FROM THE THEATRE"S WEBSITE, A HISTORY OF THIS PLACE:
WHO’S AL?
We’re glad you asked! Not surprisingly, the Al Whittle Theatre was named after Al Whittle. From 1953-2000, when our venue was known as the Acadia Cinema, Al was the manager. He ripped the tickets. He made the popcorn. He chose the movies. He was a projectionist. In short, he did a lot of things.
A native of Port Elgin, N.B., A. Ellsworth (Al) Whittle began working in movie theatres at the age of 19. He came to Wolville by way of Amherst, Charlottetown and Truro when Gerald Spencer’s Ononette Investments hired him. After a brief stint in Middleton, Al returned to Wolfville (1953) to take a permanent position as the youngest theatre manager in Canada.
Although Al has retired from his managerial position, he is still very busy in and around Wolfville. Among other things, Al serves on the board of directors for the Acadia Cinema Cooperative, the volunteer-run organization which owns and operates the Al Whittle Theatre. He is a founding member of the Fundy Film Society, and an honourary board member. And he still makes the best (and most secret) popcorn in town.
1923
The State Theater originally called the Zeiterion for the first few months of it’s existence, opened on April 2 of that year with 1,208 seats.
It had a small Wurlitzer 2 manual theatre pipe organ.
The first performance was on April 2, 1923 with a stage show starring George Jessel,
titled “Troubles of 1923.”
“Moby Dick”, with Gregory Peck, had its world premiere in 1956.
It has been renamed Zeiterion Theatre, after the Zeitz family that previously owned it, and at one time owned several theaters in New Bedford.
It now presents live entertainment of many kinds — theatre, opera, ballet, comedy, and music. It is also the home of the New Bedford Festival Theater with Armand Marchand as Executive Director and George Charbonneau as Artistic Director.
Here’s the web site for the New Bedford Festival Theater
The web site for the Zeiterion Theater is http://www.zeiterion.org/
From whalincity.net/New Bedford Local History. Capitol Theatre misspelled as “Capital.”
1920
November 29 Capital Theater opened with 1,000 seats at 1418 Acushnet Avenue.
It was built as part of a block long structure on the site of the former Timothy Coffin Estate.
In “the old days”, it featured two continuous movies and five Looney Tunes cartoons as well as evening shows.
Admission was 12 cents on Saturday, and 25 cents on Sunday candy bars were a nickel and popcorn was 10 cents. Kids loved it..
Films were shown into the 60’s and by the seventies several rock concerts were performed there. It closed for good in the early 1980’s
1922
The Empire Theater was built on 118 Elm Street, at the site of a horse stable that burned down in 1914.
It was a large theater with a capacity of 1,845. In its early years it presented live entertainment such as dancing, comedy, music, etc.
In 1932, the Zeitz family bought it, and it became a movie theater. It had a good run with top box office movies all through the years.
My Fair lady was the last movie shown in 1964.
In 1965 after a hiatus, a live performance called “Those wonderful Days of Burlesque” was the last show in the theater.
In 1956, a group of 5 teens were arrested while waiting for Elvis' “Jailhouse Rock” to play.
They were making a lot of noise, shouting and hollering.
They got six months probation, and were told by the judge to “Go Straight.”
In a comment of his on the Provincetown Theatre, JohnnyM stated: “The projectionist for many of these years was Antone Joseph Viera, who had also worked at the Star Theater.”
Mayfair Theatre.
In 1914.
FROM THE THEATRE"S WEBSITE, A HISTORY OF THIS PLACE:
WHO’S AL? We’re glad you asked! Not surprisingly, the Al Whittle Theatre was named after Al Whittle. From 1953-2000, when our venue was known as the Acadia Cinema, Al was the manager. He ripped the tickets. He made the popcorn. He chose the movies. He was a projectionist. In short, he did a lot of things.
A native of Port Elgin, N.B., A. Ellsworth (Al) Whittle began working in movie theatres at the age of 19. He came to Wolville by way of Amherst, Charlottetown and Truro when Gerald Spencer’s Ononette Investments hired him. After a brief stint in Middleton, Al returned to Wolfville (1953) to take a permanent position as the youngest theatre manager in Canada.
Although Al has retired from his managerial position, he is still very busy in and around Wolfville. Among other things, Al serves on the board of directors for the Acadia Cinema Cooperative, the volunteer-run organization which owns and operates the Al Whittle Theatre. He is a founding member of the Fundy Film Society, and an honourary board member. And he still makes the best (and most secret) popcorn in town.
Fascinating video about Al Whittle, founder of this theatre: https://vimeo.com/66330686
A beautiful looking little treasure of a film house. Visit their webpage for a virtual tour. https://astortheatre.ns.ca/wp/
Montreal, actually.
In 1948.
Circa 1935, as the Globe.
As the Cape Verdean Cultural Center.
From whalingcity.net/New Bedford Local History.
1923 The State Theater originally called the Zeiterion for the first few months of it’s existence, opened on April 2 of that year with 1,208 seats.
It had a small Wurlitzer 2 manual theatre pipe organ.
The first performance was on April 2, 1923 with a stage show starring George Jessel, titled “Troubles of 1923.”
“Moby Dick”, with Gregory Peck, had its world premiere in 1956.
It has been renamed Zeiterion Theatre, after the Zeitz family that previously owned it, and at one time owned several theaters in New Bedford.
It now presents live entertainment of many kinds — theatre, opera, ballet, comedy, and music. It is also the home of the New Bedford Festival Theater with Armand Marchand as Executive Director and George Charbonneau as Artistic Director.
Here’s the web site for the New Bedford Festival Theater
The web site for the Zeiterion Theater is http://www.zeiterion.org/
From whalincity.net/New Bedford Local History. Capitol Theatre misspelled as “Capital.”
1920 November 29 Capital Theater opened with 1,000 seats at 1418 Acushnet Avenue.
It was built as part of a block long structure on the site of the former Timothy Coffin Estate. In “the old days”, it featured two continuous movies and five Looney Tunes cartoons as well as evening shows.
Admission was 12 cents on Saturday, and 25 cents on Sunday candy bars were a nickel and popcorn was 10 cents. Kids loved it..
Films were shown into the 60’s and by the seventies several rock concerts were performed there. It closed for good in the early 1980’s
From whalingcity.net/New Bedford Local History:
1922 The Empire Theater was built on 118 Elm Street, at the site of a horse stable that burned down in 1914.
It was a large theater with a capacity of 1,845. In its early years it presented live entertainment such as dancing, comedy, music, etc.
In 1932, the Zeitz family bought it, and it became a movie theater. It had a good run with top box office movies all through the years.
My Fair lady was the last movie shown in 1964.
In 1965 after a hiatus, a live performance called “Those wonderful Days of Burlesque” was the last show in the theater.
In 1956, a group of 5 teens were arrested while waiting for Elvis' “Jailhouse Rock” to play. They were making a lot of noise, shouting and hollering. They got six months probation, and were told by the judge to “Go Straight.”
Just steps from Westerly, RI.
Embassy Theatre marquee, upper right of image.
August, 1967.
Former projection booth on left.
Probably early 1940s.
Interior entrance directly from South Station. This part of the building no longer exists.
On Summer Street near Dorchester Avenue, in a part of South Station since demolished.
Located inside South Station, but in a portion of the building since demolished on Summer Street at Dorchester Avenue.
Located inside South Station, but in a portion of the building since demolished on Summer Street at Dorchester Avenue.
ERROR IN POSTING. This is the South Station Theatre, not the later South Station Cinema.
In a comment of his on the Provincetown Theatre, JohnnyM stated: “The projectionist for many of these years was Antone Joseph Viera, who had also worked at the Star Theater.”
There is currently a Walgreen’s store at that spot across from the Old South Church.
1953 Soviet/Albanian film co-production.