On May 7, 1952, the Majestic Theatre became statewide headlines after its then-projectionist, Royal L. Towle of Milford, New Hampshire, fatally collapsed to the ground inside the projection booth while preparing for his evening shift. It was unknown if he collapsed while feeding the intermission reel into the projector preparing for that day’s second showing of “Bronco Buster”. A coroner official later confirmed that Towle died by coronary occlusion. Towle had been the projectionist of the theater since 1936.
On January 2, 1940, a double-feature showing of “Four Wives” and “Big Guy” turned into an emergency medical scene after a 41-year-old Hoboken laborer suffered a fatal heart attack and died inside the theater’s auditorium without noticing its condition. Moviegoers saw the male victim with his chin resting on his chest, thinking that he was asleep. One person tried to rouse him but was unable to do it. A medical personnel identified the man, Pasquale Monacelli, who was born in Italy.
On February 25, 1979, the State Theatre became national headlines after its manager was injured after being severely beaten by mobs in connection of a crisis involving the film “The Warriors”.
Closed on September 1, 1986 with “Room With A View” in Screen 1 and “Top Gun” in Screen 2. It briefly reopened on October 31, 1986 with “Ruthless People” in Screen 1 and “Back To School” in Screen 2 as a dollar house, but closed by the end of the year.
It was twinned on June 12, 1981, and was renamed Bay Cinema 1 & 2. It was closed on March 14, 1989 with “Three Fugitives” in Screen 1 and “Rain Man” in Screen 2 when the then-new Dorchester Square Cinemas opened nearby. R/C Theatres was its last operator.
The Comerford Theatre opened its doors on May 11, 1939 with Deanna Durbin in “Three Smart Girls Grow Up” along with Disney’s Three Little Pigs in “The Practical Pig”, Fitzpatrick’s Traveltalks “Rural Hungary”, and a newsreel, featuring installations of Simplex 4-Star sound with Sonotone hearing aids.
Exactly two years after it opened, an unexpected death happened on July 4, 1941. Shortly after the conclusion of “Abbott And Costello In The Navy” (along with unnamed Pete Smith Specialty, unnamed Popular Science, and newsreel), a theater assistant was checking inside the theater until he found a 75-year-old man unconscious and slumped over the seat. A doctor identified the man as Jacob Ernest of Gap, Pennsylvania, with Chambersburg ties, and confirmed that he suffered a heart attack during the movie.
During its early days, the Moorlyn Theatre became statewide headlines following the death of a man. On April 28, 1928, 73-year-old Thomas S. Oakerson of Ocean City unexpectedly died of natural causes while watching a vaudeville act on stage. Several men surrounding by him heard a strange groan coming from him before they witnessed the man sink in his seat. He was carried to the lobby where he received medical aid, but was reported that he was pronounced dead before he was taken to the lobby. The show managed to continue without any interruption.
The fatal roof collapse (or the collapse of the two-foot layer that fell from the 35ft wall) happened on October 22, 1961 during a showing of “Homicidal”. One woman was crushed to death under tons of rubble, while 50 others (including children) were injured but not critically.
The Brookside Theatre became headlines on April 29, 1951 following a sudden death of a 34-year-old Kansas City woman after she collapsed during a double feature of “Born Yesterday” and “Sugarfoot” (unknown if extras added). She was pronounced dead after arriving at the theater’s lobby.
Once operated by Esquire Theatres of America.
Once operated by Esquire Theatres of America.
On May 7, 1952, the Majestic Theatre became statewide headlines after its then-projectionist, Royal L. Towle of Milford, New Hampshire, fatally collapsed to the ground inside the projection booth while preparing for his evening shift. It was unknown if he collapsed while feeding the intermission reel into the projector preparing for that day’s second showing of “Bronco Buster”. A coroner official later confirmed that Towle died by coronary occlusion. Towle had been the projectionist of the theater since 1936.
On January 2, 1940, a double-feature showing of “Four Wives” and “Big Guy” turned into an emergency medical scene after a 41-year-old Hoboken laborer suffered a fatal heart attack and died inside the theater’s auditorium without noticing its condition. Moviegoers saw the male victim with his chin resting on his chest, thinking that he was asleep. One person tried to rouse him but was unable to do it. A medical personnel identified the man, Pasquale Monacelli, who was born in Italy.
Named after owners Elias and Eva Harvan, who also planned and construct the theater.
On February 25, 1979, the State Theatre became national headlines after its manager was injured after being severely beaten by mobs in connection of a crisis involving the film “The Warriors”.
Bigscreen should be releasing an article on that soon.
Closed on April 13, 1975.
Closed on September 1, 1986 with “Room With A View” in Screen 1 and “Top Gun” in Screen 2. It briefly reopened on October 31, 1986 with “Ruthless People” in Screen 1 and “Back To School” in Screen 2 as a dollar house, but closed by the end of the year.
Actual closing date is September 2, 1996 with “The Rock” in Screen 1, “Mission Impossible” in Screen 2, and “Twister” in Screen 3.
Actual closing date is September 2, 1996, with “The Rock”, “Mission Impossible”, and “Twister” in screen order.
First operated by Loews, later Sony Theatres, later Loews Cineplex, and finally AMC. It was closed on February 15, 2010.
Closed on November 26, 1978 with “Message From Space” and “The Last Waltz”.
Actual closing date is April 28, 2002.
Closed on September 20, 1981 with “Night School” and “My Bloody Valentine”.
Closed on July 1, 1986 with “Sweet Liberty” in Screen 1 and “Violets Are Blue” in Screen 2.
Closed as a movie theater on January 3, 1980 with “10”.
It was twinned on June 12, 1981, and was renamed Bay Cinema 1 & 2. It was closed on March 14, 1989 with “Three Fugitives” in Screen 1 and “Rain Man” in Screen 2 when the then-new Dorchester Square Cinemas opened nearby. R/C Theatres was its last operator.
This was the replacement of the Bay Cinema I & II (formerly the Dorset Theatre), which closed two days prior to this theater’s opening.
Once known as Summerville Cinema, and was still operating as a movie theater in the early-1970s.
The Comerford Theatre opened its doors on May 11, 1939 with Deanna Durbin in “Three Smart Girls Grow Up” along with Disney’s Three Little Pigs in “The Practical Pig”, Fitzpatrick’s Traveltalks “Rural Hungary”, and a newsreel, featuring installations of Simplex 4-Star sound with Sonotone hearing aids.
Exactly two years after it opened, an unexpected death happened on July 4, 1941. Shortly after the conclusion of “Abbott And Costello In The Navy” (along with unnamed Pete Smith Specialty, unnamed Popular Science, and newsreel), a theater assistant was checking inside the theater until he found a 75-year-old man unconscious and slumped over the seat. A doctor identified the man as Jacob Ernest of Gap, Pennsylvania, with Chambersburg ties, and confirmed that he suffered a heart attack during the movie.
During its early days, the Moorlyn Theatre became statewide headlines following the death of a man. On April 28, 1928, 73-year-old Thomas S. Oakerson of Ocean City unexpectedly died of natural causes while watching a vaudeville act on stage. Several men surrounding by him heard a strange groan coming from him before they witnessed the man sink in his seat. He was carried to the lobby where he received medical aid, but was reported that he was pronounced dead before he was taken to the lobby. The show managed to continue without any interruption.
The fatal roof collapse (or the collapse of the two-foot layer that fell from the 35ft wall) happened on October 22, 1961 during a showing of “Homicidal”. One woman was crushed to death under tons of rubble, while 50 others (including children) were injured but not critically.
The Brookside Theatre became headlines on April 29, 1951 following a sudden death of a 34-year-old Kansas City woman after she collapsed during a double feature of “Born Yesterday” and “Sugarfoot” (unknown if extras added). She was pronounced dead after arriving at the theater’s lobby.
Opened as early as October 1979.