Strand Theatre
35 East Avenue,
Pawtucket,
RI
02860
35 East Avenue,
Pawtucket,
RI
02860
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Ohmigosh the picture is wonderful!! In 1948 just prior to my being employed at the Strand, the lobby and the ticket window area were remodeled, so it became just a bit different from the picture you so kindly provided. I am printing it out and keeping it and plan to send it to my fellow movie-going friends! As to the snacks we sold back in ‘48 and '49, they consisted primarily of candy and the inevitable popcorn. The popcorn was pre-made and came in large plastic bags, but we were forbidden to fill the glass popcorn containers in front of customers, as the intent was to have them believe the popcorn was freshly made right there!! One very busy night, in an effort to keep up with customer demand, a fellow candy girl filled it in plain sight of the patrons and was summarily fired for doing so!! AND she was the manager’s own daughter. The most popular candy bars then were Mounds, Almond Joy, Chuckles, Chocolate-covered marshmallow, Old Nick … We became able to remember what the various customers would buy, as they were creatures of habit when it came to their theater snacks. I too follow this pattern and seldom deviate from licorice Nibs and Jujyfruits, although I buy them from the market or pharmacy and not the theater. Back then most candy bars were 5 cents, with a few at 10 cents. Popcorn, large, was 15 cents, and that was really splurging!
Marialivia
Could you shed some light on the snacks you used to sell back in the 40’s? I know from pictures I have seen nothing came in the obnoxious sizes it does now.
Here is an exterior picture of the Strand in 1940.
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I can see that this would be very possible. I’m sure were more than 40 rows, and three large sections across, in the orchestra level, and the balcony was quite good size too. I spent a lot of time up there doing my homework, as on some weeknights the balcony wasn’t open. I have not lived in Pawtucket since 1960 but still say I’m from there! I lived elsewhere in RI until the end of 2003, when I moved to Connecticut. I can’t say I miss it, because it is so changed now, and the Pawtucket I knew no longer exists. For four years I lived in Smithfield, off Route 104, so I saw movies at the Community Theater in Centerdale too. I visited a friend in RI last year and could hardly find my way around Centerdale!!
I worked at the Strand as a “candy girl” when I was a senior in high school — 1948-49. It was a very, very happy year, as all the ushers and candy girls were friendly and dated and had parties, etc. People lined up around the block in those days, even in snowy, freezing weather, and waited to get into the theater and it didn’t matter at what point the movie was when they finally got in. Mr. Harold Lancaster was the manager then, and a Mr. Hayes was the assistant manager. The movie that was playing on my first night of employment was “The Emperor Waltz” starring Bing Crosby and Joan Fontaine. Shortly thereafter, the selection was “Easter Parade,” with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, which was extremely popular and was held over.
Federico Fellini’s LA DOLCE VITA played here in February of 1962. But foreign films were not the standard fare.
I believe the only time I visited this theatre was in March of 1958 for a double bill of the Spanish-made THE MIRACLE OF MARCELINO, dubbed in English, shown with the cute French featurette THE RED BALLOON. It was a packed matinee.