Gem Theater

834 Main Street,
Willimantic, CT 06226

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Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 12, 2017 at 11:44 pm

The May 1, 1926, issue of Moving Picture World said that Hoffman Enterprises had reopened the Gem Theatre in Willimantic on April 20. The company had bought the house on February 1 and closed it for extensive remodeling, which included the installation of a new ventilation system and an Austin organ. Hoffman retained as manager John R. Pickett, who had been in charge of the house since its opening in 1912.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 24, 2013 at 9:52 am

The Gem Theatre opened on September 25, 1912, according to a 1920 book, A Modern History of Windham County, Connecticut, by Allen B. Lincoln. The owner of the house was Arthur P. Dorman, who had earlier taken over operation of the Scenic Temple, another early Willimantic movie house.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 24, 2013 at 9:34 am

The August 29, 1941, issue of The Film Daily had this item about the Gem Theatre:

“Warners Start Project For Modernizing Gem

“New Haven — Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. will start renovation of the 750-seat Gem, Willimantic, dark for several years, to be opened some time in October. Warner’s will operate the Gem, in conjunction with the Capitol in the same town, recently renovated.”

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on August 26, 2012 at 10:13 am

In the long lists of theater chains in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Gem and the Capitol in Willimantic are both listed under Warner Brothers Circuit Management of New York. However, the Gem is listed as “Closed” at that time.