Comments from Jmiah

Was there ever a balcony in this theater? I grew up in Maplewood and remember the main space…seeing Ghostbusters and Color Purple there, on the massive screen with grand ceiling decorations and itchy red wool seats…from the early and mid eighties, and I too think that the original theater may be mostly intact, like the Loews Jersey. But I don’t remember a balcony. I agree with John that it’s a cash cow for its owners and downtown, which houses more family and young-goingout life than I remember from my childhood, but certainly a fine renovation of the original hall with two small underground screens (some of the current screens in it only seat under 50 people) would work and attract an older crowd, plus introduce younger folk to the joys of enjoying a movie in full screen glory. Plus it would give Maplewood a sorely needed larger concert space. Currently they mostly show first run major studio but mostly fluffy films, and very few indie or hard hitting films ever pass through, unlike the old days, when I remember double features or just weekly changing bills and still full houses. I think it could make just as much money as a boutique house and be a grand centerpiece for Maplewood, as it once was, when it was once voted the most beautiful theater in North Jersey…