Do you have any fond memories or experiences of the Beach Theatre?
The Press of Atlantic City is looking for people who have Beach Theatre memories and want to share them. The theater, Cape May’s last movie house, is targeted for demolition as soon as this fall to make way for condominiums.
As developers and preservationists battle over the theater’s fate, The Press wants to take to a look back. Call Press reporter Richard Degener at 609-463-6711 or e-mail him at rdegener@pressofac.com to share your memories.
My name is Janie McNutt and WC Hunt was my Great Uncle. I made the rounds of all his theatres and rides when I was a kid, because I was lucky enough to get free tickets, since Mom (Dorothy Hunt) was Harry Hunt’s (WC’s brother’s) daughter. Those were the days. I probably won’t walk that way ever again, once it goes down.
I would go to the Beach Theatre with my grandparents, Willian C. and Mabel Hunt when the art league of Cape May would have new Art to show in the lobby, I also would go with my grandfather to all the openings of new theatres he would open.l My name comes from Frannie Bryce (Baby Snooks), I’m the oldest grandchild of WC and Mabel Hunt Ihad many good times over the years at the Beach Theatre and would with that somehow it could be saved. When living in North Cape May I would always go to the Beach.
Sad to see closed last year. We vacation every year and usually catch a movie on one of the nights. I think it is sad that all the nice things are being replaced. Hopefully not with a tatoo parlor
William C. Hunt was my Grandfather’s brother. Harry Bishop Hunt was my grandfather. My best friend in the 50’s down at the shore was Kenny Grace Jr. (Grace Oil Co.) Kenny and I were always in trouble. One of our fondest moments was sneaking into the Beach Theatre un – noticed. We fessed up after the movie and laughed our hearts out as we ran away.
I remember the special treat of a Beach movie back in the 60s. It was exciting to stand in the sun, look in shop windows, and smell the beautiful red geraniums while waiting for tickets to an Elvis movie. After the movie we ran around the corner to ride the rides, then up to the prominade for an ice cream cone and skeeball! Those were special times.
I’v never had the chance to go to th beach theater but the thought of it being torn down for condos is sad. We have very few drive in movie theaters left in Texas but the ones that are still in business everyone supports. Thats just a little touch of yesteryear we can keep. Don’t take it all away !!! What do we have left?
I have been coming to Cape May for over 46 years now… every summer with my entire family… Some of my fondest memories of our summer’s spent vacationing in that wonderful little seaside town were the nights that my Dad (now 93 years old and suffering with dementia) and I would walk through the quiet streets of Cape May headed to an evening show at the theater. It was our special time together during our busy vacation weeks… a chance for us to share a few special hours alone taking in all the sights and sounds your lovely town has to offer and then quietly nibble on popcorn as we watched a movie on the big screen. There was nothing better. I have since brough my husband and child to Cape May continuously every summer and had started the same tradition with my son. He and I were so sad to see that the theater was closed and possibly being torn down. It is places like that theater that keep us connected to times past, to what really matters, and to the importance of building memories that will last a lifetime… Please let me know what I can do to help prevent this from happening!!! Thank you so much.
We’ve been going to Camp May for 35 years — every summer except for the one my husband died. Upon our return the next year my children and I all felt closer to him. But, the point of this is to tell you how much we loved going to the “hometown theater”. Regardless of what was playing. We live the the suburbs with many multiplexes. What a great trip down memory lane — and now you want to close that lane! Shame. Please re-consider. Your cozy, friendly, warm and lovely city is becoming way too commercialized for us old-timers.
My family and I have been summer residents for the past 40 years. When they closed the movie theatre it was a part of history for me that ended. We’d come off the beach go home shower eat and just bike up to the theatre.
The kids could go there as they got older and we’d meet up right across the street on the boardwalk. The big thing was going to Morrow’s before hand. Everyone got 1/4 bag of candy. I remember one night my younger daughter and I in PJ’s took our bikes up and went to the movies. Oh it was so simple then.
Cape May needs a theatre. The beauty of Cape May is walking or biking everywhere you go. Who wants to get in a car (some may get lost) and find a movie theatre. Please bring back the movie house.
Thanks, Sue Calicchio