Hurricane is no hindrance!
Item in Boxoffice magazine, October 2, 1954:
“Although hurricanes demolished 150 homes in nearby Riverside, Joe Jarvis kept his Gilbert Stuart Playhouse in almost continuous operation. It was stilled only during a temporary power loss.”
Advertising method:
Earlier item from June 5, 1954:
“Joe Jarvis, owner-operator of the Gilbert Stuart Theatre in adjoining Riverside, has adopted a unique style of advertising pictures. While he uses only limited space, he devotes 50 per cent of his newspaper advertising to condensed editorial comments on either the stars appearing in the current attractions or on some outstanding feature of the film. Written in a smooth, easy, and friendly style, the copy is doing much to attract extra patronage.”
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Fairlawn in adjacent Pawtucket, showing "The French Line,” advised patrons it would be omitted at the Saturday matinee, which is largely made up of juveniles."
[Note: that movie feature Jane Russell in a skimpy costume.]
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Quonset Drive-In while presenting "Three Forbidden Stories” suggested that children be left at home during this presentation."
[Note: that was an Italian-made film with three stories dealing with love and sex.}
Park Theatre closes (1964). An item in Boxoffice magazine of April 6, 1964 states:
Closes Park Theatre in Taunton, Mass.
TAUNTON, MASS. —– The Park Theatre has been closed, leaving the Strand as the town’s only operating motion picture theatre. Richard Bentley, attorney for the Park, ascribed its closing to “competition” and “lack of patronage.”
The theatre is owned by Mrs. Bentley, Mrs. Margaret Lawson and Mrs. Rosemary O'Neill, who have put it up for sale. The Park has a seating capacity of 1,600 and is known for having one of the largest stages in New England.
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
A fine three-page article, with plenty of photos, in and out, of the original Kenmore Theatre, appears in the “Modern Theatre” section of Boxoffice magazine in the June 4, 1955 issue, linked here: View link
Licensed granted for the construction of the Somerset Drive-In Theatre in 1949, as reported in Boxoffice magazine, December 10, 1949. Construction would be completed in the summer of 1950. View link
Manager of Johnston Theatre narrowly escapes death. This item appeared in the February 14, 1953 issue of Boxoffice magazine:
“Mario Votolato, manager of the Johnston Theatre, narrowly escaped death from suffocation recently when smoke and flames ravaged the building housing the popular neighborhood theatre. Fire caused by flaming wax in an adjoining bowling alley filled the entire Thornton district with dense smoke. Votolato entered the theatre, which was not in operation at the time, to take out films and rescue two kittens. After he entered the darkened auditorium he was unable to see, even with a flashlight. Choking with the smoke and growing weak, he dropped the flashlight. A volunteer fireman, who had entered the theatre, saw the light drop and heard the choking and thought Votolato had fallen through the floor. He inched cautiously over until he reached the body of the theatre manager and dragged him to a window for air. The manager save one of the kittens and all of the films. Votolato estimated damage to the building at approximately $20,000.”
The Cranston Drive-In was equipped with 3-D projection capability in 1953, with the first offering being “Man in the Dark” per an item in Boxoffice mahgazine, July 4, 1953.
The Somerset was the first drive-in in the state to be equipped with 3-D projection, according to an item in Boxoffice magazine, issue of July 4, 1953. The first 3-D offering was “Bwana Devil.” The next one would be “Man in the Dark.” Admissions were upped from 60 cents to 75 cents per person for the 3-D engagements. Turn-away crowds were reported.
“The Avon Cinema management took quick advantage of the front page publicity anent the battle between the Providence board of censors and the Playhouse [on Westminster Street] over the staging of "Tobacco Road” by bringing back the screen version of the Broadway hit. On the same program was “Grapes of Wrath”…[Note: both directed by John Ford.] —-item in Boxoffice magazine, January 17, 1953.
The Lyric Theatre was renamed the Gilbert Stuart in 1953, after Joe Jarvis, who had run the Jamestown Theatre, took over operation of this house. Item reportng this in Boxoffice magazine, October 24, 1953: View link
First 3-D picture plays Providence at the R.K.O. Albee. Item in Boxoffice magazine, February 21, 1953:
Bwana Devil, third-dimensional picture, was highly exploited when it played at the RKO Albee. Dave Levin set up a battery of third-dimensional viewers in the outer lobby, and crowds were lined up at all hours, scanning views taken from the picture. The Albee charged $1 top for evening and Sunday performances.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, March 24, 1958 about the closing of the Eliot:
“Harold Markell, who has operated the Eliot Theatre in North Cambridge for many years has been forced to close the doors due to lack of patronage.”
An Import Once Weekly
Interstate of New England has resumed late foreign film showings at the Bradley, Putnam. A single import is screened at about 10 p.m. on Friday nights, at 90 cents top. Regular U.S. product is shown earlier in the evening and remainder of the week.
Wartime item in Boxoffice magazine, November 7, 1942, about raising money for Christmas packages to send to servicemen from the area:
“Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hess of Moosup initiated the idea of sending every boy from Moosup, Central Village, Sterling and Oneco a Christmas package, and donated the Moosup Theatre for two nights. Some $450 was raised for the packages, and the well-known operators made columns in the local press.”
An item in Boxoffice magazine, November 30, 1946 mentions the reopening of the Rialto after having been closed for nearly two years:
To Reopen at Woonsocket
WOONSOCKET, R.I. – The Rialto, 800-seater, is to reopen after being shuttered since February 1945. Maurice Saffner, owner, said the theatre’s policy would be reissues, and foreign films, with the house being managed by his son, Melvin Saffner.
Hurricane is no hindrance!
Item in Boxoffice magazine, October 2, 1954:
“Although hurricanes demolished 150 homes in nearby Riverside, Joe Jarvis kept his Gilbert Stuart Playhouse in almost continuous operation. It was stilled only during a temporary power loss.”
Advertising method:
Earlier item from June 5, 1954:
“Joe Jarvis, owner-operator of the Gilbert Stuart Theatre in adjoining Riverside, has adopted a unique style of advertising pictures. While he uses only limited space, he devotes 50 per cent of his newspaper advertising to condensed editorial comments on either the stars appearing in the current attractions or on some outstanding feature of the film. Written in a smooth, easy, and friendly style, the copy is doing much to attract extra patronage.”
Photo of Roosevelt in Boxoffice magazine, June 5, 1954 (top left):
View link
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Fairlawn in adjacent Pawtucket, showing "The French Line,” advised patrons it would be omitted at the Saturday matinee, which is largely made up of juveniles."
[Note: that movie feature Jane Russell in a skimpy costume.]
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Johnston in nearby Thornton is giving away hand-painted ovenware to hype business.”
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Quonset Drive-In while presenting "Three Forbidden Stories” suggested that children be left at home during this presentation."
[Note: that was an Italian-made film with three stories dealing with love and sex.}
Article in Boxoffice magazine, April 20, 1964, reporting on the opening of the Warwick Cinema of Post Road on March 19, 1964:
View link
“Johnston Pike Airer Closed by Council"
Article in Boxoffice magazine, April 20, 1964:
View link
Park Theatre closes (1964). An item in Boxoffice magazine of April 6, 1964 states:
Closes Park Theatre in Taunton, Mass.
TAUNTON, MASS. —– The Park Theatre has been closed, leaving the Strand as the town’s only operating motion picture theatre. Richard Bentley, attorney for the Park, ascribed its closing to “competition” and “lack of patronage.”
The theatre is owned by Mrs. Bentley, Mrs. Margaret Lawson and Mrs. Rosemary O'Neill, who have put it up for sale. The Park has a seating capacity of 1,600 and is known for having one of the largest stages in New England.
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
A fine three-page article, with plenty of photos, in and out, of the original Kenmore Theatre, appears in the “Modern Theatre” section of Boxoffice magazine in the June 4, 1955 issue, linked here:
View link
Licensed granted for the construction of the Somerset Drive-In Theatre in 1949, as reported in Boxoffice magazine, December 10, 1949. Construction would be completed in the summer of 1950.
View link
Manager of Johnston Theatre narrowly escapes death. This item appeared in the February 14, 1953 issue of Boxoffice magazine:
“Mario Votolato, manager of the Johnston Theatre, narrowly escaped death from suffocation recently when smoke and flames ravaged the building housing the popular neighborhood theatre. Fire caused by flaming wax in an adjoining bowling alley filled the entire Thornton district with dense smoke. Votolato entered the theatre, which was not in operation at the time, to take out films and rescue two kittens. After he entered the darkened auditorium he was unable to see, even with a flashlight. Choking with the smoke and growing weak, he dropped the flashlight. A volunteer fireman, who had entered the theatre, saw the light drop and heard the choking and thought Votolato had fallen through the floor. He inched cautiously over until he reached the body of the theatre manager and dragged him to a window for air. The manager save one of the kittens and all of the films. Votolato estimated damage to the building at approximately $20,000.”
The Cranston Drive-In was equipped with 3-D projection capability in 1953, with the first offering being “Man in the Dark” per an item in Boxoffice mahgazine, July 4, 1953.
The Somerset was the first drive-in in the state to be equipped with 3-D projection, according to an item in Boxoffice magazine, issue of July 4, 1953. The first 3-D offering was “Bwana Devil.” The next one would be “Man in the Dark.” Admissions were upped from 60 cents to 75 cents per person for the 3-D engagements. Turn-away crowds were reported.
“The Avon Cinema management took quick advantage of the front page publicity anent the battle between the Providence board of censors and the Playhouse [on Westminster Street] over the staging of "Tobacco Road” by bringing back the screen version of the Broadway hit. On the same program was “Grapes of Wrath”…[Note: both directed by John Ford.] —-item in Boxoffice magazine, January 17, 1953.
The Lyric Theatre was renamed the Gilbert Stuart in 1953, after Joe Jarvis, who had run the Jamestown Theatre, took over operation of this house. Item reportng this in Boxoffice magazine, October 24, 1953:
View link
Heifetz at the Metropolitan Theatre. Item in Boxoffice magazine, February 21, 1953:
The Metropolitan interrupted “Treasure of the Golden Condor” for a one-night appearance of violinist (Jascha) Heifetz.
First 3-D picture plays Providence at the R.K.O. Albee. Item in Boxoffice magazine, February 21, 1953:
Bwana Devil, third-dimensional picture, was highly exploited when it played at the RKO Albee. Dave Levin set up a battery of third-dimensional viewers in the outer lobby, and crowds were lined up at all hours, scanning views taken from the picture. The Albee charged $1 top for evening and Sunday performances.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, March 24, 1958 about the closing of the Eliot:
“Harold Markell, who has operated the Eliot Theatre in North Cambridge for many years has been forced to close the doors due to lack of patronage.”
Item in Boxoffice Magazine, March 24, 1958:
An Import Once Weekly
Interstate of New England has resumed late foreign film showings at the Bradley, Putnam. A single import is screened at about 10 p.m. on Friday nights, at 90 cents top. Regular U.S. product is shown earlier in the evening and remainder of the week.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, October 27, 1956 about plans for converting the long-closed Victory into office and store space.
View link
Wartime item in Boxoffice magazine, November 7, 1942, about raising money for Christmas packages to send to servicemen from the area:
“Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hess of Moosup initiated the idea of sending every boy from Moosup, Central Village, Sterling and Oneco a Christmas package, and donated the Moosup Theatre for two nights. Some $450 was raised for the packages, and the well-known operators made columns in the local press.”
A photo-ad in Boxoffice magazine, April 6, 1959, showing marquee and crowds at the entrance for The Diary of Anne Frank.
http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_040659/4
An item in Boxoffice magazine, November 30, 1946 mentions the reopening of the Rialto after having been closed for nearly two years:
To Reopen at Woonsocket
WOONSOCKET, R.I. – The Rialto, 800-seater, is to reopen after being shuttered since February 1945. Maurice Saffner, owner, said the theatre’s policy would be reissues, and foreign films, with the house being managed by his son, Melvin Saffner.