I live nearby and it seems that this theater plays many action and popcorn features day-and-date with Sunrise Multiplex, but also plays many dramas and comedies that don’t appeal to Sunrise’s mostly black audience. And the Sunrise has 14 screens, not 25.
Those photos are breathtaking. This is the first I’ve seen of the Capitol’s interior. Wow! And it kills me to know that I was alive when the theater closed (though still a youngster living in the suburbs.) Actually, maybe I should kill my parents instead for not realizing what we were about to lose and taking me to see it.
Will they screen For Pete’s Sake as a farewell, with 1974 prices? The movie is still pretty funny, and it would be a good send off after 30 years of service.
Those pictures listed above seem like that same kind that played to empty houses coast-to-coast, helping kill many old theaters in the process. I think Hollywood forgot how to make movies for a while.
“I was amazed to read that the Lyric is still standing(it was playing My Fair Lady when I was a boy in ‘65 at $4.00 a seat!!I know that because my aunt went to see it there as it was the only thing they could get tickets to that evening. No wonder.) It is called the Park and is now a porno house.”
Sorry to report that this too is closed and it looks like demolition is at hand. The neighboring Palace Amusements building is now a pile of rubble, and this theater’s exit doors are boarded up.
I visited this last summer, and many architectural elements and posters advertising old Asbury Park cinemas were still visible inside.
In the above link, reprinted here, http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/pic/mayfair/m1.htm you can see the Lyric in the bottom image, directly to the right of the Mayfair. It still looks the same, but with marquee and signage.
If you want an in-person look you’d better hurry because its days seem numbered.
I was here this past weekend and they present a lovely show. The 7:10 Sunday show was packed, over two-thirds full, and it was great to see a big crowd in an old moviehouse. The words “Palace” are still set in the front sidewalk. There’s a well lit neon and flourescent marquee giving the name of the feature and its star player.
The auditorium is spotless, all on one level, with good seats and sightlines. Curtained walls and lighted sconces on both sides.
There is no stage curtain, but red lights gently bathe the screen while instrumenal verisons of pop hits play. No adverts or slides!
As the music and houselights fade, a slide of the theater’s logo, “BC” in olde english-type font, is shown, while an organ music fanfare is played. Wow!
This is followed by a film strip announcing “Starts Friday.” A nice touch that you don’t see much anymore.
After the one trailer plays, another filmstrip announces “Our Feature Attraction.”
And on with the show. I was especially happy to see that the image on the screen was bright and clear, and the sound system just loud enough.
Kudos to the owner and management, who obviously love running this local but charming showhouse.
I passed by this weekend and this house looks closed. Except that the paint job in front, in an Egyptian style, seems in pristine condition and there is no graffiti on the building.
The two Gaiety’s are the same in name only. The present one, located above Howard Johnson’s restaurant, was never a playhouse or moviehouse, to my knowledge.
Well, 1400 is about the size of the Astor Plaza, so it must have seemed pretty big in a small town like Maplewood. Plus, 1400 seats all on one level is pretty vast, especially with a narrow lobby flowing into a sea of seats.
There’s a half-page full color ad (or is it add?) in Time Out New York #458 July 8-15, 2004, announcing the grand opening. The ad mentions the films above, but they are also opening “Harold & Kumar go to White Castle,‘ a mainstream release, on July 30. Here is the web address: www.theimaginasian.com
This is now a porno emporium called the Playpen, but there is a lot of theatrical detail left, both downstairs and upstairs, it you look toward the ceiling and not on the floor!
The Whitman also ended as a single screen. I remember reading that the landlord would not allow any twinning or other multiplexing, thus making it harder for management to make a buck. I don’t remember the name of the other (outdoor) mall where the York Theater was. I’m glad to see that now both the Whitman and the York will be added to the ever-growing list of lost movie houses.
You are referring to the Whitman Theater, which has a listing on this site. There was a Huntington Theater on New York Avenue, which I believe is now a performing arts center.
And where is the listing for Sunrise Multiplex?
I live nearby and it seems that this theater plays many action and popcorn features day-and-date with Sunrise Multiplex, but also plays many dramas and comedies that don’t appeal to Sunrise’s mostly black audience. And the Sunrise has 14 screens, not 25.
Here’s another still-open twin drive-in, this one just south of Gibson City in beautiful East-Central Illinois. Check out their web site.
Nice article here from New York Times 7/24/04, including a color photograph of the marquee. View link
Please. Be serious. Those 1400 (if they filled up) will be the biggest audience he gets.
Those photos are breathtaking. This is the first I’ve seen of the Capitol’s interior. Wow! And it kills me to know that I was alive when the theater closed (though still a youngster living in the suburbs.) Actually, maybe I should kill my parents instead for not realizing what we were about to lose and taking me to see it.
Will they screen For Pete’s Sake as a farewell, with 1974 prices? The movie is still pretty funny, and it would be a good send off after 30 years of service.
Those pictures listed above seem like that same kind that played to empty houses coast-to-coast, helping kill many old theaters in the process. I think Hollywood forgot how to make movies for a while.
And maybe the Lyric should have its own listing.
“I was amazed to read that the Lyric is still standing(it was playing My Fair Lady when I was a boy in ‘65 at $4.00 a seat!!I know that because my aunt went to see it there as it was the only thing they could get tickets to that evening. No wonder.) It is called the Park and is now a porno house.”
Sorry to report that this too is closed and it looks like demolition is at hand. The neighboring Palace Amusements building is now a pile of rubble, and this theater’s exit doors are boarded up.
I visited this last summer, and many architectural elements and posters advertising old Asbury Park cinemas were still visible inside.
In the above link, reprinted here, http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/pic/mayfair/m1.htm you can see the Lyric in the bottom image, directly to the right of the Mayfair. It still looks the same, but with marquee and signage.
If you want an in-person look you’d better hurry because its days seem numbered.
I was here this past weekend and they present a lovely show. The 7:10 Sunday show was packed, over two-thirds full, and it was great to see a big crowd in an old moviehouse. The words “Palace” are still set in the front sidewalk. There’s a well lit neon and flourescent marquee giving the name of the feature and its star player.
The auditorium is spotless, all on one level, with good seats and sightlines. Curtained walls and lighted sconces on both sides.
There is no stage curtain, but red lights gently bathe the screen while instrumenal verisons of pop hits play. No adverts or slides!
As the music and houselights fade, a slide of the theater’s logo, “BC” in olde english-type font, is shown, while an organ music fanfare is played. Wow!
This is followed by a film strip announcing “Starts Friday.” A nice touch that you don’t see much anymore.
After the one trailer plays, another filmstrip announces “Our Feature Attraction.”
And on with the show. I was especially happy to see that the image on the screen was bright and clear, and the sound system just loud enough.
Kudos to the owner and management, who obviously love running this local but charming showhouse.
I passed by this weekend and this house looks closed. Except that the paint job in front, in an Egyptian style, seems in pristine condition and there is no graffiti on the building.
This theatre was torn down and an apartment building is now in its place.
The two Gaiety’s are the same in name only. The present one, located above Howard Johnson’s restaurant, was never a playhouse or moviehouse, to my knowledge.
Well, 1400 is about the size of the Astor Plaza, so it must have seemed pretty big in a small town like Maplewood. Plus, 1400 seats all on one level is pretty vast, especially with a narrow lobby flowing into a sea of seats.
Name that theater, Bruce!
There’s a half-page full color ad (or is it add?) in Time Out New York #458 July 8-15, 2004, announcing the grand opening. The ad mentions the films above, but they are also opening “Harold & Kumar go to White Castle,‘ a mainstream release, on July 30. Here is the web address: www.theimaginasian.com
I hope they’ve added some charm!
I heard these lyrics to “You’re the Top” as sung by its composer Cole Porter and thought of this marvelous site:
You’re romance,
You’re the Steps of Russia.
You’re the pants
On a Roxy usher.
I’d seen the Elgin movie house advertised but never visted.
Now, better a dance theater than a chuch, or worse.
All on one level — no balcony.
Good grief.
This is now a porno emporium called the Playpen, but there is a lot of theatrical detail left, both downstairs and upstairs, it you look toward the ceiling and not on the floor!
The Whitman also ended as a single screen. I remember reading that the landlord would not allow any twinning or other multiplexing, thus making it harder for management to make a buck. I don’t remember the name of the other (outdoor) mall where the York Theater was. I’m glad to see that now both the Whitman and the York will be added to the ever-growing list of lost movie houses.
Unless you mean the York theatre, which was also on New York Avenue, (the northern extension of Route 110) next to a now-closed Sears.
You are referring to the Whitman Theater, which has a listing on this site. There was a Huntington Theater on New York Avenue, which I believe is now a performing arts center.