Stanley Theater (Jersey City, New Jersey) facts for kids
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The Stanley
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Stanley Theater in 2006
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| Address | 2932 John F. Kennedy Blvd |
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| Location | Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40°44′00″N 74°03′44″W / 40.7332°N 74.0621°W |
| Public transit | Journal Square Transportation Center |
| Owner | Jehovah's Witnesses |
| Type | Movie Palace / Assembly Hall |
| Construction | |
| Opened | March 24, 1928 |
| Renovated | 1983, 2012 |
| Architect | Fred Wesley Wentworth |
| Builder | John W. Ferguson Co. |
The Stanley Theater is a historic building in Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey. It stands at Kennedy Boulevard and Pavonia Avenue. This grand old theater has a rich history, from showing movies to hosting concerts and now serving as a special meeting place.
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A Look Back: The Stanley Theater's Early Days
The Stanley Theater first opened its doors on March 24, 1928. The very first movie shown was “The Dove”. It starred famous actors Norma Talmadge and Gilbert Roland. Besides the movie, there was a live stage show called “Sky Blues”. A large Wurlitzer organ also played music for the audience. The mayor of Jersey City, Frank Hague, even attended the opening night.
Who Designed the Stanley Theater?
The theater was designed by a talented architect named Fred Wesley Wentworth. He was known for designing many buildings in Paterson after a big fire there in 1902. When the Stanley Theater first opened, it had 4,300 seats. This made it the second largest theater on the East Coast. Only New York City's Radio City Music Hall was bigger.
From Movies to Concerts
For many years, the Stanley Theater hosted both movies and live stage shows. Famous stars like Tony Bennett and The Three Stooges performed there. In the late 1920s, Warner Bros. took over the theater. It remained a Warner Bros. theater until the late 1940s. Later, it became part of RKO Pictures.
The Stanley Theater was a top movie spot for decades. Even in the early 1960s, people would dress up to go there. A movie called “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” broke all attendance records.
Changes and Challenges
During the 1960s, the Stanley Theater faced challenges. More people moved to the suburbs, and television became popular. This meant fewer people went to the movies. The theater started hosting major concerts instead. Bands like the Grateful Dead and singers like Janis Joplin performed there. However, the building began to show its age. It had water damage, and parts of it were closed off. Finally, the Stanley Theater closed on April 20, 1978.
The large Wurlitzer organ from the theater was sold in the early 1970s. Today, it is used to entertain people at the Van Andel City Museum in Grand Rapids, MI.
The Stanley Theater's New Purpose
In 1983, the Watch Tower Society bought the building. They are the organization that supports Jehovah's Witnesses. They wanted to use the theater as a convention and Assembly Hall.
Restoring the Building
Only small changes were needed to make the building suitable for its new use. The ceiling was painted white and bright lights were added. This helped people focus during talks. Murals in the lobby were replaced with new painted scenes. One new scene showed the Four Horsemen of Revelation. The orchestra pit was covered and turned into a baptismal pool. A special sound system was also added above the stage.
Over 5,000 Jehovah's Witnesses volunteered to help restore the building. After nine months of hard work, the new Assembly Hall opened in August 1985. It has been used for religious conventions and assemblies ever since. In recent years, an addition was built next door. This new part provides two extra meeting rooms and offices.
In October 2012, the theater underwent more renovations. Over 2,000 Witness volunteers from across the United States helped with this project.
What the Stanley Theater Looks Like
The Stanley Theater has a beautiful and grand design.
Outside the Theater
A shiny copper marquee stretches over the entrance. It has green and red stained glass signs that light up with the theater's name. Below, you'll find solid brass doors with copper frames. Stained glass windows in a "Chartre Blue" color surround the foyer. Three large arched windows are located above the marquee.
The building uses many fancy materials. These include marble from Italy, Vermont, and Texas. Limestone from Indiana is used in the lobby. Granite from Maine covers the Corinthian columns in the main auditorium.
Inside the Theater
The lobby inside is three stories tall. It has columns that look like they are painted in 3D, a style called trompe l'oeil. A wide staircase in the center was inspired by the grand staircase at The Breakers. It has alabaster railings and brass handrails.
Long ago, velvet drapes decorated the lobby. Paintings by a Hungarian artist named Willy Pogany once adorned the vaulted ceiling above the staircase.
One of the largest chandeliers hangs from the second floor. It came from the original Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, dating back to the 1890s. This chandelier is 13 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It has 144 light bulbs and 4,500 hanging "Bohemian crystal" teardrops. If you look straight up, you can see its snowflake shape.
Beneath this chandelier is the original mosaic compass. It was carved by hand into the floor. The lobby floor was originally made of white and light gray Terrazzo. It has since been covered with carpet, but the mosaic is still there underneath.
The Auditorium's Design
The auditorium was designed by Movie palace architect John Eberson. When you enter, it feels like an evening in Venice. There's even a replica of the Rialto Bridge above the stage. The ceiling is 85 feet high. It was designed to look like an open sky with stars and moving clouds. Backlit stained glass windows line the walls. There are also grottoes, arches, and columns that make it look like a courtyard. The original fire curtain also showed a painting of the ocean and a coast, continuing the Venice theme.
Famous Concerts
The Grateful Dead played three concerts at the Stanley Theater in September 1972. These shows are very popular among their fans. A recording of the show from September 27 was officially released in 1998 as Dick's Picks Volume 11.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Stanley (Jersey City) para niños
- Stanley Theater (Newark, New Jersey) (Newark)
- Loew's Jersey Theatre (Jersey City)
- Park Performing Arts Center (Union City)
