Situated in a small shopping area in downtown Montclair, the façade of this small cinema still looks a lot like it did when the place opened in 1922 as a deluxe movie palace. The Clearview Clairidge embodies many of the qualities of an old-fashioned community movie house. There’s a single person behind the ticket window, and the theater marquee that can only be changed by climbing a ladder. In a way, it’s a shame that it’s changed as much as it has; pictures of the theater’s original state are stunning. The Clairidge once had a wide proscenium stage, an elegantly designed arch and single level seating.

Unfortunately, the glamorous sheen of the old days is now largely gone. Over time, Clearview Clairidge Cinema expanded to its current six screens. The atmosphere is no-frills, with basic seating and a slightly dated sound and projection system. While there are usually one or two mainstream films, the theater’s big draw is that its one of the few theaters in the area to feature independent films. On the weekends, you’ll want to buy your tickets in advance because many of the prime time screenings sell out.
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Clearview Clairidge Cinema Information

• Public Transportation: Good (NJ Transit buses 11, 28, 29, 34, and 97 all run down Montclair’s Bloomfield Avenue. Also nearby is the Bloomfield train station on the New Jersey Transit train line)
• Handicapped Accessibility: Good
• Performances/Programs: Hollywood blockbusters, Independent fare, foreign films, and documentaries
• Ticket Prices:General Admission $11; Seniors $9.75; Children $8.25; Matinee Specials $9.25, Monday – Friday: All Shows Before 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: All Shows Before 2 p.m.