The Torrington Drive-In closed in the 1980’s (I think), but its screen still stands. You can also see the foundation where the snack bar used to be. The marquee stands, but its covered up by a sign advertising a “Connecticut Bike Week” from years past. The screen is nearly blocked by the tall pine trees that have grown up in front of it. The trees at the back of the lot, however, have been removed. The drive-in property was under consideration for the site of the new Litchfield County Courthouse, but they have decided to build that elsewhere.
Gerald, have you checked to confirm that all these old storefront moviehouses you post are actually demolished? I have found here, in Connecticut, that the buildings that housed storefront theatres sometimes remain.
Personally I hate stadium seating and find it hard to watch a movie without becoming sore in it. They are also usually far away. I refuse to sit in stadium seats. In a theatre that has them I’ll sit in the front rows that have normal seating. The Criterion does not use stadium seating due to low ceilings (although the second floor ended up being removed). Also, they attract a large number of seniors during the day who do not want to have to climb up steps.
As for Cinema City I don’t think it will last too much longer as a new competitor is opening up nearby in 2007.
That 100-seat comment is erroneous. It should probably be 1000-seat. I went to college in New London and I’ve always said that if I won the $200 million Powerball then I’d love to restore this theatre. I’m sure whoever buys it will not use it as a theatre. It can’t be a live performance venue because the Garde Theatre is right around the corner. Southeastern Connecticut desperately needs an art cinema, but 1000 seats is a bit too big for that. Maybe it could be carved up into a multiplex and show art films, but that would not honor the original interior. Whatever happens to it, it is going to cost many millions of dollars to renovate whether as a theatre, cinema, or some other use (retail, condos, etc.)
I miss the old Flicker Shack in Sedona!
For the third or fourth time – THIS THEATRE IS NOT DEMOLISHED!
The interior has been gutted for reuse as a pharmacy. Change the status to merely CLOSED.
This theatre’s status should be OPEN as the State Theatre Twin.
This was used as a cinema back in the 40’s as well. The status here should be open (although not as a cinema). See photos of it at http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=17041
The final movies shown here were “The Big Sleep” and “The Maltese Falcon.”
It seems that currently they are only running shows on four of the seven screens.
The words “Norma Jean” should be removed from the name of this theatre.
I’m not sure how well a PUB and cinema would work when ¾ of the proposed clientele (Yale students) is under age 21.
The marquee has been removed. Conversion to a pharmacy continues.
I think I heard that this theatre was literally built above the water. It hung out over it. Supposedly there were wharf rats underneath.
What were the other two theatres in Novogrod’s chain?
How much do you want for it?
The Torrington Drive-In closed in the 1980’s (I think), but its screen still stands. You can also see the foundation where the snack bar used to be. The marquee stands, but its covered up by a sign advertising a “Connecticut Bike Week” from years past. The screen is nearly blocked by the tall pine trees that have grown up in front of it. The trees at the back of the lot, however, have been removed. The drive-in property was under consideration for the site of the new Litchfield County Courthouse, but they have decided to build that elsewhere.
Gerald, have you checked to confirm that all these old storefront moviehouses you post are actually demolished? I have found here, in Connecticut, that the buildings that housed storefront theatres sometimes remain.
I thought this cinema opened early to mid-70’s.
Please send me the photos too. Click on my name for contact info.
Oh, yeah. I forgot that this most surely was a twin. One screen was the Candlelite and the other screen was the Pix.
Wasn’t this called the Candlelite Pix?
110 River St.
The lobby is now used for retail.
What’s Cinema 5?
Yes. There operator is in place. An announcement will be made tomorrow (June 2), I’ve heard.
Personally I hate stadium seating and find it hard to watch a movie without becoming sore in it. They are also usually far away. I refuse to sit in stadium seats. In a theatre that has them I’ll sit in the front rows that have normal seating. The Criterion does not use stadium seating due to low ceilings (although the second floor ended up being removed). Also, they attract a large number of seniors during the day who do not want to have to climb up steps.
As for Cinema City I don’t think it will last too much longer as a new competitor is opening up nearby in 2007.
The theatre is listed here on Cinema Treasures at /theaters/2426/
Any word on any progress?
That 100-seat comment is erroneous. It should probably be 1000-seat. I went to college in New London and I’ve always said that if I won the $200 million Powerball then I’d love to restore this theatre. I’m sure whoever buys it will not use it as a theatre. It can’t be a live performance venue because the Garde Theatre is right around the corner. Southeastern Connecticut desperately needs an art cinema, but 1000 seats is a bit too big for that. Maybe it could be carved up into a multiplex and show art films, but that would not honor the original interior. Whatever happens to it, it is going to cost many millions of dollars to renovate whether as a theatre, cinema, or some other use (retail, condos, etc.)