United Theatre
11 Canal Street,
Westerly,
RI
02891
11 Canal Street,
Westerly,
RI
02891
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 34 comments found
Last April the theatre was open to the public briefly, as reported in this article in The Westerly Sun, which includes a photo of the interior. ARTICLE
Article & link here Move the curser down the block in the aobve street view to see the theatre.
Christmas party for 700 kids at the United Theatre in 1936.
PARTY
A 2009 article in The Westerly Sun about future plans for the United Theatre.
This article appeared in the Westerly Sun in 2009 and deals with a former ticket seller, Sue Quattromani Brunelle, who worked at the United from 1955-1963. It includes a view of the ticket booth. There are some interesting recollections of the theatre and its patrons.
from Boxoffice Magazine, April 23, 1938:
Four Westerly and Mystic Houses Will Be Renovated
WESTERLY, R.I. – Jack Findlay, owner and operator of the Central, United and Lyric Theatres here and the Strand, Mystic, Conn., is renovating all four houses. Work on the Central, which will double its present seating capacity, is in progress. At the same time two new rectifiers and two lamps are being installed in the United and new carpet laid. The 400-seat Lyric, closed for many years, will soon begin complete renovation, while next in line the Strand will be entirely modernized. Findlay plans to operate the three Westerly houses full time first-run."
WOW!! What a blast from the past this is! This was one of two local neighborhood theaters in the area. I remember seeing some great movies at The United in the early eighties including “Raiders Of The Lost Ark” (summer 1981 & re-release 1982), & “Return Of The Jedi” on Memorial Day 1983. Me & my brother got there an hour and half before showtime (the 7:15 pm show) to ensure good seats! Looong wait. Totally worth it. I also remember seeing “Vacation” & “Risky Business” as a rare double bill in January of 1984. The last movie I saw there was “Ghostbusters” in October of 84. Its a shame that The United hasn’t been restored yet. In this era of digital projection as well as sound it would be quite an awesome theater. It really is a shame. Also today marks the 28th anniversary of the release of “Return Of The Jedi” & the 33rd anniversary of “Star Wars”.
The building has really deteriated since the 2003 photos.
See my 2003 photos at http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/8346.html
Looks like the front entrance is still there but in very poor condition and minus the marquee. From the ariel it looks like the auditorium is still there also. (Using bing)
Here is a 1980 photo.
General Cinemas owned this in the 1960’s according to the IMPA
I remember this Theatre. Saw “Gone With The Wind” there. There were 2 Theatres in this town. The other one, the CENTRAL which we called “The Scratch House” that was infested with Rats was on the Connecticut side of the Pawcatuck river. It was located on West Broad Street between “The Greek American” and “Higgins Pharmacy"
I used to sneak in from the 2nd story of my Dad’s store, Greek American, untill I got caught by Mr Champlin, the ticket collector. he looked like George Brent,the Movie Star. It cost 10 cents for children under 12 for matinnees and 25 cents for evening or week ends. This structure was torn down around 1950 and a new building built to house Higgins Pharmacy. ” YOU CANT GO HOME"
Project and renovation on hold by new owner as of June 2007. Will update if and when more info is available.
No progress as of now. It’s an eye sore and looked alot better when it had sucessful stores on each wing. Hope those stores are doing well after being kicked out in the name of “progress”. jan 30th 2007
Anyone know of any progress being made?
Photos of the exterior and interior of the United in the process of renovation/restoration and taken by John Koulbanis, can be seen (now at least) in the Westerly Sun’s online photo page. Find event ID: 99240. The photos are available for sale.
In a personal blog called GaraLog, the author Gara LaMarche recalls living in Westerly some thirty-plus years ago and wrote this about the United Theatre:
“A short walk from the station will take you past the old United Theatre, where I spent almost every Saturday afternoon at the movies — admission about 35 cents, if I recall correctly. They actually ran Flash Gordon serials before the feature. (I feel as if I should be writing this from a rocking chair.) The United marquee is still up, but the theatre has been closed for at least twenty years.”
I’m so glad to hear the United is finally being renovated after 20 years of decay.
Hi All,
I am pleased to report that this theatre’s renovation is well underway. If you have any historical information, records, or just a passing interest in the future success of this theatre, please email me at your earliest convenience –
Thanks, NOVA
I have just found out that the nice marquee mentioned above is out for restoration, that the United is undergoing extensive revamping and reconstruction and will be re-opened as a three-screen art house for the area. A consultant to the project is Mr. Joe Masher, general manager of Bow-Tie Cinemas, who informed me himself. I consider this extremely good news for the Westerly/Stonington area.
The marquee is now gone!!!
Here is a photo of a closed United theater marquee. Click on photo to expand it.
On the CinemaTour website, it is stated that Westerly’s United Theater closed for good in 1983, but illegally re-opened in 1984 – I believe the closing date should be 1985: I remember seeing both “Starman” & “Micki & Maude” in late 1984 (both December releases). I also remember seeing “A Nightmare On Elm Street” & “Gremlins” earlier in 1984 @ the theater (probably more – titles evade at this time!). The Westerly Sun ran a really good article on the recent sale and renovations last week as well as a very interesting editorial update/follow-up by one of the Nardone family this week. The Sun’s website also has some really good pix of the inside during the renovations. Steve
An article in The Providence Journal on November 13, 1971 reported on the town’s attempts to stop a film showing:
Theater Owner Refuses to Halt Film, ‘Together’
The management of the United Theater, Westerly, is refusing to discontinue the showing of the film “Together” from its program, Town Manager Eugene F. Gervasini was informed yesterday.
Irwin A. Cohen, president of C&F Theateres, Inc., of Norwood, Mass., operators of the movie house said, “I just cannot place myself in the position of removing films because the town council does not like it or because there have been some complaints.
“If I were to remove this film at the request of the council, I would be opening the door to such a request on any film that they may not like for whatever reason they may find. I cannot believe that the town council wishes to place themselves in the position of being censors,” Mr. Cohen wrote.
“I am operating a business which is dependent upon the public voluntarily coming to see the films we show. The response of the public in the Westerly situation to the film ‘Together’ certainly, without a doubt, shows that they want to see it. And as adults, they should and do have that right. And I as an exhibitor should and must be able to give the public what they want.”
Mr. Cohen explained to the town manager that the film has played thropughout the country, including several theaters in Rhode Island. These include Wakefield, Narragansett, Woonsocket, Providence, and East Providence.
“The film has been approved for exhibition, without cuts, by the Rhode Island classification board and the Providence Licensing Board,” he said.
[The remainder of the article reports Mr. Cohen clarifying his position further, asserting that no previews would be shown of this movie at kiddie matinees and that no public displays of posters were put up that were deemed offensive for children.]