Beautiful house to see a film or stage show. I actually worked on one of the reconstruction projects in the 90’s, ripping up the original stage floor and replacing it.
I haven’t been in since the back of the house was renovated again, since I moved from the area two years ago.
One of the few success stories of theatre revitalization.
I remember Bill Quarters when I was managing theatres in RI. That name was a blast from the past. Most all the theatre people knew each other because we shared union projectionists from the same local.
Too many names to remember from both the management and union side of this business!
I had the privledge of cutting my teeth in a Cinerama (Providence, RI) as a high school student.
My first exposure was a few years earlier after having won radio passes and ‘treating’ my parents to a night at the movies. Usherettes in white gloves, everyone dressed for the occasion and a screen as wide as a young man had ever seen led me to pursue a career in motion picture exhibition.
I came back to manage this gem, and moved on to the modern multiplexes that our company (successor to Lockwood & Gordon-SBC Theatres) managed throughout the east.
I was in many cities in many theatres, but none compared to the Cinerama experience.
Agreed; I meant the modern conversion to art format. I worked for L&G and SBC for almost 15 years (see other posts) and, from the exhibition side of the business, found this house an oddity.
I think that stating they didn’t have concessions because they considered themselves par with legit theatre may be a stretch. This is one of the smallest single screens (area wise, not seat)that I have been around. Considering the time frame built, it really was an odd configuration.
As for more screens, I think that is a romantic vision of this difficult business; one that I have been accused of many times. The cost/benefit would be hard to prove out, even for a family that owns the real estate. The existing house would have to live up to todays codes: elevators, sprinklers, ADA, etc, which causes even large companies distress.
Agreed that this is a great little house, but nothing really special. In an age of digital projection with THX as standard new formatting, the Avon is hanging on.
I worked at the Avon in the late 60’s when it was sold by Lockwood & Gordon to SBC Theatres. I always hark back to the fact that it had no concession stand for most of its life; only having been added in the late 70’s if memory serves me correctly.
The restrooms were upstairs (no elevator) where there was a tiny booth and managers office. I can remember us selling out Love Story at 550 seats, long before the art house conversion.
If I remember correctly, the Dulgarians refused to renew the SBC lease at expiration and took over the operation themselves.
No parking, no concession stand and a box-office the size of a 1950’s ranch home closet…what a concept!
nritota
commented about
Cine 10on
Apr 2, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I managed this theater (and became a district manager under Hoyts) from 1980 thru 1987. I take issue with the reinvestment note on the previous post, as SBC constantly improved this under-built, over sold house. I supervised construction of all expansions (6-8, 8-10) and the interior box office addition and expansion. We had a game room in the early 80’s and were one of the first computerized box-offices in the east.
We also brought in dolby stereo, surround sound and handicapped seating, before it was mandated.
Now granted, this was a ‘modern’ cinder block theatre, but it was one of the best grossing theatres in the northeast. We often conjectured that we could have shown home movies on the Cine screens and generated grosses.
I was priveledged to have managed this theatre in 1979 under SBC.This was before the conversion to art and independent films. SBC was searching for an identity for this out-of-the-way house, and I was brought in after having converted the Providence Cinerama to art.
Sadly, I was promoted on to the company’s flagship before the conversion was complete. But we did enjoy many years of sucess before Hoyts purchase in the mid 80’s.
BTW, the seats in that house, American Rocker Recliners, cost about $100 each when that house was built in ‘73. Quite the investment in todays dollars!
I actually ran the Cinerama from 1977 thru 1979 before moving on to other SBC (Sonderling Broadcasting Corp) theatres (this was the successor to Lockwood & Gordon). SBC also owned TV and radio stations. Jack O'Sullivan was my mentor and district manager and Gerry Colbert succeded me as manager (sadly, Gerry has passed on).
I was hired by Larry Johnson around 1969 while in high school and worked on and off right through college. I also worked for Pat Carter and Vinnie Poirtier. SBC also owned the Avon, Castle and Art Cinemas.
When I took over, the house was a 99 cent twin where the crowd had gotten pretty rough. I asked Jack to take a chance on some off beat films. I researched and travelled to Boston on off days and attended art theatres there before making my first recommendation. It was quite the sight playing Marcello Mastrianni and Sophia Loren on one screen and a sub-run on the other. I also brought Rocky Horror to Cinerama after a run at Showcase Seekonk.
I knew every inch of that old theatre, even the false box seats built into the second story and covered by screen drape during the remodel. I McGivered my way through many a night with antique plumbing and heating, tube amplifiers and a tiny concession stand that didn’t pop its own corn.
I believe that we innovated cleaning between screenings at this theatre; I’d never seen or heard of this before we began the process around 1978.
I would love to hear from anyone who remembers this old lady. She was a beautiful house with a ton of personality!
I grew up about 3 miles from this site. I remember ther was also a Pet shop (Petland, I believe) adjacent that was also taken for I295.
This theatre was owned in later years by Cinema Centers Corporation (CCC). CCC sold out to Hoyts around 1981/82.
Beautiful house to see a film or stage show. I actually worked on one of the reconstruction projects in the 90’s, ripping up the original stage floor and replacing it.
I haven’t been in since the back of the house was renovated again, since I moved from the area two years ago.
One of the few success stories of theatre revitalization.
I remember Bill Quarters when I was managing theatres in RI. That name was a blast from the past. Most all the theatre people knew each other because we shared union projectionists from the same local.
Too many names to remember from both the management and union side of this business!
Great stuff. I would love to see Providence as part of your series since I once ran that house.
Keep up the good work!
I had this in my territory as a city manager for SBC theatres along with the East Hartford in the late 70’s.
I had the privledge of cutting my teeth in a Cinerama (Providence, RI) as a high school student.
My first exposure was a few years earlier after having won radio passes and ‘treating’ my parents to a night at the movies. Usherettes in white gloves, everyone dressed for the occasion and a screen as wide as a young man had ever seen led me to pursue a career in motion picture exhibition.
I came back to manage this gem, and moved on to the modern multiplexes that our company (successor to Lockwood & Gordon-SBC Theatres) managed throughout the east.
I was in many cities in many theatres, but none compared to the Cinerama experience.
Gerald,
Agreed; I meant the modern conversion to art format. I worked for L&G and SBC for almost 15 years (see other posts) and, from the exhibition side of the business, found this house an oddity.
I think that stating they didn’t have concessions because they considered themselves par with legit theatre may be a stretch. This is one of the smallest single screens (area wise, not seat)that I have been around. Considering the time frame built, it really was an odd configuration.
As for more screens, I think that is a romantic vision of this difficult business; one that I have been accused of many times. The cost/benefit would be hard to prove out, even for a family that owns the real estate. The existing house would have to live up to todays codes: elevators, sprinklers, ADA, etc, which causes even large companies distress.
Agreed that this is a great little house, but nothing really special. In an age of digital projection with THX as standard new formatting, the Avon is hanging on.
Nick
I worked at the Avon in the late 60’s when it was sold by Lockwood & Gordon to SBC Theatres. I always hark back to the fact that it had no concession stand for most of its life; only having been added in the late 70’s if memory serves me correctly.
The restrooms were upstairs (no elevator) where there was a tiny booth and managers office. I can remember us selling out Love Story at 550 seats, long before the art house conversion.
If I remember correctly, the Dulgarians refused to renew the SBC lease at expiration and took over the operation themselves.
No parking, no concession stand and a box-office the size of a 1950’s ranch home closet…what a concept!
I managed this theater (and became a district manager under Hoyts) from 1980 thru 1987. I take issue with the reinvestment note on the previous post, as SBC constantly improved this under-built, over sold house. I supervised construction of all expansions (6-8, 8-10) and the interior box office addition and expansion. We had a game room in the early 80’s and were one of the first computerized box-offices in the east.
We also brought in dolby stereo, surround sound and handicapped seating, before it was mandated.
Now granted, this was a ‘modern’ cinder block theatre, but it was one of the best grossing theatres in the northeast. We often conjectured that we could have shown home movies on the Cine screens and generated grosses.
Nick
I was priveledged to have managed this theatre in 1979 under SBC.This was before the conversion to art and independent films. SBC was searching for an identity for this out-of-the-way house, and I was brought in after having converted the Providence Cinerama to art.
Sadly, I was promoted on to the company’s flagship before the conversion was complete. But we did enjoy many years of sucess before Hoyts purchase in the mid 80’s.
BTW, the seats in that house, American Rocker Recliners, cost about $100 each when that house was built in ‘73. Quite the investment in todays dollars!
Nick
Hello all!
I actually ran the Cinerama from 1977 thru 1979 before moving on to other SBC (Sonderling Broadcasting Corp) theatres (this was the successor to Lockwood & Gordon). SBC also owned TV and radio stations. Jack O'Sullivan was my mentor and district manager and Gerry Colbert succeded me as manager (sadly, Gerry has passed on).
I was hired by Larry Johnson around 1969 while in high school and worked on and off right through college. I also worked for Pat Carter and Vinnie Poirtier. SBC also owned the Avon, Castle and Art Cinemas.
When I took over, the house was a 99 cent twin where the crowd had gotten pretty rough. I asked Jack to take a chance on some off beat films. I researched and travelled to Boston on off days and attended art theatres there before making my first recommendation. It was quite the sight playing Marcello Mastrianni and Sophia Loren on one screen and a sub-run on the other. I also brought Rocky Horror to Cinerama after a run at Showcase Seekonk.
I knew every inch of that old theatre, even the false box seats built into the second story and covered by screen drape during the remodel. I McGivered my way through many a night with antique plumbing and heating, tube amplifiers and a tiny concession stand that didn’t pop its own corn.
I believe that we innovated cleaning between screenings at this theatre; I’d never seen or heard of this before we began the process around 1978.
I would love to hear from anyone who remembers this old lady. She was a beautiful house with a ton of personality!
Nick