Thanks for the info Ron; Nice to hear that the old secret passage is still there. I live on the West coast these days; and have never been back to visit the new Wang Center.
The attendance record at the Metropolitan was broken in the early fifties when Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis were booked live on stage for a week. The shows were continuous every day and featured Les Brown & his Orchestra, Helen O'Connell and Gene Sheldon. The crowds were almost uncontrollable. I was assigned backstage, and discovered that there is a secret door leading from the dressing rooms directly into the downstairs Mens' Lounge. This is how Martin & Lewis escaped the mobs at the Stage Door. They simply mingled with the patrons walking out of the Lounge and out into the street. They called it “Hide In Plain Sight”. I wonder if it still exists at The Wang?
Gerald: That Providence Journal article left out a few details. When I worked there in the forties the seating capacity was 1272. When it opened in 1926, it was leased by Publix Theatres. Their logo appeared on the Marquee. It was later an M&P Theatre (Martin Mullin & Sam Pinanski) When they split, Mullin took over and called his company, New England Theatres Corp. The Headquarters for all the above were at 60 Scollay Square in Boston. The article states that “Vaudeville played there on a regular basis thru the early 50’s”. This is not true. The only time a ‘live’ show took over the stage was on a WWII Bond Rally, An Amateur Hour that travelled thru the circuit, a Midnight Spook Show called “The Asylum Of Horrors”, and an Annual Dance recital.. Two interesting features in the lobby are always forgotten. The first is the Tile Water Fountain which had a secret. door that when opened, coould hold a block of ice to keep the drinking water cool. And second, it was the only theatre in town that had a cloak room where you could check your hat and coat.
While driving thru Auburn in the 80’s; I stopped at a used bookstore and bought over a hundred autographed Vaudeville photos, all inscribed “To Lou” thanking him for his fine Conducting when they played Auburn… They appear to be from the mid forties to the early fifties. I’m assuming it was the Auburn Theater with a Vaudeville plus Picture policy around that time… If it was some other Theater in Auburn, I’d really like to know so I can correct my files. Thanks..
CORRECTION. “Down To The Sea In Ships” had its Nationwide release in February 1923. The World Premiere was held at The Olympia New Bedford on September 25, 1922.
Only two theatres in Woonsocket ran first-run movies. The Bijou ran Fox, Universal and Columbia. The Stadium ran Paramount, MGM, Warner Bros and Republic. The Rialto, Olympia, Park and Laurier showed the same product in second-run. On occasion the Laurier would run French language films. Regardless of release dates, they were probably first run for Woonsocket. Generally, a first-run movie would play Woonsocket about a month after it opened in Providence. Woonsocket was a Double-feature town. The second features were usually one-hour low budget films from Allied Artists, United Artists, PRC, Monogram, and a few Independents.
The silent classic “Down To The Sea In Ships” was shot in New Bedford, and The World Premiere held at the Olympia in February 1923.
In 1950, Stage Manager, Walter Seaman showed me 8x10 sepia photos of the Premiere. They came from an old 4-drawer file stored in one of the six downstairs Dressing Rooms.The file was packed with records and photos from the Vaudeville days.Was this file salvaged before Zeitz demolished the theatre? I also interviewed Tillie Bourne of 245 Walnut St. Clara Bow lived with her while shooting the movie. Tillie was 80 in 1950..Had no photos, but great stories, and a program book from the night she attended the “Star-Studded” Premiere.
Gerald A. DeLuca
Yes, the Olympia was directly across the street from The Rialto. Sorry to say I don’t have a photo; but then, I never made an honest attempt to get one. As a hobby, I’m basically a Vaudeville Historian. So, the great old Vaudeville houses are my specialty..You’ve probably discovered that the Woonsocket Public Library is a much better source for research material than The Woonsocket Call… My information is either first hand, or from interviews I’ve done with some great old -timers who worked the circuits. I’m happy to share it with anyone who truly cares.
We don’t see photos of The Olympia Theatre’s Main Street entrance because the popular entrance to the theatre was on the street behind the Olympia. The theatre was built on a hill, and it had a private back entrance that was reached by walking across a long wooden ramp. The front entrance at 40 Main Street was just a doorway that revealed a flight of stairs that led up to the Box Office. The stairs were pretty tiring, so just about everyone used the back entrance, even tho the wooden ramp was built off the ground and felt a little scary at times. But The Olympia always had a second-run double bill, a cartoon and a Serial. But, most important, every kid got a free toy on Saturday Matinees…and all this for 12 cents.
From 1946 to 1951 I worked as an Usher, then Chief of Staff at the Stadium under Manager Ben Greenberg and Ass’t Manager Claire Larkin. I’m thoroughly familiar with every aspect of the theatre’s operation back in those days..If I can answer any questions, I’d be happy to do so.
After the extensive refurbishing of the New Park Theatre; Arthur Darman re-opened it on Friday Nov. 6, 1942. The Vaudeville Bill featured “The Arnault Bros”, Cy Reeves",“Bob Easton”, “Grace Drysdale” and “The 3 Poms”. The new House Band was conducted by Stuart Allen, whose theme song was “Diane”. Every live performance began with The National Anthem" as an off-stage electric fan unfurled an American flag on stage right. The feature movie that weekend was “One Thrilling Night”.In competition, the Stadium was playing “A Yank At Eton”. “Flying Tigers” was at The Bijou. The Laurier ran “Hello Annapolis”, The Rialto “Dangerous Lady” and The Olympia featured “The Man Who Came To Dinner” The local paper had no Theatre Reviewer.
Another fond memory regarding Fays Theatre in Providence. The long-time 7 piece Orchestra Leader was Buddy Page. When the theatre closed in 1951 Buddy Page went on to New York City and worked with Ted Mack, auditioning talent for “Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour” on NBC Television.
Thanks for the quotes from Carmen Maiocco’s booklet. Just to set the record straight; The long time Manager was Morris(not Maurice) Simms who came to New Bedford from Brocton Mass. The Saturday Morning Kiddie Revue was not his idea. It was a live radio show that used the theatre as a venue. I can’t recall the station call letters, but the managers name was Ed Bogoshian. If there was ever a ‘dish night’ at the Olympia, it had to be in the 40’s not the 50’s. And Ushers were never allowed to accept ‘tips’ from patrons. The Baylies Bros. built the theatre and Theodore Baylies was its first Manager.The original pit orchestra was led by A.Karstein.The huge stage measured 94'wide,36'deep and 64'high
When Mullin & Pinanski split their M&P Theatres The Olympia became a New England Theatres Corp house under Martin Mullin. TV was taking its toll, so Mullin installed Cinemascope, 3-D (remember “Bwana Devil”) and even live shows like “The London Opera Co”, “Brigadoon” “Don Juan In Hell”, “Jose Greco” and even midnight horror shows like “Dr. Silkini & His Asylum of Horrors”. The Olympia had been a first class Vaudeville house in the 20’s. When George “Honey Boy” Evans played there; he loved it so much he built a Diner behind the theatre. (Is Evans Diner still there?). The theatre entrance was flanked by Louis Eisner’s tiny luncheonette, and The Olympia Jewelers. And a current 24 sheet was always posted on Empire Street.
Thanks for the info Ron; Nice to hear that the old secret passage is still there. I live on the West coast these days; and have never been back to visit the new Wang Center.
The attendance record at the Metropolitan was broken in the early fifties when Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis were booked live on stage for a week. The shows were continuous every day and featured Les Brown & his Orchestra, Helen O'Connell and Gene Sheldon. The crowds were almost uncontrollable. I was assigned backstage, and discovered that there is a secret door leading from the dressing rooms directly into the downstairs Mens' Lounge. This is how Martin & Lewis escaped the mobs at the Stage Door. They simply mingled with the patrons walking out of the Lounge and out into the street. They called it “Hide In Plain Sight”. I wonder if it still exists at The Wang?
Gerald: That Providence Journal article left out a few details. When I worked there in the forties the seating capacity was 1272. When it opened in 1926, it was leased by Publix Theatres. Their logo appeared on the Marquee. It was later an M&P Theatre (Martin Mullin & Sam Pinanski) When they split, Mullin took over and called his company, New England Theatres Corp. The Headquarters for all the above were at 60 Scollay Square in Boston. The article states that “Vaudeville played there on a regular basis thru the early 50’s”. This is not true. The only time a ‘live’ show took over the stage was on a WWII Bond Rally, An Amateur Hour that travelled thru the circuit, a Midnight Spook Show called “The Asylum Of Horrors”, and an Annual Dance recital.. Two interesting features in the lobby are always forgotten. The first is the Tile Water Fountain which had a secret. door that when opened, coould hold a block of ice to keep the drinking water cool. And second, it was the only theatre in town that had a cloak room where you could check your hat and coat.
While driving thru Auburn in the 80’s; I stopped at a used bookstore and bought over a hundred autographed Vaudeville photos, all inscribed “To Lou” thanking him for his fine Conducting when they played Auburn… They appear to be from the mid forties to the early fifties. I’m assuming it was the Auburn Theater with a Vaudeville plus Picture policy around that time… If it was some other Theater in Auburn, I’d really like to know so I can correct my files. Thanks..
CORRECTION. “Down To The Sea In Ships” had its Nationwide release in February 1923. The World Premiere was held at The Olympia New Bedford on September 25, 1922.
Only two theatres in Woonsocket ran first-run movies. The Bijou ran Fox, Universal and Columbia. The Stadium ran Paramount, MGM, Warner Bros and Republic. The Rialto, Olympia, Park and Laurier showed the same product in second-run. On occasion the Laurier would run French language films. Regardless of release dates, they were probably first run for Woonsocket. Generally, a first-run movie would play Woonsocket about a month after it opened in Providence. Woonsocket was a Double-feature town. The second features were usually one-hour low budget films from Allied Artists, United Artists, PRC, Monogram, and a few Independents.
The silent classic “Down To The Sea In Ships” was shot in New Bedford, and The World Premiere held at the Olympia in February 1923.
In 1950, Stage Manager, Walter Seaman showed me 8x10 sepia photos of the Premiere. They came from an old 4-drawer file stored in one of the six downstairs Dressing Rooms.The file was packed with records and photos from the Vaudeville days.Was this file salvaged before Zeitz demolished the theatre? I also interviewed Tillie Bourne of 245 Walnut St. Clara Bow lived with her while shooting the movie. Tillie was 80 in 1950..Had no photos, but great stories, and a program book from the night she attended the “Star-Studded” Premiere.
Gerald A. DeLuca
Yes, the Olympia was directly across the street from The Rialto. Sorry to say I don’t have a photo; but then, I never made an honest attempt to get one. As a hobby, I’m basically a Vaudeville Historian. So, the great old Vaudeville houses are my specialty..You’ve probably discovered that the Woonsocket Public Library is a much better source for research material than The Woonsocket Call… My information is either first hand, or from interviews I’ve done with some great old -timers who worked the circuits. I’m happy to share it with anyone who truly cares.
We don’t see photos of The Olympia Theatre’s Main Street entrance because the popular entrance to the theatre was on the street behind the Olympia. The theatre was built on a hill, and it had a private back entrance that was reached by walking across a long wooden ramp. The front entrance at 40 Main Street was just a doorway that revealed a flight of stairs that led up to the Box Office. The stairs were pretty tiring, so just about everyone used the back entrance, even tho the wooden ramp was built off the ground and felt a little scary at times. But The Olympia always had a second-run double bill, a cartoon and a Serial. But, most important, every kid got a free toy on Saturday Matinees…and all this for 12 cents.
From 1946 to 1951 I worked as an Usher, then Chief of Staff at the Stadium under Manager Ben Greenberg and Ass’t Manager Claire Larkin. I’m thoroughly familiar with every aspect of the theatre’s operation back in those days..If I can answer any questions, I’d be happy to do so.
After the extensive refurbishing of the New Park Theatre; Arthur Darman re-opened it on Friday Nov. 6, 1942. The Vaudeville Bill featured “The Arnault Bros”, Cy Reeves",“Bob Easton”, “Grace Drysdale” and “The 3 Poms”. The new House Band was conducted by Stuart Allen, whose theme song was “Diane”. Every live performance began with The National Anthem" as an off-stage electric fan unfurled an American flag on stage right. The feature movie that weekend was “One Thrilling Night”.In competition, the Stadium was playing “A Yank At Eton”. “Flying Tigers” was at The Bijou. The Laurier ran “Hello Annapolis”, The Rialto “Dangerous Lady” and The Olympia featured “The Man Who Came To Dinner” The local paper had no Theatre Reviewer.
Another fond memory regarding Fays Theatre in Providence. The long-time 7 piece Orchestra Leader was Buddy Page. When the theatre closed in 1951 Buddy Page went on to New York City and worked with Ted Mack, auditioning talent for “Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour” on NBC Television.
Thanks for the quotes from Carmen Maiocco’s booklet. Just to set the record straight; The long time Manager was Morris(not Maurice) Simms who came to New Bedford from Brocton Mass. The Saturday Morning Kiddie Revue was not his idea. It was a live radio show that used the theatre as a venue. I can’t recall the station call letters, but the managers name was Ed Bogoshian. If there was ever a ‘dish night’ at the Olympia, it had to be in the 40’s not the 50’s. And Ushers were never allowed to accept ‘tips’ from patrons. The Baylies Bros. built the theatre and Theodore Baylies was its first Manager.The original pit orchestra was led by A.Karstein.The huge stage measured 94'wide,36'deep and 64'high
When Mullin & Pinanski split their M&P Theatres The Olympia became a New England Theatres Corp house under Martin Mullin. TV was taking its toll, so Mullin installed Cinemascope, 3-D (remember “Bwana Devil”) and even live shows like “The London Opera Co”, “Brigadoon” “Don Juan In Hell”, “Jose Greco” and even midnight horror shows like “Dr. Silkini & His Asylum of Horrors”. The Olympia had been a first class Vaudeville house in the 20’s. When George “Honey Boy” Evans played there; he loved it so much he built a Diner behind the theatre. (Is Evans Diner still there?). The theatre entrance was flanked by Louis Eisner’s tiny luncheonette, and The Olympia Jewelers. And a current 24 sheet was always posted on Empire Street.