Kipling Cinema 6
770 Putney Road,
Brattleboro,
VT
05301
770 Putney Road,
Brattleboro,
VT
05301
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Boston Culinary Group, Jerry Lewis Cinemas
Architects: Zane Yost
Firms: Yost Architects
Previous Names: Jerry Lewis Cinemas, First Cinema, Brattleboro Cinema
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A modern complex built and opened on June 22, 1973. Originally a Jerry Lewis Cinemas twin. It was renamed First Cinema on October 24, 1973. In January 1984 it was split into three screens and renamed Kipling Cinema. On June 28, 1996 it became a six screen theatre. One original screen was split down the middle (leaving a very long and narrow auditorium on the left; the one on the right was split the other way, leaving two very small auditoriums, one seating about 30). Standard modern decor, a good size lobby. Good projection and sound, although the screens are very small in the smaller auditoriums.
The primary 1st run venue in Brattleboro, although it got good competition for major releases from the larger Latchis Theatre downtown. It was closed in March 24, 2011 and demolished in May 2013.
Contributed by
David A. Litterer
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Here is an link to the theater http://www.yourneighborhoodtheatre.com/index.php
The Kipling Cinemas have closed. No indication whether this is temporary or permanent.
Update: The managers packed it in after receiving a hefty rent increase. No word on whether it will be rented to new managers or converted to retail or another use.
The Kipling was demolished last week (May 2013)
The Kipling started in 1973 as a Jerry Lewis Cinema, changed its name to First Cinema in 1977 and finally, after remodeled, it become the Kipling.
The Brattleboro Jerry Lewis Cinema franchised location was announced in March of 1971 as part of what would be called Fairfield Plaza shopping center anchored by a Grand Union store and a Giant store. The architect for the project was Zane Yost of Yost Architects. The groundbreaking was on November 10, 1972.
This Jerry Lewis Cinema launched the automated 350-seat theater on June 22, 1973 with a preview screening of “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” The grand opening to the public was with the same film a day later. However, in the two years it took to launch, the Lewis Cinema concept had already filed for bankruptcy earlier in 1973 and was in free fall. Four months later on October 24, 1973, the operators changed the venue’s name to 1st Cinema (aka First Cinema) with “Night Witch.”
Under new management in 1995, the theater had a renaming contest. Kipling Cinema was chosen within the 50 entries in honor of former resident, author Rudyard Kipling. It relaunched under that name after renovating to the three screens on Nov. 6, 1995 with “Enchanted April,” “The Fugitive,” and “Pochahontas.” Another expansion the next year brought the screen count to six.
Spinelli Cinema circuit took on the location on December 12, 1998. It was closed forty years after its launch by its final operator, the Boston Culinary Group on March 24, 2011 which likely was the end of a leasing period. It was demolished two years later and replaced by an Aldi grocery store.
More details. October 24th, 1973 renamed 1st Cinema. 2 screens on January 6th, 1984, and three on January 27th, 1984. Expanded to 6 screens on June 28th, 1996, and renamed Brattleboro Cinema on January 29th, 1999, and back to Kipling Cinema on October 20th, 2000. Four more grand opening ads posted.