Remember The Landmark Loew's Theater? It's 92 Today, Feel Old Yet?

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Landmark Loew's Jersey Theater in Jersey City is celebrating its 92nd birthday with a quick, but intimate party, just under the wire. The theater is getting ready to close its doors for two years to undergo an extensive renovation, bringing it back to its former glory.

Before we celebrate today, let's take it back. On Sept. 28, 1929, patrons lined the block in Journal Square to get a seat or just a glimpse at the inside of the new Landmark Loew's Jersey Theater. On opening night, Ruth Chatterton starred in Madame X in the theater. When the theater first opened its doors to the public that year, it was called "the most lavish temple of entertainment in New Jersey."

According to the Friends of Loew's website, the theater was named in 1929 among five cinematic palaces opened and dubbed "Wonder Theaters." Loew's was the only theater named in New Jersey, the other four were in New York.

This year, the theater will host a free, open house for people to enjoy tours and take in the historic scenery before doors close for renovation. The open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

Since its opening 92 years ago, Loew's has seen its fair share of turbulent times. In 1987 a serious threat of elimination came when the theater was closed and scheduled to be torn down. The Friends of the Loew's stepped in to save the theater and have been working towards preservation and, now, refurbishment, ever since.

Last month's Tropical Storm Ida brought more hardship to the theater, as flooding seeped into the theater and seriously damaged the historic pipe organ. In the aftermath of the storm, the theater said that while the damage to the organ was serious, it was not irreparable.

The Jersey City Planning Board recently heard the plans for the theater's renovation project, which comes with a $72 million price tag. The renovation plan is more focused on refurbishment, bringing the old theater back to its glory days. The rehabilitation of the marquee aims to resemble the original marquee. The existing structure will be re-used, and the existing historic ceiling will be rehabilitated. The three faces of the marquee will be reconstructed based on physical evidence, historic photographs and original drawings. The plans are sticking to the original style and architecture as much as possible.