Movie Theaters of the Past

Many Old Theaters are Gone Forever

Like many urban communities, Passaic, New Jersey had several movie theaters that offered the very best and the very worst of Hollywood for many decades in the mid-20^th Century. In Passaic, theater-goers could choose between the Central, the Montauk, and the Capital. The Montauk, which first opened in 1924, was the most opulent. Opened in 1940, the Central featured live acts including Glenn Miller. Today a McDonald’s stands on the old theater property grounds. The Capital opened in 1926 and went through several incarnations, most famously showcasing popular rock bands in the 1970s and 1980s.

 

Elo Kiddies, Bastille Day, and Carpet of the Sun

 

At one time the Capital Theater showed double features like Gypsy and The Music Man. As suburban cinemas began to draw city crowds with their larger screens and better acoustics, the inner-city theaters either faced closure or dramatic innovation. John Scher, however, turned the Capital into one of the most popular teen experiences, showcasing the best of American and British rock talent.

 

Walking into the old lobby of the Capital just in time for the first song was an experience never forgotten, especially for the first-time concert goers. The expanse was engulfed in the pungent smell of marijuana, sifting through the doors of the auditorium. On stage, Cheap Trick just started singing “Elo Kiddies,” their first big hit off the Cheap Trick album. That particular concert ended with the Canadian group Rush performing, among other selections, “Bastille Day.”

 

The Capital provided a stage for all of the great singers of that time including Queen, Genesis, Bon Jovi, Kansas, the Eagles and Boston. George Carlin performed and Annie Haslam sang “Carpet of the Sun” with the band Renaissance. The theater was condemned by the city of Passaic and removed in 1991, leaving only memories of an illustrious run that began in the early 20^th Century as a venue for Vaudeville.

 

Fate of Old Movie Theaters in American Cities

 

Although many communities are attempting to restore the old theaters and bring back to life the art deco edifices that, along with neon lighting and rich curtains and upholstered seats made movie-going magical, too many theaters have been abandoned for lack of funds and ultimately demolished.

 

Some local communities, sensing the value of nostalgia, have embarked upon campaigns to restore the old theaters. Community arts organizations are most responsible for these efforts. In Winston Salem, North Carolina, for example, the Steven’s Center was created around the old city theater. Although the auditorium still features avant garde films and is the primary venue for the annual city film festival, the center hosts internationally acclaimed artists as well as productions of the North Carolina School of the Arts.

 

In Passaic, however, the old theaters are memories of the past. The Montauk Theater became associated with adult, pornographic films in the 1990s and figured in a struggle with the local education board which wanted to build a new school near the site but was concerned with the X-rated films being shown and the impact on school children.

 

Every Old Theater has a Story to Tell

 

Some communities sensed the utility of including abandoned old theaters in downtown revitalization efforts. Restored theaters that show classic Hollywood films or host musical artists enhance the historical legacy of a community. The restored theater in downtown Mt. Airy, North Carolina is a perfect example. In neighboring Elkin, NC, similar efforts are underway.

 

These restored theaters not only bridge contemporary America with a rich past when millions of Americans bought tickets to a double-feature while snacking on hot buttered popcorn and iconic candies like Good-and-Plenty, but represent a new future tied to live entertainment and, of course, a wide-screen viewing of classic films like Casablanca and Gone With the Wind.

The copyright of this article is owned by Michael Streich and any reprints in any form require written permission. Article first published in Suite101