You got that right Love Movies. I remember as a 13 year old my dad running “Frogs” and “Blacula” as a double feature. They were part of those old AIP low budget flicks made by Samual Z. Arkoff. They were cheaply made but boy were they fun to watch.
I just viewed some of the photos posted on Cinematour and that huge auditorium sure brings back memories of some of the huge theatres we once had here in New Jersey. Nice wide room, with acres of seats, and how about all that carpeting in front of the screen before the first row of seats. Nowadays all we get are shoeboxes and tile floor (if we’re lucky).
Do any of you remember what years did Disney do the “Summer Festivals” where each week they did a new double feature, one live action, and one animated. My memory seems to suggest it was 1976, 1977 and 1978, but I’m not sure. I do remember that it was when I was taking interest in following in my fathers footsteps and become a projectionist, so it had to be somewhere in this timeframe. Too bad disney does not do this anymore, but I guess with everyone owning the movies on DVD, no one would come.
It sounds to me like the Paradise as of now, is doing the same types of shows as the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. That theatre underwent a complete restoration, and now sits empty except for the occasional spanish show that comes in. Yet, with proper management and promotion, that theatre could be as big as the New Jersey PAC in Newark, or the State in New Brunswick. For any of these big theatres to survive as performing arts, they need to be diverse, cater to all, and let people know youre out there. With the Paradise, its been documented in the newspapers, as with the Ritz, no one knows its there.
Makes sense to me Bob. I remember when my dad was a projectionist, he told me the “summer” season in the movies was between June 15 and Labor Day. Now it seems like May 1st to July 4th and that it. What a difference 30 years makes.
Yeah, I remember that summer too. The theatre where I was working at the time was playing “Grease” in cinema 1 and “Heaven Can Wait” in cinema 2. And, we played both until mid October of that year. I remember how I was just getting the knack of the whole projection thing, (which I still do) and in my spare time talking on my CB radio. (anyone remember them?) I sit alot these days thinking of 1977, 78, 79, they were great movie years, and great for me personally.
markp
commented about
Cinema 4on
May 15, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Looks to me Lost that it probably was 3 screens, and one of them was split to get four. Otherwise, why would you call it “Cine 3” when there are 4, unless their using “new” math, ha-ha.
Yep, just another example of something, in this case something wonderful and beautiful, that Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers managed to screw up. Everything they get their hands on turns to !@#$. Can’t wait to see what they do to the newspaper Newsday.
The Sommerville Circle Twin, Rutgers Plaza Twin, and Brunswick Square Twin, were all built at the same time, around 1973 by General Cinema. The Circle was tripled in 1979, and Rutgers became a sixplex in 1984. Brunswick remained a twin until GCC closed it in the 90’s. I worked as a projectionist at the Circle and the Square, but not the 6.
Just to let you in on some inside scoop Justin, AMC recently slashed theatre budgets across the country. All the theatres lost their projection booth managers. They have all been either let go, or reassigned as regular house managers. Presentations should take a nose dive now. But don’t worry, if you’re not happy, they will give you a pass to come back. You will have already spent $10 to $12 at the concession stand. And THAT is all that matters to any of these big chains, AMC, clearview, regal, etc.
Looks close to the one we had here in New Jersey, the Menlo Park. Twinned in Sept 1976, it too did great business up till about 1989. Then the mall across the street was being renovated and a 12 screen Cineplex Odeon put us out of business. Ours was demolished in early 1992 for a Macoroni Grill. Ahh, those old GCC twins. They were the best.
Spielberg probably thinks like me. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The reason for the blurry projection is because this theatre. like all others, have managers running the projection room, the boxoffice, the candy stand, counting money, etc. Too many hats being worn, so all jobs suffer. And that’s the only reason why everyone thinks this DLP will be the end all cure all. We’ll wait and see. Enjoy your blockbusters. Me personally, after being in this business for 33 years, I have no desire to see any of these movies, and I ran and enjoyed the previous 3 Indy movies. Maybe Wall-E is one I’ll take in.
I would say you have a better chance of the “23” being sold to someone who will keep it a drive-in, than National with the twin. Those big coporations have no nostalga about history, and all that goes with it.
Well John, I can answer both questions for you, having last worked for clearview over 4 years ago. 1) digital is NOT idiot proof, and yes they will find a way to screw it up. (its clearview after all, you know Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers) and 2) the reason your movie was all screwed up is because these pencil pushers got rid of all the union guys 4 years ago. They don’t have anyone who knows how to run movies. And 3) lets not forget, AMC got rid of this theatre 10 years ago. They don’t get rid of something that easily.
Hey Jeff S, here’s one even better. If a theatre gets say 4 prints, and 1 is a back-up, never used or unsealed from the can, they destroy THAT first, because they don’t know what condition its in, then they go thru all the used ones, save about 100 and destroy the rest. What twisted logic that is. I would think it should be the other way around, but hey, what do I know, I’ve only been a projectionist for 33 years.
You are absolutely right Ziegfeld man. With Indy going to be on 5 to 7 screens at every multiplex in the city and suburbs, the Ziegfeld can’t possibly have it for more then 3 to 4 weeks. As I have been telling everyone I work with at my theatre, I’m sorry to say, but by July 4th, Indy will be pretty much gone, maybe running a screen here or there, but that’s it. In todays movie industry, its get out 9000 prints, run it, get 2 to 3 weeks out of it, and off to DVD we go. It makes me sick.
I’m not sure Clearview is going to spend the money to put in 5 digitals here, or anywhere, since a) they only have 1 installed in their other multi’s and b) there still is no clear cut standard as to which digital system is going to be the final one used in the future.
I remember in my early years with GCC when I did the jobs on the floor, and later after I joined the projectionists union, always hearing from my DM about Northeast. He would always tell us how this theatre was one of the better grossing theatres in the entire circuit. Being here in N.J. we were in the same division, and I can say, this theatre was always the talk. It sounds really sad to hear what has become of it. Is it really so bad that its unhealthy to be near? And if so why do they leave it, or has it since been demolished and put to rest.
You got that right Love Movies. I remember as a 13 year old my dad running “Frogs” and “Blacula” as a double feature. They were part of those old AIP low budget flicks made by Samual Z. Arkoff. They were cheaply made but boy were they fun to watch.
I just viewed some of the photos posted on Cinematour and that huge auditorium sure brings back memories of some of the huge theatres we once had here in New Jersey. Nice wide room, with acres of seats, and how about all that carpeting in front of the screen before the first row of seats. Nowadays all we get are shoeboxes and tile floor (if we’re lucky).
Do any of you remember what years did Disney do the “Summer Festivals” where each week they did a new double feature, one live action, and one animated. My memory seems to suggest it was 1976, 1977 and 1978, but I’m not sure. I do remember that it was when I was taking interest in following in my fathers footsteps and become a projectionist, so it had to be somewhere in this timeframe. Too bad disney does not do this anymore, but I guess with everyone owning the movies on DVD, no one would come.
It sounds to me like the Paradise as of now, is doing the same types of shows as the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. That theatre underwent a complete restoration, and now sits empty except for the occasional spanish show that comes in. Yet, with proper management and promotion, that theatre could be as big as the New Jersey PAC in Newark, or the State in New Brunswick. For any of these big theatres to survive as performing arts, they need to be diverse, cater to all, and let people know youre out there. With the Paradise, its been documented in the newspapers, as with the Ritz, no one knows its there.
Makes sense to me Bob. I remember when my dad was a projectionist, he told me the “summer” season in the movies was between June 15 and Labor Day. Now it seems like May 1st to July 4th and that it. What a difference 30 years makes.
Yeah, I remember that summer too. The theatre where I was working at the time was playing “Grease” in cinema 1 and “Heaven Can Wait” in cinema 2. And, we played both until mid October of that year. I remember how I was just getting the knack of the whole projection thing, (which I still do) and in my spare time talking on my CB radio. (anyone remember them?) I sit alot these days thinking of 1977, 78, 79, they were great movie years, and great for me personally.
Looks to me Lost that it probably was 3 screens, and one of them was split to get four. Otherwise, why would you call it “Cine 3” when there are 4, unless their using “new” math, ha-ha.
Address for this theatre is Rte. 206 and Andrea Ave. It seated 350. Its function today is a gym. It was a single screen its entire life.
Yep, just another example of something, in this case something wonderful and beautiful, that Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers managed to screw up. Everything they get their hands on turns to !@#$. Can’t wait to see what they do to the newspaper Newsday.
The Sommerville Circle Twin, Rutgers Plaza Twin, and Brunswick Square Twin, were all built at the same time, around 1973 by General Cinema. The Circle was tripled in 1979, and Rutgers became a sixplex in 1984. Brunswick remained a twin until GCC closed it in the 90’s. I worked as a projectionist at the Circle and the Square, but not the 6.
Looked in todays Star Ledger, but did not see anything about the theatre. Is it opening this week?
Just to let you in on some inside scoop Justin, AMC recently slashed theatre budgets across the country. All the theatres lost their projection booth managers. They have all been either let go, or reassigned as regular house managers. Presentations should take a nose dive now. But don’t worry, if you’re not happy, they will give you a pass to come back. You will have already spent $10 to $12 at the concession stand. And THAT is all that matters to any of these big chains, AMC, clearview, regal, etc.
Looks close to the one we had here in New Jersey, the Menlo Park. Twinned in Sept 1976, it too did great business up till about 1989. Then the mall across the street was being renovated and a 12 screen Cineplex Odeon put us out of business. Ours was demolished in early 1992 for a Macoroni Grill. Ahh, those old GCC twins. They were the best.
Spielberg probably thinks like me. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The reason for the blurry projection is because this theatre. like all others, have managers running the projection room, the boxoffice, the candy stand, counting money, etc. Too many hats being worn, so all jobs suffer. And that’s the only reason why everyone thinks this DLP will be the end all cure all. We’ll wait and see. Enjoy your blockbusters. Me personally, after being in this business for 33 years, I have no desire to see any of these movies, and I ran and enjoyed the previous 3 Indy movies. Maybe Wall-E is one I’ll take in.
I would say you have a better chance of the “23” being sold to someone who will keep it a drive-in, than National with the twin. Those big coporations have no nostalga about history, and all that goes with it.
Well John, I can answer both questions for you, having last worked for clearview over 4 years ago. 1) digital is NOT idiot proof, and yes they will find a way to screw it up. (its clearview after all, you know Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers) and 2) the reason your movie was all screwed up is because these pencil pushers got rid of all the union guys 4 years ago. They don’t have anyone who knows how to run movies. And 3) lets not forget, AMC got rid of this theatre 10 years ago. They don’t get rid of something that easily.
Hey Jeff S, here’s one even better. If a theatre gets say 4 prints, and 1 is a back-up, never used or unsealed from the can, they destroy THAT first, because they don’t know what condition its in, then they go thru all the used ones, save about 100 and destroy the rest. What twisted logic that is. I would think it should be the other way around, but hey, what do I know, I’ve only been a projectionist for 33 years.
You are absolutely right Ziegfeld man. With Indy going to be on 5 to 7 screens at every multiplex in the city and suburbs, the Ziegfeld can’t possibly have it for more then 3 to 4 weeks. As I have been telling everyone I work with at my theatre, I’m sorry to say, but by July 4th, Indy will be pretty much gone, maybe running a screen here or there, but that’s it. In todays movie industry, its get out 9000 prints, run it, get 2 to 3 weeks out of it, and off to DVD we go. It makes me sick.
I’m not sure Clearview is going to spend the money to put in 5 digitals here, or anywhere, since a) they only have 1 installed in their other multi’s and b) there still is no clear cut standard as to which digital system is going to be the final one used in the future.
Amazing how the marquee has stood for 20 years.
That other marquee in the distance is of the old Loew’s Victoria 125th Street theatre, which later became the Victoria 5 theatres.
Wow! Did the quality of movies, for the most part, really tank in those last few years. Its no wonder it had to close.
Points well taken.
I saw this article in todays Star Ledger. They want to tear it down for condo’s. Give me a break.
I remember in my early years with GCC when I did the jobs on the floor, and later after I joined the projectionists union, always hearing from my DM about Northeast. He would always tell us how this theatre was one of the better grossing theatres in the entire circuit. Being here in N.J. we were in the same division, and I can say, this theatre was always the talk. It sounds really sad to hear what has become of it. Is it really so bad that its unhealthy to be near? And if so why do they leave it, or has it since been demolished and put to rest.