Board Considering Plan for "Golden Age" Theater in Westwood
Ray Walsh was inspired to open a revival house movie theater in Westwood after he saw a silent film from 1924 that was shot in the borough.
Ray Walsh wants to put a revival house movie theater in 312 Kinderkamack Road.
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Movies from "the golden age" of cinema may be coming to a new theater in Westwood, if an application for a use variance is approved by the Westwood Zoning Board.
Ray Walsh, a retired employee of the New York Giants who lives in Ramsey, said opening the theater was a personal "bucket list item" stemming from his love of classic movies. If the plan is approved, he will open up a 96-seat theater in a former law office at 312 Kinderkamack Road. The "revival house" theater would show movies, mostly from the 1930s and '40s, twice a night from Wednesday to Saturday each week.
"I'm talking Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne-type things," Walsh said.
Board attorney David Rutherford said the board would need to consider the "inherent nature" of the theater use when granting a variance, but noted the small size of the site was "self-limiting."
Brian Chewcaskie, an attorney representing the application, said the theater would not be showing pornography or competing with Pascack Theaters by showing first run movies.
"This is not a nefarious theater," Chewcaskie said.
Walsh previously ran a similar 50-seat theater with some friends in Ridgewood. When he was looking for a location for his new theater, Walsh said he was reminded of Westwood a few years ago at a film festival in upstate New York, where he saw the 1924 silent film The Speed Spook, which was filmed and set in the borough.
According to the orginal New York Times review, the movie "is a species of modernized 'Headless Horseman' being concerned with the activities of a mysterious, driverless automobile which periodically plunges through the streets of Westwood at amazing speed, turning corners with uncanny ease and rapidity and eluding the Sheriff by suddenly disappearing in a country lane."
Walsh said the movie wasn't very good, but Westwood stuck out because the upscale downtown area is similar to his old location in Ridgewood.
"I just like the whole layout of the town," Walsh said.
Before Walsh can proceed, he will need aproval from the zoning board. Members had some questions about the renovations to the site, which will include some minor work to the building's exterior and parking lot. The interior of the building will also be split into three sections. Besides the theater, there are plans for a dry cleaner and a medical office for the site.
If the plan is approved, the theater will be a unique business in the area.
"You have to go into New York City if you want to see an old picture," Walsh said.
The hearing is scheduled to continue at the board's August 6 meeting.
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Barry Black
8:35 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
There are a couple of theaters like this in Los Angeles that have a small but dedicated clientele. They show both old films as well as some silents especially comedies and between movies there is usually a Q&A period or a movie knowledge contest. Sometimes there is even a small cocktail party. And while they are renovating, they could put up that tower for Metro PCS so if the movie business is slow, they can make up the difference with the fee from the tower!
B@B
9:30 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
This is a great idea. The Lafayette Theatre in Suffern does something similar to this, but not all the time. Then there's the Loews Jersey in Jersey City, which is a fabulous venue, but isn't operative all the time, as it's a nonprofit.
It would be nice if this theatre would deal in rarities -- silents and some less-viewed classic films, perhaps with an introduction by a film historian (Tom Meyers, who heads up the Fort Lee Film Commission would be a good resource, as would Jim Breckerman of the Bergen Record) and/or discussion afterward. There's a lot that could be done with this concept.
duke
9:39 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
I wouldn't want to be the person putting up money for this project. The market for people wanting to see this sort of fare is very limited and with Netflix and movies streaming over the internet, those folks can take in all the Bogart they wish at any time within the confines of their own home.
Maybe in a city as large as Los Angeles this can fly, but in Westwood? Not a chance.
nightcrawl
12:18 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I love the idea! It would be very different and bring in an artsy crowd. I would love to catch up on some classic flicks in a real theater. The trick would be in the interior design. It would be so cool to have a real classic theater look. It could also possibly be used for private parties since it would be a small to medium size venue.
Lisa Walsh
11:01 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Unfortunately, the Westwood Theater's owner is attempting to block the opening of the new "old-time" theater, even though there would be no competition to his business whatsoever. The movies being shown at this new theater would be pre-1970's and classic in nature: film noir, spy classics, black and white dramas. As far as I know, nothing of the sort is currently being shown at the Westwood Theater. The owner of the Westwood Theater is being petty and not really looking to make the town thrive as a whole. He, apparently, doesn't have the spirit of small business owners in mind and is looking to squash the dreams of a retiree, who is only looking to fulfill his lifelong pursuit. Such a shame. I'm sure the people of Westwood would much prefer an empty building on Kinderkamack for another year or so?