Researching Mathewson St (79) Carlton –(121)Rialto- (126)Casino and
(193) Union St Empire Theater bldgs Prov.,RI
Read recently that the Carlton Theater bldg -at 79 Mathewson St Prov. RI
architect was William R. Walker & Sons who designed several other bldgs down city Prov— After reading MING’s keen observation of the Carlton facade VS the Rialto facade my mystery is the Casino Theater bldg -126 Mathewson St Prov RI …. if it was also designed by William R. Walker & Sons ?
As an eyewitness to the Casino Theater bldg (Shepard’s Tearoom-1947)
the 1916 photo of the Emery/Carlton Theater bldg had me fooled to thinking it was the Casino Theater -because of the alley windows design ..
at Shepard’s one alley window was actually the kitchen rear door & on hot days many smoke break hrs and the alley architecture was etched in my
mind and the aromas……Guess you have to had been there
Thanks MING…..
John Janetto’s aunt played that Lyric theater organ in the 1930’s Warren,RI
John , now(2007) the St,Mary’s cemetery caretaker may have more details,also, on the Lyric theater organ .John’s father Fred Janetto was the bugle insrructor for the Warren Indian Band # 1 -1940’s Warren,RI but that is another story .Stories and pictures available on the Loew’s State
Wurli Boston Mass Av and the Providence Loew’s State Wurli -contact me for details- dougvbrown files
dougvbrown-files -061230 The Gerry DeLuca “This Old Postcard of Weybosset St” posted Jun 17-2005 ( see comment # 3 above ) —approx date of photo was taken before, 1921 when the 4 story Grosvenor bldg (cor Weybosset & Eddy Sts) was razed and after Sep 1914 when the Gaiety Theatre was opened.
Further photo date pin down – if one can read the Jacob Wirth Cafe signs –( cor Weybosset St. & Garnet St. ) was used by The Outlet Co Men’s furnishings dept from 1917 to 1923 when the Ex- Wirth’s bldg was razed- ( ref- “The Outlet Story -page 31 -RI Hist Soc Library Providence RI –)
Thanks to Gerry A. DeLuca for making available ,the many ,old movie
theatre’s-photos/histories and in particular the Warren,RI Lyric Theatre
circa 1935. I just recently forwarded this pic to my brother
Walter E Brown Jr in California ( a true Warrenite born in a house
on So. Water Street in Sep-1924 ) WEBJR emailed back to brother doug…in part
……“My main memory was find two bottles to return to get 10 cents so I could go to the Saturday matinee – and the times that they took a can of Campbells soup for the ticket.
It’s kind of fun to turn the clock back – be sure and thank whoever for the old photo.”……..webrownjr -060923
So, thanks Gerry (G.A.DeLuca) for the photo(s) and the walking tour of
downtown Providence,RI theatre district
Thanks Gerry for the added comments and photos on the Woonsocket,RI
theaters ….After a careful study of all the Woonsocket material
and looking at aerial photos I have determined that one(1) theater
that I went to was located on North Main St and probably was
the PARK Theater- 37 No. Main St
Circa 1946 traveling by bus (U.E.R.) from “the MALL” (now Kennedy Plaza) Providence…..
to Woonssocket via Charles St and the old Louisquisset Pike (Rte 146) for
a weekend visit my Aunt/Uncle/Cousin ….There was a movie showing that I
had seen several times and I convinced my cousin that we should go see it.
The Picture was “A Song To Remember” Cornell Wilde/Merle Oberon/Paul Muni
a story of Chopin’s life and music – Jose Iturbi ,unseen ,did all the piano
I remember that we walked to No Main St all the way from Cold Spring Park
Harris Ave—down Blackstone St and short cut thru Corey St across
No. Main St to The PARK Theater
Everything ,from the main entrance to the balcony seats seemed
small townish compared to even the smaller Prov theaters
For me,the movie was just so powerful super that the surrounding theater short comings didn’t really matter.. also on the program was a short
short of Ethel SMITH on the Wurlitzer playing her hit “ TICO TICO"
I never saw fingers-hands-and arms move so fast
Later in 1948-1949-1950 I had my own TV Antenna Installation &TV Service
business located on No.Main St near Prospect St I was familiar with the
Woonsocket theater bldgs and locations but in the 3 years never attended
any Woonsocket theaters ,I lived and returned every nite to Providence
Thanks Gerry Thats the LYRIC bldg thatI remember….the car there
is a 1935 Ford sedan and imbedded in the street a little forward of
that car(not shown) was a rubber cover strip traffic light trip,
that we would jump on to get Green, but to no avail………
To the left, beyond the iron railing fence and Elm tree is the
First Baptist Church,where my brother was married in 1948 this corner
lot(Main/Miller Sts) was the original location of Rhode Island College
that removed to Providence (pre 1775)and became BROWN UNIVERSITY with
a grant of money from the estate of Nicholas Brown (1790c)
The theater main entrance doors that opened outward were on each side of the
centered ticket booth right at the sidewalk—– I remember standing on
my tip toes, giving the lady my quarter ,and she with one hand slid the
ticket out and the other hand slid my dime change we always entered
the right hand door….a 10ft foyer.an inner double door..
the ticket taker who tore your ticket in half, before you had a
chance to read it……..
Outside Front right side 1st floor the window is frosted glass protected
with fancy iron grille the men’s room the other side front was Ladies Room
Looking close there is a narrow alley between the theater and bldg on the
corner Miller/Main Sts this alley space at the top is covered with a
sign that says THEATRE directly under the sign is open access to
alley for the Theater EXIT doors (2 doubledoors) which on hot summer nights
were left open for cooling and I sneaked in once……
This adjoining bldg had theater Billboards -Coming Attractions
at least 20 ft + on the Miller St wall toward Main St
More on LYRIC later-
The LYRIC was my hometown theater that I attended (Sat matinee ) 1933-thru-1943—-
I grew up with the movies of Mickey Rooney(Andy Hardy)-Gene Autry. -Lone Ranger- and Peter Lorre
as “Mr Moto” which we called the cliff hanger gang….
The theater owner, Alonzo “LON” VAIL and his at home & theater assistant known as “CURLEY,they lived next house to us on So. Water St……Sat matinee started at 2:30 pm but only after "Curley” stuck his head out from stage right and hand signaled the projection booth ….and then….
….house lights out….the MGM Lion roared on the closed red velvet curtain as it swept open
to reveal THE SILVER SCREEN
The Prov City Directories 1946 -thru-1954 list The Carlton Theater -John Toohey/mgr
at 79 Mathewson St –( ref Prov Public Library ) Jun 2006
File Photos of the theater bldg 1st as the EMERY(1916)-and 2nd the CARLTON(1953) and
being razed “The Man in the rubble”(1954) and a recent photo (Jun 2006) across the
79 Mathewson St parking lot i.e. showing the rear corner of the Merchantile bldg (Washington St)
windows details -there is positive ID of Emery=Carlton Theater
Bldg being located at 79 Mathewson St closed & razed Mar 1954………….
Movies seen 1945 fall on two separate showings
“DILLINGER” Lawrence Tierney (debut) and “OVER 21” Irene Dunne
Tierney, as Dillinger, a black &white classic gangster film, but not quite Film Noir
unforgetable prison scenes never saw Tierney acting before that or ever again……….sorta
makes his Chicago Bijou Theater alley death scene ,,,,, so final……..
Prov Theaters- dvb files-060607 Corrections on CARLTON Theater -79 Mathewson St
Research in progress- Looking for photo of 1952 CARLTON theater -Weybosset St- odd numbered side across from Garnet St-that bldg possibly razed 1953-1954………
Possible that the Providence Journal story (1996) confused the history of the older Carlton theater
79 Mathewson St (razed 1946?) with the new Carlton theater Weybosset St-(razed 1953-54?)
by using the file photo of “The man in the rubble ” which is connected with the 1946 razing
If anyone has info on the New Carlton-Weybosset St 1950-1954 please comment here or
contact
060604-dvb files- Prov Theaters 1943-1950
This Casino Theater page answers the Emery/Carlton’s location and history.-
The Casino theater (1910) became the Emery(1916) then became the Carlton and then
became stores and as of 1945 was the Shepard’s Tea Room Restaurant……….
This bldg at 126 Mathewson St was razed 1954 became parking lot……… In the postcard
pic of the 1916 Emery theater ….that is the 6 story Tilden-Thurber bldg cor of Westminster
and Mathewson Sts…….. The Scenic theater that became the Rialto was across the Mathewson St
in the next block at 69-79 Mathewson St between Washington/Fountain Sts (behind the
Dreyfus Hotel)…… I attended movies there until 1947 I eyewitnessed the bldg was razed became a parking lot.(1948)..this was the last theater and marquee on Mathewson St …..
As of 1950 Prov downtown had only seven (7) active movie/stage bldgs
•- FAYS(Union St) •-STRAND (Paramount Studios) and •- MAJESTIC(Warner Bros)-Washington St
Misc notes -Loews State remember “MAURICE” at the Wurlitzer That organ,lock,stock and
pipes was removed to an underground auditorium in Waltham,MA ..hope the dampness
doesn’t warp the keys……….It was available for look/listen by appointment……
Anyone interested may EMail dvb for a contact number ???? Tours were available
by bus load……….that was 20 years ago………
I was an eyewitness to the razing of the Mathewson St Theater bldg,?(1948)
located directly behind the Washington St Dreyfus Hotel bldg near
(cor Washington/Mathewson Sts) and mid block between Fountain and
Washington – (bldg razed abt 1948 )– Your Emery/Carlton bldg (1916
postcard ) -seems to be Mathewson St.mid block Westminster/Washington Sts-
(Tilden-Thurber bldg on next cor there? Westminster St ?)
What say you ? The old Carlton Theater bldg in the next block??
dvb notes
In 1947 the Carlton Theater bldg 1st floor was the Shepard’s Tea Room
restaurant – with direct inside connection to the 5 story Shepard’s Dept. Store bldg
bounded by Westminster/Union/Washington Sts.–& maybe an alley Oh
it was Clemence St sure its all coming back………(Pie Alley )
My question is the name /history and pics of the Mathewson St Theater
razed abt 1948 and definitely no active Mathewson St theater 1948 -1958 era
and no Carlton Theater on Mathewson St in the1940’s or1950’s……
…..hmmmmmm
I’ll try to find the answers after all that was my backyard ..
I know the area ……read on
I lived and worked the Providence downtown area 1943 thru 1950-(incl) and at one time, attended movie sessions 28 nights every month——for the two years 1945 -1946- Each evening after dinner
(Miss Dutton’s-Washington St ) I’d do a walking tour of the eight different marquees starting up Washington FAYS-
STRAND-MAJESTIC-thru Mahewson St to cor Westminster St where I could read 4 marquees from one spot
nearby RKO ALBEE-& down across from Shepard’s -the EMPIRE (@Union St) &-LOEWS State-Weybosset St
and on Mathewson St —the Carlton(you say) (razed 1948? I say)—-If I had seen all movies showing,-I would go see something again—– most of the biggie flicks usually held over I got to see 9 or 10 times -I still thrill at the Hitchcock Climax(s) and the unique camera work
Providence Theater Notes – 1940’s FAYS-stage shows featured BUDDY PAGE’s Orchestra
Buddy had many pre show dinners @ Miss Dutton’s Green Room one of his curtain call songs still
rings in my ears “Say it with Music”—Thanks Mr FAY and BUDDY & crew
EM FAY provided the band and outdoor Concerts Free to the public in front of the OUTLET Co.
176 Weybosset St EM FAY was long time friends with Joseph SAMUELS/Outlet Co Concert Sponser
ref- The OUTLET STORY -RIHS
071118= Prov Theaters dougvbrown files
Researching Mathewson St (79) Carlton –(121)Rialto- (126)Casino and
(193) Union St Empire Theater bldgs Prov.,RI
Read recently that the Carlton Theater bldg -at 79 Mathewson St Prov. RI
architect was William R. Walker & Sons who designed several other bldgs down city Prov— After reading MING’s keen observation of the Carlton facade VS the Rialto facade my mystery is the Casino Theater bldg -126 Mathewson St Prov RI …. if it was also designed by William R. Walker & Sons ?
As an eyewitness to the Casino Theater bldg (Shepard’s Tearoom-1947)
the 1916 photo of the Emery/Carlton Theater bldg had me fooled to thinking it was the Casino Theater -because of the alley windows design ..
at Shepard’s one alley window was actually the kitchen rear door & on hot days many smoke break hrs and the alley architecture was etched in my
mind and the aromas……Guess you have to had been there
Thanks MING…..
John Janetto’s aunt played that Lyric theater organ in the 1930’s Warren,RI
John , now(2007) the St,Mary’s cemetery caretaker may have more details,also, on the Lyric theater organ .John’s father Fred Janetto was the bugle insrructor for the Warren Indian Band # 1 -1940’s Warren,RI but that is another story .Stories and pictures available on the Loew’s State
Wurli Boston Mass Av and the Providence Loew’s State Wurli -contact me for details- dougvbrown files
dougvbrown-files -061230 The Gerry DeLuca “This Old Postcard of Weybosset St” posted Jun 17-2005 ( see comment # 3 above ) —approx date of photo was taken before, 1921 when the 4 story Grosvenor bldg (cor Weybosset & Eddy Sts) was razed and after Sep 1914 when the Gaiety Theatre was opened.
Further photo date pin down – if one can read the Jacob Wirth Cafe signs –( cor Weybosset St. & Garnet St. ) was used by The Outlet Co Men’s furnishings dept from 1917 to 1923 when the Ex- Wirth’s bldg was razed- ( ref- “The Outlet Story -page 31 -RI Hist Soc Library Providence RI –)
060924-dougvbrown
Thanks to Gerry A. DeLuca for making available ,the many ,old movie
theatre’s-photos/histories and in particular the Warren,RI Lyric Theatre
circa 1935. I just recently forwarded this pic to my brother
Walter E Brown Jr in California ( a true Warrenite born in a house
on So. Water Street in Sep-1924 ) WEBJR emailed back to brother doug…in part
……“My main memory was find two bottles to return to get 10 cents so I could go to the Saturday matinee – and the times that they took a can of Campbells soup for the ticket.
It’s kind of fun to turn the clock back – be sure and thank whoever for the old photo.”……..webrownjr -060923
So, thanks Gerry (G.A.DeLuca) for the photo(s) and the walking tour of
downtown Providence,RI theatre district
060621- dougvbrown files
Thanks Gerry for the added comments and photos on the Woonsocket,RI
theaters ….After a careful study of all the Woonsocket material
and looking at aerial photos I have determined that one(1) theater
that I went to was located on North Main St and probably was
the PARK Theater- 37 No. Main St
Circa 1946 traveling by bus (U.E.R.) from “the MALL” (now Kennedy Plaza) Providence…..
to Woonssocket via Charles St and the old Louisquisset Pike (Rte 146) for
a weekend visit my Aunt/Uncle/Cousin ….There was a movie showing that I
had seen several times and I convinced my cousin that we should go see it.
The Picture was “A Song To Remember” Cornell Wilde/Merle Oberon/Paul Muni
a story of Chopin’s life and music – Jose Iturbi ,unseen ,did all the piano
I remember that we walked to No Main St all the way from Cold Spring Park
Harris Ave—down Blackstone St and short cut thru Corey St across
No. Main St to The PARK Theater
Everything ,from the main entrance to the balcony seats seemed
small townish compared to even the smaller Prov theaters
For me,the movie was just so powerful super that the surrounding theater short comings didn’t really matter.. also on the program was a short
short of Ethel SMITH on the Wurlitzer playing her hit “ TICO TICO"
I never saw fingers-hands-and arms move so fast
Later in 1948-1949-1950 I had my own TV Antenna Installation &TV Service
business located on No.Main St near Prospect St I was familiar with the
Woonsocket theater bldgs and locations but in the 3 years never attended
any Woonsocket theaters ,I lived and returned every nite to Providence
060622- dougvbrown-files
Thanks Gerry Thats the LYRIC bldg thatI remember….the car there
is a 1935 Ford sedan and imbedded in the street a little forward of
that car(not shown) was a rubber cover strip traffic light trip,
that we would jump on to get Green, but to no avail………
To the left, beyond the iron railing fence and Elm tree is the
First Baptist Church,where my brother was married in 1948 this corner
lot(Main/Miller Sts) was the original location of Rhode Island College
that removed to Providence (pre 1775)and became BROWN UNIVERSITY with
a grant of money from the estate of Nicholas Brown (1790c)
The theater main entrance doors that opened outward were on each side of the
centered ticket booth right at the sidewalk—– I remember standing on
my tip toes, giving the lady my quarter ,and she with one hand slid the
ticket out and the other hand slid my dime change we always entered
the right hand door….a 10ft foyer.an inner double door..
the ticket taker who tore your ticket in half, before you had a
chance to read it……..
Outside Front right side 1st floor the window is frosted glass protected
with fancy iron grille the men’s room the other side front was Ladies Room
Looking close there is a narrow alley between the theater and bldg on the
corner Miller/Main Sts this alley space at the top is covered with a
sign that says THEATRE directly under the sign is open access to
alley for the Theater EXIT doors (2 doubledoors) which on hot summer nights
were left open for cooling and I sneaked in once……
This adjoining bldg had theater Billboards -Coming Attractions
at least 20 ft + on the Miller St wall toward Main St
More on LYRIC later-
060621- dougvbrown files-
The LYRIC was my hometown theater that I attended (Sat matinee ) 1933-thru-1943—-
I grew up with the movies of Mickey Rooney(Andy Hardy)-Gene Autry. -Lone Ranger- and Peter Lorre
as “Mr Moto” which we called the cliff hanger gang….
The theater owner, Alonzo “LON” VAIL and his at home & theater assistant known as “CURLEY,they lived next house to us on So. Water St……Sat matinee started at 2:30 pm but only after "Curley” stuck his head out from stage right and hand signaled the projection booth ….and then….
….house lights out….the MGM Lion roared on the closed red velvet curtain as it swept open
to reveal THE SILVER SCREEN
060620- Prov Theaters- dvb files
The Prov City Directories 1946 -thru-1954 list The Carlton Theater -John Toohey/mgr
at 79 Mathewson St –( ref Prov Public Library ) Jun 2006
File Photos of the theater bldg 1st as the EMERY(1916)-and 2nd the CARLTON(1953) and
being razed “The Man in the rubble”(1954) and a recent photo (Jun 2006) across the
79 Mathewson St parking lot i.e. showing the rear corner of the Merchantile bldg (Washington St)
windows details -there is positive ID of Emery=Carlton Theater
Bldg being located at 79 Mathewson St closed & razed Mar 1954………….
Movies seen 1945 fall on two separate showings
“DILLINGER” Lawrence Tierney (debut) and “OVER 21” Irene Dunne
Tierney, as Dillinger, a black &white classic gangster film, but not quite Film Noir
unforgetable prison scenes never saw Tierney acting before that or ever again……….sorta
makes his Chicago Bijou Theater alley death scene ,,,,, so final……..
Prov Theaters- dvb files-060607 Corrections on CARLTON Theater -79 Mathewson St
Research in progress- Looking for photo of 1952 CARLTON theater -Weybosset St- odd numbered side across from Garnet St-that bldg possibly razed 1953-1954………
Possible that the Providence Journal story (1996) confused the history of the older Carlton theater
79 Mathewson St (razed 1946?) with the new Carlton theater Weybosset St-(razed 1953-54?)
by using the file photo of “The man in the rubble ” which is connected with the 1946 razing
If anyone has info on the New Carlton-Weybosset St 1950-1954 please comment here or
contact
dougvbrown
dvb files- I have a 1938 photo of the opera House then a parking lot under water
Wed SEP 21 -1938 hurricane-
dougvbrown
060604-dvb files- Prov Theaters 1943-1950
This Casino Theater page answers the Emery/Carlton’s location and history.-
The Casino theater (1910) became the Emery(1916) then became the Carlton and then
became stores and as of 1945 was the Shepard’s Tea Room Restaurant……….
This bldg at 126 Mathewson St was razed 1954 became parking lot……… In the postcard
pic of the 1916 Emery theater ….that is the 6 story Tilden-Thurber bldg cor of Westminster
and Mathewson Sts…….. The Scenic theater that became the Rialto was across the Mathewson St
in the next block at 69-79 Mathewson St between Washington/Fountain Sts (behind the
Dreyfus Hotel)…… I attended movies there until 1947 I eyewitnessed the bldg was razed became a parking lot.(1948)..this was the last theater and marquee on Mathewson St …..
As of 1950 Prov downtown had only seven (7) active movie/stage bldgs
•- FAYS(Union St) •-STRAND (Paramount Studios) and •- MAJESTIC(Warner Bros)-Washington St
•-EMPIRE (Westminster @Union Sts)– •-RKO ALBEE (Republic)(Westminster@Mathewson Sts)
•-LOEW’S STATE-(MGM Studios) (Weybosset @Mathewson Sts)
•= METROPOLITAN ( Chestnut @ Weybosset Hill) Movies/stage/Boston Symphony
Misc notes -Loews State remember “MAURICE” at the Wurlitzer That organ,lock,stock and
pipes was removed to an underground auditorium in Waltham,MA ..hope the dampness
doesn’t warp the keys……….It was available for look/listen by appointment……
Anyone interested may EMail dvb for a contact number ???? Tours were available
by bus load……….that was 20 years ago………
Great Job Gerald EGAD GAD is GOOD
dougvbrown-060604
060603- prov theaters-dvb files
I was an eyewitness to the razing of the Mathewson St Theater bldg,?(1948)
located directly behind the Washington St Dreyfus Hotel bldg near
(cor Washington/Mathewson Sts) and mid block between Fountain and
Washington – (bldg razed abt 1948 )– Your Emery/Carlton bldg (1916
postcard ) -seems to be Mathewson St.mid block Westminster/Washington Sts-
(Tilden-Thurber bldg on next cor there? Westminster St ?)
What say you ? The old Carlton Theater bldg in the next block??
dvb notes
In 1947 the Carlton Theater bldg 1st floor was the Shepard’s Tea Room
restaurant – with direct inside connection to the 5 story Shepard’s Dept. Store bldg
bounded by Westminster/Union/Washington Sts.–& maybe an alley Oh
it was Clemence St sure its all coming back………(Pie Alley )
My question is the name /history and pics of the Mathewson St Theater
razed abt 1948 and definitely no active Mathewson St theater 1948 -1958 era
and no Carlton Theater on Mathewson St in the1940’s or1950’s……
…..hmmmmmm
I’ll try to find the answers after all that was my backyard ..
I know the area ……read on
I lived and worked the Providence downtown area 1943 thru 1950-(incl) and at one time, attended movie sessions 28 nights every month——for the two years 1945 -1946- Each evening after dinner
(Miss Dutton’s-Washington St ) I’d do a walking tour of the eight different marquees starting up Washington FAYS-
STRAND-MAJESTIC-thru Mahewson St to cor Westminster St where I could read 4 marquees from one spot
nearby RKO ALBEE-& down across from Shepard’s -the EMPIRE (@Union St) &-LOEWS State-Weybosset St
and on Mathewson St —the Carlton(you say) (razed 1948? I say)—-If I had seen all movies showing,-I would go see something again—– most of the biggie flicks usually held over I got to see 9 or 10 times -I still thrill at the Hitchcock Climax(s) and the unique camera work
Providence Theater Notes – 1940’s FAYS-stage shows featured BUDDY PAGE’s Orchestra
Buddy had many pre show dinners @ Miss Dutton’s Green Room one of his curtain call songs still
rings in my ears “Say it with Music”—Thanks Mr FAY and BUDDY & crew
EM FAY provided the band and outdoor Concerts Free to the public in front of the OUTLET Co.
176 Weybosset St EM FAY was long time friends with Joseph SAMUELS/Outlet Co Concert Sponser
ref- The OUTLET STORY -RIHS
doug v brown- 060604