Edwards Theatre
30 Main Street,
East Hampton,
NY
11937
30 Main Street,
East Hampton,
NY
11937
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated Prudential Theaters Inc.
Architects: Douglas Pairman Hall
Styles: Tudor Revival
Nearby Theaters
This, the second theatre to bear the Edwards name, was constructed by the Edwards family to replace the original which had been fashioned out of retail space somewhere else in town. The closing of the original coincided with the opening of the new on August 30, 1926. At the time it was the eastern most theatre on the South Shore of Long Island. Although originally seating 1,000, capacity was reduced to 825 during a renovation in 1951.
The facade of the building was in a half-timbered old English style with cream colored stucco. There was no balcony, but the sloped floor created a stadium atmosphere. The general color scheme was brown, red and gold, to give the atmosphere of an English country home.
An article in the East Hampton Star indicated an orchestra would play at the opening and possibly, until an organ was delivered in November.
Despite the touted presence of fireproof walls, the theatre was destroyed by fire on April 14, 1964. The wall didn’t burn. All but the front wall collapsed when the domed ceiling fell. Five other businesses housed in the two story complex were also displaced. At the time of the fire the Edwards Theatre was being managed by Prudential Theatres circuit which dominated Suffolk County.
The East Hampton Cinema 6 was built on the site.
Contributed by
rvb
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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)
Thank you for your quick response and advice. After researching your tip it is looking like they are original lobby cards however printed at a press rather then colored pictures that seem to be the norm. Perhaps I could share these with you and see if you have ever see anything like them? What would your advice be am I able to post them on this thread? These were found in a local families basement among very old things.
If they specifically mentioned Edwards and several movies these would probably have been used as advertising in the various local stores rather than as something in the lobby where there was usually a poster from the motion picture distributor. That was quite the common practice for the Prudential Circuit here on Long Island. They probably also have the word or a phrase using Prudential. They would be a welcome addition to this site. Rather than posting them on the thread where you’d need a link to a photo account, just put them in the photo section of the heading. There are instructions on CT if you go to About from the home page.
Uploaded opening ad. Notice the apostrophe is out with the old.
Postcard image from broken link now uploaded to photos.
This was my grandfathers theatre, Leonard. He lived just around the corner on The Circle. It may be that the original retail store may have been a bicycle shop run by my great grandfather Leroy.
Tour see the site for the Edwards' on Cinema Treasures. Details the retail origin of the original including the bicycle shop.
Thanks again for the work you do! I’ll be looking forward to sharing this with my family. I go to the Historic Park Theatre here in Estes Park, CO several times a year for various movies and events. Just enjoyed 3 different movies this past weekend during their Silent Film Festival complete with wonderful live piano accompaniment. Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Charlie Chase romping 1915 to 1927.
Do you have any photos? The one I was able to track down was not too clear.
I’ll either take some and post or have the owner Jenna do so.
So you’re saying the building for the original Edwards', the former garage/ bicycle shop still exists. When you do get the photos please put them on the proper site. Also if that building does still exist could you furnish the actual address. Also, it would be nice if you could locate some photos from the time it was a theater. As you can see the one I added leaves much to be desired.