Strand Theatre

1017 Main Street,
Hartford, CT 06103

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Architects: Leon H. Lempert, Jr., William C. Riseman

Firms: William Riseman Associates

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News About This Theater

Strand Theatre

The Strand Theatre was opened September 1, 1914. By 1933 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. In 1948 it was remodelled to the plans of architectural firm William Riseman Associates.

Contributed by Paul LeMay

Recent comments (view all 10 comments)

lawrencewilliams
lawrencewilliams on April 8, 2003 at 3:40 pm

This was the last of Hartford’s old downtown theaters to be demolished, in the mid-1970s.

William
William on November 19, 2003 at 9:06 pm

The Strand Theatre was located at 1017 Main Street and it seated 1466 people.

AlLarkin
AlLarkin on May 18, 2005 at 4:46 pm

I recall attending a movie here during the late 1950’s. Very impressed by how modern the decor was compared to other theaters in Hartford at that time.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on July 23, 2007 at 12:20 pm

No less than four period photos of the Strand appear in the “Images of America” volume Hartford, Volume I, on pages 74 and 75. One shows the marquee listing Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), another has Air Force (1943), and the two others show Doctor Zhivago (1965). Perhaps I should scan and post them. From the looks of its position on the map, it seems that this theatre and the adjacent area might have been demolished for the construction of I-84. Am I correct?

mackjay
mackjay on October 14, 2009 at 9:24 am

I saw BEN-HUR in this theater in 1959, will never forget it

Coate
Coate on October 14, 2009 at 9:53 pm

BEN-HUR opened its Hartford roadshow run in May 1960.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 23, 2014 at 1:27 pm

Items in various issues of The American Contractor in late 1913 reveal that the Strand Theatre was designed by Leon H. Lempert, Jr.

Comfortably Cool
Comfortably Cool on January 23, 2016 at 3:14 pm

The Strand had its grand opening on September 1st, 1914, with claims of being the largest theatre in Hartford presenting movies exclusively. Its three manual Austin pipe organ was reported to be the largest in the state of Connecticut. Arthur L. Collins, known for his work at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, was full-time organist. The Strand also had a resident orchestra under the direction of Samuel J. Leventhal.

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