Broadway Theatre

Glad to see this theater still open, but, no longer showing movies. They did up to a couple of years ago. At least, I believe this part is true.

Don’t think that this old photo has been posted yet:

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i miss running films there

WEDNESDAY OCT 22ND at 10:30am and 1pm the broadway will present james wales classic horror masterpiece BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN in glorious 35mm

with a live organist and classic trailers in the preshow

tickets for matinee shows are just 3 dollars

Hi newt, movie 534 here, just curious, what is your projection equipment there. Is it still 20 minute reels and carbon arc, or have you upgraded to 6000 foot reels and xenon? I hope that the theatre I have been involved with, the Ritz in Elizabeth gets sold soon, so maybe I can get some classics going there. We have 2 brinkerts with peerless carbon arc for light. The booth needs some work, but with the impending sale, everything is on hold.

AUGUST 22ND AT 9PM

FREE MOVIE EVENT

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

AUGUST 22ND AT 9PM

FREE MOVIE EVENT

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Hmmm… Let me ask you this: Given the current state of government in New Jersey, how much freedom do you as a theater operator in new Jersey have to show movies that really hit home with what’s happening in that state? For it almost sounds like you’re operating a theater in China and have to stick to strictly safe fare accordingly, lest you get paid a visit by L & I or whatever.

Admittedly, New Jersey is a very tough state to do anything positively exciting in right now, while hopefully Bob Ingle & Sandy McClure’s book on the topic will help turn things around there for the better. But to be sure, when it comes to that challenge, it’s an up-hill haul with no easy answers.

One thing I do know is that people love movies about people like themselves, and that deal with topics pertaining to what it is that they themselves are going through — provided such films flatter rather than are critical of them. People are always looking for answers, answers to how to act, what to say, what to do. Picture a movie about what you’re going through right now, for example. A movie that tells it like it really is. Wouldn’t you love it? Particularly if it shows the light at the end of the tunnel?

I don’t know why you think that playing it safe is a good strategy. For since when was it ever? And that was certainly not my advice. When I’m in New Jersey I would like to see a film that hits very hard about what’s really going on. That pulls no punches. And that offers a sense of hope that something CAN be done about it.

In studying the audience, the rule of thumb is, if people are on solid ground and have very little if anything to worry about, they like to see movies about disaster, horror and suspense. But in troubled times, when there’s so much uncertainty, when they have a great deal to worry about, when they feel life is beyond all hope, they’re drawn to movies that instill a great sense of hope and strength. For that’s the artistry of choosing which films to exhibit. And the people of New Jersey right now have a lot of uncertainties they’re currently wrestling with. And they’re looking for answers. That is, answers other than what they’re currently being told by the government, employers, doctors, teachers, etc. And this is where the power of movies comes in. Several days ago, for example, I re-watched Roman Polanski’s ROSEMARY’S BABY, and in a bizarre sort of way it made sense of a lot of things going on right now. I don’t know what sense that movie made back in 1968, I guess there were other things going on back then that made it feel relevant. But as I watched it the other day it so just hit home with what’s happening today, and gave the answers I was looking for, speaking allegorically, of course!

Anyway, in your case, I would recommend getting beyond this thing of playing it safe, and show a bit of boldness and daring.

WORTH REPEATING:

“The greatest way to ensure classic theaters such as these don’t encounter the wrecking ball is to make sure the movies they present are in alignment with what the community surrounding them is feeling in general and most would like to see. Too often recently the type of movies Hollywood has been turning out are not particularly attuned to what the current mood of the people happens to be, with rare few exceptions — such as James Cameron’s ‘Titanic’ several years back, and Michael Moore’s ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ released just last year. But at the same time it’s not only all up to Hollywood to determine what is best, but it’s also important that community theaters themselves establish a strong rapport with those in the community and base what they present on that rather than indifferently show whatever Hollywood sends their way. Just as filmmaking is an art form that requires getting a deeper understanding of what audiences want to see so as to be successful, so, too, is this true of running successful movie theaters.”

Originally posted by me at this webpage on Oct 25, 2005 at 7:54pm

I’m trying hard to think of a word that a gentleman could use that starts with “s” and ends with “t” because if I was the theater, I would surely ignore any request written by someone if I thought they grew up in a gutter.

Article about theater’s current success:
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For the regular movies (not classics) is the balcony open? Is the curtain opened before the movie & closed afterwards?