Rialto reopens for reissues plus French and Polish films. Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 16, 1946:
The Rialto, Woonsocket, R.I., owned and operated by Maurice Safner, closed since February 1945, will reopen this month. The house will play reissues and French and Polish films to cater to the large foreign element in the Mill city. Prices will be 50 and 16 cents. Melvin Safner, son of Maurice, who manages the Olympia across the street from the Rialto, will operate. The Safners now manage four houses, including the Laurier in Woonsocket and the Lafayette in Central Falls.
Edward C. Stokes has been named manager of the Avon Cinema, east side art house, replacing Nelson Wright, who resigned to enter the automobile business…The R.I. premiere of “Manon” took place at the Avon.
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary. http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres: View link
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary. http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres: View link
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary. http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres: View link
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary. http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres: View link
Lafayette becomes Holiday in 1967, Boxoffice magazine piece, August 28, 1967:
Central Falls Lafayette Open Under New Lessees
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. —– The former Lafayette, under the new name of Holiday Cinema, was reopened Saturday (12) by Andre Papineau and Donald Rocheleau, newcomers to motion picture exhibition.
Papineau and Rocheleau installed a new marquee, remodeled and redecorated the interior and carried out needed repair jobs prior to reopening the theatre with “Hotel.” They wil play second run, seven days after Providence. Gerry Goven will continue to book for the theatre.
Just before the engagement of “Forever Amber” at the Bradley in Putnam, clergy of St Mary’s Parish there attacked the picture and urged parishioners not to attend it.
A flurry of excitement was caused at the Exeter Street during the Sunday evening showing of “Paisan” when Rex Harrison, his wife Lilli Palmer and Maria Montez were spotted watching the film. Lilli is playing the lead currently at the Colonial in “Figure of a Girl.” “Paisan” has been booked for its fifth week at the Exeter, setting a new consecutive run record for the house.
Not sure, but I don’t think so.
There is a Casino restoration website. Perhaps that info will appear here at some point. http://www.thestanfordwhitecasino.com/
John,
Thank you. I have been trying for several years to post here everything of relevance I can find about RI area theatres…though I ad a bit about theatres elsewhere.
“Charles Tobey of the Roosevelt in Valley Falls, R.I. was in the district.”
[That is, he was in Boston, probably doing summer bookings with distributors. Not earth-shaking, but we also know from this that the theatre was called the Roosevelt at this time.]
Italian films shown at the Rialto, item in Boxoffice magazine, August 28, 1948:
The Rialto, Woonsocket, R.I., will reopen September 20 with its regular policy of re-issues and first run foreign films. The house is owned by Maurice Safner but is the “baby” of his son Melvin, who is manager. The foreign element of Woonsocket is predominantly French (about 30,000) but the theatre has a large followig of Italians from surrounding cities and towns. Thus, such films as “Shoe-Shine,” “Panic” and “Open City” have been a good draw at the Rialto, which was closed for the summer months.
[Note: of the three titles mentioned, “Panic” is a French film, the other two are Italian. In Woonsocket, the Laurier often showed French films over the decades.]
20th Anniversary!
Item in Boxoffice Magazine, April 14, 1951:
“The Hollywood in East Providence recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. It opened in 1931 with "Cimarron.”"
[So the theatre existed as a functioning venue for less than 30 years, having ceased regular operation around the end of 1960. Nor was it around during the silent era, as I had thought.]
Sellout Audience at Opening of Cinerama in Providence
PROVIDENCE, RI – A sellout audience, together with a number of dignitaries, attended the gala opening of the new Cinerama Theatre, formerly the Hope Theatre, on the night of August 9, when the Lowell Thomas-Merian C. Cooper release “This is Cinerama,” was presented.
Among the first-nighters were Gov. and Mrs. John A. Notte, Jr., Catholic Bishop McVinney and Joan Zeller, “Miss Rhode Island,” who was official hostess for the occasion.
Two bands provided music for the program, searchlights probed the sky and radio and television personalities were on hand to give added importance to the event.
The new Cinerama Theatre here is the second of its kind in New England, the other one being located in Boston. A third is scheduled to be opened in Hartford, Conn., according to reports here.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, May 5, 1962:
“Rhode Islanders of Italian descent were particularly interested in recent programs at the Johnston Theatre, Thornton, where "The Ten Commandments” was presented with all-Italian dialog, and at the Leroy in Pawtucket, where “Buongiorno Primo Amore” and “Guai ai Vinti” were shown for a single night.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, May 5, 1962:
“Rhode Islanders of Italian descent were particularly interested in recent programs at the Johnston Theatre, Thornton, where "The Ten Commandments” was presented with all-Italian dialog, and at the Leroy in Pawtucket, where “Buongiorno Primo Amore” and “Guai ai Vinti” were shown for a single night.
Boxoffice article on this theatre with lots of pictures. Issue of February 12, 1962:
View link
Rialto reopens for reissues plus French and Polish films. Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 16, 1946:
The Rialto, Woonsocket, R.I., owned and operated by Maurice Safner, closed since February 1945, will reopen this month. The house will play reissues and French and Polish films to cater to the large foreign element in the Mill city. Prices will be 50 and 16 cents. Melvin Safner, son of Maurice, who manages the Olympia across the street from the Rialto, will operate. The Safners now manage four houses, including the Laurier in Woonsocket and the Lafayette in Central Falls.
Boxoffice magazine, August 7, 1961, has a photo of the interior.
View link
An article on Fabian’s Palace, with photos, appeared in Boxoffice magazine, August 7, 1961:
View link
Item from Boxoffice magazine, November 11, 1963, announcing the opening of the West End Cinema.
View link
(Article on lower right.)
Open house on last day: article with photo of the Texan Theatre in Boxoffice magazine, September 19, 1953:
View link
Item in Boxoffice magazine, March 23, 1957:
Edward C. Stokes has been named manager of the Avon Cinema, east side art house, replacing Nelson Wright, who resigned to enter the automobile business…The R.I. premiere of “Manon” took place at the Avon.
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary.
http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres:
View link
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary.
http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres:
View link
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary.
http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres:
View link
The cover of Boxoffice magazine, April 28, 1958, had a montage of Ben Sack with four of his theatres: the Saxon, the Capri, the Beacon Hill, and the Gary.
http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_042858
…and an article on Sack and his success with the acquisition of Boston theatres:
View link
Item in Boxoffice Magazine, October 1, 1938 (after the hurricane)
WASHED TO SEA
There were unconfirmed rumors Saturday that the Casino Theatre at Narragansett Pier in Roode Island had been washed to sea.
Lafayette becomes Holiday in 1967, Boxoffice magazine piece, August 28, 1967:
Central Falls Lafayette Open Under New Lessees
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. —– The former Lafayette, under the new name of Holiday Cinema, was reopened Saturday (12) by Andre Papineau and Donald Rocheleau, newcomers to motion picture exhibition.
Papineau and Rocheleau installed a new marquee, remodeled and redecorated the interior and carried out needed repair jobs prior to reopening the theatre with “Hotel.” They wil play second run, seven days after Providence. Gerry Goven will continue to book for the theatre.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 22, 1947:
Just before the engagement of “Forever Amber” at the Bradley in Putnam, clergy of St Mary’s Parish there attacked the picture and urged parishioners not to attend it.
A tank in front of theatre. From Boxoffice magazine, August 18, 1969:
View link
Item in Boxoffice magazine, January 29, 1949:
A flurry of excitement was caused at the Exeter Street during the Sunday evening showing of “Paisan” when Rex Harrison, his wife Lilli Palmer and Maria Montez were spotted watching the film. Lilli is playing the lead currently at the Colonial in “Figure of a Girl.” “Paisan” has been booked for its fifth week at the Exeter, setting a new consecutive run record for the house.
Not sure, but I don’t think so.
There is a Casino restoration website. Perhaps that info will appear here at some point.
http://www.thestanfordwhitecasino.com/
John,
Thank you. I have been trying for several years to post here everything of relevance I can find about RI area theatres…though I ad a bit about theatres elsewhere.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 21, 1942:
“The Central Theatre, Manville, R.I., has beeen sold by Napoleon J. Trahan to Henry M. Sperling, Woonsocket op-erator.”
Item in Boxoffice magazine, May 3, 1941:
“Charles Tobey of the Roosevelt in Valley Falls, R.I. was in the district.”
[That is, he was in Boston, probably doing summer bookings with distributors. Not earth-shaking, but we also know from this that the theatre was called the Roosevelt at this time.]
Italian films shown at the Rialto, item in Boxoffice magazine, August 28, 1948:
The Rialto, Woonsocket, R.I., will reopen September 20 with its regular policy of re-issues and first run foreign films. The house is owned by Maurice Safner but is the “baby” of his son Melvin, who is manager. The foreign element of Woonsocket is predominantly French (about 30,000) but the theatre has a large followig of Italians from surrounding cities and towns. Thus, such films as “Shoe-Shine,” “Panic” and “Open City” have been a good draw at the Rialto, which was closed for the summer months.
[Note: of the three titles mentioned, “Panic” is a French film, the other two are Italian. In Woonsocket, the Laurier often showed French films over the decades.]
20th Anniversary!
Item in Boxoffice Magazine, April 14, 1951:
“The Hollywood in East Providence recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. It opened in 1931 with "Cimarron.”"
[So the theatre existed as a functioning venue for less than 30 years, having ceased regular operation around the end of 1960. Nor was it around during the silent era, as I had thought.]
From Boxoffice magazine, August 21, 1961:
Sellout Audience at Opening of Cinerama in Providence
PROVIDENCE, RI – A sellout audience, together with a number of dignitaries, attended the gala opening of the new Cinerama Theatre, formerly the Hope Theatre, on the night of August 9, when the Lowell Thomas-Merian C. Cooper release “This is Cinerama,” was presented.
Among the first-nighters were Gov. and Mrs. John A. Notte, Jr., Catholic Bishop McVinney and Joan Zeller, “Miss Rhode Island,” who was official hostess for the occasion.
Two bands provided music for the program, searchlights probed the sky and radio and television personalities were on hand to give added importance to the event.
The new Cinerama Theatre here is the second of its kind in New England, the other one being located in Boston. A third is scheduled to be opened in Hartford, Conn., according to reports here.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, May 5, 1962:
“Rhode Islanders of Italian descent were particularly interested in recent programs at the Johnston Theatre, Thornton, where "The Ten Commandments” was presented with all-Italian dialog, and at the Leroy in Pawtucket, where “Buongiorno Primo Amore” and “Guai ai Vinti” were shown for a single night.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, May 5, 1962:
“Rhode Islanders of Italian descent were particularly interested in recent programs at the Johnston Theatre, Thornton, where "The Ten Commandments” was presented with all-Italian dialog, and at the Leroy in Pawtucket, where “Buongiorno Primo Amore” and “Guai ai Vinti” were shown for a single night.