Elmwood Theatre
786 Elmwood Avenue,
Providence,
RI
02907
786 Elmwood Avenue,
Providence,
RI
02907
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Firms: William Nelson Jacobs Associates
Functions: Church
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 17, 2013 — “South Pacific” 55th Anniversary – The Roadshow Engagements
- Dec 9, 2012 — Happy 50th, “Lawrence of Arabia”
- Oct 18, 2011 — Happy 50th, "West Side Story"
- Oct 24, 2010 — "The Alamo"...Happy 50th!
- Oct 6, 2010 — Happy 50th, "Spartacus"
- Nov 18, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Ben-Hur"
- Oct 30, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Sleeping Beauty"
The Elmwood Theatre was opened on February 1, 1950 with Jeanne Crain in “Pinky” & Gloria Henry in “Law of the Barbary Coast”. It was twinned on August 13, 1975. It was closed in 1983.
Like so many other old theatres in urban areas, is now used as a church. The marquee has been removed in favor of an awning. However, the old frames for the posters advertising the movies are still there. Only now they are filled with religious posters. The box office can still be seen as well.
Contributed by
Roger Katz
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Recent comments (view all 45 comments)
Gerald,Thanks for those great pictures from the Glory years.1986 pictures are heartbreaking.
The Theatre Historical Society has the MGM Theatre Report for the Elmwood – it’s Card # 542. Unfortunately, no one filled out the form. There is an undated photo of the facade. Movie posted is Gregory Peck in “Twelve O'clock High”, plus a Joe Palooka film.
I lived on the other side of the tracks from the Elmwood As a young I frequented the theatre when it was traditional. The admission fee for a person under age 12 was 25 cents. I harbor many fond memories of those days. Then, motivated by Cinerama. Then, inspired by a entrepreneur name Mike Todd, a 70mm format named Todd AO surfaced. The theatre converted to it 100% and long rung films would run for no less than a year. I recall viewing Oklahoma and The sound of Music there. Mike Todd was an unusual person that proclaimed that he would live to be 100. Several weeks or months later, he died in a plane crash. Sad to look back at the theatre and what has become of Elmwood Avenue. In its long days, it as a fantastic place to go both during the traditional days and the Todd AO era.
Didn’t Sound Of Music play in Warwick on its original long run and not at the Elmwood?
1959 photo, showing Diary of Anne Frank
@rudi yes! As well as the vomit bags for Mark of the Devil.
I’ve seen several films at the Elmwood. This would have been in the 60s. It was a pleasant community cinema.
Grand opening ad posted.
Two screens on August 13th, 1975. Another ad posted.
Closed or stopped its ads in 1983.