Fays Theatre
60 Union Street and Fountain Street,
Providence,
RI
02903
60 Union Street and Fountain Street,
Providence,
RI
02903
3 people
favorited this theater
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PROVIDENCE THEATRES: “TEMPLES OF ILLUSION"
A book called "Temples of Illusion,” by Roger Brett, was published in 1976. It is Mr. Brett’s detailed history of all the old downtown area theatres of Providence from 1871 to 1950. It includes numerous rare photos, a list of theatres with name changes, and a map to show exactly where they all were. The book is an invaluable resource and is owned by many libraries in the R.I. CLAN system. I found a copy for sale online and will use it as a reference for future postings.
The Union opened in May of 1913.
CORRECTION. Fays was never known as the Hippodrome. Union yes. Hippodrome, no. The Hippodrome was located on Fountain Street between Mathewson and Union and was a large theatre used for grandiose theatrics and later for films during the silent era. The Providence Journal building now occupies the space that used to be the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome needs to be posted on Cinema Treasures, and I’ll add it. I found a map of downtown Providence theatres (1871-1950) and their name changes in the files of the Rhode Island Historical Society. That clears up a great deal of confusion for me.
Also, it seems that Fays was not generally written with an apostrophe before the “s.”
This is an introductory note to Edward M. Fay from the the R.I. Historical Society’s Fay theatre records: “Edward M. Fay (3/14/1875-2/12/1964) spent his life involved with the entertainment industry, as violinist, conductor, vaudeville impresario, poet, and motion picture theater owner. He owned at least six different theaters between 1928 and 1971, and was called by the Providence Journal the "dean of Rhode Island entertainment” (April 22, 1947). He was the son of James T. and Mary Jane (Stuart) Fay and he married Katherine A. Lahiff in 1913."
Their website gives a summary of the collection. I myself intend to pursue research on this subject there and hopefully be able to post additional precise information (and photos!!!) later.
Summary of a news article in January of 1930: a fire started in a millinery store on the second floor of the building that houses the Strand Theatre and other businesses. Although the management of the theatre was preparing to notify the patrons, the fire was contained in time and it became unnecessary. The location of the fire was on the other side of Union Street directly across from the entrance to Fay’s Theatre. Patrons of Fay’s were unaware of the event, but passers-by thronged the streets as fire apparatus thundered up to the door. Damage was minimal.
Fay’s was also previously known as the Union Theatre. Old city directories list both the Union and Fay’s addresses as 60 Union Street. In a 1915 city directory there is listed a Union Theatre at 60 Union Street but no Fay’s.
You are a marvelous resource!! Thanks for all this great info. ML
Fay’s was on the block between Union and Eddy, between Fountain and Washington Streets, with the entrance on Union and the rear on Eddy. That’s what I meant by “behind the Biltmore.”
The Emery (later to be called the Carlton) was at 79 Mathewson Street, a block away from Fay’s. You can see the name “Emery” still on the front of what remains of the Emery/Carlton.
Regarding the Music Hall in Pawtucket, the information I have from 1928 and 1935 city directories is that its address was 229 Main Street. I don’t know anything else about it.
Not that it’s important, but my recollection is that the street directly behind the Biltmore is Eddy Street, and that Union Street is the next block up (north). Both Fay’s and the Carlton were located between Washington and Fountain Streets. I know exactly where Mathewson St. Church is, and I never realized that the Carlton was directly across from it! Yes, you are right about Fay’s being “never just movies,” but I think possibly there were times when there was just vaudeville. From what I recall, there was most of the time a combo of movie and live acts.
By the way, when I was growing up in Pawtucket and spending much time in the theaters there, I was fascinated by my elders' recollections of a theater called the Music Hall or some such name that had been on Main Street, possibly in the building that became the home of the Peerless Dept. Store, or maybe next to that. Have you heard of this? I think it was gone by the time I came on the scene, but I always wondered about it.
Fay’s was located in the block behind the Biltmore Hotel, in that area occupied now mostly by a parking garage. I never was taken there (too young to go on my own!) but I have read and heard from people who went that it was never just movies. There was always a live act or performer alternating with a movie. The Carlton was up a block on Mathewson. The auditorium of the Carlton was razed, but the front part of the building remained and is still there, across from the Mathewson Street Church.
Fay’s for some reason is a place I didn’t frequent. Union Street was a “side street” and I believe Fay’s was just off Washington Street. People of the generation before me seemed to be very fond of Fay’s and the “famous” stars they had seen there. I believe they showed a movie along with the vaudeville acts. By the time I graduated from H.S. and began going very frequently to downtown Providence, Fay’s had pretty much had its day. Ditto the Carlton, which was also on a side street, in the same block off Washington.
I have an old poster showing my grandfather and his brother performing at Fays. It’s in Armenian and probably from the 1920/s or so. I’m trying to get it translated. It looks like my they played the violin and sang. Any info on something like this?