Hoyts was the last owner?
A Moller organ, opus 4288, was installed in the Madison theater in 1925.
A Moller organ, opus 2370, was installed in this theatre in 1917. It is also listed as the Rosenburg Theatre.
A Lenoir organ was installed in this theater in 1927.
A Kilgen organ, opus 4271, was installed in the Mt. Ephraim Theatre in 1929.
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), April 9, 1998 p045
Union theater gets new look at 75. (UNION)
Byline: Christopher M. Loder
A downtown movie theater in Union Township turns 75 years old this year, and its new owners are extending its life by giving it a facelift.
The father-son team of Spiros and Stefan Papas bought the Union Theatres on Stuyvesant Avenue from Cineplex Odeon in December and is pouring at least $600,000 into renovations.
Major improvements include increasing the number of screens, from two to seven, and adding such offerings as gourmet coffee, cotton candy and more comfortable seats.
“We’re looking to attract family-type entertainment,” Stefan Papas said yesterday. “We’re a smaller operation, not like Sony Theaters, and we’re looking to be a hometown-type of theater.” Local officials believe the theater upgrade will result in a positive domino effect on businesses in downtown Union Center.
“It’s going to obviously bring additional traffic to the center and increase the nighttime business,” said Michael Minitelli, director of economic development and the special improvement district for Union.
Minitelli called the massive multiplex theaters on the highway “consumer unfriendly,” and added that the new Union theater will aid such businesses as Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe and the Sports Section Cafe.
“If it brings more people, I know it would be good for us,” said Lou Crescenzi, an employee of Van Gogh’s, a restaurant and coffeehouse down the street from the theater. “Anybody that walks by has a better chance of walking in than if they are not here.”
Papas and his father own the Pascack Theatre in Westwood, Valleyview Cinema in Wayne and the Lincoln Cinemas in Arlington.
He said Cineplex Odeon gave him and his father a choice to buy either the Cranford, Millburn or Union theaters.
“We bought Union because of the town,” Papas said. “We love the way they are fixing up the sidewalks and the stores.”
When he first saw the theater, Papas could not believe what he saw. The heating and air conditioning systems were lousy, he said, and the seats and sound system were bad.
The improved theater will have rocking lounger seats like the ones in bigger theaters, digital surround sound in all seven auditoriums, and a birthday party room. It will be fully accessible for the disabled and include listening devices for the hearing-impaired.
The theater is closed during the renovations, and the grand opening is expected to be held within a month.
Papas promised the new Union theater will not be like bigger chains on the highway.
“It’s just like an airport when you enter those theaters,” he said. “You don’t get a movie atmosphere. You get a feeling that they’re moving people in and out like cattle.”
Article CJ81718602