HADDON HEIGHTS, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Long before E.T. said "phone home," the Westmont Theatre was young Steven Spielberg's home away from home.
The box office is long gone, replaced by a Planet Fitness in 2016. But now, the site has a new marquee.
Camden County officials unveiled a historical marker outside the former theater in honor of the legendary director — the place where he fell in love with cinema.
Camden County Commissioner Director Lou Cappelli said the marker informs passersby about the famous director's Jersey roots. The Westmont was about four blocks from Spielberg's elementary school. He lived in Haddon Township with his family in the early 1950s.
Cappelli hopes it encourages young creatives to dream big.
"A young boy here in Haddon Township, 7 or 8 years old, goes to his first movie and decides he someday wants to be in the movies," he said. "He certainly has distinguished himself as a director."
Speilberg's latest film, "The Fabelmans," is based on his own life and experiences. It is a fictionalized version of Spielberg as a young boy seeing his first movie, "The Greatest Show on Earth," at the Westmont. His character goes on to chase his silver screen dreams while also navigating difficulties in his home life.
The Westmont Theatre opened in 1927, originally showing silent films and live orchestra performances every week, according to the county. It had several private owners until the township bought it in 2000.
The Westmont Theatre was added to the New Jersey Registry of Historic Places in 2010 but was converted into a Planet Fitness in 2016.
