Gerald, thanks once again. I’d never heard of this theater! My family immigrated from England in the early 1920s, so probably this didn’t last long after they were here, or had probably gone from their memory by the time I came along and became interested in movies. The building with the “spire” on the left is probably the bank at the corner of East Avenue, which crosses Main street and is the next intersection “up” from Roosevelt (as you no doubt know). Just behind the bank on East Avenue was the Strand, where I worked as a candy girl.
I’d still love to hear about the Fairlawn, if you have any suggestions as to how I could find out! ML
As I’ve commented earlier, I worked at the Strand as a “candy girl” when I was a senior in high school in 1948-49. I’m glad to know the year it opened — this would mean that it was 27 years old when I started to work there. Much as I loved that place, I cannot remember that it rivaled the Leroy in its opulence. The stairs and corridor leading to the balconies was very plain and unadorned, except perhaps for posters of upcoming movies. Just prior to my working there, the lobby and ticket booth areas were remodeled, so that there was a large area inside the outer doors, behind the ticket booth, upon which opened one end of the candy counter. As there was a bus stop outside with buses going up East Avenue and also to Providence, there were many who popped in out of the cold while they were awaiting their bus, and it was a great way for a teenager to meet other teenagers!! Incidentally, the doorman and I became an “item” and remained so for several years. Sadly, I learned that he passed away this past February. The ushers and candy girls were usuall paired up, and we socialized together and had a great time. How long ago it was!
Gerald, how I loved that place!! “Those were the days, my friend — we thought they’d never end,” etc. Just in front of the staircase, there was a wall space between it and the huge marble fireplace in the lobby. There was a “maid” in a black dress and white apron who sat in a chair at that wall space, awaiting “customers” visiting the ladies' room. I thought she had the greatest job, just sitting there watching movies all the time!
Roland: THE “cylinder” things into which the tubes were inserted were used in several store and were inserted into a pipe (kind of like drive-up windows at banks now). But the ones at the Modern shoe store were the only ones that went up on these clothesline-type wires!
Yes, I knew Albo Vitale who once had an “interesting” store on Lonsdale Ave. where he sold all manner of things, such as fur stoles and portable bars for your living room, etc. At one time this was an IGA Store managed by a friend of my family.
There was a small Fanny Farmer’s store on Main Street next to the Boston Store, which is now the location of the DMV. I don’t know if they sold Planters Peanuts there, but there was indeed a “Mr. Peanut” figure who walked down Main street giving samples! I remember Central Radio on East Ave., across from the Strand Theater, where you could go into a booth and listen to records to try them out. As I mentioned in previous postings, I was a “candy girl” at the Strand when I was in high school, and loved every minute of it! Central Radio was right across the street.
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?
Wow, these are GREAT!! Yes, too bad they felt the need to RE-vitalize something that was very vital already. My first job after high school was in the credit office of the Peerless (I hated that job!), and the store was 4 stories in all, with no remnant of the Music Hall except for that sign etched into the stone on front. I remember well the Modern Shoe Store, where the salesperson took you with your purchase to a service desk where they inserted your sales-slip into a container that was then sent via wires to a “balcony office” above. It looked like a bunch of clothelines! From my early school days in the 40s, there was no Music Hall. The Roger Williams Hotel was always considered “sub rosa,” and I don’t know of the Bard Hotel (although I knew Albo Vitale). If it’s marble, then it must have been the bank that was once there. I do not remember a Dalton’s though.
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).
Great — I’ll check it out! I’ll be hoping to hear about your progress with the “Music Hall” investigation. I’m thinking that if the Capitol was at 156 Main, then the Music Hall would have been at about 185 to 199 Main. It’s amazing to me that virtually nothing is left of that bustling downtown, the one I knew so well growing up in Pawtucket.
Yes, I’ve seen many of your postings, as I receive notice when there’s a new posting relating to something I’ve previously submitted. You really are a movie theater “maven,” to say the least! How expensive is that book “Temples of Illusion”? The original location of the Peerless was on Main St., maybe halfway between East Ave. and Broad Street. Pawtucket Institution for Savings was at the corner of Main st. and Maple Street (which leads up to the library). If you are standing in front of that bank, walk DOWN towards East Ave. Just a few doors down from that bank was Peerless Co., which I believe might be the former location of the Music Hall. The etchin sign might still be there. Sadly, so many buildings have been razed since I lived (sadly — I loved it there), I can’t even figure out a street number!
Hi Gerald: As a child in the early 40s, I heard tell of the Music Hall Theater and had great curiosity about it, as I loved movies and wondered why any theater anywhere would close! I believe it was on Main Street, either in the building that later housed the ORIGINAL Peerless Store or the building adjacent to it. (The Peerless later moved down Main Street to the corner of High Street). When waiting for a bus across the street remember that the name of the theater was etched into a stone section of the buidling, — in fact, I wonder if it’s still there? I haven’t visited Pawtucket’s downtown in many years but would be interested in looking for this, IF the building is still standing!
I have been interested for many years in learning about the Fairlawn Theater in Pawtucket. Would there be info in the book on the Fairlawn? I am particularly interested to learn when it opened and, if possible, what was the opening feature?
I believe that the Providence Gas Company now occupies one corner of Westminster and Orange, and when I last worked downtown there was an office furniture dealer on the other. (Orange Street does not cross Westminster, the Arcade is across the street.) As i’ve mentioned before, I never knew there was a theater at this location. But then I wasn’t around back then! I did see the final days of the other Bijou though, just up the street from this one.
Great stuff!! I’m really missing going to Newport before the traffic season starts! Now that I live in Conn. I’m longing to visit some favorite spots back in RI, and when I do get to Newport, I will check out these sites “in person.” ML
Roland, perhaps Gerald could answer this for you. I wasn’t familiar enough with the area to answer your question, as the Broadway Theater was across town and I visited it only on rare occasions.
The Fairlawn was the place I spent much of my growing-up years. I remember vividly every inch of it!
Gerald, is there any way I can forward some of these photos to friends with whom I attended these places back in the day? Thanks. The photos are consistently wonderful, and I’d love to join you in that time travel back to the Golden Era of movies!
Yes Gerald, I do indeed remember the Broadway. My best girlfriend moved into that area from my neighborhood on Lonsdale Avenue, and it was a big excursion for me to cross the city by 2 busses and join her for Saturday afternoon at the Broadway and then an overnight at her house! I’d love to see a photo of the place which I could e-mail to her (she now lives in Maine). I think I saw movies at the Broadway after I was married and living on Armistice Blvd. too. Before we had a TV, we went the movies several times a week and probably went to the Broadway when we had seen everything else in town!
Roland: Don’t be sorry — I’m enjoying the wandering off topic! I don’t remember too much about the area around the Lafayette, as I lived on Lonsdale ave. back then. I don’t remember even going to the Lafayette until I was in my 20s. But the Bellevue, as I said earlier, was a place I frequented from early childhood. And as I’ve noted earlier, we called it “the Belly-ache.” I never enjoyed the “cowboy movie” that preceded the main feature, but I do remember seeing “The Three Mesquiteers” and didn’t know until many years later that John Wayne himself was one of them! Mostly, I remember Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. I seem to remember that there was a stairway in back — was there a balcony? If so, I’m sure I must have ventured up there, as I was an adventurous sort. I hope your friend finds those pictures of the Bellevue! I’ll be watching. ML
Roland: You are really taking me back down the rosy road of Nostalgia!! You probably have the info about the cop and the ticket lady because people simply KNEW each other back then! Especially in the Pawtucket/Central Falls area. I remember very well a candy store just above the Leroy (going towards CF), and the name “Candy Kettle” rings a bell. My mother was very fond of this candy store, which to me at that time seemed very “fancy.” Ordinarily, if I were going to the movies with my friends or just by myself, I would buy my candy at the drug store. But on the rare occasions when my mother took me, we’d stop in at the “fancy” candy store first!! ML
Gerald, I think maybe I received this one twice, which is OK because I wanted to mention that the closest I’ve seen to these dear theaters are the Broadway theaters in NYC, which I visit as often as I am able. The Walter Kerr Theater is in my opinion the most beautiful and is very remindful of the Albee. Of course, these are not movie theaters.
These photos are wonderful. Yes, I miss this place too and all the other theaters (well, not the Bijou or Capitol) that I enjoyed so much in downtown Prov. I will be able to experience the Majestic next week though, when I am traveling to RI to visit friends, and we have tickets to the Trinity Rep play on Friday night. I’m not sure we really appreciated the beauty of these places, and we never dreamed things would change so much. From the 1923 photo I’ve tried to recall what is now in the place of those stores next to the theater where the people are lined up, but I can recall only “fly-by-night” shops with reputedly “hot” stuff.
As I look at the photo I’m hard-pressed to remember what’s in that spot now. I retired only 15 months ago and spent nearly every day of my adult life in downtown Providence, and I’m already forgetting what was where. The theater looks very ornate and would be so interesting to see now.
Thanks again — this is wonderful!! I never knew there was ever a theater at that location. Childs' Restaurant would have been between it and the Arcade in “my day,” but I don’t know if it’s actually the same building.
Gerald, thanks once again. I’d never heard of this theater! My family immigrated from England in the early 1920s, so probably this didn’t last long after they were here, or had probably gone from their memory by the time I came along and became interested in movies. The building with the “spire” on the left is probably the bank at the corner of East Avenue, which crosses Main street and is the next intersection “up” from Roosevelt (as you no doubt know). Just behind the bank on East Avenue was the Strand, where I worked as a candy girl.
I’d still love to hear about the Fairlawn, if you have any suggestions as to how I could find out! ML
As I’ve commented earlier, I worked at the Strand as a “candy girl” when I was a senior in high school in 1948-49. I’m glad to know the year it opened — this would mean that it was 27 years old when I started to work there. Much as I loved that place, I cannot remember that it rivaled the Leroy in its opulence. The stairs and corridor leading to the balconies was very plain and unadorned, except perhaps for posters of upcoming movies. Just prior to my working there, the lobby and ticket booth areas were remodeled, so that there was a large area inside the outer doors, behind the ticket booth, upon which opened one end of the candy counter. As there was a bus stop outside with buses going up East Avenue and also to Providence, there were many who popped in out of the cold while they were awaiting their bus, and it was a great way for a teenager to meet other teenagers!! Incidentally, the doorman and I became an “item” and remained so for several years. Sadly, I learned that he passed away this past February. The ushers and candy girls were usuall paired up, and we socialized together and had a great time. How long ago it was!
Gerald, how I loved that place!! “Those were the days, my friend — we thought they’d never end,” etc. Just in front of the staircase, there was a wall space between it and the huge marble fireplace in the lobby. There was a “maid” in a black dress and white apron who sat in a chair at that wall space, awaiting “customers” visiting the ladies' room. I thought she had the greatest job, just sitting there watching movies all the time!
Roland: THE “cylinder” things into which the tubes were inserted were used in several store and were inserted into a pipe (kind of like drive-up windows at banks now). But the ones at the Modern shoe store were the only ones that went up on these clothesline-type wires!
Yes, I knew Albo Vitale who once had an “interesting” store on Lonsdale Ave. where he sold all manner of things, such as fur stoles and portable bars for your living room, etc. At one time this was an IGA Store managed by a friend of my family.
There was a small Fanny Farmer’s store on Main Street next to the Boston Store, which is now the location of the DMV. I don’t know if they sold Planters Peanuts there, but there was indeed a “Mr. Peanut” figure who walked down Main street giving samples! I remember Central Radio on East Ave., across from the Strand Theater, where you could go into a booth and listen to records to try them out. As I mentioned in previous postings, I was a “candy girl” at the Strand when I was in high school, and loved every minute of it! Central Radio was right across the street.
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?
Wow, these are GREAT!! Yes, too bad they felt the need to RE-vitalize something that was very vital already. My first job after high school was in the credit office of the Peerless (I hated that job!), and the store was 4 stories in all, with no remnant of the Music Hall except for that sign etched into the stone on front. I remember well the Modern Shoe Store, where the salesperson took you with your purchase to a service desk where they inserted your sales-slip into a container that was then sent via wires to a “balcony office” above. It looked like a bunch of clothelines! From my early school days in the 40s, there was no Music Hall. The Roger Williams Hotel was always considered “sub rosa,” and I don’t know of the Bard Hotel (although I knew Albo Vitale). If it’s marble, then it must have been the bank that was once there. I do not remember a Dalton’s though.
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).
Great — I’ll check it out! I’ll be hoping to hear about your progress with the “Music Hall” investigation. I’m thinking that if the Capitol was at 156 Main, then the Music Hall would have been at about 185 to 199 Main. It’s amazing to me that virtually nothing is left of that bustling downtown, the one I knew so well growing up in Pawtucket.
Yes, I’ve seen many of your postings, as I receive notice when there’s a new posting relating to something I’ve previously submitted. You really are a movie theater “maven,” to say the least! How expensive is that book “Temples of Illusion”? The original location of the Peerless was on Main St., maybe halfway between East Ave. and Broad Street. Pawtucket Institution for Savings was at the corner of Main st. and Maple Street (which leads up to the library). If you are standing in front of that bank, walk DOWN towards East Ave. Just a few doors down from that bank was Peerless Co., which I believe might be the former location of the Music Hall. The etchin sign might still be there. Sadly, so many buildings have been razed since I lived (sadly — I loved it there), I can’t even figure out a street number!
Hi Gerald: As a child in the early 40s, I heard tell of the Music Hall Theater and had great curiosity about it, as I loved movies and wondered why any theater anywhere would close! I believe it was on Main Street, either in the building that later housed the ORIGINAL Peerless Store or the building adjacent to it. (The Peerless later moved down Main Street to the corner of High Street). When waiting for a bus across the street remember that the name of the theater was etched into a stone section of the buidling, — in fact, I wonder if it’s still there? I haven’t visited Pawtucket’s downtown in many years but would be interested in looking for this, IF the building is still standing!
I have been interested for many years in learning about the Fairlawn Theater in Pawtucket. Would there be info in the book on the Fairlawn? I am particularly interested to learn when it opened and, if possible, what was the opening feature?
Great find! I look forward to your future postings. ML
I believe that the Providence Gas Company now occupies one corner of Westminster and Orange, and when I last worked downtown there was an office furniture dealer on the other. (Orange Street does not cross Westminster, the Arcade is across the street.) As i’ve mentioned before, I never knew there was a theater at this location. But then I wasn’t around back then! I did see the final days of the other Bijou though, just up the street from this one.
I walked by the other day and the security told me they are set to open in June.
Great stuff!! I’m really missing going to Newport before the traffic season starts! Now that I live in Conn. I’m longing to visit some favorite spots back in RI, and when I do get to Newport, I will check out these sites “in person.” ML
Roland, perhaps Gerald could answer this for you. I wasn’t familiar enough with the area to answer your question, as the Broadway Theater was across town and I visited it only on rare occasions.
The Fairlawn was the place I spent much of my growing-up years. I remember vividly every inch of it!
Gerald, is there any way I can forward some of these photos to friends with whom I attended these places back in the day? Thanks. The photos are consistently wonderful, and I’d love to join you in that time travel back to the Golden Era of movies!
Yes Gerald, I do indeed remember the Broadway. My best girlfriend moved into that area from my neighborhood on Lonsdale Avenue, and it was a big excursion for me to cross the city by 2 busses and join her for Saturday afternoon at the Broadway and then an overnight at her house! I’d love to see a photo of the place which I could e-mail to her (she now lives in Maine). I think I saw movies at the Broadway after I was married and living on Armistice Blvd. too. Before we had a TV, we went the movies several times a week and probably went to the Broadway when we had seen everything else in town!
Roland: Don’t be sorry — I’m enjoying the wandering off topic! I don’t remember too much about the area around the Lafayette, as I lived on Lonsdale ave. back then. I don’t remember even going to the Lafayette until I was in my 20s. But the Bellevue, as I said earlier, was a place I frequented from early childhood. And as I’ve noted earlier, we called it “the Belly-ache.” I never enjoyed the “cowboy movie” that preceded the main feature, but I do remember seeing “The Three Mesquiteers” and didn’t know until many years later that John Wayne himself was one of them! Mostly, I remember Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. I seem to remember that there was a stairway in back — was there a balcony? If so, I’m sure I must have ventured up there, as I was an adventurous sort. I hope your friend finds those pictures of the Bellevue! I’ll be watching. ML
Roland: You are really taking me back down the rosy road of Nostalgia!! You probably have the info about the cop and the ticket lady because people simply KNEW each other back then! Especially in the Pawtucket/Central Falls area. I remember very well a candy store just above the Leroy (going towards CF), and the name “Candy Kettle” rings a bell. My mother was very fond of this candy store, which to me at that time seemed very “fancy.” Ordinarily, if I were going to the movies with my friends or just by myself, I would buy my candy at the drug store. But on the rare occasions when my mother took me, we’d stop in at the “fancy” candy store first!! ML
Gerald, I think maybe I received this one twice, which is OK because I wanted to mention that the closest I’ve seen to these dear theaters are the Broadway theaters in NYC, which I visit as often as I am able. The Walter Kerr Theater is in my opinion the most beautiful and is very remindful of the Albee. Of course, these are not movie theaters.
These photos are wonderful. Yes, I miss this place too and all the other theaters (well, not the Bijou or Capitol) that I enjoyed so much in downtown Prov. I will be able to experience the Majestic next week though, when I am traveling to RI to visit friends, and we have tickets to the Trinity Rep play on Friday night. I’m not sure we really appreciated the beauty of these places, and we never dreamed things would change so much. From the 1923 photo I’ve tried to recall what is now in the place of those stores next to the theater where the people are lined up, but I can recall only “fly-by-night” shops with reputedly “hot” stuff.
As I look at the photo I’m hard-pressed to remember what’s in that spot now. I retired only 15 months ago and spent nearly every day of my adult life in downtown Providence, and I’m already forgetting what was where. The theater looks very ornate and would be so interesting to see now.
Thanks again — this is wonderful!! I never knew there was ever a theater at that location. Childs' Restaurant would have been between it and the Arcade in “my day,” but I don’t know if it’s actually the same building.
You are a marvelous resource!! Thanks for all this great info. ML