A 1940s or late 1930s postcard view of Westminster Street. The marquee for the Empire Theatre can be spotted on the right, across from the Shepard’s clock that is between Cherry & Webb and Boston Store. Expand for better view.
This is a closer view.
This photo shows Weybosset Street and Loew’s State in the 1940s. On the left, with the blue roof, appears to be the rear of the building block which contained the Empire Theatre. Its front was a block over on Westminster Street.
This postcard of Weybosset Street shows Loew’s State Theatre in the 1940s. The building on the left with the blue roof appears to be the rear of the former Empire Theatre (Keith’s, Victory) which had its entrance on Westminster Street.
This postcard shows the theatre at the beginning of the 1900s. The arched entrance can be seen in the center of the photo. The vertical sign with the name “Keith’s” hangs above. Enlarge the image for greater detail.
This old postcard image shows the theatre in the first decade of the 20th Century when it was called the Imperial. The theatre, on the right, can be seen with all its fire-escape structure. The “Imperial” sign on the left may have been added in the printing of the postcard. It doesn’t look like a billboard. Images of this theatre are extremely rare.
Here is an old postcard showing a trolley, cars and pedestrians on Purchase Street, Merchants National Bank, and, in the distance, the Olympia Theatre with its vertical marquee.
Here is an old postcard showing the Bijou Theatre and the Public Market and other shops on Broad Street, plus pedestrians and cars. A very nice picture of a lost and forgotten theatre!
I remember that same “wall-stretcher” ad used at the Avon Cinema here in Providence, where the film played quite a long time. After Marty was becoming very popular, this ad copy must have been sent out by United Artists to the theatres playing the film.
Thanks for that info, Linda. I regret never having photographed it. With some effort I could have gotten permission to see what it looked like inside, though I’m sure it was plain, but it might have had some sort of stage and a remaining projection booth. Who knows?
Herbie, this bit you wrote about the matron is amazing, because we had a similar mean matron with a limp and a flashlight and whom we drove crazy. It was the Johnston Theatre in Johnston, RI, and I wrote about her two years ago in the first post on this page.
The library is on the right heading north toward Lenox. I believe the theatre was on the left, judging by its street number. I never saw the actual theatre. So this is guesswork.
Here is a photo of the Gary when it was showing The Sound of Music in July 1966. It was sent a while back by Michael21046 and I scanned it, lost the scan, and have since found it.
Since Visconti’s The Leopard did not open in New York until August of 1963, this photo is probably a bit after that in 1963. It opened in Providence in October of 1963.
What do you remember of the Center Theatre? You should post it on that page, as well as stuff on any other Fall River theatres, since there is so little posted.
Ron Salters, you mentioned the “other” Warner Theatre on the campus of Worcester Academy. It was called that because it was originally presented to Worcester Academy as a gift from Harry Warner, then president of the Warner Brothers Studio in memory of his son Lewis (Worcester Academy, Class of 1928). It is the Lewis J. Warner Theatre, Ross Auditorium. I did visit this theatre a week or so ago for a Christmas show just to see the place, and it is a wonder to behold, a fantastic renaissance-style period piece inside with great ceiling frescoes, and a classic columned exterior front. It was built in the tradition of other early 20th century grand movie palaces. It has the original 35mm projection booth still in place. It must be one of the greatest “unknown” cinema treasures of New England if not the country and should be visited by theatre fans who come to Worcester. EXTERIOR INTERIOR
A 1940s or late 1930s postcard view of Westminster Street. The marquee for the Empire Theatre can be spotted on the right, across from the Shepard’s clock that is between Cherry & Webb and Boston Store. Expand for better view.
This is a closer view.
This photo shows Weybosset Street and Loew’s State in the 1940s. On the left, with the blue roof, appears to be the rear of the building block which contained the Empire Theatre. Its front was a block over on Westminster Street.
This postcard of Weybosset Street shows Loew’s State Theatre in the 1940s. The building on the left with the blue roof appears to be the rear of the former Empire Theatre (Keith’s, Victory) which had its entrance on Westminster Street.
This postcard shows the theatre at the beginning of the 1900s. The arched entrance can be seen in the center of the photo. The vertical sign with the name “Keith’s” hangs above. Enlarge the image for greater detail.
This old postcard image shows the theatre in the first decade of the 20th Century when it was called the Imperial. The theatre, on the right, can be seen with all its fire-escape structure. The “Imperial” sign on the left may have been added in the printing of the postcard. It doesn’t look like a billboard. Images of this theatre are extremely rare.
Here is an old postcard showing a trolley, cars and pedestrians on Purchase Street, Merchants National Bank, and, in the distance, the Olympia Theatre with its vertical marquee.
Here is an old postcard showing the Bijou Theatre and the Public Market and other shops on Broad Street, plus pedestrians and cars. A very nice picture of a lost and forgotten theatre!
Here is a photo of the Colonial Theatre in 1962.
I remember that same “wall-stretcher” ad used at the Avon Cinema here in Providence, where the film played quite a long time. After Marty was becoming very popular, this ad copy must have been sent out by United Artists to the theatres playing the film.
Here is a postcard image of the Bijou Theatre and the block it was located in.
Caldwell was a great cultural force. I saw her conduct many times both at the Opera House and the Orpheum.
Here is a great old postcard image of this theatre.
Thanks for that info, Linda. I regret never having photographed it. With some effort I could have gotten permission to see what it looked like inside, though I’m sure it was plain, but it might have had some sort of stage and a remaining projection booth. Who knows?
Herbie, this bit you wrote about the matron is amazing, because we had a similar mean matron with a limp and a flashlight and whom we drove crazy. It was the Johnston Theatre in Johnston, RI, and I wrote about her two years ago in the first post on this page.
This postcard shows the theatre as it might have appeared in 1945, with the Adams House Restaurant next to it.
The library is on the right heading north toward Lenox. I believe the theatre was on the left, judging by its street number. I never saw the actual theatre. So this is guesswork.
A New York Times article today discusses the imminent razing of the Montauk.
Here is a photo of the Gary when it was showing The Sound of Music in July 1966. It was sent a while back by Michael21046 and I scanned it, lost the scan, and have since found it.
Yes, it has closed.
Randall, you can add those photos as links. Use photobucket.com as a host. That’s what many folks are doing. Would love to see those.
Since Visconti’s The Leopard did not open in New York until August of 1963, this photo is probably a bit after that in 1963. It opened in Providence in October of 1963.
What do you remember of the Center Theatre? You should post it on that page, as well as stuff on any other Fall River theatres, since there is so little posted.
I just visited this theatre for the first time, since it was showing the acclaimed Brokeback Mountain, which wasn’t playing yet in the Providence area and which I wanted to see badly. The movie is a miracle and unforgettable. Madison is about 80 minutes from Providence, near where I live, and about 20 minutes or so north of New Haven and about five minutes from the nearest I-95 exit. The theatre is plain but comfortable and pleasant. The village of Madison has real character, the scent of upscale, and there are some fine retail shops and coffee shops. There is a café in the theatre lobby as well. Here is a photo of the exterior.
The new Cinemaworld, a 16-screen multiplex, opened in November, 2005 at Lincoln Mall, near where the Lincoln Mall Cinemas used to be.
Ron Salters, you mentioned the “other” Warner Theatre on the campus of Worcester Academy. It was called that because it was originally presented to Worcester Academy as a gift from Harry Warner, then president of the Warner Brothers Studio in memory of his son Lewis (Worcester Academy, Class of 1928). It is the Lewis J. Warner Theatre, Ross Auditorium. I did visit this theatre a week or so ago for a Christmas show just to see the place, and it is a wonder to behold, a fantastic renaissance-style period piece inside with great ceiling frescoes, and a classic columned exterior front. It was built in the tradition of other early 20th century grand movie palaces. It has the original 35mm projection booth still in place. It must be one of the greatest “unknown” cinema treasures of New England if not the country and should be visited by theatre fans who come to Worcester.
EXTERIOR
INTERIOR