The Chepachet Theatre opened on March 14, 1942. There is an opening day ad in the photo section. There aren’t too many ads for this place, suggesting it didn’t survive as a theatre for too long, but that is not certain.
The Bijou is visible before the Ballantine sign on the railroad bridge. I can make out both the vertical marquee and the left side of the horizontal marquee. Other photos on this page can show you what the whole marquee looked like in the 1940s-1950s. But at least you get a good look at the section of street it was on.
“Odrodzona Polska ” and “Tredowata” were both Polish silent films, 1924 and 1926. Both listed on IMDb.com. A considerable population of persons of Polish extraction lived in Woonsocket.
“St. Anthony’s Church, Woonsocket, RI, was established as an Italian parish on November 14, 1924 by the late Bishop William A. Hickey, D.D.” (From their website)
When I was 11 in 1953, I went to see “The Robe” with my parents, and I expected to see the actual 3-D effect without glasses. I had already seen many 3-D films with glasses. I immediately knew this was not the case, but nonetheless I liked the super wide screen.
As was pointed out to me by Comfortably Cool, the two films alternated all day, with “Albuquerque” being the film shown at or near midnight. Still, a strange pairing.
Ad is from paper L'Italo-Americano di Los Angeles. The original title of this film was “Apparizione,” 1943, Jean de Limur. It can be currently seen on YouTube, complete. It would help to understand some Italian.
“This film has been made part of the Vatican’s film collection, thus receiving the Church’s unofficial endorsement.” No doubt that was due in part to the powerful portrayal of a Roman priest, Don Pietro, by Aldo Fabrizi. The film culminates with his execution by the Nazis in full view of the boys of his parish church.
The film must have been shown by hand-cranked projectors, since motors were not attached to them until September 1917, per an earlier notice I posted just a while ago from the Norwich Bulletin.
The Chepachet Theatre opened on March 14, 1942. There is an opening day ad in the photo section. There aren’t too many ads for this place, suggesting it didn’t survive as a theatre for too long, but that is not certain.
Ad in the Woonsocket Call.
The Bijou is visible before the Ballantine sign on the railroad bridge. I can make out both the vertical marquee and the left side of the horizontal marquee. Other photos on this page can show you what the whole marquee looked like in the 1940s-1950s. But at least you get a good look at the section of street it was on.
The picture(s) and article can be seen in the Woonsocket Call, January 14, 1956. woonsocket.advantage-preservation.com
“Odrodzona Polska ” and “Tredowata” were both Polish silent films, 1924 and 1926. Both listed on IMDb.com. A considerable population of persons of Polish extraction lived in Woonsocket.
I believe there had been a fire which shut down the theatre.
The building would be cut to two stories in 1956.
Long after it had been cut to two stories in 1956.
A view from the 1890s, almost certainly.
This is the first interior view of this theatre I’ve ever seen from any point in its existence.
Ad in the Woonsocket (RI) Call.
“St. Anthony’s Church, Woonsocket, RI, was established as an Italian parish on November 14, 1924 by the late Bishop William A. Hickey, D.D.” (From their website)
The French film’s IMDb listed title is “Une Faible Femme.”
The Nickel would become the Strand and in 1932 the Olympia.
Gala opening. It had been the Strand Theatre, and before that The Nickel.
Harrisville and Pascoag are both villages in Burrillville, RI.
Interesting fashion tie-in with local clothing store.
When I was 11 in 1953, I went to see “The Robe” with my parents, and I expected to see the actual 3-D effect without glasses. I had already seen many 3-D films with glasses. I immediately knew this was not the case, but nonetheless I liked the super wide screen.
As was pointed out to me by Comfortably Cool, the two films alternated all day, with “Albuquerque” being the film shown at or near midnight. Still, a strange pairing.
Ad is from paper L'Italo-Americano di Los Angeles. The original title of this film was “Apparizione,” 1943, Jean de Limur. It can be currently seen on YouTube, complete. It would help to understand some Italian.
“This film has been made part of the Vatican’s film collection, thus receiving the Church’s unofficial endorsement.” No doubt that was due in part to the powerful portrayal of a Roman priest, Don Pietro, by Aldo Fabrizi. The film culminates with his execution by the Nazis in full view of the boys of his parish church.
Interesting to learn, but nevertheless startling to see.
From the Boston Globe. The original title of this film in Italy was “Porto.” It was directed by Amleto Palermi in 1934.
Ad posted for the movie “Lost Horizon,” which played here in 1937 on a reserved-seat policy.
The film must have been shown by hand-cranked projectors, since motors were not attached to them until September 1917, per an earlier notice I posted just a while ago from the Norwich Bulletin.