Comments from Gerald A. DeLuca

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Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Strand Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:40 am

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.”

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Empire Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:38 am

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.”

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Casino Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:25 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Fays Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:17 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Rialto Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:17 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Gaiety Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:16 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Olympic Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:16 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Bijou Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:16 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Carlton Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:15 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Hippodrome on Jun 18, 2005 at 6:14 am

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."

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Modern Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 4:42 am

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.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Bijou Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 4:13 am

Here are three photos of the Bijou over the years:
1910
1915
1950

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Majestic Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 2:36 am

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.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Majestic Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 2:26 am

Here is a photo of the Majestic from around 1911. The Majestic Theatre and the Majestic Hotel shared the same business block. The building was in existence until just a few years ago when it was subsequently demolished. A little park takes its place, I believe. I did visit the inside briefly. It was on the second floor and had a flat dance-hall style floor with some balcony-type “stadium” seating. The theatre may have even occupied a larger part of the building at one time. The steps went up from the street on the right and not from the street on the left where you see the “Majestic” sign.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Star Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:51 am

An article in the Providence Journal in November of 1905 refers to a Mr. Charles Allen who was planning a new theatre on Mathewson Street. He was said to be the proprietor of the “burned Star Theatre.” Could it have been this place? I thought it came later. Had it been used for local neighborhood theatrical productions as well as newly emerging moving pictures? I had always heard it burned after a film caught fire. Was there another Star Theatre in Providence? I wish I had taken pictures of the exterior of this barn-like structure with the flag-banner-like motif carved at the top of the front entrance reached by several cement steps. I used to drive by it often on the way to Twin Oaks Restaurant. Alas.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Trans-Lux Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:30 am

Does anyone remember a D.C. movie theatre that in the 1940s and later was called the “Little Cinema” or “Little Theatre”? I’ve seen references to it but could not find it on Cinema Treasures. It was an art house. I’d like to know the address and/or other names for this place.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Georgetown Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:25 am

Does anyone remember a D.C. movie theatre that in the 1940s and later was called the “Little Cinema” or “Little Theatre”? I’ve seen references to it but could not find it on Cinema Treasures. It was an art house. I’d like to know the address and/or other names for this place.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about DuPont Theater on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:24 am

Does anyone remember a D.C. movie theatre that in the 1940s and later was called the “Little Cinema” or “Little Theatre”? I’ve seen references to it but could not find it on Cinema Treasures. It was an art house. I’d like to know the address and/or other names for this place.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Apex Theater on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:23 am

Does anyone remember a D.C. movie theatre that in the 1940s and later was called the “Little Cinema” or “Little Theatre”? I’ve seen references to it but could not find it on Cinema Treasures. It was an art house. I’d like to know the address and/or other names for this place.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Princess Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:19 am

Was this also known as “Warner’s Princess”? If so, a while after it had opened in New York in August of 1947, Vittorio De Sica’s film “Shoe Shine” played at Warner’s Princess for three weeks. That shattering neo-realist movie about the aftermath of World War II and life in a boys' prison was distributed at the time by Lopert Films, Inc.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Tower Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:17 am

A while after it had opened in New York in August of 1947, Vittorio De Sica’s film “Shoe Shine” played at the Tower for three weeks. That shattering neo-realist movie about the aftermath of World War II and life in a boys' prison was distributed at the time by Lopert Films, Inc.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Circle Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:16 am

Does anyone remember a D.C. movie theatre that in the 1940s and later was called the “Little Cinema” or “Little Theatre”? I’ve seen references to it but could not find it on Cinema Treasures. It was an art house. I’d like to know the address and/or other names for this place.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Studebaker Theater & Playhouse Theater on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:03 am

A while after it had opened in New York in August of 1947, Vittorio De Sica’s film “Shoe Shine” played at the World Playhouse for several weeks. That shattering neo-realist movie about the aftermath of World War II and life in a boys' prison was distributed at the time by Lopert Films, Inc.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Harris Theater on Jun 18, 2005 at 1:01 am

A while after it had opened in New York in August of 1947, Vittorio De Sica’s film “Shoe Shine” played at the Art Cinema for several weeks. That shattering neo-realist movie about the aftermath of World War II and life in a boys' prison was distributed at the time by Lopert Films, Inc.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca commented about Laurel Theatre on Jun 18, 2005 at 12:57 am

A while after it had opened in New York in August of 1947, Vittorio De Sica’s film “Shoe Shine” played at the Laurel for eight weeks. That shattering neo-realist movie about the aftermath of World War II and life in a boys' prison was distributed at the time by Lopert Films, Inc.