Whalley Theatre
379 Whalley Avenue,
New Haven,
CT
379 Whalley Avenue,
New Haven,
CT
2 people
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The former Whalley Theatre later became known as the Whalley Cafe Cinema.
The building has now been converted into a natural foods store. However, both the outside and inside still resemble a cinema if you know what to look for. The former lobby area is now a coffee bar, the balcony is now a small cafe, the auditorium which has had the floor levelled is now the food section, and the projection booth is now a manager’s office.
Contributed by
Roger Katz
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
An Austin organ Opus 1474 Size 3/7 was installed in the Whalley Theater in 1926 at a cost of $7,400.
In the 60s, the Whalley became a roadshow house. My parents took us here from New Milford to see Dr. Zhivago, Gone With The Wind and Oliver!
“Roadshow” events started in 1957 when the theatre, by virtue of ample street parking, was selected for the Southern Ct. engagement of “Around the World in 80 Days.” I think it ran for 26 weeks. We were all very impressed.
Two memories of “The Whalley”: When “BEN HUR” premiered, it seemed to run here forever. Also, one night about 1069 or 70, I attended a special Halloween showing of “Frankenstein” and “Dracula”. (Ididn’t have a VCR then!)
Make that “1969 or 1970”, as in 1069, NO ONE had VCRS!!!
Does anyone know the whereabouts or what happened to theatre manager Franklin Fergusson?
I was an usher at the Whalley while in high school (Hillhouse). I worked there until I went into the service (Jan. 1953). Mr. Ferguson was the manager and Mr. Tarren was the assistant manager. Mr. Ferguson’s father was the manager of the Whitney. Mr. Ferguson passed away some time ago.
I didn’t know the upstairs was ever open. I went upstairs and there’s a small food court sitting area by the projection booth which is the office. At the other end of the theater is another register (upstairs) and there’s some nice decoration – 2 Ionic columns, one on either end, the color scheme is pink, blue and white with a small arc leading from one column to the other, like a rainbow.
March 24,1970 and Gregory Peck’s Sci-fi Classic “MAROONED” is playing to sell out crowds.
OMG! This brings back memories. I grew up on Stanley St. and went to the Whalley Theater many times. I have no idea why I looked this up today, but it’s interesting to see how things have changed. Wow. I had a friend who was an usher there, Peter Gemmell. I think he’s a fireman now.