The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), July 14, 1999 p035
NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD THEATER; Plainfield’s Strand reopening as hub of Asian Indian film. (UNION)
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 1999 The Star-Ledger. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of The Star-Ledger by the Gale Group, Inc.
Byline: Jennifer Golson
The Strand Theater in Plainfield is about to become a moviehouse again.
A group of investors hopes its work will turn the venue into a hub for Asian Indian films and performing arts from all cultures.
Tonight, the East Front Street theater will screen its first film since the 1980s, under a new red- white-and-blue marquee for the Strand Center for Performing and Visual Arts.
The owners of an Indian music distribution company have signed a three-year lease with Edison resident Qasim M. Qasim, who owns the 20,000-square-foot theater.
While the theater will be the weekend home of movies that go for $8 a seat, it will be available other times for cultural groups and others to hold plays and small concerts. The music distributor has entered a pact with Qasim, naming the endeavor Strand Entertainment Inc., said Suri Gopalan, one of the owners of Vista India and vice president of Strand Entertainment.
Renovations have been under way at the 65-year-old former movie house for about a month, with little talk of the project outside the Indian community.
But for the South Asian population in neighboring Middlesex and Somerset counties, a taste of ‘Bollywood’ will be within 20 minutes, Gopalan said, citing the Bombay-based movie industry that thrives in India and rivals America’s Hollywood.
‘'We’ve got a big, huge entertainment culture of our own,“ Gopalan said. "We love watching movies. The stars are as big, if not bigger, than here.”
There are few Indians residing in Plainfield, but more than 50,000 in Central Jersey, according to Pradip (Peter) Kothari, president of the Edison-based Indo-American Cultural Society and the Indian Business Association.
Members of the community already come into the city for cultural programs at Plainfield High School, Kothari said. “So Plainfield High School is popular in our community as it is,” he said.
There are few venues for Indian movies, according to Rohit Vyas, news director of TV Asia in Edison. Some distributors lease movie theaters to show the films that feature the sounds, music and scenery of home, he said.
‘'They usually have packed houses,“ Vyas said. "There is nothing that seems to pull together Indians more than a motion picture from India.”
In New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, there are 14 theaters owned or leased for Indian films, said Lal Dadlaney, who owns the Center Theater in Bloomfield, and Bloomfield-based Video Sound, a movie distribution house.
India produces more than 400 movies a year, with 50 of them released in the United States. “The potential for this is immense,” he said, adding that the Indian movie industry in the United States rakes in up to $7 million a year.
Merchants in Plainfield hope it rakes in at least enough to keep the theater up and running. The Strand was one of four movie houses in the city, including the Liberty, Paramount and Oxford theaters. All closed. Last year, the nearby Blue Star Cinema in Watchung closed its doors.
Qasim, who purchased the Strand and surrounding properties in 1973 for $245,500, said he has received a number of pitches for different projects at the Strand, but none of have come to fruition.
‘'We’ve made agreements and at the last minute they don’t even show up,“ said Qasim, who is a retired math professor. "These gentlemen, I’ve found that they are serious. They are credible.”
So far the investors in the Strand have revamped the stage inside the building and painted the lobby a salmon pink. The 1,350 seats have been reupholstered in a sea green, and Dolby stereo sound will pump out the showing of “Mann,” Hindi for “Listen to Your Heart.”
Two of the stars, Amir Khan and Manisha Koirala, are expected at tonight’s opening.
Norm Golden, owner of Golden Jewelers on East Front Street, said it was a surprise for a city of Plainfield’s size not to have a movie theater at all, even if it caters to a certain culture.
But he added that he didn’t expect much foot traffic since there is a large shopping district in Edison that caters to Indian tastes.
Robbie Walker said he was more optimistic, hoping that potential shoppers would return to the area. The city needs something to further draw shoppers to the area. Last year, Plainfield Plaza, a mini- mall, opened a few doors down on East Front Street.
‘'With the plaza and the theater, they will see a little life coming back into town,“ said Walker, a Plainfield native.
CAPTION(S):
Suri Gopalan is bringing Asian Indian films to the Strand Theater in Plainfield.
Workers do a final cleanup at the Strand, which opens tonight.
Found an article about the history of the Lawrence Volunteer Fire Association. On October 29, 1949 they fought a large blaze: “The fire scene is a half-mile south of the Lawrence drive-in theater.”
The Daily Targum (Rutgers University) – 12/10/04
By John Soltes
The Last Picture Show
Trying to find an independent movie house that plays art and foreign films is difficult in today’s world of giga-plexes. Trying to find an independent music hall where only fringe artists from the past and present perform is even more difficult. However, the ultimate rarity is finding a joint that has both independent films and music acts. Such a place existed, but unfortunately it will close its doors this coming weekend. However, that won’t stop us from looking back at the impact and legacy of the Paramus Picture Show, located in the 35 Plaza on Route 4 in Paramus, New Jersey.
“It’s been in existence since 1973, the various incarnations have been a Jerry Lewis cinema, second-run movie house for a time, then it turned into an art house since the mid to late 90s,” said Paul Casson, co-owner of the PPS.
Casson owns the movie theater-turned-concert hall with his wife Elizabeth Sauer and family members Jennifer Sauer and Rennie Pincus. Although these two couples have only owned the PPS since Nov. 2001, the most extensive changes have taken place under their ownership.
After acquiring the movie house in Nov. 2001, the owners kept it strictly to independent film, housing such fan favorites as Spellbound and The Triplets of Belleville. Then, in Oct. 2003, the PPS started offering both films and live musical acts for a few months. Finally, on Jan. 2, 2004, the PPS went “exclusively with music,” according to Casson. The actual facilities of the PPS are still reminiscent of its movie-theater past. There is still a box office and concession stand, and music-goers still sit in the old movie theater’s seats (all 300 of them).
“We had greater autonomy with what we did with music,” Casson said about why they chose to make this dramatic shift. Since making the transition to music, the PPS has been able to book some major acts in the independent music world. From the David Bromberg Band to Dave Mason to Nils Lofgren, there were many nights when you couldn’t find an open seat among the packed crowd.
“I remember going to some of these shows while I was a teenager on Long Island or coming into the city and seeing David Bromberg,” said Casson, “then, when I was able to actually put on David Bromberg three nights in a row in February. … It was a dream come true.”
However, the transformational ride was not always smooth sailing for this mere music venue on buzzing Route 4 in Bergen County, New Jersey. Economics eventually caught up with the four owners, who still look at their accomplishments as a success. “I’ve been getting a lot of calls since we put this out to the general public that we’re closing down,” Casson said, “the majority of the people that are calling me are the blues fans. … They’re asking what I can do [to save the PPS]”.
However, the 35 Plaza where the PPS is housed, is undergoing an expansion and façade makeover, and thus, rent is skyrocketing. However, Casson said, “It was never about the money, it was about the love.”
One of the best memories Casson said he will have from the entire experience is how the community embraced the PPS and even wholeheartedly contributed to its success. From Tower Records to the Ramada Inn, “you can’t say enough about the community,” Casson said.
With the adage, “All good things must come to an end,” in mind, the PPS will officially close its doors Monday Dec. 13. However, before the spotlights go out for the last time, Jen Chapin, Dean Friedman, Peter Karp and others will perform a concert for World Hunger Year Dec. 11. Tickets are still available for $20 and can be purchased online at www.paramuspictureshow.com
In addition, Paul, Elizabeth, Jennifer and Rennie all hope to be back on the independent music scene soon enough, in some incarnation. Therefore, if you wish to follow the travails of the PPS as it embarks on a location change, visit the aforementioned Web site to join its mailing list.
Film, not movies. Music, not mainstream. These were the qualities PPS based its existence on. Even though its time has been cut short, the PPS owners will end a bumpy year on a high note knowing they stuck to their principles. Casson sums up their run at the PPS saying, “We will be forever grateful to have had this experience.”
In January 1923, the Newton Amusement Corporation awarded the construction contract for a stadium-type theater, capable of seating 1,000 people, to William Houghton. It was designed in “Colonial Style†by Reilly & Hall of New York. Load-bearing columns, consisting of 50 tons of steel supplied by the Submarine Boat Corporation of Newark, made the building of “the safest type known to modern engineering science.†Tapestry brick, pilasters and niches of ornamental stonework, and a marquise with 180 electric lights decorated the facade. Newton Theatre opened May 15, 1924. At that time, it was considered the most imposing theatre in any town of the size of Newton east of the Mississippi.
How could this building be demolished if it is still listed on the National Register of Historic Buidlings? I thought they were off limits for demolition ?
Mayfair Theatre (added 1975 – Building – #74002229)
Lake Ave. and St. James Pl., Asbury Park
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Lamb,Thomas W.
Architectural Style: Other, Exotic Revival, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
History & photos:
http://www.driveins.4t.com/va-austinville.htm
History & photos:
View link
photos & history:
http://www.driveins.4t.com/va-lebanon-cavalier.htm
More photos:
http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/vatshe2
View link
photos & history
Photos & history at this link:
http://driveins.4t.com/va-waynesboro-skyline.htm
Currently a Holiday Inn, a restaurant, and a Texaco station on the corner where the screen was.
http://driveins.4t.com/va-harrisonburg-roths.htm
Includes photos and a bit of history.
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), July 14, 1999 p035
NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD THEATER; Plainfield’s Strand reopening as hub of Asian Indian film. (UNION)
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 1999 The Star-Ledger. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of The Star-Ledger by the Gale Group, Inc.
Byline: Jennifer Golson
The Strand Theater in Plainfield is about to become a moviehouse again.
A group of investors hopes its work will turn the venue into a hub for Asian Indian films and performing arts from all cultures.
Tonight, the East Front Street theater will screen its first film since the 1980s, under a new red- white-and-blue marquee for the Strand Center for Performing and Visual Arts.
The owners of an Indian music distribution company have signed a three-year lease with Edison resident Qasim M. Qasim, who owns the 20,000-square-foot theater.
While the theater will be the weekend home of movies that go for $8 a seat, it will be available other times for cultural groups and others to hold plays and small concerts. The music distributor has entered a pact with Qasim, naming the endeavor Strand Entertainment Inc., said Suri Gopalan, one of the owners of Vista India and vice president of Strand Entertainment.
Renovations have been under way at the 65-year-old former movie house for about a month, with little talk of the project outside the Indian community.
But for the South Asian population in neighboring Middlesex and Somerset counties, a taste of ‘Bollywood’ will be within 20 minutes, Gopalan said, citing the Bombay-based movie industry that thrives in India and rivals America’s Hollywood.
‘'We’ve got a big, huge entertainment culture of our own,“ Gopalan said. "We love watching movies. The stars are as big, if not bigger, than here.”
There are few Indians residing in Plainfield, but more than 50,000 in Central Jersey, according to Pradip (Peter) Kothari, president of the Edison-based Indo-American Cultural Society and the Indian Business Association.
Members of the community already come into the city for cultural programs at Plainfield High School, Kothari said. “So Plainfield High School is popular in our community as it is,” he said.
There are few venues for Indian movies, according to Rohit Vyas, news director of TV Asia in Edison. Some distributors lease movie theaters to show the films that feature the sounds, music and scenery of home, he said.
‘'They usually have packed houses,“ Vyas said. "There is nothing that seems to pull together Indians more than a motion picture from India.”
In New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, there are 14 theaters owned or leased for Indian films, said Lal Dadlaney, who owns the Center Theater in Bloomfield, and Bloomfield-based Video Sound, a movie distribution house.
India produces more than 400 movies a year, with 50 of them released in the United States. “The potential for this is immense,” he said, adding that the Indian movie industry in the United States rakes in up to $7 million a year.
Merchants in Plainfield hope it rakes in at least enough to keep the theater up and running. The Strand was one of four movie houses in the city, including the Liberty, Paramount and Oxford theaters. All closed. Last year, the nearby Blue Star Cinema in Watchung closed its doors.
Qasim, who purchased the Strand and surrounding properties in 1973 for $245,500, said he has received a number of pitches for different projects at the Strand, but none of have come to fruition.
‘'We’ve made agreements and at the last minute they don’t even show up,“ said Qasim, who is a retired math professor. "These gentlemen, I’ve found that they are serious. They are credible.”
So far the investors in the Strand have revamped the stage inside the building and painted the lobby a salmon pink. The 1,350 seats have been reupholstered in a sea green, and Dolby stereo sound will pump out the showing of “Mann,” Hindi for “Listen to Your Heart.”
Two of the stars, Amir Khan and Manisha Koirala, are expected at tonight’s opening.
Norm Golden, owner of Golden Jewelers on East Front Street, said it was a surprise for a city of Plainfield’s size not to have a movie theater at all, even if it caters to a certain culture.
But he added that he didn’t expect much foot traffic since there is a large shopping district in Edison that caters to Indian tastes.
Robbie Walker said he was more optimistic, hoping that potential shoppers would return to the area. The city needs something to further draw shoppers to the area. Last year, Plainfield Plaza, a mini- mall, opened a few doors down on East Front Street.
‘'With the plaza and the theater, they will see a little life coming back into town,“ said Walker, a Plainfield native.
CAPTION(S):
Suri Gopalan is bringing Asian Indian films to the Strand Theater in Plainfield.
Workers do a final cleanup at the Strand, which opens tonight.
PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN W. PERLETT
Article CJ81488820
Had a Moller organ opus 3651 installed in 1923.
Had a Moller organ opus 2848 installed in 1919.
Had a Kimball organ installed in 1919.
Wurlitzer organ opus 710 installed on 9/30/1923.
Updated home page link:
http://www.bigscreenclassics.com/galaxy.htm
Updated link for home page:
http://www.bigscreenclassics.com/cedarlane.htm
Found an article about the history of the Lawrence Volunteer Fire Association. On October 29, 1949 they fought a large blaze: “The fire scene is a half-mile south of the Lawrence drive-in theater.”
The Daily Targum (Rutgers University) – 12/10/04
By John Soltes
The Last Picture Show
Trying to find an independent movie house that plays art and foreign films is difficult in today’s world of giga-plexes. Trying to find an independent music hall where only fringe artists from the past and present perform is even more difficult. However, the ultimate rarity is finding a joint that has both independent films and music acts. Such a place existed, but unfortunately it will close its doors this coming weekend. However, that won’t stop us from looking back at the impact and legacy of the Paramus Picture Show, located in the 35 Plaza on Route 4 in Paramus, New Jersey.
“It’s been in existence since 1973, the various incarnations have been a Jerry Lewis cinema, second-run movie house for a time, then it turned into an art house since the mid to late 90s,” said Paul Casson, co-owner of the PPS.
Casson owns the movie theater-turned-concert hall with his wife Elizabeth Sauer and family members Jennifer Sauer and Rennie Pincus. Although these two couples have only owned the PPS since Nov. 2001, the most extensive changes have taken place under their ownership.
After acquiring the movie house in Nov. 2001, the owners kept it strictly to independent film, housing such fan favorites as Spellbound and The Triplets of Belleville. Then, in Oct. 2003, the PPS started offering both films and live musical acts for a few months. Finally, on Jan. 2, 2004, the PPS went “exclusively with music,” according to Casson. The actual facilities of the PPS are still reminiscent of its movie-theater past. There is still a box office and concession stand, and music-goers still sit in the old movie theater’s seats (all 300 of them).
“We had greater autonomy with what we did with music,” Casson said about why they chose to make this dramatic shift. Since making the transition to music, the PPS has been able to book some major acts in the independent music world. From the David Bromberg Band to Dave Mason to Nils Lofgren, there were many nights when you couldn’t find an open seat among the packed crowd.
“I remember going to some of these shows while I was a teenager on Long Island or coming into the city and seeing David Bromberg,” said Casson, “then, when I was able to actually put on David Bromberg three nights in a row in February. … It was a dream come true.”
However, the transformational ride was not always smooth sailing for this mere music venue on buzzing Route 4 in Bergen County, New Jersey. Economics eventually caught up with the four owners, who still look at their accomplishments as a success. “I’ve been getting a lot of calls since we put this out to the general public that we’re closing down,” Casson said, “the majority of the people that are calling me are the blues fans. … They’re asking what I can do [to save the PPS]”.
However, the 35 Plaza where the PPS is housed, is undergoing an expansion and façade makeover, and thus, rent is skyrocketing. However, Casson said, “It was never about the money, it was about the love.”
One of the best memories Casson said he will have from the entire experience is how the community embraced the PPS and even wholeheartedly contributed to its success. From Tower Records to the Ramada Inn, “you can’t say enough about the community,” Casson said.
With the adage, “All good things must come to an end,” in mind, the PPS will officially close its doors Monday Dec. 13. However, before the spotlights go out for the last time, Jen Chapin, Dean Friedman, Peter Karp and others will perform a concert for World Hunger Year Dec. 11. Tickets are still available for $20 and can be purchased online at www.paramuspictureshow.com
In addition, Paul, Elizabeth, Jennifer and Rennie all hope to be back on the independent music scene soon enough, in some incarnation. Therefore, if you wish to follow the travails of the PPS as it embarks on a location change, visit the aforementioned Web site to join its mailing list.
Film, not movies. Music, not mainstream. These were the qualities PPS based its existence on. Even though its time has been cut short, the PPS owners will end a bumpy year on a high note knowing they stuck to their principles. Casson sums up their run at the PPS saying, “We will be forever grateful to have had this experience.”
Not sure when the original theater link expired. Here is the current one:
http://www.bigscreenclassics.com/newton.htm
In January 1923, the Newton Amusement Corporation awarded the construction contract for a stadium-type theater, capable of seating 1,000 people, to William Houghton. It was designed in “Colonial Style†by Reilly & Hall of New York. Load-bearing columns, consisting of 50 tons of steel supplied by the Submarine Boat Corporation of Newark, made the building of “the safest type known to modern engineering science.†Tapestry brick, pilasters and niches of ornamental stonework, and a marquise with 180 electric lights decorated the facade. Newton Theatre opened May 15, 1924. At that time, it was considered the most imposing theatre in any town of the size of Newton east of the Mississippi.
Closed between 1997 and 1998.
1957 â€" the Dover Drive-in (located on the upper parking deck of the Bassett Highway) opened
1963 â€" the Dover Drive-in closed (because the poor picture quality caused by the glare of city lights).
I am not sure what the parking deck refers to. Anyone have insight?
From the history of Dover website.
How could this building be demolished if it is still listed on the National Register of Historic Buidlings? I thought they were off limits for demolition ?
Mayfair Theatre (added 1975 – Building – #74002229)
Lake Ave. and St. James Pl., Asbury Park
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Lamb,Thomas W.
Architectural Style: Other, Exotic Revival, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
Address is now a liquor store.
Mayfair Liquor Store
1444 North Broad Street
Hillside, NJ 07205
973-923-5450
From Camden County Historical Society, this theater was built on the site of the town’s first burying ground.
From imdb.com
“Hal LeRoy’s first professional job was in "Hoboken Heroes” at the Lyric Theater, Hoboken, NJ. in 1928."