Casino Theatre
Cedar Avenue and Atlantic Avenue,
Wildwood,
NJ
08260
Cedar Avenue and Atlantic Avenue,
Wildwood,
NJ
08260
2 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Hunt's Theaters Inc.
Architects: William Harold Lee
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Hunt's Casino Theatre
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Opened on April 11, 1940 on the site of another Casino Theatre. Constructed by Joseph Scully, the theatre remained open year round in this summer resort town. In the early-1980’s converted to a pinball and amusement center and then later to a laser tag arena. After sitting vacant, the building was demolished in 1999.
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
“Although vaudeville was losing popularity, Hunt’s movie houses continued to present live entertainment acts between movies throughout the 1920s. The first motion picture featuring sound was shown in the Wildwoods in February, 1929, at Hunt’s Casino Theatre. Within a month, the Casino was showing "talkies” almost exclusively."
source: Wildwood by the Sea by David W. Francis, page 80
I remember as a kid, seeing :Up THe Down Staircase" with Sandy Dennis and “Sweet Charity: with Shirley McClain” there. Does anybody remember the other Theatre in Wildwood: The Ocean, The Strand, The Shore, The Blake. The Blake, Casino and Shore were on practically next door to each other. There was one other theatre, that was by Fun Pier, located on the Boardwalk, can’t remember the name, but I remember seeing: The Odd Couple and True Grit there.
Just reviewed the web-site for the other theatres, sure brings back memories of my childhood in Wildwood, in the the 60’s. It is a shame what the did with the Strand, I was in there two years ago, dirt, sticky floors, people talking, this is not the way to go the movies.
1978 postcard:
View link
I believe it was the Shore Theatre that served as Wildwood’s year-round theatre, not the Casino. Could be wrong though.
Just prior to demolition I was able to get into the building, which was thoroughly gutted. The steps up to the original projectionists loft were still there, and so was the restroom. This restroom was untouched and the violet tiles (the shade of those on the front of the building) still shined like 1940.
Another note….some of the neon marquee letters were removed in the 80’s and still exist in storage in Florida…I’ve been told.
Acording to another site, the Shore and Casino were operated as a year round theater prior to the Shore being twined.
Listed as part of Hunt’s Theatres, Inc. in the 1970 FDY & 1976 International Motion Picture Almanac.
1973 program:
View link
This webpage has a number of pictures of the theater and its later use as an amusement arcade: http://www.funchase.com/Images/Theatres/Casino.htm
We spent August 1966 in Wildwood. The Casino had Whose Afraid Of Virginia Wolf. The Ocean had just opened that year and had The Sound Of Music. The Shore had How To Steal A Million, The Regent had Doctor Zhivago (roadshow) The Blaker had Caprice with Doris Day and the Strand had Family Plot which transferred to the Shore. I saw Jesus Christ Superstar at this theater in 1973.