As of December 20, Teaneck’s Cedar Lane is once again home to a movie theater—the newly reopened and revamped Teaneck Cinemas. The retro charm was refurbished and the affordable tickets have stayed, but the new technology is state-of-the-art. The digital projectors are being used right now to show Saving Mr. Banks, Anchorman 2, Frozen, Free Birds and Out of the Furnace in the four-screen theater (the last two are sharing a screen).

Since its closure in November 2012 and purchase by Matthew Latten in April 2013, walls have been repainted, previously covered art-deco murals have been uncovered, the floors have been re-carpeted, 500 new seats have been put in and the marquee out front has been redone. And even with all the new features, the ticket prices have stayed low: $5 for all showings before 6 p.m. and only $6 for seniors and children and $7 for adults later in the day. Latten figures that the lower prices will garner enough additional visits so as to make it more profitable for the theater to price lower than average.

People streamed in throughout the first two days after the theater was reopened. Theater manager Daniel Seraphin and customers agreed: This was an exciting occasion. “People keep saying to me, ‘I used to come here all the time and now the theater looks great and it’s beautiful,’” Seraphin said.

The beauty comes from old features uncovered and new features added. A tile mosaic at the entrance was uncovered, new reel-themed carpets line the floors and reels studded with renovation photos line the walls. Also on the walls are pieces of art for sale by Paul de Angelo, a painter and Bergen County resident.

Not everything has been smooth sailing, however. People have protested Out of the Furnace, a violent, gritty drama about family, fate, circumstance, and justice. However, according to Seraphin, that’s actually made moviegoers more interested in the film. It’s still not number one at the theater, though; the “superstar in terms of ticket sales” has been Saving Mr. Banks.

By Aliza Chasan