A personal recollection of Woonsocket theatres, especially the Laurier, during the Depression years and after, can be found in the 2017 book “Woonsocket Born: Memories of Growing Up During the Great Depression and World War II,” by Alex C. Papianou. It is available for borrowing through the Ocean State Library System. The Laurier Theatre is humorously discussed on pages 46-48.
1940s.
Johnston Theatre in background, seen from Amoco station.
The vertical marquee “Scenic” is visible on the right.
Roadshow engagement: two shows daily, reserved seats!
Two Providence art houses in October, 1962: The Art Cinema on Broad Street, the Avon Cinema on Thayer Street.
Marquee advises people to visit the nearby Olympia Theatre.
This theatre appears to be almost identical to Woonsocket’s Stadium Theatre, which fortunately has been preserved and is in current use.
The year is 1943.
Keith’s Theatre entranceway arch on right side.
A personal recollection of Woonsocket theatres, especially the Laurier, during the Depression years and after, can be found in the 2017 book “Woonsocket Born: Memories of Growing Up During the Great Depression and World War II,” by Alex C. Papianou. It is available for borrowing through the Ocean State Library System. The Laurier Theatre is humorously discussed on pages 46-48.
I posted a photo of a 1937 map showing exactly where on Charles Street the Columbia Theatre used to be, which was between Marietta and Gillen streets.
I was thrilled with this 1957 summer series at the Avon and went to a number of the films shown. I was fifteen years old.
Opened 1929 and closed 1961.
Where the dome is, on the right side of the street, is the Bijou Theatre.
“L” for Lyric.
Gilbert Stuart Theatre, center right, with upper white front.
The “Capitol” in this image was a tobacco and liquor store, NOT the Capitol Theatre.
Preservation effort failed.
This theatre closely resembled the layout of the Stadium in Woonsocket, RI.
Note the brickwork of the original theatre and the added brickwork of the apartment construction after 1982.
I went to that program at the age of 13.
Statue is of Mayor Thomas Doyle.
1986
Greenwich Theatre, right, red brick, yellow sign.