Prior to the opening of the State, silent movies were screened at Woodland Hall in a building that had been constructed in 1908. It has been touted as the oldest building in town and now houses an Art Gallery called The Most Unlikely Place. In the history relating to the gallery it is mentioned that the State Theatre was constructed just down the block at a site which now houses an insurance office. That would make it 201.
Interestingly, there is a second insurance office in town at 218 run by a Mary Beard. Really?
The Bijou, located at 56 Pleasant Street, was purchased from Howard Shaw by Leon Bolduc in October 1919. In 1931 he constructed what is referred to as the Bolduc Block which included the New Conway Theatre which became the Majestic. He also operated the nearby North Conway Theatre and the former Wiley’s Hall in Lovell, ME.
In 1927 a new marquee was installed on the Bijou. In 1929 it screened the first “talkie” in Conway, “The Broadway Melody”.
I found information on the life of Leon Bolduc, who was active in the development of Conway, NH, that he opened the North Conway Theatre in the Masonic building in 1930.
Tucked quaintly between the buildings on North Hoyle Avenue, the Rex Courtyard is a beautiful space available for special events. It is named for the former Rex Theatres whose outer walls still remain and are covered with beautiful vines. One of the walls also sports a lion fountain. I’ve uploaded two pictures.
It would appear that the Grove closed in the 1980s and remained vacant until 2017 when it became an event center. To achieve that the building was expanded to include offices and a commercial kitchen. A small strip mall was also added.
The building is now for sale for $650,000. Several of the units in the strip mall are occupied.
I’ve uploaded a photo with the signage for the event center.
This ad is the best example I have seen about the juggling of theatre management. The Smith Haven Mall, Shore and Whitman were originally Century. The Sayville and Islip were originally Prudential. The Mattituck and Hampton Arts were independent.
The Smith Haven Mall and Whitman are closed. The Shore is now AMC. The rest, should they survive the pandemic, are independent.
The Lyric was founded in 1911 by William B. Nash. It became the Regent in 1919 and, finally, the Strand in 1921. These dates came from city directories.
I’ve uploaded an early ad for the Lyric. Notice the reference to “clean” vaudeville.
According to information presented at the Motion Picture Distribution Trade Practices Hearings evening admission at the Town in 1953 was 58 cents. WOW!!!!
Uploaded a 1910 image of the Lakeville, CT Rail Road Station and adjacent buildings. The large white wooden building to the right (on what would be considered Ethan Allen Street) housed an A & P Supermarket on the ground floor and a theatre on the second. At the time of the photo the theatre was called the Best. It became the Stuart in 1927.
I have uploaded a photo of the Lilly sharing a building with the post office. According to the local historian this substantial building on Railroad Avenue underwent many changes before it was demolished in the 1950s only to be replace by a supermarket.
It can be assumed that the various seating expansion could easily have been accomplished on site. At some point it became the Plainfield.
Following their success with the Comique Theatre the Koen Brothers next venture was to build the Federal. They also went on to operate additional theatres in and around Salem.
Uploaded cover from Box Office Magazine showing the opening of Century’s Meadows as the lead story.
Prior to the opening of the State, silent movies were screened at Woodland Hall in a building that had been constructed in 1908. It has been touted as the oldest building in town and now houses an Art Gallery called The Most Unlikely Place. In the history relating to the gallery it is mentioned that the State Theatre was constructed just down the block at a site which now houses an insurance office. That would make it 201.
Interestingly, there is a second insurance office in town at 218 run by a Mary Beard. Really?
The Bijou, located at 56 Pleasant Street, was purchased from Howard Shaw by Leon Bolduc in October 1919. In 1931 he constructed what is referred to as the Bolduc Block which included the New Conway Theatre which became the Majestic. He also operated the nearby North Conway Theatre and the former Wiley’s Hall in Lovell, ME.
In 1927 a new marquee was installed on the Bijou. In 1929 it screened the first “talkie” in Conway, “The Broadway Melody”.
I found information on the life of Leon Bolduc, who was active in the development of Conway, NH, that he opened the North Conway Theatre in the Masonic building in 1930.
Theater is now closed and a For Lease sign on the door as well as on the pylon.
Snipes perhaps you will establish the Lorain and Baldwin on CT.
Tucked quaintly between the buildings on North Hoyle Avenue, the Rex Courtyard is a beautiful space available for special events. It is named for the former Rex Theatres whose outer walls still remain and are covered with beautiful vines. One of the walls also sports a lion fountain. I’ve uploaded two pictures.
Snipes, confused by your intro. Palm Theatre is whites only Foley is what? No indication on the Foley site.
It would appear that the Grove closed in the 1980s and remained vacant until 2017 when it became an event center. To achieve that the building was expanded to include offices and a commercial kitchen. A small strip mall was also added.
The building is now for sale for $650,000. Several of the units in the strip mall are occupied.
I’ve uploaded a photo with the signage for the event center.
Uploaded photo of the exterior by Eric Tate. It would appear that the portion of the building not used in the downsize is now a trampoline park.
In all my years of Broadway theatre going I cannot remember a musical ever playing the Broadhurst.
Billed as the world’s only, film only, revival house.
Joe, link isn’t working.
This ad is the best example I have seen about the juggling of theatre management. The Smith Haven Mall, Shore and Whitman were originally Century. The Sayville and Islip were originally Prudential. The Mattituck and Hampton Arts were independent.
The Smith Haven Mall and Whitman are closed. The Shore is now AMC. The rest, should they survive the pandemic, are independent.
The Lyric was founded in 1911 by William B. Nash. It became the Regent in 1919 and, finally, the Strand in 1921. These dates came from city directories.
I’ve uploaded an early ad for the Lyric. Notice the reference to “clean” vaudeville.
There is mention of the Auditorium Theatre in the 1913 Moving Picture World.
According to information presented at the Motion Picture Distribution Trade Practices Hearings evening admission at the Town in 1953 was 58 cents. WOW!!!!
The Odeon opened as the Rio in 1940. It became the Odeon in 1945.
Theatre was listed in the Salem City Directory until 1929.
Listed as the Rialto from 1931 -`1943. Address listed as vacant in 1944.
1940s and 1950s actress and singer Marilyn Maxwell ushered there in the 1930s.
Uploaded a 1910 image of the Lakeville, CT Rail Road Station and adjacent buildings. The large white wooden building to the right (on what would be considered Ethan Allen Street) housed an A & P Supermarket on the ground floor and a theatre on the second. At the time of the photo the theatre was called the Best. It became the Stuart in 1927.
The building burnt down in 1957.
I have uploaded a photo of the Lilly sharing a building with the post office. According to the local historian this substantial building on Railroad Avenue underwent many changes before it was demolished in the 1950s only to be replace by a supermarket.
It can be assumed that the various seating expansion could easily have been accomplished on site. At some point it became the Plainfield.
For a period of time prior to 1927 it was operated by the Koen Brothers of Salem.
I read that the Keon Brothers of Salem also operated this theater early on.
Following their success with the Comique Theatre the Koen Brothers next venture was to build the Federal. They also went on to operate additional theatres in and around Salem.