Iselin Theatre
1404 Oak Tree Road,
Iselin,
NJ
08830
1404 Oak Tree Road,
Iselin,
NJ
08830
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Independent Theater Service Inc.
Functions: Retail
Nearby Theaters
The Iselin Theatre was opened in the mid-1920’s. It spent its final years as a discount price double feature house, but fell into a decline with the opening of a couple of mall multiplexes in the area. Closed as a discount theatre on June 6, 1982 with Ben Cross in “Chariots of Fire”. The space is now used for retail. I have been told (however unsubstantiated) that the auditorium is still pretty much intact and that a renewal of the building might be possible. Let’s hope!
Contributed by
jim thatcher
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
1950 program:
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If someone could recall the exact address of this theater, I will drive by and inquire about its interior. I live just up the street from it and would love to find out where it used to be. I spent many hours watching the old splotchy screen.
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.
My husbands father worked there as a projectionist during the 1950’s. I have many fond memories of going there as a kid. My shoes used to stick to the floor because of all the spilled soda and candy.
It used to cost 35 cents to see the double feature. I remember cashing in all the empty soda bottles for money so it could pay my way in to see the movies.
Thanks for the Story.lolly.
Thom T – Just read your post from a few years back. The theater was located on the corner of Coreja Avenue and Oak Tree Road. It appears to have been completely gutted, but you can see the outside, which has 4 flat “columns” in the front. Between the center two were the entrance to the theater. There were two stores to either side of the theater entrance, between the remaining columns, and if I rember correctly, the corner store sold Italian Ice and Hot Dogs at one time during the 60’s. THe main store in the theater now is a Sari shop. At one time in the early 80’s, Bollywood films were shown. When the midnight shows were popular, I tried to rent the theater. Could not come to an agreement with the owner. I think it closed around 1984.
Tom Cif…Went to the Iselin since mid 1950’s Theatre used to be referred to as “The Iselin Rat Trap” Saturday matinees where the best. Sticky floors, popcorn boxes flattened out went flying in the air. JoJo’s was an Italian hot dog joint on the front corner of the theatre outside. Many a good time was spent there.
I lived in Iselin from 54(birth) to 64. We went to this theater every weekend matinee. I still remember it clearly. Heck I may even have met some of you that attended during the late 50s early 60s. I attended School 18. LOL. Wow, never thought I would see that old building again. Been in Florida since 64
I grew up in Iselin, but sadly, was too young to see a movie here before it closed. I keep an old black-and-white photo of it, though, in my office, sort of as a relic of what the old Iselin was like.
Closed by Lightstone Theatres as a deep discount movie house with 99 cent shows on June 6, 1982 with “Chariots of Fire.”