Fabian Theatre
45 Church Street,
Paterson,
NJ
07505
45 Church Street,
Paterson,
NJ
07505
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Amazing how many seats the theater had and at times there were actually sell-outs
An extensive remodeling of the Fabian Theatre took place in 1962, featured in a two-page article in the August 15 issue of Motion Picture Exhibitor. A reseating reduced the capacity of the house by about 600, ornate decoration was removed or covered, the house was recarpeted and repainted, a new marquee was installed, and the restrooms and lounges updated. The original auditorium chandelier was removed. A new screen 52x26 feet was installed, along with new projectors and a modern sound system. In a nod to the old days, the Wurlitzer Hope-Jones organ was refurbished and was featured at the reopening of the house. Plans for the project were by Paterson architect Sidney Schenker.
Reopening with 3 screens on March 17th, 1978
Fabian Triplex opening in Paterson Thu, Mar 16, 1978 – 19 · The News (Paterson, New Jersey) · Newspapers.com
Grand opening
Grand opening ad:
Fabian Theatre opening Sat, Dec 12, 1925 – 11 · The Record (Hackensack, Bergen, New Jersey, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
This theater isn’t like the Fabian of recent times.
It’s been gutted since I photographed it, Mark. There really isn’t anything left to restore.
What a shame this is rotting away like this. You look at Matt Lambros photos and you wonder if it could ever be restored.
I photographed the Fabian Theatre a few years ago. Check out my post at After the Final Curtain
For more information on Jacob Fabian and the architect Fred Wesley Wentworth, see www.fredwesleywentworth.com I have recently completed a book on their collaboration.
Tinseltoes, I don’t see any of these green underlined words. Ed Solero, you are right, that is an odd entrance. Someone else would have to say if that is the original one or not, but doesn’t the Fabian only now the upper balcony part of the theater with a fake ceiling put through the orchestra level? With the orchestra level converted to some other use? That could also mean that those “other use” entrances are from the original theater entrance and the “theater” using the balcony (at least when it was open yet) using a different entrance.
What’s the street view looking at? Is that an alternate entrance to theater’s 4 and 5 in the former stage area? Hardly looks like the 1920’s facade I’d have imagined.
I always wanted to go here before it closed — they had some dynamite exploitation double features.
And that shot posted on August 17, 2010 must be the balcony after the theater was divided.
I just got back from Paterson. They are gutting the Fabian. Several entryways are opened (with gates down) and you can look into the cavernous auditorium. The seats are out and they appear to be leveling the floor.
Ironic how the two flagships of the Fabian chain (this and the Montauk in Passaic) survived this long, only to meet their demise simultaneously!
Actually, those are old photos. I think the theater is gutted at this point (they were gutting it earlier this year when I was there).
Too bad such a once proud theater is wasting away. A shame!
A good current interior shot in color is here: View link
As it is a completely new theater, the Fabian 8 has its own page here on CT: /theaters/29149/
FABIAN THEATER OPENS AT CENTER CITY MALL IN PATERSON, NJ!
THIS FRIDAY 02-19-10
http://fabian8.com/
Fabian Theater Opens at Center City Mall in Paterson,NJ!!!!!!!
THIS FRIDAY 02-19-10
http://fabian8.com/
Great picture…but very sad to see.
View link
What is the status of Fabian 8?
Will the new theater use any part of the old theater?
This is the first venture for Community Theaters