3-D Movie at Drive-In Provides Police with 4-D Traffic Tieup
That was the headline of a Providence Journal newspaper article on July 13, 1953 reporting that the showing of a 3-D movie at this drive-in the night before combined with volumes of traffic returning from the R.I. beaches had caused a monumental traffic snarl in the area. The movie was Fort Ti which played with the 3-D short Spooks, featuring the 3 Stooges.
The former Palace Theatre is now known as God’s Family Church. Next to the church is a cemetery which abuts Providence’s lovely multi-laked Roger Williams Park. A peek into the interior reveals a well-maintained building. The original seats have been replaced by pews, while retaining the rake of the floor. The projection booth structure over the entrance remains intact as seen in this furtive photo taken through a side door.
The Gem Theatre, mentioned in Roger Brett’s volume about Providence movie theatres, Temples of Illlusion, as a separate theatre from this one, turns out to be the same one with a different name. Newspaper ads show it calling itself “The little house with the big features.” They boasted that they were the only theatre in Providence that changed its entire program every day. They must have been having stiff competition with the new and larger Royal Theatre, built in 1914 in Olneyville Square. Here is a newspaper ad for the Gem Theatre from October 17, 1915.
It is evident now, based on city directories of the time, the the theatre had another name as well. From about 1915-1916, it was called the Gem Theatre.
Between 1916, when the Toy Theatre closed, and 1938, when the Avon Theatre opened, the building was used as the Toy Garage. I assume it was an automobile service garage of some type. The Providence City Directory lists the establishment under this name during those years at the address of 460 Thayer Street and gives the names of various owners/managers during that time period.
The Carnegie Hall Cinema on 57th Street was called that from its inception with the 1961 opening program of White Nights, and as far as I can determine, was called only that in its entire life as a movietheatre.
Here are two photos of the old Pastime Theatre that burned down in 1934, before the current structure was built to replace it that same year. 1929 1930
Regarding Professor Mamlock, which I spoke of on August 18: the Rhode Island Supreme Court, in an opinion written by Francis B. Condon, held that the Providence Bureau of Police and Fire was within its rights in banning a public showing here (in March, 1939)of the Soviet-made film, “Professor Mamlock,” sought by the Thayer Amusemnent Company, operators of the Avon Theatre. The decision came on July 17, 1939 and was reported a day later by The Providence Journal. So the film was indeed banned and the ban upheld.
Film Cut at Request of Town Councilman
An East Greenwich outdoor theater cut three scenes from a movie last night on the request of the town concil prsident after the police chief, several clergymen, and the secretary of the state Commission to Encourage Morality in Youth had previewed it.
(…)
The Hilltop Drive-In in East Greenwich cut three scenes from the film “The Seducers,” at the request of Arthur H. Aker, town council president, after Police Chief John F. Ryan reported to him on the preview which was held at the Palace Theater in West Warwick.
Mr. Aker…said Harry Erinakes, manager of the Hilltop, was willing to cut the scenes and that no pressure was brought to bear on the theater. He thanked Mr. Erinakes for his cooperation.
Mr. Erinakes said the scenes were cut before the opening performance last night.
Viewing the picture at yesterday afternon’s special performance were Chief Ryan, the Rev. Wilmot Murray, pastor of the first Baptist Church in East Greenwich, the Rev. Arthur J. Geddes of St. James Church, Arctic; Albert J. McAloon, secretary of the youth commission; Lt. Edward P. Aptt of the Providence police department bureau of prosecution; and two Journal-Bulletin reporters.
Chief Ryan said later that the film was “strictly adult.”
Mr. Erinakes said it was agreed that the film should be restricted to patrons over 18, and that policemen hired by the theater would be stationed at the gate to enforce the rule.
Mr. Murray, who attended at the invitation of Chief Ryan, said he suggested that the opening scene preceding the picture title be left out.
Father Geddes referred to the “suggestiveness” of the picture and the scenes of violence. He said the picture was “too stimulating” for younger people.
(…)
The world premiere of Republic Pictures' The Eternal Sea took place at the R.K.O. Albee on April 20, 1955. In attendance were stars Sterling Hayden and Alexis Smith, Herbert Yates, president of Republic, Adm. William F. Halsey. Also present was Rear Adm. John M. Hoskins himself, a R.I. resident at the time as Commander of Fleet Air at Quonset Naval Base, and the hero on whose life the film was based. The film narrates his efforts to retain active command despite a World War II injury in which he lost a foot. Here is the newspaper ad on the day of the premiere.
In 1955 The Providence Journal reported on the sale of the Royal:
June 26: Royal Theater’s Sale is Closed
…the long-vacant Royal Theater…changed hands for an indicated price of $75,000. First announcement of the signing of the sales agreement of this transaction were made on February 26. Transfer of the property, from Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Whelden to the Rosehenta Realty Corp., Sigmund J. Rosenblatt, president, was completed last week. Gamwell & Ingraham, Inc., were the brokers.
August 3: Royal, in Olneyville, to Become Jewelry Shop and Showroom Center
Plans for converting the old Royal Theater, an Olneyville Square landmark, for use by jewelry shops and showrooms were given the green light yesterday by the Providence Zoning Board of Review.
The plans were outlined by Sigmund Rosenblatt, president of Rosehenta Realty Corp., which now owns the building at the junction of Hartford Avenue and Plainfield Street.
Rosenblatt said he plans to install a floor, making the structure a two-story building. The first floor will be used for showrooms and the second for use by jewelry shops, he said.
[it is not clear if that plan came to fruition. I remember in the late 1950s and thereabouts the lobby was used as a fruit market. It’s the only part of the building I ever set foot in. Today the spot is Grasso’s Gulf Service Station.]
3-D Movie at Drive-In Provides Police with 4-D Traffic Tieup
That was the headline of a Providence Journal newspaper article on July 13, 1953 reporting that the showing of a 3-D movie at this drive-in the night before combined with volumes of traffic returning from the R.I. beaches had caused a monumental traffic snarl in the area. The movie was Fort Ti which played with the 3-D short Spooks, featuring the 3 Stooges.
Other Olneyville Square theatres were the Royal, the Dimerina, and the Olympia.
Other Olneyville Square theatres were the Edisonia/Pastime/Gem, the Royal, and the Olympia.
Other Olneyville Square theatres were the Edisonia/Pastime/Gem, the Dimerina, and the Royal.
Other Olneyville Square theatres were the Edisonia/Pastime/Gem, the Dimerina, and the Olympia.
During its years as the Victory, the theatre was also known as the R.K.O. Victory for a time.
The former Palace Theatre is now known as God’s Family Church. Next to the church is a cemetery which abuts Providence’s lovely multi-laked Roger Williams Park. A peek into the interior reveals a well-maintained building. The original seats have been replaced by pews, while retaining the rake of the floor. The projection booth structure over the entrance remains intact as seen in this furtive photo taken through a side door.
Kaufman and Braunig were named as owners in the 1916 city directory. The Gem Theatre no longer appears in the 1917 city directory or in later ones.
The Gem Theatre, mentioned in Roger Brett’s volume about Providence movie theatres, Temples of Illlusion, as a separate theatre from this one, turns out to be the same one with a different name. Newspaper ads show it calling itself “The little house with the big features.” They boasted that they were the only theatre in Providence that changed its entire program every day. They must have been having stiff competition with the new and larger Royal Theatre, built in 1914 in Olneyville Square. Here is a newspaper ad for the Gem Theatre from October 17, 1915.
It is evident now, based on city directories of the time, the the theatre had another name as well. From about 1915-1916, it was called the Gem Theatre.
Between 1916, when the Toy Theatre closed, and 1938, when the Avon Theatre opened, the building was used as the Toy Garage. I assume it was an automobile service garage of some type. The Providence City Directory lists the establishment under this name during those years at the address of 460 Thayer Street and gives the names of various owners/managers during that time period.
Excuse me, that’s the Carnegie Hall Cinema on 7th Avenue AT 57th Street.
The Carnegie Hall Cinema on 57th Street was called that from its inception with the 1961 opening program of White Nights, and as far as I can determine, was called only that in its entire life as a movie theatre.
Bill, Frantic (Ascenseur pour l'échafaud) is now right now in re-issue with its original title, in translation, Elevator to the Gallows.
Here are two photos of the old Pastime Theatre that burned down in 1934, before the current structure was built to replace it that same year.
1929
1930
Here is a photo I took of the Huelén Theatre in 1994. The film is the 1993 TV version of Journey to the Center of the Earth, which inspired dreadful comments on IMDb because the movie was perceived as being so awful. Here it is getting a commercial run in a South American house.
Here are two photos I took of this theatre in 1994.
EXTERIOR
LOBBY AND STAIRS
Here is a photo I took of this theatre in 1994. The deathless masterpiece 100 Positions for Making Love was being shown.
Here is a photo I took of this theatre in 1994.
Here is a photo I took of this theatre in 1994.
Here is a photo I took of this theatre in 1994.
Regarding Professor Mamlock, which I spoke of on August 18: the Rhode Island Supreme Court, in an opinion written by Francis B. Condon, held that the Providence Bureau of Police and Fire was within its rights in banning a public showing here (in March, 1939)of the Soviet-made film, “Professor Mamlock,” sought by the Thayer Amusemnent Company, operators of the Avon Theatre. The decision came on July 17, 1939 and was reported a day later by The Providence Journal. So the film was indeed banned and the ban upheld.
The Providence Journal reported on June 6, 1963:
Film Cut at Request of Town Councilman
An East Greenwich outdoor theater cut three scenes from a movie last night on the request of the town concil prsident after the police chief, several clergymen, and the secretary of the state Commission to Encourage Morality in Youth had previewed it.
(…)
The Hilltop Drive-In in East Greenwich cut three scenes from the film “The Seducers,” at the request of Arthur H. Aker, town council president, after Police Chief John F. Ryan reported to him on the preview which was held at the Palace Theater in West Warwick.
Mr. Aker…said Harry Erinakes, manager of the Hilltop, was willing to cut the scenes and that no pressure was brought to bear on the theater. He thanked Mr. Erinakes for his cooperation.
Mr. Erinakes said the scenes were cut before the opening performance last night.
Viewing the picture at yesterday afternon’s special performance were Chief Ryan, the Rev. Wilmot Murray, pastor of the first Baptist Church in East Greenwich, the Rev. Arthur J. Geddes of St. James Church, Arctic; Albert J. McAloon, secretary of the youth commission; Lt. Edward P. Aptt of the Providence police department bureau of prosecution; and two Journal-Bulletin reporters.
Chief Ryan said later that the film was “strictly adult.”
Mr. Erinakes said it was agreed that the film should be restricted to patrons over 18, and that policemen hired by the theater would be stationed at the gate to enforce the rule.
Mr. Murray, who attended at the invitation of Chief Ryan, said he suggested that the opening scene preceding the picture title be left out.
Father Geddes referred to the “suggestiveness” of the picture and the scenes of violence. He said the picture was “too stimulating” for younger people.
(…)
The world premiere of Republic Pictures' The Eternal Sea took place at the R.K.O. Albee on April 20, 1955. In attendance were stars Sterling Hayden and Alexis Smith, Herbert Yates, president of Republic, Adm. William F. Halsey. Also present was Rear Adm. John M. Hoskins himself, a R.I. resident at the time as Commander of Fleet Air at Quonset Naval Base, and the hero on whose life the film was based. The film narrates his efforts to retain active command despite a World War II injury in which he lost a foot.
Here is the newspaper ad on the day of the premiere.
In 1955 The Providence Journal reported on the sale of the Royal:
June 26:
Royal Theater’s Sale is Closed
…the long-vacant Royal Theater…changed hands for an indicated price of $75,000. First announcement of the signing of the sales agreement of this transaction were made on February 26. Transfer of the property, from Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Whelden to the Rosehenta Realty Corp., Sigmund J. Rosenblatt, president, was completed last week. Gamwell & Ingraham, Inc., were the brokers.
August 3:
Royal, in Olneyville, to Become Jewelry Shop and Showroom Center
Plans for converting the old Royal Theater, an Olneyville Square landmark, for use by jewelry shops and showrooms were given the green light yesterday by the Providence Zoning Board of Review.
The plans were outlined by Sigmund Rosenblatt, president of Rosehenta Realty Corp., which now owns the building at the junction of Hartford Avenue and Plainfield Street.
Rosenblatt said he plans to install a floor, making the structure a two-story building. The first floor will be used for showrooms and the second for use by jewelry shops, he said.
[it is not clear if that plan came to fruition. I remember in the late 1950s and thereabouts the lobby was used as a fruit market. It’s the only part of the building I ever set foot in. Today the spot is Grasso’s Gulf Service Station.]