E.M. Loew's Center Theatre
144 Main Street,
Pawtucket,
RI
02860
144 Main Street,
Pawtucket,
RI
02860
2 people
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I’ve uploaded two postcard images of the Main Street block from both directions where signage for the Scenic appears. The signage is at the end of the building but I believe the theatre entrance is actually the white arched space to the left.
This murder story also uses the Capitol tax record photo.
https://medium.com/the-asylum-antiquarian/a-fiendish-murder-the-rhode-island-cold-case-you-never-heard-of-e353771e8bcc
I believe the Capitol Theatre photos, all of them, are correct. The candy store to the right is in several of them, and it was the original corner entrance to the Scenic Theatre. The Capitol entrance moved to the left after the Scenic entrance became the candy store. The tax record photo is also the same photo. Also the remodeling brochure image shows it to be the same Capitol marquee, with candy store to the right next door in that as well.
In an ad in the Pawtucket Evening Times on October 17, 1913 by Princess Furs, its address is given as 146 Main Street or “next to Scenic Theatre.” This leads me to believe that this State-Capitol-Center Theatre (144 Main Street) was the Scenic Theatre before that.
The Theatre Historical Society archive has the MGM Theatre Report for this theater when it was the Capitol. Address was “Main Street”. There is an exterior photo shot May 1941. The condition is Fair; the theater was over 15 years old, and not showing MGM films. There were 800 seats on the main floor and 450 in the balcony; total 1,250 seats.
Tinseltoes- Yes, E.M. Loew had no blood relation to Marcus Loew, who was a generation older. His theaters almost always had “E.M. Loew” in the heading rather than just “Loew” in order to avoid confusion.
Thanks Gerald.
Burlesque wasn’t frowned upon at that time in Providence, just five miles away:
1921
1929
Perhaps it was a Pawtucket hang-up.
Ad for a stage show at the State Theatre in 1926.
CHICK CHICK
Thanks Gerald.Great story.Picture.Loews was a classy outfit.
Interesting History.
Joe,
That is an excellent piece you’ve posted a link to. I believe it contains the only known photos of Pawtucket’s Loew’s Capitol/Center Theatre.
The E.M. Loew circuit had the Capitol remodeled and renamed it the Center Theatre in 1948. An article about the project, which was designed by William Riseman Associates, appeared in Boxoffice Magazine, July 17, 1948. There was also a nice night photo of the new marquee of the Center on the cover of that issue of Boxoffice.
I did read about this film on IMDB and would be very interested in seeing it. I recall the general way of life and the way of thinking in Pawtucket back then (although I was probably in the second grade), and I can well imagine that it would have been considered “porn” back then. I plan to ask my movie maven son whether he might have a copy or know where we can get one.
I remember going to the Capitol to see the serial “Green Hornet” (we then called them “chapter pictures”) and received a free comic book, which I treasured. The Capitol became “declasse” a short time later, and I was not allowed to go there. But one of my favorite family stories (all true) involves my dear grandmother winning a LIVE turkey at the Capitol and taking it home with her on the bus!! (None of us had cars in those days.)
Yes, it is tame…and I believe you are right about the belated importation and the timing of the release with Lamarr’s burgeoning popularity. I’ve seen it a couple of times over the years and I believe it has been shown on TCM. DVDs are available through Amazon.com and other outlets.
It would be interesting to see that film now for historical purposes, but most likely it would be “tame” by today’s standards. I’m going to look it up on IMDB and see what I can learn about its U.S. release. It may just be that Lamarr had just come upon the scene in Hollywood and there was heightened interest in her past (maybe even by press agents?)
Oddly, the film did not open in New York until Christmas of 1940, judging from the date of the New York Times review.
This is actually funny to me, because I remember the notorious Harry Curvin very well and witnessed his machinations in the State Legislature in the early fifties. I wonder if they allowed him to chomp on his cigar whilst he witnessed the beauteous Miss Lamarr’s nudity? Incidentally, the Czech film “Ecstasy” was made in 1933, and by 1939 Hedy Lamarr was up and coming in Hollywood and had gone on to more “mainstream” films. I believe it was that year that she appeared in “Algiers,” where Charles Boyer entreated her, “Come wiz me to de Casbah.” Obviously, it took a while for “Ecstasy” to get to Pawtucket!!
Pawtucket Ecstasy ban:
From a July 29, 1939 Providence Journal article:
“Representative Hary F. Curvin, Public Safety Director in Pawtucket, yesterday banned the foreign-mde film ‘Ecstasy.’ because, he said, ‘it is sensuous—-would be detrimental to the morality of the youth of Pawtucket—-saturated with immorality.’
“The film stars Hedy Lamarr. Under the Curvin ban it cannot be shown in Pawtucket. It was billed for a run at the Capitol Theatre, opening Monday.
“Curvin notified Hyman Rodman, manager of the theatre, Thursday that he would not allow the film to be shown in Pawtucket. Curvin said that he had not seen the movie but had been prompted in his ruling by similar rulings in some other communities.
“Rodman asked Curvin to pre-view the movie. Curvin did so Thursday night. Early yesterday morning, after watching the film run off with Inspector Vincent Hourigan, Curvin told Rodman he was more convinced than ever that the film must not be shown in the city.”
What a wonderful photo, Gerald (I left comments at that site). I had a bit of trouble orienting myself into the photo, but now I see that it looks up Main Street, toward the old Music Hall Theater!! The Strand would be just around the corner on East Avenue, behind that spired bank on the left. Thanks again!! ML
Marialivia, I posted an old Main Street theatre called the Globe. Here it is and with a photo link.
I just did so and wow, it’s wonderful!! The Music Hall was gone by the time I started school in the late 30s, but I heard about it frequently. Pawtucket was a GREAT place to grow up, and why o why did it have to change?
Roland just posted an entry on the Music Hall with some incredible photos! Click and check it out.
The DMV is at 286 Main Street, so it would make sense that the Music Hall would be across the street, down a bit at 229, so my memory of that sign above the Peerless would so far seem accurate. Later today I plan to call an elderly friend of mine in Pawtucket who enjoys reminiscing about “the way it used to be,” and I’m sure he’ll shed some light on the exact location. Did you check in the city directory to find the address of the Peerless? It was opened sometime in the 40s (probably mid to late).
The Music Hall was at 229 Main, according to a city directory I checked, and Roland is putting it up later today. I found a list of “coming movies” for the Music Hall in February, 1935. There was also a Globe Theatre at 175 Main, listed in 1914. They were sprouting like mushrooms.