I’m glad that Gschmidt thinks Lee M was such a great guy. He may well have been in the 90’s, but I can tell you first hand that in 2004, he was nothing more than a lying you-know-what. He took over a theatre for Clearview, and proceded to get rid of the projectionist union, of which I am a part of. I lost a $50,000 a year job because of that “great guy”
This theatre originally was a Jerry Lewis Cinema when it first opened. It was a single screen for years, and was twinned sometime in the late 70’s or early 80’s
Its funny, but in the late 90’s, when cineplex odeon was getting rid of some small non profitable theatres, they sold the Cranford, Union, and Millburn twins. All three of these theatre had problems ranging from leaky roofs to you name it. But the Royal was in almost mint condition. So what happens? The Cranford became a 5 screener, the Millburn was quaded by Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers, and the Union became a 7-plex. The Royal, the best of the bunch (and nicest) was left to rot, and as stated above become an ashpalt field, otherwise known as a parking lot.
This theatre sounds just like the Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema my dad worked at as a projectionist, in Carteret New Jersey. I remember our theatre ( I was 13 at the time ), was all blue in cinema 1 and all red in cinema 2. The candy stand was in the middle of the lobby, so there was no way for patrons to cross over from one theatre to the next. ( not like todays multiplexes ). The lobby had two big murals on the side walls of all old time movie stars. My dad was projectionist at the Carteret twin from the time it opened in June 1972, until the time it closed in fall of 1984. I remember our theatre running the “better” porn also, stuff like “The Cheerleaders” and “Fritz the Cat”. I have many fond memories of our twin, just like you guys in upstate New York have of yours. Our twin was the first ever in Middlesex County, Here in New Jersey. I agree with you gencin, it is a shame, because a lot of those old Jerry Lewis theatres had really decent presentations in their day.
Upcoming Movie Festival statrs Tuesday Feb 27, 2008. Most will be 35MM, some will be DVD.
Feb 27 5:00 P.M. Casablanca
March 2 2:00 P.M. Wizard of Oz
March 27 7:30 P.M. Godfather (1972)
April 8 7:30 P.M. Unforgiven
April 17 8:00 P.M. Breakfast at Tiffany's
April 20 2:00 P.M. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
May 4 2:00 P.M. Singin in the Rain
May 4 7:00 P.M. Woodstock
May 6 7:30 P.M. Ray
From what I understand, the movies are being presented Free.
Having worked for Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers, its no wonder they forgot about the lease. They were too busy getting rid of qualified union workers (like me), defending Isiah against Anucha, and just plain ruining everything they get their hands on. I’m surprized the Ziegfeld is still doing O.K. And give the Beacon a few more years.
To Jerry, Irv and everyone else, who just like me was saddened to see this place go. My dad Joe Pusillo and his partner Nick Szabo ran the projectors here for years, (as well as other theatres in the area). I remember the hallway that was upstairs on the way to the projection room. My wife is a patient of the foot doctor who until recently was in one of the small stores in front. He informed me Jerry that in mid 2006, all the projectors, old lamphouses, the platter that was there in the final years, everything, had been trashed in a dumpster. I would have loved to have gotten my hands on those old Simplex projectors. What a sin that no one has any respect for the past anymore.
It really is funny to read some of the comments on this page to support this IFC center. I am and have been a UNION projectionist for 33 years. I have worked everything from 1 to 18 screens. I always took pride in my work, and still do. I had the distinct pleasure (?) of working for good old Jimmy D for over 7 years. In all that time in my 10 screen theatre, shows would start on time, in frame, in focus, and my secret shopper screen reports always came in at 96 to 100%. For this I was rewarded with unemployment from good old Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers. So WAKE UP PEOPLE, this whole IFC and Clearview Cinemas being great is nothing but crap.
Status for this theatre should now be changed to “Demolished”. The town has taken on a major urban renewal project, and all of the old retail stores on each side of Roosevelt Ave. have been demolished, to make way for condo’s and townhouses. At the end, this theatre was a plumbing warehouse. Demolished in late 2006.
I know Jerry Kampo from his days in the IATSE local. I remember when the theatre opened up and all the old local 379 guys were picketing for a contract. By the way, Jerry, this is Mark Pusillo, son of Joe Pusillo, who sadly passed away in Oct 1993.
Triangle-Liggett Theatre Service was a film booking company, while Snaper Circuit was a independent theatre owner, who by the way ran everything he leased or owned into the ground, until they closed or had to be demolished.
Sorry it took so long to get back to the site wbrozas, but I was having internet problems. I do indeed remember old local 379, Perth Amboy, (my first local). Everything you left the business for came to pass, manager/operator and the alike. I currently work a multiplex out in Hillsborough N.J. and I hate it. And I’m only 49 years old, so you know I don’t share some of the memories that you do, or someone like my father (god rest his soul) had. I always said, I wish I was born sooner, so I could have had those great memories too. I’m new to this whole internet thing, so bear with me. I work a lot between projection and stage, so I don’t always have time to check my e-mail. But feel free to send along whatever you like to “” Take care.
It is a shame that this grand hall is under the control of cablevision. Everything they get their hands on turns to *&$@#!. Just look at the wiz, and how about a few years ago when they wouldn’t carry the yes network. Watch in a few years what will happen to the Beacon Theatre. They know nothing about the entertainment business, and anybody they have that does, usually gets the axe. I should know…
I can only hope and pray that yet another grand old palace does not bite the dust. Enough with all the damn condos. Save the great palaces from destruction!!!!!!!!!!
Very true what Larry Goldsmith said about Mann Theatres. The 2 National General Fox Theatres we had here in central N.J. ( Union and Woodbridge) were both gone by 1982. Woodbridge closed in 1979, torn down, became Levitz Furniture, (itself now bankrupt) and Union became Chuck E. Cheesey, opps I mean cheese.
This theatre was smaller than its sister twin, the Fox in Woodbridge, N.J. which had seating for almost 1700. Both theatres opened at the same time, but the Woodbridge location closed sooner, on Feb 2, 1979.
I am curious wbrozas, if you were a member of the old projectionists local 485 from union county? My dad was a member of the old local 379 in Perth Amboy for 55 years. ( He too has sadly passed away). I have many memories of the old State theatre in Woodbridge where he worked for years, until it closed in 1971. Perhaps you remember the Ritz in Elizabeth. It is being refurbished, and I am helping to restore the projection room. The other theatre you mention, the Liberty is being turned into a community center. Its too bad all the old timers like yourself are out of the business. This is exactly whats wrong with the movie theatres of today.
I know Jerry Kampo from years ago. My dad and I were projectionists with him in the same IATSE local. My dad would always tell me how the business agent would BEG projectionists to go there, and many of them would have rather had their legs cut off. I never had the pleasure of working there (thank god). I had enough fun at the Forum in Metuchen, the Royal in Perth Amboy, and the Sayrewoods in Old Bridge.
This theatre was twinned in 1975 by General Cinema. I know this because its sister twin in Old Bridge N.J. (then Madison Twp.) the Madison Cinema was twinned at the same time. I don’t know how the Arcadian turned out, but the Madison became two long narrow theatres with 400 seats each, and the screens were only about 18 feet wide, with a projection throw of about 85 feet. Horrible to watch any movie there. Madison was demolished in 1989.
Very small theatres, located in the basement of a carpet store. Some screens are smaller than my T.V. here at home. Not a great place to watch movies.
I’m glad that Gschmidt thinks Lee M was such a great guy. He may well have been in the 90’s, but I can tell you first hand that in 2004, he was nothing more than a lying you-know-what. He took over a theatre for Clearview, and proceded to get rid of the projectionist union, of which I am a part of. I lost a $50,000 a year job because of that “great guy”
This theatre originally was a Jerry Lewis Cinema when it first opened. It was a single screen for years, and was twinned sometime in the late 70’s or early 80’s
Its funny, but in the late 90’s, when cineplex odeon was getting rid of some small non profitable theatres, they sold the Cranford, Union, and Millburn twins. All three of these theatre had problems ranging from leaky roofs to you name it. But the Royal was in almost mint condition. So what happens? The Cranford became a 5 screener, the Millburn was quaded by Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers, and the Union became a 7-plex. The Royal, the best of the bunch (and nicest) was left to rot, and as stated above become an ashpalt field, otherwise known as a parking lot.
This theatre sounds just like the Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema my dad worked at as a projectionist, in Carteret New Jersey. I remember our theatre ( I was 13 at the time ), was all blue in cinema 1 and all red in cinema 2. The candy stand was in the middle of the lobby, so there was no way for patrons to cross over from one theatre to the next. ( not like todays multiplexes ). The lobby had two big murals on the side walls of all old time movie stars. My dad was projectionist at the Carteret twin from the time it opened in June 1972, until the time it closed in fall of 1984. I remember our theatre running the “better” porn also, stuff like “The Cheerleaders” and “Fritz the Cat”. I have many fond memories of our twin, just like you guys in upstate New York have of yours. Our twin was the first ever in Middlesex County, Here in New Jersey. I agree with you gencin, it is a shame, because a lot of those old Jerry Lewis theatres had really decent presentations in their day.
Runor has it that this theatre is going to close soon and be replaced by a Costco Wholesale club.
Upcoming Movie Festival statrs Tuesday Feb 27, 2008. Most will be 35MM, some will be DVD.
Feb 27 5:00 P.M. Casablanca
March 2 2:00 P.M. Wizard of Oz
March 27 7:30 P.M. Godfather (1972)
April 8 7:30 P.M. Unforgiven
April 17 8:00 P.M. Breakfast at Tiffany's
April 20 2:00 P.M. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
May 4 2:00 P.M. Singin in the Rain
May 4 7:00 P.M. Woodstock
May 6 7:30 P.M. Ray
From what I understand, the movies are being presented Free.
Having worked for Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers, its no wonder they forgot about the lease. They were too busy getting rid of qualified union workers (like me), defending Isiah against Anucha, and just plain ruining everything they get their hands on. I’m surprized the Ziegfeld is still doing O.K. And give the Beacon a few more years.
To Jerry, Irv and everyone else, who just like me was saddened to see this place go. My dad Joe Pusillo and his partner Nick Szabo ran the projectors here for years, (as well as other theatres in the area). I remember the hallway that was upstairs on the way to the projection room. My wife is a patient of the foot doctor who until recently was in one of the small stores in front. He informed me Jerry that in mid 2006, all the projectors, old lamphouses, the platter that was there in the final years, everything, had been trashed in a dumpster. I would have loved to have gotten my hands on those old Simplex projectors. What a sin that no one has any respect for the past anymore.
It really is funny to read some of the comments on this page to support this IFC center. I am and have been a UNION projectionist for 33 years. I have worked everything from 1 to 18 screens. I always took pride in my work, and still do. I had the distinct pleasure (?) of working for good old Jimmy D for over 7 years. In all that time in my 10 screen theatre, shows would start on time, in frame, in focus, and my secret shopper screen reports always came in at 96 to 100%. For this I was rewarded with unemployment from good old Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers. So WAKE UP PEOPLE, this whole IFC and Clearview Cinemas being great is nothing but crap.
Status for this theatre should now be changed to “Demolished”. The town has taken on a major urban renewal project, and all of the old retail stores on each side of Roosevelt Ave. have been demolished, to make way for condo’s and townhouses. At the end, this theatre was a plumbing warehouse. Demolished in late 2006.
I know Jerry Kampo from his days in the IATSE local. I remember when the theatre opened up and all the old local 379 guys were picketing for a contract. By the way, Jerry, this is Mark Pusillo, son of Joe Pusillo, who sadly passed away in Oct 1993.
I just hope and pray that cablevision doesn’t screw this place up, like they do to everything else they get their hands on.
As of early 2008, theatre is being converted into either a church, or a community center.
Triangle-Liggett Theatre Service was a film booking company, while Snaper Circuit was a independent theatre owner, who by the way ran everything he leased or owned into the ground, until they closed or had to be demolished.
Sorry it took so long to get back to the site wbrozas, but I was having internet problems. I do indeed remember old local 379, Perth Amboy, (my first local). Everything you left the business for came to pass, manager/operator and the alike. I currently work a multiplex out in Hillsborough N.J. and I hate it. And I’m only 49 years old, so you know I don’t share some of the memories that you do, or someone like my father (god rest his soul) had. I always said, I wish I was born sooner, so I could have had those great memories too. I’m new to this whole internet thing, so bear with me. I work a lot between projection and stage, so I don’t always have time to check my e-mail. But feel free to send along whatever you like to “” Take care.
It is a shame that this grand hall is under the control of cablevision. Everything they get their hands on turns to *&$@#!. Just look at the wiz, and how about a few years ago when they wouldn’t carry the yes network. Watch in a few years what will happen to the Beacon Theatre. They know nothing about the entertainment business, and anybody they have that does, usually gets the axe. I should know…
To Bob Furmanek…Wonderful photos…lets hope this grand palace somehow finds a way to survive any wrecking balls and gets a new lease on life.
I can only hope and pray that yet another grand old palace does not bite the dust. Enough with all the damn condos. Save the great palaces from destruction!!!!!!!!!!
Very true what Larry Goldsmith said about Mann Theatres. The 2 National General Fox Theatres we had here in central N.J. ( Union and Woodbridge) were both gone by 1982. Woodbridge closed in 1979, torn down, became Levitz Furniture, (itself now bankrupt) and Union became Chuck E. Cheesey, opps I mean cheese.
This theatre was smaller than its sister twin, the Fox in Woodbridge, N.J. which had seating for almost 1700. Both theatres opened at the same time, but the Woodbridge location closed sooner, on Feb 2, 1979.
I am curious wbrozas, if you were a member of the old projectionists local 485 from union county? My dad was a member of the old local 379 in Perth Amboy for 55 years. ( He too has sadly passed away). I have many memories of the old State theatre in Woodbridge where he worked for years, until it closed in 1971. Perhaps you remember the Ritz in Elizabeth. It is being refurbished, and I am helping to restore the projection room. The other theatre you mention, the Liberty is being turned into a community center. Its too bad all the old timers like yourself are out of the business. This is exactly whats wrong with the movie theatres of today.
Not sure, but I don’t think this house was ever a triplex. I know in its last days it ran XXX porno.
I know Jerry Kampo from years ago. My dad and I were projectionists with him in the same IATSE local. My dad would always tell me how the business agent would BEG projectionists to go there, and many of them would have rather had their legs cut off. I never had the pleasure of working there (thank god). I had enough fun at the Forum in Metuchen, the Royal in Perth Amboy, and the Sayrewoods in Old Bridge.
This theatre was twinned in 1975 by General Cinema. I know this because its sister twin in Old Bridge N.J. (then Madison Twp.) the Madison Cinema was twinned at the same time. I don’t know how the Arcadian turned out, but the Madison became two long narrow theatres with 400 seats each, and the screens were only about 18 feet wide, with a projection throw of about 85 feet. Horrible to watch any movie there. Madison was demolished in 1989.