Nick, as I noted in the intro, the Cinerama was closed in 1983. I believe the Turkish movie Yol was the last picture I myself saw here, on March 19, 1983, before the theatre ceased operation not long thereafter.
In the book Fifty Great American Silent Films 1912-1920, by Anthony Slide and Edward Wagenknecht, it states that the film Traffic in Souls, about white slave trade, opened here in 1914.
Ken,
No, it was never known as Bomes Theatre, It was a theatre in the Bomes mini-chain, which included the Hollywood in East Providence and the Palace in Jamestown. The fact that the Bomes name is carved at the top of the theatre facade only indicates that it was part of that ownership. The other two also had the name Bomes carved in front. It was never named Bomes Theatre, from its beginning to the present. The Hollywood in East Providence was the Hollywood from begining to end, though newspaper articles incorrectly referred to it as the “Bomes” Theatre. The Art Cinema had only two names: the Liberty and then the Art Cinema. Patrons went to the Liberty, then to the Art. All the newspaper ads (I have checked them from the 1920s to the 1960s) list it as the Liberty and then the Art, never Bomnes. If they refurbish it now and call it Bomes Theatre, well then that is a different story.
Abrunner,
You can post on the Westminster Playhouse page by clicking this following link which will take you there and then posting as you have done with the Art Cinema: /theaters/6596/
This link will take you to the Capitol Theatre: /theaters/6395/
Abrunner & Ritota,
Again, I request that you post or copy and re-post some of your comments on the Westminster Playhouse on its own page, listed under Modern Theatre: /theaters/6596/
Abrunner,
Thanks for the compliment, but I never wrote a book on Providence film theatres. I refer a lot on these pages though to Roger Brett’s splendid work on that subject, Temples of Illusion.
The small cinema in that Park Square building in Boston was not the Trans-Lux but the Telepix, later renamed the Park Square Cinema. The Trans-Lux was downtown on Washington Street. Both have pages in Cinema Treasures.
Abrunner,
Very fascinating comments. You should repost them on the Modern Theatre/Westminster Playhouse page: /theaters/6596/
When Bread Love and Dreams played there it was alone on a single bill. I have the Providence Journal newspaper ad, but perhaps it was paired in a later run? On that solo run it was a move-over from the Avon where it had played for “four record-breaking weeks.” The times were 2:10, 4:00, 5:55, 7:45, 9:35 in that ad I have.
I went to the afternoon screening of Amreeka at the Stuart Street. The theatre is a very clean and pleasant place; the movie was excellent. There was, sadly, only a handful of patrons at the showing. The cinema fulfills a need, since it is such a convenient place to see recent independent and foreign films in Boston’s downtown. I really do hope it succeeds in attracting more moviegoers as they discover the venue. Like a previous commenter, I believe the use of the other space in the theatre for another screen (or screens) would be a big plus.
Yes, I saw that ad. I was in town for an opera at the Emerson Majestic. I walked over to the Stuart just to check it out, and there was a sign on the door with the new info.
The Italian film Figaro e la sua gran giornata, by Mario Camerini, began a run here in late October 1933 when it was known as the Caruso Theatre. The New York Times found it entertaining; Variety magazine lamented the lack of subtitles.
A week ago Saturday the Newport Film Festival presented a showing of the 1927 silent film East Side, West Side, perfectly projected in a pristine archival 35mm print from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. There was live piano accompaniment, making it a tremendously exciting event.
Yesterday I watched Harry Hurwitz’s 1971 movie in a 35mm revival at the Newport Film Festival, The Projectionist. It is a fictional story about a projectionist at what appears to be the Midtown Theatre. We see the exterior and marquee in several shots, and a theatre interior (same place used????) several times. There are also some stunning scenes of an array of lighted marquees on then-glorious 42nd Street. The movie is available on DVD and I have not found any other comments here referring to that film.
Roland, in that photo the theatre marquee says C.Scope (CinemaScope), Interrupted Melody, Glenn Ford, and Run for Cover, James Cagney. Those films came out in the spring of 1955. So this may be a bit later in 1955, perhaps summer.
Contralto Marian Anderson gave a recital here on Sunday afternoon, December 3, 1937. She was billed in newspaper ads as “The World-Famous Negro Contralto.” Ticket prices ranged from $1.10 to $2.75. The Monte Carlo Ballet Russe had performed on November 25. There were special sprices for attending both avents, from $1.65 to $4.40 for the two performances. Impresario for the events was Aaron Richmond.
Woody Allen’s film Radio Days contains archival color footage of Broadway with the marquee of the Strand visible with the title of the film Devotion, starring Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid. The film played here in 1946. Trouble is, this is an anachronism for Radio Days, which at that point was supposed to be set in the year 1943.
Nick, as I noted in the intro, the Cinerama was closed in 1983. I believe the Turkish movie Yol was the last picture I myself saw here, on March 19, 1983, before the theatre ceased operation not long thereafter.
In the book Fifty Great American Silent Films 1912-1920, by Anthony Slide and Edward Wagenknecht, it states that the film Traffic in Souls, about white slave trade, opened here in 1914.
Ken,
No, it was never known as Bomes Theatre, It was a theatre in the Bomes mini-chain, which included the Hollywood in East Providence and the Palace in Jamestown. The fact that the Bomes name is carved at the top of the theatre facade only indicates that it was part of that ownership. The other two also had the name Bomes carved in front. It was never named Bomes Theatre, from its beginning to the present. The Hollywood in East Providence was the Hollywood from begining to end, though newspaper articles incorrectly referred to it as the “Bomes” Theatre. The Art Cinema had only two names: the Liberty and then the Art Cinema. Patrons went to the Liberty, then to the Art. All the newspaper ads (I have checked them from the 1920s to the 1960s) list it as the Liberty and then the Art, never Bomnes. If they refurbish it now and call it Bomes Theatre, well then that is a different story.
Joe,
That is an excellent piece you’ve posted a link to. I believe it contains the only known photos of Pawtucket’s Loew’s Capitol/Center Theatre.
Abrunner,
You can post on the Westminster Playhouse page by clicking this following link which will take you there and then posting as you have done with the Art Cinema:
/theaters/6596/
This link will take you to the Capitol Theatre:
/theaters/6395/
Abrunner & Ritota,
Again, I request that you post or copy and re-post some of your comments on the Westminster Playhouse on its own page, listed under Modern Theatre:
/theaters/6596/
A number of comments on and recollections of this theatre appear on the Art Cinema page
/theaters/6400/
Abrunner,
Thanks for the compliment, but I never wrote a book on Providence film theatres. I refer a lot on these pages though to Roger Brett’s splendid work on that subject, Temples of Illusion.
Abrunner,
More interesting memories!
The small cinema in that Park Square building in Boston was not the Trans-Lux but the Telepix, later renamed the Park Square Cinema. The Trans-Lux was downtown on Washington Street. Both have pages in Cinema Treasures.
Abrunner,
Very fascinating comments. You should repost them on the Modern Theatre/Westminster Playhouse page: /theaters/6596/
When Bread Love and Dreams played there it was alone on a single bill. I have the Providence Journal newspaper ad, but perhaps it was paired in a later run? On that solo run it was a move-over from the Avon where it had played for “four record-breaking weeks.” The times were 2:10, 4:00, 5:55, 7:45, 9:35 in that ad I have.
I went to the afternoon screening of Amreeka at the Stuart Street. The theatre is a very clean and pleasant place; the movie was excellent. There was, sadly, only a handful of patrons at the showing. The cinema fulfills a need, since it is such a convenient place to see recent independent and foreign films in Boston’s downtown. I really do hope it succeeds in attracting more moviegoers as they discover the venue. Like a previous commenter, I believe the use of the other space in the theatre for another screen (or screens) would be a big plus.
Yes, I saw that ad. I was in town for an opera at the Emerson Majestic. I walked over to the Stuart just to check it out, and there was a sign on the door with the new info.
The opening date has been changed to Friday, October 30th.
The Casino Theatre is scheduled to re-open, after an extensive restoration. READ ARTICLE
The Strand Theatre is visible from the Amtrak Downeaster train (between Boston and Portland)when passing through Dover.
The Italian film Figaro e la sua gran giornata, by Mario Camerini, began a run here in late October 1933 when it was known as the Caruso Theatre. The New York Times found it entertaining; Variety magazine lamented the lack of subtitles.
A page for this theatre already exists. This one should be removed.
A week ago Saturday the Newport Film Festival presented a showing of the 1927 silent film East Side, West Side, perfectly projected in a pristine archival 35mm print from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. There was live piano accompaniment, making it a tremendously exciting event.
This drive-in appears twice on Cinema Treasures. One of them should be removed. The correct spelling is Hilltop (one word).
/theaters/11441/
Yesterday I watched Harry Hurwitz’s 1971 movie in a 35mm revival at the Newport Film Festival, The Projectionist. It is a fictional story about a projectionist at what appears to be the Midtown Theatre. We see the exterior and marquee in several shots, and a theatre interior (same place used????) several times. There are also some stunning scenes of an array of lighted marquees on then-glorious 42nd Street. The movie is available on DVD and I have not found any other comments here referring to that film.
1950s photo of the theatre as the Alouette.
Roland, in that photo the theatre marquee says C.Scope (CinemaScope), Interrupted Melody, Glenn Ford, and Run for Cover, James Cagney. Those films came out in the spring of 1955. So this may be a bit later in 1955, perhaps summer.
Chicago Tribune story about restoration April 24, 2009.
Contralto Marian Anderson gave a recital here on Sunday afternoon, December 3, 1937. She was billed in newspaper ads as “The World-Famous Negro Contralto.” Ticket prices ranged from $1.10 to $2.75. The Monte Carlo Ballet Russe had performed on November 25. There were special sprices for attending both avents, from $1.65 to $4.40 for the two performances. Impresario for the events was Aaron Richmond.
Woody Allen’s film Radio Days contains archival color footage of Broadway with the marquee of the Strand visible with the title of the film Devotion, starring Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid. The film played here in 1946. Trouble is, this is an anachronism for Radio Days, which at that point was supposed to be set in the year 1943.