There’s been one historical inaccuracy in regards to the Babylon movie theatre thats been continually perpetuating, in message boards like this, and even in books (Babylon by the Sea, for example). When you look at a photo of the original theatre (on main street) and compare it with the theatre today, there are amazing differences. When you read that the original theatre was destroyed by fire and that todays theatre was built on the same site, its easy to understand why the error goes uncorrected. Allow me to put one old rumor to rest. The Babylon Theatre built in 1922 never burnt down. In fact, much of it still exists as the foundation of todays theatre. Its true that there was a fire, this occurred in 1954. It is unclear exactly where the fire was or what caused it; the only evidence that I see inside lies in the projection room. Could it be that a fire in the projection room set the roof a-blaze? I don’t know. But what I do know is that much of the original building still exists. If you look at the 1935 photo used in the book Babylon by the Sea, you will see 3 stories- all with windows. Today, there is no evidence of these windows from the outside. The inside is a different story, however. There are storage rooms on the second floor, the entrance of one is located near the mens bathroom. In it you will see the 2 front windows on the left side of the building all boarded up, as well as one more boarded up on the side (facing the alley). The 2 windows on the right side can be accessed from an outside door located on the fire escape. Looking at the side of the building from the outside, you will notice that there is evidence of windows having once been there, all bricked off during the 1954 remodel. You will also note that evidence of the pitched roof still exists by a line formed where the newer bricks were attached to the original! This line is visible in the 1993 photo used in Babylon by the sea. More evidence exists on the inside. If you were to remove one of the ceiling tiles located near the fake fireplace, you would notice some of the original tapestry as well as artwork on wooden beams, all hidden by the newer (and lower) ceiling. Anyone looking for photos of these things should reply to this with their e-mail address and I’ll send them along.
There’s been one historical inaccuracy in regards to the Babylon movie theatre thats been continually perpetuating, in message boards like this, and even in books (Babylon by the Sea, for example). When you look at a photo of the original theatre (on main street) and compare it with the theatre today, there are amazing differences. When you read that the original theatre was destroyed by fire and that todays theatre was built on the same site, its easy to understand why the error goes uncorrected. Allow me to put one old rumor to rest. The Babylon Theatre built in 1922 never burnt down. In fact, much of it still exists as the foundation of todays theatre. Its true that there was a fire, this occurred in 1954. It is unclear exactly where the fire was or what caused it; the only evidence that I see inside lies in the projection room. Could it be that a fire in the projection room set the roof a-blaze? I don’t know. But what I do know is that much of the original building still exists. If you look at the 1935 photo used in the book Babylon by the Sea, you will see 3 stories- all with windows. Today, there is no evidence of these windows from the outside. The inside is a different story, however. There are storage rooms on the second floor, the entrance of one is located near the mens bathroom. In it you will see the 2 front windows on the left side of the building all boarded up, as well as one more boarded up on the side (facing the alley). The 2 windows on the right side can be accessed from an outside door located on the fire escape. Looking at the side of the building from the outside, you will notice that there is evidence of windows having once been there, all bricked off during the 1954 remodel. You will also note that evidence of the pitched roof still exists by a line formed where the newer bricks were attached to the original! This line is visible in the 1993 photo used in Babylon by the sea. More evidence exists on the inside. If you were to remove one of the ceiling tiles located near the fake fireplace, you would notice some of the original tapestry as well as artwork on wooden beams, all hidden by the newer (and lower) ceiling. Anyone looking for photos of these things should reply to this with their e-mail address and I’ll send them along.