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.
Yes, the Warwick Musical Theatre was in Warwick, Rhode Island, a number of miles from this Warwick Cinema. I believe I was there only once, for the musical show Annie Get Your Gun, with Howard Keel, back in the 1960s. I will look at the website you refer to.
To “lifeistrulybeautiful”:
No, those tickets sound like they might be for the Warwick Musical Theatre, at 522 Quaker Lane. It was a large seasonal structure and presented musicals and popular performers during the summer for many decades. The place no longer exists. Try Googling “Warwick Musical Theatre” for whatever information or photos you can find. I found this picture.
This old postcard image shows the entrance to the Imperial Theatre around the year 1907. The poster on the left is for vaudevillians Baker and Lynn. The shoe-shine parlor on the right charges 5¢ for ladies and gents. The windows above the entrance are for residential apartments, and the start of the theatre’s famous (infamous?) jungle of fire escapes can be seen. This is a rare and remarkable photo of a historic theatre of Providence.
Here is a postcard image of the exterior of the Boston Theatre in 1911. On the program was Sarah Bernhardt performing from L'Aiglon, Jeanne d'Arc, and Camille.
A 1940s or late 1930s postcard view of Westminster Street. The marquee for the Empire Theatre can be spotted on the right, across from the Shepard’s clock that is between Cherry & Webb and Boston Store. Expand for better view.
This is a closer view.
This photo shows Weybosset Street and Loew’s State in the 1940s. On the left, with the blue roof, appears to be the rear of the building block which contained the Empire Theatre. Its front was a block over on Westminster Street.
This postcard of Weybosset Street shows Loew’s State Theatre in the 1940s. The building on the left with the blue roof appears to be the rear of the former Empire Theatre (Keith’s, Victory) which had its entrance on Westminster Street.
This postcard shows the theatre at the beginning of the 1900s. The arched entrance can be seen in the center of the photo. The vertical sign with the name “Keith’s” hangs above. Enlarge the image for greater detail.
This old postcard image shows the theatre in the first decade of the 20th Century when it was called the Imperial. The theatre, on the right, can be seen with all its fire-escape structure. The “Imperial” sign on the left may have been added in the printing of the postcard. It doesn’t look like a billboard. Images of this theatre are extremely rare.
Here is an old postcard showing a trolley, cars and pedestrians on Purchase Street, Merchants National Bank, and, in the distance, the Olympia Theatre with its vertical marquee.
Here is an old postcard showing the Bijou Theatre and the Public Market and other shops on Broad Street, plus pedestrians and cars. A very nice picture of a lost and forgotten theatre!
I remember that same “wall-stretcher” ad used at the Avon Cinema here in Providence, where the film played quite a long time. After Marty was becoming very popular, this ad copy must have been sent out by United Artists to the theatres playing the film.
Thanks for that info, Linda. I regret never having photographed it. With some effort I could have gotten permission to see what it looked like inside, though I’m sure it was plain, but it might have had some sort of stage and a remaining projection booth. Who knows?
Herbie, this bit you wrote about the matron is amazing, because we had a similar mean matron with a limp and a flashlight and whom we drove crazy. It was the Johnston Theatre in Johnston, RI, and I wrote about her two years ago in the first post on this page.
The library is on the right heading north toward Lenox. I believe the theatre was on the left, judging by its street number. I never saw the actual theatre. So this is guesswork.
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.
Yes, the Warwick Musical Theatre was in Warwick, Rhode Island, a number of miles from this Warwick Cinema. I believe I was there only once, for the musical show Annie Get Your Gun, with Howard Keel, back in the 1960s. I will look at the website you refer to.
To “lifeistrulybeautiful”:
No, those tickets sound like they might be for the Warwick Musical Theatre, at 522 Quaker Lane. It was a large seasonal structure and presented musicals and popular performers during the summer for many decades. The place no longer exists. Try Googling “Warwick Musical Theatre” for whatever information or photos you can find. I found this picture.
This old postcard image shows the entrance to the Imperial Theatre around the year 1907. The poster on the left is for vaudevillians Baker and Lynn. The shoe-shine parlor on the right charges 5¢ for ladies and gents. The windows above the entrance are for residential apartments, and the start of the theatre’s famous (infamous?) jungle of fire escapes can be seen. This is a rare and remarkable photo of a historic theatre of Providence.
Here is a postcard image of the exterior of the Boston Theatre in 1911. On the program was Sarah Bernhardt performing from L'Aiglon, Jeanne d'Arc, and Camille.
A 1940s or late 1930s postcard view of Westminster Street. The marquee for the Empire Theatre can be spotted on the right, across from the Shepard’s clock that is between Cherry & Webb and Boston Store. Expand for better view.
This is a closer view.
This photo shows Weybosset Street and Loew’s State in the 1940s. On the left, with the blue roof, appears to be the rear of the building block which contained the Empire Theatre. Its front was a block over on Westminster Street.
This postcard of Weybosset Street shows Loew’s State Theatre in the 1940s. The building on the left with the blue roof appears to be the rear of the former Empire Theatre (Keith’s, Victory) which had its entrance on Westminster Street.
This postcard shows the theatre at the beginning of the 1900s. The arched entrance can be seen in the center of the photo. The vertical sign with the name “Keith’s” hangs above. Enlarge the image for greater detail.
This old postcard image shows the theatre in the first decade of the 20th Century when it was called the Imperial. The theatre, on the right, can be seen with all its fire-escape structure. The “Imperial” sign on the left may have been added in the printing of the postcard. It doesn’t look like a billboard. Images of this theatre are extremely rare.
Here is an old postcard showing a trolley, cars and pedestrians on Purchase Street, Merchants National Bank, and, in the distance, the Olympia Theatre with its vertical marquee.
Here is an old postcard showing the Bijou Theatre and the Public Market and other shops on Broad Street, plus pedestrians and cars. A very nice picture of a lost and forgotten theatre!
Here is a photo of the Colonial Theatre in 1962.
I remember that same “wall-stretcher” ad used at the Avon Cinema here in Providence, where the film played quite a long time. After Marty was becoming very popular, this ad copy must have been sent out by United Artists to the theatres playing the film.
Here is a postcard image of the Bijou Theatre and the block it was located in.
Caldwell was a great cultural force. I saw her conduct many times both at the Opera House and the Orpheum.
Here is a great old postcard image of this theatre.
Thanks for that info, Linda. I regret never having photographed it. With some effort I could have gotten permission to see what it looked like inside, though I’m sure it was plain, but it might have had some sort of stage and a remaining projection booth. Who knows?
Herbie, this bit you wrote about the matron is amazing, because we had a similar mean matron with a limp and a flashlight and whom we drove crazy. It was the Johnston Theatre in Johnston, RI, and I wrote about her two years ago in the first post on this page.
This postcard shows the theatre as it might have appeared in 1945, with the Adams House Restaurant next to it.
The library is on the right heading north toward Lenox. I believe the theatre was on the left, judging by its street number. I never saw the actual theatre. So this is guesswork.
A New York Times article today discusses the imminent razing of the Montauk.