State Cinema

The State is currently a 2nd run house.

The State Cinema is adding 3 more screens. The current auditorium will not be sliced up. The new screens will be added in other parts of the building. While the main auditorium will continue to show second run features at a discount price, the plan for the new theatres is first run art films.

I believe the State theatre was at one time known as the Springdale Theatre, the address for the state theatre is 990 Hope Street, Stamford, Ct.

This should be listed as the State Cinema, not the State Theater.

The theatre's second screen just opened last week in it's former stagehouse. The new auditorium seats 97 people and has stadium seating. A hallway had to be cut through the main auditorium to allow access. Seats were removed for this hallway and because the city will not allow the State Cinema to add any more seats. Total seating capacity is 500.

The other two screens that were to have been built in the basement have been delayed due to difficulties, and may never actually be constructed. So, this theatre should be listed as a twin rather than a fourplex.

Also, that date up top that says it opened in 1927 is the date it started showing movies, but it was around as a legitimate theatre before that.

The plan to show art films has been abandoned along with plans for two more screens. The State Cinema is - and will remain - a twin showing sub-run.

I believe this theater was closed from sometime in the 50's until sometime in the very early 60's. From memory only. Can anybody verify this?

First listed in the Stamford City Directory in 1928 as the Springdale Theatre on 986 Hope Street. Becomes the State in 1932 showing moving pictures and vaudeville. Not listed in 1958. At 990 Hope in 1964.

I finally went by this theatre on the way to a documentary showing at the Avon. I like how the 2nd theatre is behind the main in the stagehouse, with a stadium slant. Reminds me of the Latchis.

Anyway, to the left and down the ramp, it's rope off and the lower walls up to about 10 feet are taken apart and are vacant with blue tarps. I inquired inside and it looks like no additional screens will ever be built. There are already apartments above the lobby and these lower vacancies will be new basement apartments. Strange, but probably more lucrative.

Here is a 1986 photo.