Roland L.,
I found that book on www.abebooks.com in ten seconds. A dealer in California had it, but there were no other copies listed. Several other Providence area libraries have it and you can take it out. Check the CLAN catalog. The photo you refer to was of the demolition of the Carlton in 1954. Mr. John E. Toohey was the man standing amid the rubble (like Gloria Swanson at the Roxy) and was the manager of the Carlton in its last years. I’m going to post that photo on the Carlton site shortly. It also appears on the above mentioned “Images of Rhode Island” site of the PPL.
Marialivia,
The book deals pretty much only with downtown Providence theatres. At some point I will try to find out when the Fairlawn in Pawtucket opened, using old city directories.
Some sources describe the Olympia as the oldest in Woonsocket, having been included in a block (Fletcher’s Block) built around 1860. It may have been called the Music Hall since later the block was known as the Music Hall Building. In time the block was called the Olympia Block.
This photo from 1928 or so shows the Stadium marquee with its vertical. The film “The Last Command,” with Emil Jannings and directed by the great Joseph von Sternberg, was on view.
Twenty-seven great photos of the Albee, inside and out, can be found by going to the Providence Public Library website www.provlib.org
and following these sequential steps:
1) Click “Electronic resources"
2) Click "Electronic resources from home"
3) Scroll down and click "Images of Rhode Island"
4) Click "Providence Public Library R.I. Image Collection"
5) Type in "Albee” in the left-hand column.
6) Click “Quick pix search” at top of column. The pictures should come up. The process can be used for other theatres and other topics as well.
TWO MORE PICTURES: ONE: NARRANGASETT HOTEL NEXT TO OPERA HOUSE The Opera House would be destroyed in 1931 to provide parking facilities for the Narragansett Hotel. TWO: POSTCARD VIEW OF DORRANCE STREET, not Eddy Street as printed on the card. On the left we see the Opera House with the Narragansett Hotel to the right of it.
Here is a photo of the stage area of the Colonial from 1916 or earlier. The theatre was supposed to possess one of the finest stages in the city. In 1915 Colonial ads boasted “The Home of Refined Burlesque.”
For the record: across Power Street from the little Cable Car Cinema “block,” on the same side of South Main Street, used to stand the Talma Theatre. The Talma was not a movie house, to my knowledge, but was used by The Players, a Providence theatre group, from 1909 until 1932, when they moved to the Barker Playhouse, converted from an old church, on Benefit and Transit Streets. The Talma was torn down and the spot is a parking lot. I believe the Talma may have been called the Lyceum at one time. The Barker Playhouse remains.
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“…it must be remembered that the Providence Opera House was put up in 90 days, at a time [1871] when there were not the facilities now used for rapid yet durable operations.”
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“The new Strand Theatre on Washington Street, fast approaching completion, is a credit to the builders and an ornament to the city.”
The Casino’s location later became the famed Shepard’s Tea Room, associated with the department store of the same name. It was where shoppers, especially women, liked to have lunch after doing a heavy bit of shopping at the downtown stores like Shepard’s, Cherry & Webb, Gladdings, The Outlet Company, and others and maybe before a movie at one of the many “temples of illusion” that dotted the city.
I remember as a child being brought here by by sister. Chicken croquettes were a very popular menu item. I never knew, until recently, that this had been a former movie theatre.
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in Olneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
Here is a photo of the Modern from 1916 or earlier. The theatre was on a part of Westminster Street that no longer exists. That section was converted to steps and a walkway that went up to a new plaza in front of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The Diocese of Providence Auditorium was built at the end of that former section of the street. The street then resumes. The photo shows Westminster Street at the beginning of its incline. To the left of the theatre is Empire Street. It is at that very intersection that the first Empire Theatre used to exist until in the 1910s it was demolished to make way for an extension of Empire Street out to Weybosset and Broad. I used to come by this theatre in the late 1950s by bus. noting that it was closed and wondering about it. At that time the theatre was named (Westminster) Playhouse.
I neglected to add that this part of Arctic in West Warwick was also referred to at one time as “Jericho.” I don’t believe it still is.
West Warwick has the sad distinction of being the location of the devastating Station Night Club fire on February 21, 2003.
Roland L.,
I found that book on www.abebooks.com in ten seconds. A dealer in California had it, but there were no other copies listed. Several other Providence area libraries have it and you can take it out. Check the CLAN catalog. The photo you refer to was of the demolition of the Carlton in 1954. Mr. John E. Toohey was the man standing amid the rubble (like Gloria Swanson at the Roxy) and was the manager of the Carlton in its last years. I’m going to post that photo on the Carlton site shortly. It also appears on the above mentioned “Images of Rhode Island” site of the PPL.
Marialivia,
The book deals pretty much only with downtown Providence theatres. At some point I will try to find out when the Fairlawn in Pawtucket opened, using old city directories.
Some sources describe the Olympia as the oldest in Woonsocket, having been included in a block (Fletcher’s Block) built around 1860. It may have been called the Music Hall since later the block was known as the Music Hall Building. In time the block was called the Olympia Block.
This photo from 1928 or so shows the Stadium marquee with its vertical. The film “The Last Command,” with Emil Jannings and directed by the great Joseph von Sternberg, was on view.
Twenty-seven great photos of the Albee, inside and out, can be found by going to the Providence Public Library website www.provlib.org
and following these sequential steps:
1) Click “Electronic resources"
2) Click "Electronic resources from home"
3) Scroll down and click "Images of Rhode Island"
4) Click "Providence Public Library R.I. Image Collection"
5) Type in "Albee” in the left-hand column.
6) Click “Quick pix search” at top of column. The pictures should come up. The process can be used for other theatres and other topics as well.
Bullock’s was the first motion picture theatre in Providence…and probably in the state of Rhode Island.
Here is a photo of Keith’s Theatre back in the early decades of the 20th Century.
Thanks. There are two photos of the Colonial on the Cinema Tour website. www.cinematour.com
TWO MORE PICTURES:
ONE: NARRANGASETT HOTEL NEXT TO OPERA HOUSE The Opera House would be destroyed in 1931 to provide parking facilities for the Narragansett Hotel.
TWO: POSTCARD VIEW OF DORRANCE STREET, not Eddy Street as printed on the card. On the left we see the Opera House with the Narragansett Hotel to the right of it.
The place has just been converted inside to DIESEL…“mega club, lounge, event space.”
Here is a photo of the stage area of the Colonial from 1916 or earlier. The theatre was supposed to possess one of the finest stages in the city. In 1915 Colonial ads boasted “The Home of Refined Burlesque.”
For the record: across Power Street from the little Cable Car Cinema “block,” on the same side of South Main Street, used to stand the Talma Theatre. The Talma was not a movie house, to my knowledge, but was used by The Players, a Providence theatre group, from 1909 until 1932, when they moved to the Barker Playhouse, converted from an old church, on Benefit and Transit Streets. The Talma was torn down and the spot is a parking lot. I believe the Talma may have been called the Lyceum at one time. The Barker Playhouse remains.
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“…it must be remembered that the Providence Opera House was put up in 90 days, at a time [1871] when there were not the facilities now used for rapid yet durable operations.”
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“The new Strand Theatre on Washington Street, fast approaching completion, is a credit to the builders and an ornament to the city.”
The original Westminster Theatre (Westminster Musée? 1888?) was torn down in 1915 and a new one replaced it.
re: The New Westminster…
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“The Westminster Theatre is coming down right away, and in its stead will be erected a fireproof combination business block, of fine architecture, and a commodoous and right-up-to-the-mark theatre. June 1 will see the work begun, and under contract the house must be ready to open in 90 days. This may seem great haste, but then it must be remembered that the Providence Opera House was put up in 90 days, at a time when there were not the facilities now used for rapid and yet durable business operations.”
The Casino’s location later became the famed Shepard’s Tea Room, associated with the department store of the same name. It was where shoppers, especially women, liked to have lunch after doing a heavy bit of shopping at the downtown stores like Shepard’s, Cherry & Webb, Gladdings, The Outlet Company, and others and maybe before a movie at one of the many “temples of illusion” that dotted the city.
I remember as a child being brought here by by sister. Chicken croquettes were a very popular menu item. I never knew, until recently, that this had been a former movie theatre.
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in Olneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
From “The Board of Trade Journal” of April, 1915:
“Too many theatres? Nothing of the sort! The Emery is turning away people at every performance. The "Hip,” with its very large auditorium, is packed to the doors. The Bijou and Nickel can’t accomodate those seeking to see “the movies,” neither can the Gaiety, the Scenic, the Union or the Casino. Out in OLneyville Spitz & Nathanson’s new theatre has all it can attend to."
Here is a photo of the Modern from 1916 or earlier. The theatre was on a part of Westminster Street that no longer exists. That section was converted to steps and a walkway that went up to a new plaza in front of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The Diocese of Providence Auditorium was built at the end of that former section of the street. The street then resumes. The photo shows Westminster Street at the beginning of its incline. To the left of the theatre is Empire Street. It is at that very intersection that the first Empire Theatre used to exist until in the 1910s it was demolished to make way for an extension of Empire Street out to Weybosset and Broad. I used to come by this theatre in the late 1950s by bus. noting that it was closed and wondering about it. At that time the theatre was named (Westminster) Playhouse.
Here are three photos of the Bijou over the years:
1910
1915
1950
I neglected to add that this part of Arctic in West Warwick was also referred to at one time as “Jericho.” I don’t believe it still is.
West Warwick has the sad distinction of being the location of the devastating Station Night Club fire on February 21, 2003.