Warner Theatre
68 Main Street,
Torrington,
CT
6790
68 Main Street,
Torrington,
CT
6790
17 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 56 comments
I am doing some research at the WB archive in California at the moment. Does anyone know if this theatre was called the Palace during the 1940s?
The pictures at the link posted by RamBear above are of the Warner Theater in Erie, PA, not the Warner in Torrington, CT.
It’s great seeing this info on the Warner. I remember going there as a kid growing up in Torrington. It was also the site of my HS graduation. I also recall the smaller Palace Theater around the corner. As I lived in the north end of town, I spent many a Saturday at the State Theater, a second run house that had old fashioned Saturday matinees even after they had gone out of style. For a while they were charging only a dime (don’t date me…that was incredibly cheap for that time)for a bunch of cartoons, some old serials and a western. I would post the State and Palace as they appear to be missing, but haven’t been “home” in decades and am not sure what stands where they once were.
Hi Rambear, those are great photos, and I enjoyed getting my first decent view of the interior of the Warner in Erie, but you posted them on the page for the Warner in Torrington. If you would post these photos on the site for the theatre in Erie, Penna, I’m sure the folks interested in that theatre would love to see them.
A recent set of photos after the Warner restoration (including a few shots of the film projectors) can be found here:
View link
The Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT returned to playing movies with the Connecticut premiere of the movie “Flyboys”. Screened on August 26, 2006 to a sold out audience.
Vintage automobile lined the street outside the theatre. A restored WWI German Fokker was onstage for all to see. Opening the night, The Northwest Connecticut Military Honor Guard performed a bagpipe ceremony. Following this, Governor Rell addressed the audience. The director, Tony Bill, also spoke before the movie was shown. He then treated the audience to a Q&A after the movie. A great night in a great theatre!
For more info:
http://www.rep-am.com/story.php?id=11754
http://www.warnertheatre.org/Flyboys.htm
View link
I’m not sure what the future plans for screening movies at the Warner will be. Obviously, I hope this is isn’t the last. The last web link hints that it won’t.
Here is a 1949 photo of the Warner:
http://tinyurl.com/pfyoq
View link
Thanks to Lost Memory here is a link that will show exterior and interior photos of this Warner!
This theatre is gorgeous and my hat is off to the folks of Torrington who saved this Warner and marquee. Congratulations! The MA town of Lawrence who had a Warner Theatre, but chose to demolish it could take a lesson from Torrington when he comes to saving a hometown theatre with the name WARNER!
According to Cinematour.com there is no organ.
I don’t know, check their website.
Beautiful Art Moderne theatre. Does it have an organ?
I love how this place looks, whenever I hear it’s story, it makes me happy to see the place is up and running. It’s a beautiful building.
Try calling the theater.
Still wondering if this Warner Theatre has a Warner coat of arms or any general information regarding Warner coat of arms….posted this question 5/14.
The theater is in its next phase of restoration and expansion. There’s a story in the July issue of CT Business Times but I can’t find the story on their website. It’s on page 24 if you pick one up.
Here’s the text.
Warner Announces Manager for Next Phase of Restoration
The Warner Theatre has announced that United Construction and Engineering, Inc. of Torrington has been hired to serve as construction manager for Phase II of the planned renovation and expansion of the theatre’s facilities. Construction is slated to begin in October 2005 and is estimated to be completed by fall 2006.
The Phase II plans focus on adapting the historic Mertz building, adjacent to the theatre on Main Street, to include a brand new state-of-the-art 200-seat black box-style theatre, an expanded and renovated center for arts education and renovated retail space. The project will also include an addition to the main stage house that incorporates augmented dressing room facilities, support space to accommodate set construction and technical requirements for productions and a modern stage rigging system. Phase II also includes several non-bricks and mortar components that focus on financial and operational efficiencies.
Phase I of the Warner Theatre Restoration project was completed in November 2002 and featured a complete restoration and renovation of the theatre’s public spaces and administrative offices. The combined cost for Phases I and II of the Warner Restoration is estimated at $15.85 million. The theatre, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the upcoming 2005-2006 season, is in the process of completing its fundraising efforts to raise the remaining $2 million needed to fund the project.
The rest of the article is quotes and the usual repeated paragraphs.
Does this Warner Theatre have a Warner coat of arms on display? A Warner theatre in Wellsville NY by the name of Grand, orginally Babcock Theatre has one.
The Warner Theatre originally opened on 19th August 1931. The Film Daily Yearbook, 1950 gives a seating capacity of 1,850.
I would also suggest that you contact someone in your area for help…perhaps an architect who is familiar with building models, to scale. Good luck, Angelgirl.
A cinema member named KenRoe who is in England has much information on many theatres so he may be of help to you, also.
Angelgirl: I will be attending a theatre group party this evening and will ask around for you although I’m not in the CT area. Always nice to read a post from a young person who has the ‘theatre bug’!
i’m a sixth grade student and for a project at school i need to build a replica of the warner theatre. is there anywhere i could go to find the size of the building because it needs to be to scale. is there anyone who could help Me please?
Torrington is in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Take the CT 8 expressway north from Waterbury, and it will bring you right to it. Check out the terrific architecture in downtown Torrington while you are at it. Interesting collection of art deco/moderne as well as some Victorian here and there.
Might be in CT next Octoberfor a wedding near Hartford so will check it out then! Where is Torrington?
I thought I knew of all the major classic theaters in the US…but this is a new one on me. It looks great…and you have so many bookings!! Unbelievable!! Well done!!