About the Maplewood Film Society
It all began with a conversation among friends, bonding about how much we miss having a movie theater in our town.
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The Maplewood Theater opens on March 15, 1927. Designed by architect William Lehman, it had more than 1400 seats.
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Broadway producer Cheryl Crawford started bringing NYC-quality stage plays here — 48 in total.
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Actor Paul Robeson had the speakers directed at the performers — inventing the first stage monitor.
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Our theater had the exclusive rights to screen Jaws in Northern New Jersey. Lines snaked down to Baker Street, as audiences piled in to see CHS grad actor Roy Scheider’s hit film.
In 2020, after 92 years of being a cultural presence in the heart of our town, the Maplewood Movie Theater closed. In 2024, the Town Committee revealed plans to redevelop the property, plans that may not necessarily include a movie theater in its future. Eager to ensure that an indie film theater remains a part of our culturally-forward community, the Maplewood Film Society was formed.
A brief history of the Maplewood Movie Theater.
Our Mission:
NOW: Creating one-of-kind cinematic events that bring our community together to celebrate movies, conversation and the arts.
LONGTERM: Working to develop an independent, non-profit cinema on the site of our historic movie theater on Maplewood Avenue
Read more about Our Mission & the Case for Why Maplewood Needs Movies >>
Help us bring movies back to Maplewood.
Every little bit helps.
We can’t do this alone. Join us!
Our Team
Angela Matusik
Co-founder, President
Bio goes here
Lisa Cohen
Co-founder, Secretary
Bio goes here
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Jay De Bari
Board Member, CFO
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Felice Ecker
Board Member
In the news
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The Movies Are Coming To Maplewood for One Magical Night — NJ Monthly
Backyard Movie Night Looks To Revive Movie Culture in Town — TAPintoSOMA
Maplewood is Having an Outdoor Movie Night, But It’s Kind Of a Protest — NJ105
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Maplewood Residents Fight To Save Historic Movie Theater — NewJersey News12
Maplewood Movie Theater Attracts Potential Buyer — The Village Green
Residents Plead For Theater as Redevelopment Plan is Unveiled — Essex News Daily
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The Woodland Hosts a Screening of The Apprentice — Essex News Daily
Maplewood Film Society and SOMA Action Host Exclusive Screening of The Apprentice — The Village Green
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NJ Movie Theaters Adapt to Survive in Steaming Era — Bergen Record
Movie Theaters Need Saving. Small Towns Have Figured it Out — NYTimes
Audiences Want More Independent Movie Theaters, Study Says — IndieWire
Contact us.
maplewoodfilmsociety@gmail.com