Saving this theater should be the Number One priority for all town civic groups and leaders. Unfortunately the theater had become very run down in recent years but withthe right management and support could be made into a true destination for Teaneck residents and others. A clean well run modern theater in Cedar Lane would be help all near by stores and hopefully prevent more shops from closing. This is a HUGE opportunity for Teaneck. Lets not miss it!! Kudos to Judy Distler and Dennis Gralla for their efforst so far. They cannot do it alone. If we do not act this will be another DOLLAR STORE!

I second the Kudos to Judy Distler and Dennis Gralla from James TS. I also think the Teaneck Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Lane Merchants and other civic groups get involved. Even the Teaneck Municipal government can have a role to play. The theater could be used to hold civic events. It may even be of use for Council meetings when the municipal building is overcrowded or being repaired. Maybe some of us can put in some sweat equity to get our theater back.
Do we have to get all 4 digital projectors at once? Maybe we can stage them to get the theater open sooner? Let's go Teaneck!

How does one join Ms Judy Distler's grassroots movement? Thank you.

Isn't there a dollar store just a few doors away!

Kudos to Judy & Dennis! Also Art Vatsky had some ideas worth really thinking about, as have many others already.

I'd like to offer another, though don't know if it practical, but hopefully it can be discussed. In terms of also encouraging multi-use and DAYTIME USE of the Cedar Lane Cinema Space, whether also with its having an arts center component, or any other of endless multitudes of possibilities, it would be wonderful to have some daylight pouring in, e.g. with multiple skylights, which could then have dark shades for movie-time or evening events use.

This whole project could have endless excitement and potential for both Teaneck and Cedar Lane. So let's hope that something really concrete will come of this.

Thank you again Judy, for all you have done, are doing, and will continue to do for Teaneck.

Best wishes on this to ALL of us in Teaneck,
~Judy Freeman

Thanks to all for the undeserved kudos, and for the suggestions. Once the initial meeting has been held and we have some idea of future management, there will be opportunities for input. The major input required, however, is CASH. Regardless of who steps in to manage the theater, there will be a need for community involvement -and commitment, and not just talk. This will be the time to step up and make a major contribution. Teaneck alumni, famous folks, not-so-famous folks, people-who-know-people, will have to dig into their own pockets and ask others to do the same if we are going to make this happen. That's how it has worked in other communities, and I think Teaneck is up to it. Looking at that closed theater is depressing; we have to get it up and running as soon as possible and make it an important destination - not just for those of us who live here - but for all of Bergen County.

I would be happy to help (sorry not with big money) in any way. My house available for a meeting, licking envelopes, leg work, etc. Maybe some of the organizations already IN Teaneck could help. Community Chorus & Orchestra? Could they use the facilities and/or advertise?

I praise all who are trying to help. It is important to put your money where your mouth is.
Let us just keep the tax money out of this project.
Good luck.

I am very grateful to be living in a town such as Teaneck. The movie theater is a known staple and will be surely missed if we cannot come together and find a way in bringing it back up again. The movie theater was a major reason for heavy foot traffic along cedar lane. Without it I feel as though many more businesses are doomed, which in turn will be horrible for the town as a whole.

Lived in Teaneck for 25 years and it is not clear to me why so many people do not understand that supporting a theatre requires a population that will pay admission regularly. This may require that Teaneck allow more upscale apartment/condo style buildings where potential movie goers can live. Think about all the development projects that a large number of those living in Teaneck have worked at blocking.

@MTC: Why are you saying things that make a lot of sense outside Teaneck. Here they want to spend money not generate money...... Police building will cost another couple of millions.. they are about to vote on.........
That theater sucks... it is old and about to fall apart.... It is time to demolish it and build some thing new..... but the landlord knows how to fund his property improvement project by utilizing the good tax payers of Teaneck.......

Here's an example of a kickstarter campaign to save a cinema. you CAN use kickstarter to fund a specific purchase. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1960547513/save-cinemasalem

Zizi this is Teaneck they probably expect us to run the projector ourselves.

How did the Bergen PAC do it?

Is the building designated a historic building? If so, it can not be torn down.

Why can't the landlord turn on the heat, and hire some to show holiday movies. I've never seen classics like, "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a wonderful life" on a big screen. I'm sure I' not the only one...

Why not show classics, foreign, and art house films, until money can be raised for the conversion?

Valerie has the right idea. Just have a screen at a time converted to digital and keep film prints going until its all changed. Why all at once?

I would look to the film forum in nyc as a good example of what it could be: memberships, good food not just popcorn, and a strong lineup of films old and new, foreign and domestic. This is such a huge opportunity that even just 100 grand could get things moving. All needed is initiative and maybe a big business loan...

Hope the theatre can be saved, it is a mainstay for Cedar Lane. Having grown up in Teaneck it would be such a loss. Hopefully, something can be done.

Unless you want Cedar Lane to end up like Hackensack's Main Street, try to save that theater. Hackensack had two historic theaters and once they were gone, there wasn't much reason to go to Main Street when stores closed for the evening and most restaurants didn't do well until recently with a few exceptions. Movie theaters draw traffic and signs of life, and they make the area around them thrive. Look what happened to Ridgefield Park's Main Street after the Rialto closed. Don't let it happen to Cedar Lane, too. It's the last of its kind in the area and we need it in this part of Bergen County.

local restaurants will suffer if this theater closes. The NYC Film Forum as an option to go by. 100k to update one viewing room for current films. One viewing room for cult classics (remember how many years the Rocky Horror Show played at the Waverly Theater in NYC, packed every night?). So yeah, cult classics, film noir, indy films, foreign films, ethnic films. Another room could host spoken word artists, poets, writers, singers, comedians, bands, dancers. Talent could perform there and bring some audience with them. Small theater companies could book a room for plays and/or dance events. One night a week could be amateur night(in one viewing room), like at the Apollo. the theater could host theme nights, where the audience has to dress up - Like for St, Pat's Day, show Irish films and in order to get 2-bucks off candy, folks have to dress in green, or romantic films night on Val's Day, everyone wears red. a theater on the UES of Manhattan has a specific time for families with crying babies to see films. A room could also be used for small company events, meetings, seminars, lectures...

Good ideas!

I would like to know how/where one can donate to the cause for saving the theater.