Newport Theater

Thanks for the Vindicator page for this and other Y'town theatres!
The articles are interesting and it’s fun to see the old movie ads again! Brings back many memories.

Question: The Newport adopted a “Conventional Dress Policy” sometime in the 50’s and/or early 60’s. It was mentioned in all of their ads in that period. I believe the policy ended when Pete Wellman took over full control. Did this policy actually dictate how “dressed-up” people had to be before they would be granted admission?

thank you Wolfgirl500. I wondered if there were pictures of the Newport other then the exterior.

Any interior pictures of the Newport?

LOEW’S STATE on U.S.Route 422 in Eastwood Mall. Wasn’t sure on the City,so was not going to submit it.

I think there was a LOEW’s THEATRE in that town,tisloews?

One the first classier Theatres to play first run,“MYRA BRECKINRIDGE” Rated X.In Youngstown,Ohio.

This is it! Thanks to Ken MC for posting links to the actual photos of the Newport Theater in Youngstown, Ohio. This was an amazing cinema. Beautiful interior, concession, balcony, large screen and amazing auditorium. I went here quite often in my childhood. It is a sad sight that it is no longer there. A sign of the times.

They may be. You can’t map Midlothian Blvd in Boardman, keeps coming up Youngstown.

Cinematour has a Newport Theater on Midlothian in Boardman, OH. This site has some 1984 photos of a Newport in Boardman:
http://tinyurl.com/ndqwup
http://tinyurl.com/mqug4j
http://tinyurl.com/m6qmkl

Prior to Peter Wellman buying the Newport, the folks operating it advertised a “conventional dress policy.” As was explained to me, a “conventional dress policy” meant that women were expected to attend wearing a dress or skirt, while men should, at least, wear a sport coat. While it was not unusual in pre-60’s era for people to dress up a bit for many/any reason including going to a movie, I am not aware of any other theatre that DEMANDED that patrons dress to a code set by the theatre management.

Peter Wellman was a pretty flamboyant showman. Definitely “old-school.” He operated the Wellman and New Mock theatres in Girard, Ohio, designed Y-town’s Home Theatre. He designed and built the areas truly suburban theatre, The Belmont, on Belmont Avenue. Unfortunately for the Belmont, the concept of a first-run suburban theatre was a few years before it’s time. The Belmont quickly closed and was converted to the Atlantic Mills discount outlet.

Allegedly Wellman lost a great deal, but managed to keep the Newport running as a classy and successful venue. He would eventually re-claim the two Girard theatres for a short while prior to his death.

The outer lobby was mirrored, leading to the large, by new theatre standards, main lobby. The auditorium walls featured unusual, back-lit white tree sculptures. The ceiling was a very avant design decorated with red neon. A bit garish; but then, that’s show biz.

Bob Vargo was Peter Wellman’s able assistant. Bob loved theatre and show business and brought a lot of sparkle and professionalism to the Wellman operated theatres while completing his college career at Youngstown University. A true professional showman, I have often wondered what became of him.

Nice to read that a theatre made way for……a new Burger King! If I lived in Youngstown, I wouldn’t patronize THAT Burger King…besides I prefer McDonalds!