Providence Performing Arts Center
220 Weybosset Street,
Providence,
RI
02903
220 Weybosset Street,
Providence,
RI
02903
9 people
favorited this theater
Once the premier picture palace of Rhode Island, the Loew’s State Theatre (later Ocean State Theatre and Palace Theatre) has been reborn as the Providence Performing Arts Center and features live stage shows and concerts. It originally opened on October 6, 1928.
The Bell Atlantic Big Screen Movie Series periodically shows classic films on the big screen.
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 63 comments)
Wayne Underwood asks about the entrance to the old Loew’s Theater on Richmond Street. I am familiar with that side of the building, as I waited there each weekday morning (~1969), for the city bus to take me to the East side where I attended high school. I recall the Loew’s sign on Richmond and guessing that door was used for people to exit the theatre. With 3800 people in attendance, it would have been useful to have at least one additional exit. Perhaps in the early days, it was an entrance for the live performers (organist, musicians in the orchestra pit). Does anyone have any definitive information about this side street entrance?
How I wish that the PPAC would go back to having their Big Screen Classic Film Series! I miss that.
When it was the Palace Theater, there used to be two movies for $.99. I saw a lot of Gene Wilder movies, and smoked a lot of dope upstairs in the bathroom during intermission! It was dense with dope smokers. When they cracked down on that, business dropped.
This is a 2009 night photo.
Go to the link below to read more about this theatre and the City of Providence proclaiming Feb 17 as Temptations Day. Otis Williams is the last remaining original Temptation.
http://www.otiswilliams.net/news1
Correction: The site is http://www.otiswilliams.net/news1.aspx
from Boxoffice Magazine, August 19, 1950:
Promotion Drive Started on Film in Production
PROVIDENCE – A long range buildup to the eventual presentation of “Quo Vadis,” now in production in Italy, is being dramatized by Maurice Druker, manager of Loew’s State. Druker has had a large display case erected in the theatre lobby upon which he posts weekly cablegrams reporting the progress of the film, now about half finished.
In addition, photographs showing the picture in the making are displayed. Intense interest has been expressed by patrons entering and leaving the theatre. Many of them have stopped to ask Druker how soon the film will come to the city.
Note: Quo Vadis would open in New York in November, 1951. It opened at this theatre in Providence, then known as Loew’s State, not long after that.
Item about theatre organs in Boxoffice Magazine, December 22, 1956:
“The Sunday Journal devoted the entire front page of the amusement section to a feature story on the removal of the once-famous organs in the Strand, (Loew’s) State, and Majestic. Carrying a picture of Chester McLean, Strand house-manager, and pictures of the relics of the organs, the article stirred up many nostalgic memories for older moviegoers. A resident of nearby Hope Valley, Theo Smith, is buying up the instruments "to save them from the scrap pile.” He repairs the organs, donating them to churches. He is also assembling a complete unit for his home."
Another Loews State.
I think the photos posted by lost memory on 10/28/08 are nicer than the ones on the theatre’s wabsite. Thanks very much!