Chatham Hickory Cinema
641 Shunpike Road,
Chatham,
NJ
07928
641 Shunpike Road,
Chatham,
NJ
07928
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Related Websites
Chatham Hickory Cinema (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Roberts Theaters
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Chatham Cinema, Roberts Chatham Cinema
Nearby Theaters
Located in the Hickory Shopping Center, the Chatham Cinema was opened on April 18, 1973 with Walter Matthau in “Pete ‘n Tillie”. It has been a part of the Roberts Theatres for over 20 years. A single screen, modern, comfortable and appealing in décor venue. Art work is featured in the lobby and complimentary coffee is served prior to the start of the show.
The Roberts Chatham Theatre was closed and ‘For Sale’ in October 2021. It was reopened on July 8, 2022 as the Chatham Hickory Cinema.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Extracted from this article:
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), Feb 28, 1997 p018
Theater goes the neighborhood; As movie multiplexes become megaplexes, it’s nice to know the Bijou is just around the corner. (TICKET
Chatham Cinema 641 Shunpike Road Chatham Township (201) 822-1550
By Michele Howe
Intimate. Cozy. They’re words to describe what’s waiting inside the Chatham Cinema.
Sandwiched in the Hickory Tree Shopping Center, the movie house and its marquee are almost indistinguishable from surrounding shops and eateries. But that doesn’t stop patrons from swarming in. It’s a real find for moviegoers who are interested in art films.
The 250-seat theater has been owned and operated by Bob Roberts for the last 20 years. A New Yorker, he also owns the Lost Picture Show in Union (see above), the Brook Theatre in Bound Brook and the Wellmont in Montclair.
“We cater to a more sophisticated audience that appreciates the intimacy of a small, single-screen theater,” Roberts says. “People come to us from all over because they can’t find the kinds of films we run in the average theaters.”
His taste gravitates to offbeat, independent foreign products like “The English Patient.” “It’s taken a long time but more people have come to appreciate first-rate art films like this one,” he adds.
After entering the lobby, patrons can linger in an art gallery filled with works provided by such establishments as Affairs of the Palate/Palette, an art gallery and dessert cafe in New Brunswick.
Coffee lovers are treated to a free cup of their favorite brew and the concession stand offers the usual fare of popcorn, sodas and candy.
“This is almost like family rather than a business,” says Chris Smith of Bloomfield, the theater’s manager. “And we want people to feel like they’re part of it.”
The solitary film I saw at this theater was MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. At the time the Chatham Cinema was one of the few that boldly dared show screen the movie. It was a packed house. It was not until two months later that other movie houses, such as the Berkeley Cinema, got around to showing the same film.
I tried finding this theater for Crazy Heart. It’s located is some shopping center and with the terrible parking, we were unable to find it. So we decided to go to Montclair to see it. Still, it shouldn’t be that hard to find 1 theater
did the power go out at this theater?
This is the only single screen theater left in the County that shows mostly movies, specifically art house movies.
Please update its Roberts Chatham Cinema as per website
Please update, theatre reopened on July 8 with the new Thor movie. Grand opening ad in photos section.
Please update that the new website is https://www.hickorycinema.com . Advanced ticket sales available online.
New luxury glider seats with swivel tray tables were recently installed.
Opened April 18th, 1973.
Chatham Cinema opening 12 Apr 1973, Thu Madison-Florham Park Eagle (Madison, New Jersey) Newspapers.com