Bellevue Theatre
536 Dexter Street,
Central Falls,
RI
02863
536 Dexter Street,
Central Falls,
RI
02863
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Showing 26 - 35 of 35 comments
Roland, I do remember a Stanley’s, but I can’t recall if it was directly across from the Bellevue. At least from the mid-30s, the Bellevue was right around the corner from Rand Street. At one time there was a small restaurant at the very corner, adjacent to the theater, which was called “The Pig ‘n’ Whistle” during the 40s. I do recall Dakin’s Fish and Chips, which was on the opposite side of Dexter Street, closer to Pawtucket. It was there for many years and is the only landmark I can think of which might give you a clue as to the street number. ML
Marialivia, do you recall the theater being directly across from Stanley’s, the hamburger joint?
I came across some information today that states the Bellevue was once located at 470 Dexter St. and was named the Dexter Theater until 1917. This info differs than the 536 Dexter St. address but it could be that the original building was burned and they moved to the 536 Dexter St. address. Perhaps I will dig into this more and see when the address changed.
Roland L.: Your mother and I were born the same year and probably frequented the Bellevue (and other theaters in the area) at the same time. In fact, we probably knew each other somewhat, as it was an area where people of the same age group seemed to know somebody who knew somebody who knew them, etc.!! ML
Roland L.,
Would love to see your photos of local R.I. area theatres. Why not host them on?:
http://www.photobucket.com/
Free and easy. I did it. Once you’ve got the photo to Photobucket, simply copy the URL and paste on the appropriate Cinema Treasures page.
Marialivia, I have a picture of the Strand from 1940 but I am new to this site and I see that the ability to post photos is not enabled right now.
I can look into hosting pictures maybe on my webspace from my ISP.
I have a lot of picture of quite a few theaters.
FWIW, my mother distinctly remembers the Bellevue. She was born 1932 in Valley Falls and going to the theater was the ‘thing’ to do in those days along with the numerous dance halls in Central Falls.
My mothers memory is very, very but sometimes I show her pictures to jog it a bit.
You should be able to find that article on Pawtucket Times microfilm at the city library. I’m not from Pawtucket but from Johnston. I never saw the Bellevue but went to the Strand in the 1950s.
Gerald: Unfortunately no. I would be SO happy to have a photo of either of these theaters, but especially the Strand. It was torn down to make way for a parking lot, possibly in 1958 or 1959. I know that when our new candy counter opened in September of 1948, the Pawtucket Times did a little article with ME standing behind the counter!! I don’t even have a copy of that, but I wonder if you could find it in the Times archives? Are you located in Pawtucket? As for the Bellevue, I think it’s possible that it was at least partially owned by the Crawley family, some of whom lived on Pine Street in C.F. They were a large family and perhaps some of them remain in the area.
Gerald: Unfortunately no. I would be SO happy to have a photo of either of these theaters, but especially the Strand. It was torn down to make way for a parking lot, possibly in 1958 or 1959. I know that when our new candy counter opened in September of 1948, the Pawtucket Times did a little article with ME standing behind the counter!! I don’t even have a copy of that, but I wonder if you could find it in the Times archives? Are you located in Pawtucket? As for the Bellevue, I think it’s possible that it was at least partially owned by the Crawley family, some of whom lived on Pine Street in C.F. They were a large family and perhaps some of them remain in the area.
Marialivia,
Interesting to read this comment and your one on the Strand in Pawtucket. Do you know of any photos of the place?
I frequented this theater (and I mean FREQUENT!!) during my growing-up years in Pawtucket, not far from Central Falls. The Bellevue was affectionately (?) known to us at that time as “The Belly-ache”! It was packed with kids on Saturdays, some of whom became overly noisy at times, whereupon a cop would yell SHUT UP!! as loudly as he could, and we did! I believe his name was Mr. Crawley.