Gaiety Theatre

220 Weybosset Street,
Providence, RI 02906

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Additional Info

Architects: William Howard Walker

Firms: William Russell Walker & Son

Previous Names: Conn's City Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Gaiety Theatre, 1918

The Gaiety Theatre was opened as a motion picture theatre on September 14, 1914 with Sessue Hayakawa in “The Wrath of the Gods”. It was located on Weybosset Street opposite Mathewson Street, which is the precise location where Loew’s State Theatre was built in 1928 and which is now the grandiose Providence Performing Arts Center. The Gaiety Theatre was renamed Conn’s City Theatre on August 10, 1925 and was closed in 1927 to be demolished in April 1927 when the Loew’s block was built and replaced it. The manager was Jacob Conn.

Contributed by Gerald A. DeLuca

Recent comments (view all 19 comments)

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on November 23, 2008 at 9:24 am

Here is a full shot photo of the Gaiety Theatre, circa 1918. The film playing is Law’s Outlaw with Roy Stewart. Photo courtesy of Laura Frommer, granddaughter of Jabob Conn.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on November 23, 2008 at 10:14 am

Correction: great-granddaughter of Jacob Conn.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on November 23, 2008 at 3:10 pm

The Gaiety operated from 1914 to 1927, when it was demolished for the construction of Loew’s State, now Providence Performing Arts Center. The Gaiety occupied the space where the entrance lobby to PPAC is now located.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on January 17, 2011 at 7:25 pm

In September 1920, this theatre was part of the celebration of the 3rd annual Paramount Week. CLICK HERE for all participating RI area theatres and the titles of the films shown.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on January 20, 2011 at 1:59 pm

In September 1922 this theatre was part of Rhode Island’s Paramount Week. Click to see the ad in Providence News, September 1, 1922, which contains a list of all participating theatres as well as the films shown that week.

PART ONE OF AD
PART TWO OF AD

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on January 20, 2011 at 2:35 pm

In September 1920 this theatre participated in Paramount Week.
CLICK HERE FOR AD

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 20, 2015 at 9:37 pm

The June 13, 1914, issue of The American Contractor said that the general contract for construction of the Gaiety Theatre on Weybosset Street, Providence, had been awarded to Famigliette Bros.. The project was designed by William R. Walker & Son.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 5, 2024 at 2:35 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 6, 2024 at 11:11 am

Reopened as Conn’s Theatre (City) on August 10th, 1925. Ad posted.

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