“The mind boggles at this 1941 double feature”
That kind of “psychoanalytical film program” also made its way into many of the “today only” Thalia offerings of the 1950s, and perhaps before and after.
Ron, is there any way of scanning those MGM report form photos you refer to? And where might that material be available? I never visited the Durfee, though I had ample opportunities to do so and drove by it a number of times. I missed Lillian Gish when she came here in the 1970s (much to my everlasting regret) and I have never been able to see a photo of the place.
You’ve got me on that one, Al. The CT-powers-that-be seem to have a grudge against that theatre. Whatever else it was, it was also a cinema treasure. Keep trying.
Re: James Woods. Correct. When he was in town, he would actually work in the store. That must have startled a few people coming in to rent films. Apponaug, I believe.
I believe it is doing well, judging by the times I’ve been. And there is a popular IMAX right across from the entrance to this theatre. The mall is a huge success, from the looks of it. There were some sporadic problems in the mall itself with rowdy youngsters, but nothing major. People from the suburbs do come here.
When actor Anthony Quinn lived in Bristol, he used to come here. I once bumped into him and his kids/grandkids. They were going to IMAX, I believe, and I overheard Quinn say something about Nordstrom. Quinn used to hang out with Mayor Buddy Cianci, who is now serving a prison term on racketeering charges. But he did turn the city around. There are lots of popular restaurants in and around the mall. It is adjacent to the Waterfire events. A new GTech building is going up across. The whole area is hopping.
This theatre has been closed for decades and hasn’t shgown movies in nearly 30 years. A local cultural organization has purchased it with plans to use it for community activities. Still needs lots of work. See postings above for September 8, 2005. When it was an art house (1958 to early 1970s) the runs were open-ended. They sometimes did special film series (Bergman comes to mind.)
Lonesome Cowboys, which I actually saw there, is not porno. It was an Andy Warhol factory film co-directed by Paul Morrissey, with Joe Dallessandro. Raunchy, yes. Porno, no. A very bad film.
This theatre, despite its generic qualities like all the rest, is where I see most of the new Hollywood movies of interest to me. It is a 12 minute drive from my house. They also currently have $3.50-for-seniors Wednesdays as do a number of the National Amusements theatres in the area, with the notable exception of Providence Place 16.
Actually, the marquee in the above photo, upon close examination of the postcard, announces the film Personal Property with Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor. That would place the image at around 1937.
The Warwick Musical Theatre began its life as a large tent and then later became the large rectangular building I linked to above. Here is an image from a postcard pictured for sale on eBay right now.
I recall it vaguely as being a kind of very large circus tent and with a center stage and seating on all or at least three sides. It was very basic and unadorned, like an instant building. Only minimal props were used for productions, I think. Performers ran up and down aisles to enter or exit the stage area. I believe patrons generally dressed casually. I honestly don’t remember very many details at all. I should have gone more often. There has to be a Warwick Historical Society that might have programs, photos, etc. The Providence Public Library has a card catalog by topics of Providence Journal articles. I’m sure those could be a big help, since I have used them to research the history of old RI movie theatres and with good results. The WMT was certainly a major summer attraction in that city and drew people from all over Rhode Island and beyond.
Here is an old postcard (circa 1907) of Newport showing the Opera House on the left behind the branches.
This old postcard shows the front of the theatre and adjacent businesses on Westminster Street around 1907.
This old postcard of Westminster Street shows the Bijou Theatre on the right with a trolley in front.
The marquee is now gone!!!
“The mind boggles at this 1941 double feature”
That kind of “psychoanalytical film program” also made its way into many of the “today only” Thalia offerings of the 1950s, and perhaps before and after.
Here is an old postcard view of the Empire Theatre building to the left of the picture.
Here is a postcard image of Thornton’s Opera House as it appeared in 1907.
Ron, is there any way of scanning those MGM report form photos you refer to? And where might that material be available? I never visited the Durfee, though I had ample opportunities to do so and drove by it a number of times. I missed Lillian Gish when she came here in the 1970s (much to my everlasting regret) and I have never been able to see a photo of the place.
You’ve got me on that one, Al. The CT-powers-that-be seem to have a grudge against that theatre. Whatever else it was, it was also a cinema treasure. Keep trying.
That was an interim period before the Paris went hardcore. Gay on one screen, straight on the other, I believe.
Re: James Woods. Correct. When he was in town, he would actually work in the store. That must have startled a few people coming in to rent films. Apponaug, I believe.
Yes, two bowling-alley style auditoriums resulted. Puny screens compared to the original. Demolished. Now a Shaw’s Market.
I believe it is still operating seasonally, and was something like $17 for a carload last year.
I believe it is doing well, judging by the times I’ve been. And there is a popular IMAX right across from the entrance to this theatre. The mall is a huge success, from the looks of it. There were some sporadic problems in the mall itself with rowdy youngsters, but nothing major. People from the suburbs do come here.
When actor Anthony Quinn lived in Bristol, he used to come here. I once bumped into him and his kids/grandkids. They were going to IMAX, I believe, and I overheard Quinn say something about Nordstrom. Quinn used to hang out with Mayor Buddy Cianci, who is now serving a prison term on racketeering charges. But he did turn the city around. There are lots of popular restaurants in and around the mall. It is adjacent to the Waterfire events. A new GTech building is going up across. The whole area is hopping.
The Strand now is Lupo’s.
This theatre has been closed for decades and hasn’t shgown movies in nearly 30 years. A local cultural organization has purchased it with plans to use it for community activities. Still needs lots of work. See postings above for September 8, 2005. When it was an art house (1958 to early 1970s) the runs were open-ended. They sometimes did special film series (Bergman comes to mind.)
Lonesome Cowboys, which I actually saw there, is not porno. It was an Andy Warhol factory film co-directed by Paul Morrissey, with Joe Dallessandro. Raunchy, yes. Porno, no. A very bad film.
The do get some first-run films, generally of the off-beat type. Currently playing is a first run of Stay Until Tomorrow, made by local filmmaker Laura Colella. I plan to see it tonight. They showed the documentary Why We Fight as a Providence first-run. The French Film Festival, run here by Brown University, is a nice annual event. They are hosting part of the Latino Film Festival starring Friday. In the café they always have walls covered with posters of films that are presumably coming attractions. Some of them in fact never come. Entertainment Weekly last year named this one of the top ten theatres in the nation. But it does have a haphazard aura…part of its slovenly charm.
This theatre, despite its generic qualities like all the rest, is where I see most of the new Hollywood movies of interest to me. It is a 12 minute drive from my house. They also currently have $3.50-for-seniors Wednesdays as do a number of the National Amusements theatres in the area, with the notable exception of Providence Place 16.
A market has taken its place.
The Dulgarian family runs it as a prestige venture and owns the entire block of real estate, indeed much other real estate in Providence. Even if it lost money, I’d hope they would continue the operation…although the College Hill Bookstore, at the corner of the Avon’s block, was shut down not too long ago because of declining business. Everyone hopes it is not an omen for the Avon. The theatre gets very decent though not huge audiences for most of its offerings and the owners are aware of the enormous good-will generated by this theatre…plus off-shoot business in the nearby shops and restaurants. The Avon is the oldest movie theatre in Providence that is still showing movies on a regular basis. It is one of the three single-screen movie theatres in Rhode Island that are still regularly showing movies: the other two are the Cable Car Cinema in Providence and the Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport. Revival House in Westerly is not in the running, being essentially a café with a DVD-projection set-up.
Here are a couple more photos of this theatre:
As the CROWN THEATRE, around 1915. One can see nicely attired vacationers on Bay Street, an electric trolley, and the carousel.
As the NINIGRET THEATRE, after 1920. The poster on the left appears to be for a Charlie Chaplin film.
The theatre became Fiore’s Market in 1951.
Actually, the marquee in the above photo, upon close examination of the postcard, announces the film Personal Property with Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor. That would place the image at around 1937.
No, the Warwick Musical Theatre on Quaker Lane. Go to the Warwick Cinema page for a discussion of this.
The Warwick Musical Theatre began its life as a large tent and then later became the large rectangular building I linked to above. Here is an image from a postcard pictured for sale on eBay right now.
I recall it vaguely as being a kind of very large circus tent and with a center stage and seating on all or at least three sides. It was very basic and unadorned, like an instant building. Only minimal props were used for productions, I think. Performers ran up and down aisles to enter or exit the stage area. I believe patrons generally dressed casually. I honestly don’t remember very many details at all. I should have gone more often. There has to be a Warwick Historical Society that might have programs, photos, etc. The Providence Public Library has a card catalog by topics of Providence Journal articles. I’m sure those could be a big help, since I have used them to research the history of old RI movie theatres and with good results. The WMT was certainly a major summer attraction in that city and drew people from all over Rhode Island and beyond.