Bantam Cinema & Arts Center
115 Bantam Lake Road,
Bantam,
CT
06750
115 Bantam Lake Road,
Bantam,
CT
06750
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Bantam Cinema (Official)
Additional Info
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Rivoli Theatre, Cinema IV, Bantam Cinema
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
860.567.0006
Nearby Theaters
The Bantam Cinema, according to its website, is the oldest continuously operated movie theatre in the state of Connecticut.
Originally opened as the Rivoli Theatre in 1927, it was later known as the Cinema IV, despite the fact it had only one screen at the time, it was later split in two. The Bantam Cinema still looks like a little red barn on a country road. It showed first run films and mostly art house fare. It was renovated in June 1997.
It was closed on March 15, 2020 due to the mandatory closing of all cinemas due to Covid-19 Pandemic. It was announced in June 8, 2020 that it would be closed permanently. A group has been formed to operate the cinema as a non-profit and it reopened in October 2021.
Contributed by
Roger Katz
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
The Bantam Cinema became an art house in the late ‘60s — my guess would be 1968 — which, if memory serves, was also when it was renamed Cinema IV. I saw Bergman’s Hour Of The Wolf here in '68 or '69.
They used to have revivals into the ‘80’s such as The Marx Brothers and Bogart. I certainly doubt that it is the only continuously operating movie house in CT…for years it was only open on Fridays and Saturdays. The theatre in Watertown deserves that title.
It was a comfortable place until they sliced in half sideways. The screens are too high.
edguinea
The Bantam Cinema was just sold by longtime owner Lisa Hedley to Syndey Koch earlier this week. He plans to continue to run it as an art cinema.
In 1970 the operator was Lightstone Theater Enterprises, Inc. President was Morty Lightstone, booker was Hank Lightstone.
I used to own a house in Litchfield (2000-2006)and would go to the Bantam Cinema every now and then. It was often drafty and cold, the sound wasn’t the greatest, but what it lacked in technology it more than made up in charm. It seemed as if the treats at the concession stand were all homemade…old fashioned bags of popcorn, home baked cookies and that sort of thing. I havent been back in a few years but hope it never changes.
According to the website, the Bantam has gone digital.
OPENED AS RIVOLI THEATRE
I wonder if the barn-like, utilitarian exterior remodeling can be undone, and the handsome brick front the Bantam sported when it opened in 1927 as the Rivoli restored?
The Bantam is for sale.
The Bantam Cinema reopened for occasional showings in October and November of 2021. It appears they are ramping up to their full schedule beginning in December. Their new website is https://www.bantamcinema.org/.