There has been now sale as far as I know. It is still stuck in limbo due to environmental problems. Contact the town of Windsor’s economic development commission for details on current ownership and listing agent.
This is on Route 12 in Danielson. Proper name is the Danielson-Putnam Twin Drive-In. The Lord chain also owned some other theatres in the area including the Midtown and Yale theatres in Norwich.
Oh, Steve, if you are serious about renovating an old abandoned one I have a ton in CT, MA, and RI that are just sitting there. Photos of all these theatres can be seen on CinemaTour at http://www.cinematour.com/ . None of these are in working condition, but if you have money they can be restored into operating cinemas again. (I have not included on this list the long-abandoned movie palaces that would takes many millions of dollars to restore.)
Berlin Cine 1 & 2 (Berlin, CT) opened in 1969 and closed in 1997 after damage from a fire. Tried to fix fire damage, but then vandals destroyed the screen and the owner gave up. In a shopping center, but the shopping center owner does not want to help with the cost of renovations, so it still sits vacant. Directly across the street from a modern Shocase Cinemas multiplex, so it would need to be sub-run.
Palace Theatre (Danbury, CT) opened in 1927 and closed in 1995 after being triplexed. I have not been inside, but a friend who has tells me there is water damage. Another friend, though, tells me he has been inside and says this place can be restored and reopened. It is on Main Street directly across the library in downtown Danbury.
Theater East (Manchester, CT) opened in 1966 and closed in 2001. This single screen turned into a Hoyts 6-screener sits abandoned behind a shopping center. Why doesn’t it reopen? Probably because Showcase Cinemas opened a 16-screen behemoth across town in 1998. This would have to be sub-run, or maybe art movies, since Showcase would hog first run product.
Elm Theatre (West Hartford, CT) opened 1947 and closed 2002. Walgreens bought the property and wants to convert it into a pharmacy, but Save The Elm ( http://www.savetheelm.org/ ) is trying to save it and is searching for an angel to swoop in and buy it. This single converted into a twin has a balcony.
Forest Theatre (West Haven, CT) opened 1930 and closed 2004. This single screen closed this past winter. It wasn’t in the greatest shape, but I think with TLC and a little work it could have been successful. Unfortunately, last I heard the owner wanted $10,000/month in rent which means a theatre is not viable there.
Plaza Theatre (Windsor, CT) opened 1943 and closed 1997. I was inside this a couple of years ago and all this needs is some cleaning up and work and it could be reopened. Last I heard, though, the building owner wanted to sell the entire building – which includes like 12 apartments and 6 storefronts as well as a multifamily house – rather than lease the theatre. That was 2 years ago, though, and things may have changed.
Rivoli Theatre (Chicopee, MA) closed in 1999. Someone bought this last year and did some renovations, including ripping out the seats, in order to reopen this as a nightclub, but then I think he ran out of money.
Grand Theatre (Indian Orchard, MA) opened 1911. This theatre in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, which is now a church, appears to be for sale at http://www.downtownio.com/grandtheatre.htm . I imagine, since it is being used as a church, it is in decent condition inside.
Casino Theatre (Ware, MA) closed 1999. This former single was twinned before it eventually closed. The drop ceiling in the lobby has fallen, but the building appears to be in sturdy shape.
Castle Cinema (Providence, RI) opened 1925 and closed 2004. This three screener closed earlier this year. It had been operating for a number of years as a cinema and cafe, but in the end I guess that was not successful.
United Theatre (Westerly, RI) opened 1926 and closed 1984. It has been closed for 20 years, so I imagine a good deal of work would be needed, but the marquee is still there and I believe the theatre remains untouched inside.
Also, are you aware that all the former Hoyts locations that became Northeast Cinemas are now for sale? Try contacting them.
E-mail me by clicking on my name for contact information and let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Bantam is nice, but it is too small for me. The auditoriums each seat about 60 people which means everyone is on top of each other and only a few choice seats can see the screen. Bantam is very well run, though,and the size is my only complaint. Country Cinema could learn a thing or two about presentation and service from them.
An IMAX screen is supposed to be really tall. I don’t understand how they can fit one into a regular auditorium. The auditoriums at Buckland Hills are not even close to the height needed for IMAX.
I’m not sure anyone will travel to this cinema. Latino cinemas have failed time after time in city after city due to the fact that the Hispanic population wants to see the same blockbuster movies – in English – that everyone else is seeing.
There has been now sale as far as I know. It is still stuck in limbo due to environmental problems. Contact the town of Windsor’s economic development commission for details on current ownership and listing agent.
The Strand was previously known as the Seymour and the Art.
I don’t consider this a real cinema. It is a library showing a few free videos.
Why aren’t the new polls put up on the main page? Why is it always the original “How many movies did you see this summer poll”?
Anita, pay attention to the news and postings. The Paradise is in the middle of a complete restoration and is scheduled to reopen in February 2005.
This is on Route 12 in Danielson. Proper name is the Danielson-Putnam Twin Drive-In. The Lord chain also owned some other theatres in the area including the Midtown and Yale theatres in Norwich.
The Elm is the most endangered. A hearing on it will be held in two days, and it could be demolished as early as a month from now. :(
It still sits there forlorn and crumbling.
Cool! I can’t wait to get this book!
The auditorium remains, but is stripped of all seats and ornementation. When I snuck in one day I fell through the rotted wooden stage floor.
The Paris Cinema I & II in Syracuse shows adult films.
Oh, Steve, if you are serious about renovating an old abandoned one I have a ton in CT, MA, and RI that are just sitting there. Photos of all these theatres can be seen on CinemaTour at http://www.cinematour.com/ . None of these are in working condition, but if you have money they can be restored into operating cinemas again. (I have not included on this list the long-abandoned movie palaces that would takes many millions of dollars to restore.)
Berlin Cine 1 & 2 (Berlin, CT) opened in 1969 and closed in 1997 after damage from a fire. Tried to fix fire damage, but then vandals destroyed the screen and the owner gave up. In a shopping center, but the shopping center owner does not want to help with the cost of renovations, so it still sits vacant. Directly across the street from a modern Shocase Cinemas multiplex, so it would need to be sub-run.
Palace Theatre (Danbury, CT) opened in 1927 and closed in 1995 after being triplexed. I have not been inside, but a friend who has tells me there is water damage. Another friend, though, tells me he has been inside and says this place can be restored and reopened. It is on Main Street directly across the library in downtown Danbury.
Theater East (Manchester, CT) opened in 1966 and closed in 2001. This single screen turned into a Hoyts 6-screener sits abandoned behind a shopping center. Why doesn’t it reopen? Probably because Showcase Cinemas opened a 16-screen behemoth across town in 1998. This would have to be sub-run, or maybe art movies, since Showcase would hog first run product.
Elm Theatre (West Hartford, CT) opened 1947 and closed 2002. Walgreens bought the property and wants to convert it into a pharmacy, but Save The Elm ( http://www.savetheelm.org/ ) is trying to save it and is searching for an angel to swoop in and buy it. This single converted into a twin has a balcony.
Forest Theatre (West Haven, CT) opened 1930 and closed 2004. This single screen closed this past winter. It wasn’t in the greatest shape, but I think with TLC and a little work it could have been successful. Unfortunately, last I heard the owner wanted $10,000/month in rent which means a theatre is not viable there.
Plaza Theatre (Windsor, CT) opened 1943 and closed 1997. I was inside this a couple of years ago and all this needs is some cleaning up and work and it could be reopened. Last I heard, though, the building owner wanted to sell the entire building – which includes like 12 apartments and 6 storefronts as well as a multifamily house – rather than lease the theatre. That was 2 years ago, though, and things may have changed.
Rivoli Theatre (Chicopee, MA) closed in 1999. Someone bought this last year and did some renovations, including ripping out the seats, in order to reopen this as a nightclub, but then I think he ran out of money.
Grand Theatre (Indian Orchard, MA) opened 1911. This theatre in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, which is now a church, appears to be for sale at http://www.downtownio.com/grandtheatre.htm . I imagine, since it is being used as a church, it is in decent condition inside.
Casino Theatre (Ware, MA) closed 1999. This former single was twinned before it eventually closed. The drop ceiling in the lobby has fallen, but the building appears to be in sturdy shape.
Castle Cinema (Providence, RI) opened 1925 and closed 2004. This three screener closed earlier this year. It had been operating for a number of years as a cinema and cafe, but in the end I guess that was not successful.
United Theatre (Westerly, RI) opened 1926 and closed 1984. It has been closed for 20 years, so I imagine a good deal of work would be needed, but the marquee is still there and I believe the theatre remains untouched inside.
Also, are you aware that all the former Hoyts locations that became Northeast Cinemas are now for sale? Try contacting them.
E-mail me by clicking on my name for contact information and let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
The marquee and lobby building was demolished this week, but the auditorium remains. I will go photograph it tomorrow.
This theatre has recently been gutted.
The Melba’s old auditorium is now a church. The lobby houses a retail store.
The American now has 7 screens.
Bantam is nice, but it is too small for me. The auditoriums each seat about 60 people which means everyone is on top of each other and only a few choice seats can see the screen. Bantam is very well run, though,and the size is my only complaint. Country Cinema could learn a thing or two about presentation and service from them.
Is this a new theatre in Albany? Or are you planning to open either of the two multiplexes that currently sit abandoned there?
Dow,
The brand new balcony seats were installed last week. This reopening IS going to happen.
http://www.savetheelm.org/
An IMAX screen is supposed to be really tall. I don’t understand how they can fit one into a regular auditorium. The auditoriums at Buckland Hills are not even close to the height needed for IMAX.
I hear that the Paradise is being restored and shall reopen in February 2005 as a venue for live entertainment and movies.
I’m not sure anyone will travel to this cinema. Latino cinemas have failed time after time in city after city due to the fact that the Hispanic population wants to see the same blockbuster movies – in English – that everyone else is seeing.
This group’s website is http://www.savetheelm.org/ . Anyone in the area please support this effort and help save the Elm!
As of 7/2004 a proposal has been put forward for this theatre’s demolition. See View link for details.