Breed Theatre
16 Main Street,
Norwich,
CT
06360
16 Main Street,
Norwich,
CT
06360
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Breed's Hall, Colonial Theatre
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The Breed’s Hall was opened on February 1860. In 1909 it became a movie theatre named Breed Theatre. On September 22, 1913 it became the Colonial Theatre. On July 24, 1916 it returned to the Breed Theatre name. On May 23, 1930 it was equipped with a Phototone sound system. It was closed on June 22, 1930.
The long vacant building was converted into a factory in 1945 and was destroyed by fire on November 3, 1963
Contributed by
Gerald A. DeLuca
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Theatre ads in the photo section say Breed not Breed’s. Should be that way on CT.
Uploaded a photo from the New York Public Library Digital Collection of “Breed Hall”.
Found a 1915 reference as Colonial; a 1917 as Breed.
Boxoffice, November 4, 1963 item: “The long-shuttered Breed Theatre was destroyed by fire.”
Breed’s Hall opened by former Mayor Breed on February 15, 1860. In 1909, it became a movie house called the Breed Theatre. On September 22, 1913, the Breed became the Colonial Theatre with a major interior change to Colonial (possibly by architect John McGown but possibly not) with six films including “The Water Rat.”
Murray J. Zucker bought the building and switched the venue back to the Breed Theatre nameplate on July 24, 1916 with “Great Divide.” It was taken on by the Nejime Brothers - Paul and Joseph. They made the decision to wire the theatre belatedly on May 23, 1930 with Photophone sound. They got the attention of the competitors, Warner Bros. Circuit. Note that the Breed Theatre’s final showing was one month later on June 22, 1930 with the film, “White Cargo” and the fight films of Jack Sharkey versus Max Schmelling.
Warner Bros. Circuit sent a telegram to the Nejimes that they had purchased the Breed - of course, knowing the pair had installed Photophone sound. Not wanting the competition, they told the boys to lock up. Then in February of 1931, they sent another note, maybe via normal mail, saying that the lease was expiring on September 16, 1931 and to let the locals and the lease holder know that they wouldn’t be reopening the theatre… ever. The equipment was removed and that was that.
Robecraft, Inc. bought the building in 1945 and converted it to a factory. On October 19, 1963, fire decimated the building. It was razed ten days later after the search for a missing man proved futile. During the demolition, the body of that missing man was found on November 1, 1963.