Cinerama Theatre
811 Hope Street,
Providence,
RI
02906
811 Hope Street,
Providence,
RI
02906
10 people
favorited this theater
The Cinerama Theatre began its life as a neighborhood theatre called the Hope Theatre. In August 1961, it was converted for use in exhibiting 3-projector Cinerama features, which it did successfully until the process became obsolete.
A period of revivals and some first runs ensued until the theatre was twinned in the 1970’s and became a very successful art house showing some of the best product of the period, as well as occasional series of Hollywood classics in revival.
This policy continued through 1983, when the theatre property was purchased and the site was demolished for the purpose of erecting a CVS drugstore.
Contributed by
Gerald A. DeLuca
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Recent comments (view all 53 comments)
The Dulgarians took the Avon around 1975. I beleive the Castle was sold in the early 80’s. Not sure what year we dropped the Art since it’s X rated format was always problematic with the city of Providence.
Cinerama was closed around 1981 after I had moved on to other SBC properties.
Abrunner
Jacks daughter was Jackie (JackieO on the one post above). I would love to chat with her as well since her dad and i were so close.
Nick, as I noted in the intro, the Cinerama was closed in 1983. I believe the Turkish movie Yol was the last picture I myself saw here, on March 19, 1983, before the theatre ceased operation not long thereafter.
Dear Nick Ritota and Abrunner,
I didn’t expect you guys to be so quick! Sadly no, I am not Jack’s daughter or related to anyone in the US. I am an educator in Sydney Australia. Hi.
I am reseraching the Award’s history since c.1966 when Doug Amos is said to have handed out this “Gordon Light” award for technical achievement in the cinema industry. I found reference to it in an old issue of Boxoffice Magazine.
How much technical innovation for instance was honored by Doug Amos or anyone in L&G, or the Art Cinema, or SBC Management?
(Ha. This is getting complicated.) Do any of you recall Jerry Lewis getting the award?
lizzebeth1
I worked for Doug for years and never knew of this award. Nowhere during that time did I see any indication of technical awards.
I would assume that Jerry Lewis received this award in the 60’s when he was building his chain of twin cinemas that did not play R or X rated films. Assuming that this award ended when L&G did.
Nick
Notice in Boxoffice Magazine from August 14, 1961 issue on the reopening of the Hope Theatre as the Cinerama, featuring the three-projector wide screen system:
“The new Cinerama Theatre, formerly the Hope on Hope Street, was opened August 9 after extensive renovations to convert it for exhibition of Cinerama productions, the first theatre in Rhode Island to be so equipped. The boxoffice had been selling reserved seats for the opening well in advance. Matinee prices are $1.25 and $1.49 and admission charges for evening performances are $1.75 and $2.00.”
From Boxoffice magazine, February 4, 1956:
“In the most extensive cooperation promotion ever seen in this area, 14 Providence and nearby houses used record-breaking newspaper advertising space in heralding the joint premiere of "The Day the World Ended” and “Phantom from 10,000 Leagues.” Virtually taking over the amusement pages of the local press for several days, the following houses united in the ad: Elmwood, Hope, Uptown, Liberty, Castle, all in this city; Community, Centredale; Strand, Pawtucket; Union, Attleboro; Hollywood, East Providence; Palace, Cranston; Community, Wakefield; Park, Auburn; Palace, Arctic and Stadium, Woonsocket. A brief checkup of local houses indicated that opening days were solid."
From Boxoffice magazine, August 21, 1961:
Sellout Audience at Opening of Cinerama in Providence
PROVIDENCE, RI – A sellout audience, together with a number of dignitaries, attended the gala opening of the new Cinerama Theatre, formerly the Hope Theatre, on the night of August 9, when the Lowell Thomas-Merian C. Cooper release “This is Cinerama,” was presented.
Among the first-nighters were Gov. and Mrs. John A. Notte, Jr., Catholic Bishop McVinney and Joan Zeller, “Miss Rhode Island,” who was official hostess for the occasion.
Two bands provided music for the program, searchlights probed the sky and radio and television personalities were on hand to give added importance to the event.
The new Cinerama Theatre here is the second of its kind in New England, the other one being located in Boston. A third is scheduled to be opened in Hartford, Conn., according to reports here.
What happened to all of the comments? There was some great history related here.
nritota: Cinema Treasures' default view now displays only the ten most recent comments in a thread. If additional comments exist for a given theater, they are now displayed on additional pages. To see earlier comments, click on the (view all comments) link just above the first comment displayed on the default page.
To Gerald – The last day was indeed March 19, 1983. We did the Rocky Horror Picture show there, ending a 4+ year run. It was at midnight, so technically I guess it was March 20.
I kept track of all the casting so I had the date.