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.
One more thing cindalla, while at work todat, I remembered that the Papermill Scene shop will be closing this summer. I hear they are selling off a lot of stuff. Perhaps they may have curtains. Good Luck to you and your school.
You got that right. Did you know the DVD’s are already made when the films are released? I laugh when everyone says Indy 4 is going to last ALL summer. I’ll bet it will be dead and out of gas by July 4th. Take that to the bank!!!
You got that right. Did you know the DVD’s are already made when the films are released? I laugh when everyone says Indy 4 is going to last ALL summer. I’ll bet it will be dead and out of gas by July 4th. Take that to the bank!!!
You would be wise to just call around to the different theatres in the area and see what type of response you get. I know the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. has been undergoing renovations for about 3 years now. I don’t know if and when they will be re-doing the stagehouse, but a call won’t hurt. Also, the Count Basie in Red Bank N.J. will be closing this summer for renovations. Again, I don’t know if the stagehouse is being done over, but a call won’t hurt. Hope this helps you out. Mayo Center in Morristown, and Union County Arts Center in Rahway are also other good bets.
I passed this place on Sunday May 4, 2008 on my way back from Red Bank. There is a large roll off container next to the lobby portion of the building. Wonder whats going on???
Sounds like a very interesting place. Movies, concerts and a weekend drive-in sure sounds multi-purpose to me. Perhaps this is something that could take off in other parts of the country, maybe even here in New Jersey.
If it were up to me, build up of ANY print would be banned Steve. Call me old fashioned, but give me 20 minute reel-to-reel changeovers any day. If i’m out of touch, than so be it!!!
Sounds like the same situation we have here in New Jersey. NA’s old Amboys Multiplex, where I worked as a projectionist for years, closed in 2005, when the floor in the lobby sank. It is still standing, all boarded up. And in 2006 NA closed the All-Jersey Multiplex near Newark airport, and it too sits all boarded up. The only thing these two buildings are see now are the graffitti artists, who do their thing, then NA has someone come and whitewash the buildings again. One final note, Amboys opened in 1979, was 14 screens at the end, All-Jersey opened in 1991 as 12 and closed as 12.
One more thing Geo, all your ideas are great ones, some maybe better than others, but I give you all the credit in the world for being innovative, and thinking both inside and outside the box. I just wanted to let you know that.
Yes I did drift off. The biggest problem I had was…money, which as you and many others stated is going to be the problem with the Kings. But, what we have in our corner now is interest, both private and political, at least local politicals. And thats all we need right now to at least dream.
To Geo1…the solid plan and good financial backing says it all. I agree 150%. (as a side note, I too wanted to buy a theatre years ago, and also had one drawn up, but…)
and to TonyM, Thanks, I guess when Loews abandoned it 30 years ago, they took the projectors so they could use them at other locations. Its a shame.
And finally, that the deadline has been extended cant be bad news, so lets all hope.
I did question the projection booth, not so much for the day-to-day running of films, but as you suggested, and I have seen done, to promote multi-funtion use of the space. Being a projectionist and stagehand in a number of venues here in N.J., I can tell you that if the area is thriveing, and there is nearby parking, which there is, than there is no reason why stage shows, such as “Dora” or “Diego” or a symphany, or a weekend film festival, (see Loews Jersey) could not get fannies in the seats. Its all about how its run. And yes, while I agree the economy stinks right now, if a non-profit was formed, than grants and corporations could then be had for $$$$ and the Kings could be on its way back to glory. The most important thing is that it is not lost to the wrecking ball, as so many others have.
I wish some photos of the projection room could have been taken. As a projectionist of almost 33 years, I’m curious if the projectors are still there. My dad told me years ago that in this theatre, there were 3 projectors, instead of the usual 2. I don’t know if anyone could confirm this. And probably, if everything is still there, the old carbon arc lamps are there as well.
In a few years, when the Nets basketball team moves in, Brooklyn will be jumpin. You all see those photos from a few weeks ago. Its sad, the amount of water damage to this place. I’m from central Jersey, and even I agree, FIX the damn thing. It cant be lost. If it is run right, you’ll get the butts in the seats. This place has potential that hasn’t even been thought of yet. It has to be saved.
Well Ziegfeld Man, you got me. I can say I agree with all of your above points. (and yes, I still do have my extensive vinyl collection too.) I do wish, like you, that more revival houses would sprout up. We need to keep the great memories of yesterdays great films alive, in theatres where they should be. As you said, right now, our only choice is DVD or Turner Classic Movies, which at least respects the classics, and shows them as they should be, uncut, Cinemascope, etc., unlike AMC which butchers em to hell.
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.
One more thing cindalla, while at work todat, I remembered that the Papermill Scene shop will be closing this summer. I hear they are selling off a lot of stuff. Perhaps they may have curtains. Good Luck to you and your school.
You got that right. Did you know the DVD’s are already made when the films are released? I laugh when everyone says Indy 4 is going to last ALL summer. I’ll bet it will be dead and out of gas by July 4th. Take that to the bank!!!
You got that right. Did you know the DVD’s are already made when the films are released? I laugh when everyone says Indy 4 is going to last ALL summer. I’ll bet it will be dead and out of gas by July 4th. Take that to the bank!!!
You would be wise to just call around to the different theatres in the area and see what type of response you get. I know the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. has been undergoing renovations for about 3 years now. I don’t know if and when they will be re-doing the stagehouse, but a call won’t hurt. Also, the Count Basie in Red Bank N.J. will be closing this summer for renovations. Again, I don’t know if the stagehouse is being done over, but a call won’t hurt. Hope this helps you out. Mayo Center in Morristown, and Union County Arts Center in Rahway are also other good bets.
I passed this place on Sunday May 4, 2008 on my way back from Red Bank. There is a large roll off container next to the lobby portion of the building. Wonder whats going on???
Too true Patsy, too true.
Another one bites the dust. Sad.
Sounds like a very interesting place. Movies, concerts and a weekend drive-in sure sounds multi-purpose to me. Perhaps this is something that could take off in other parts of the country, maybe even here in New Jersey.
If it were up to me, build up of ANY print would be banned Steve. Call me old fashioned, but give me 20 minute reel-to-reel changeovers any day. If i’m out of touch, than so be it!!!
Sounds like the same situation we have here in New Jersey. NA’s old Amboys Multiplex, where I worked as a projectionist for years, closed in 2005, when the floor in the lobby sank. It is still standing, all boarded up. And in 2006 NA closed the All-Jersey Multiplex near Newark airport, and it too sits all boarded up. The only thing these two buildings are see now are the graffitti artists, who do their thing, then NA has someone come and whitewash the buildings again. One final note, Amboys opened in 1979, was 14 screens at the end, All-Jersey opened in 1991 as 12 and closed as 12.
One more thing Geo, all your ideas are great ones, some maybe better than others, but I give you all the credit in the world for being innovative, and thinking both inside and outside the box. I just wanted to let you know that.
Hi Geo,
Yes I did drift off. The biggest problem I had was…money, which as you and many others stated is going to be the problem with the Kings. But, what we have in our corner now is interest, both private and political, at least local politicals. And thats all we need right now to at least dream.
Surprised National hasn’t put up multiplex yet…its only a matter of time.
To Geo1…the solid plan and good financial backing says it all. I agree 150%. (as a side note, I too wanted to buy a theatre years ago, and also had one drawn up, but…)
and to TonyM, Thanks, I guess when Loews abandoned it 30 years ago, they took the projectors so they could use them at other locations. Its a shame.
And finally, that the deadline has been extended cant be bad news, so lets all hope.
Good day Geo1
I did question the projection booth, not so much for the day-to-day running of films, but as you suggested, and I have seen done, to promote multi-funtion use of the space. Being a projectionist and stagehand in a number of venues here in N.J., I can tell you that if the area is thriveing, and there is nearby parking, which there is, than there is no reason why stage shows, such as “Dora” or “Diego” or a symphany, or a weekend film festival, (see Loews Jersey) could not get fannies in the seats. Its all about how its run. And yes, while I agree the economy stinks right now, if a non-profit was formed, than grants and corporations could then be had for $$$$ and the Kings could be on its way back to glory. The most important thing is that it is not lost to the wrecking ball, as so many others have.
I wish some photos of the projection room could have been taken. As a projectionist of almost 33 years, I’m curious if the projectors are still there. My dad told me years ago that in this theatre, there were 3 projectors, instead of the usual 2. I don’t know if anyone could confirm this. And probably, if everything is still there, the old carbon arc lamps are there as well.
In a few years, when the Nets basketball team moves in, Brooklyn will be jumpin. You all see those photos from a few weeks ago. Its sad, the amount of water damage to this place. I’m from central Jersey, and even I agree, FIX the damn thing. It cant be lost. If it is run right, you’ll get the butts in the seats. This place has potential that hasn’t even been thought of yet. It has to be saved.
Hey Life, by devastated, do you mean gutted and stripped to the walls on the inside?
I wish them luck. Anytime someone can attempt to save another treasure, they get credit. I hope it works out.
Well Ziegfeld Man, you got me. I can say I agree with all of your above points. (and yes, I still do have my extensive vinyl collection too.) I do wish, like you, that more revival houses would sprout up. We need to keep the great memories of yesterdays great films alive, in theatres where they should be. As you said, right now, our only choice is DVD or Turner Classic Movies, which at least respects the classics, and shows them as they should be, uncut, Cinemascope, etc., unlike AMC which butchers em to hell.