Lombardi “Dante” Backer
Philadelphia – Joe Lombardi, wel-known south Philadelphia theatre owner, heads the syndicate of Italian-Americans building a new theatre at Broad and Federal streets.
The theatre, which will show both foreign and domestic films, will be called the “Dante.”
I lived then and now in Johnston, and I often checked out the ads for all the area theatres. I went to the Gilbert Stuart many times, because they often showed what I wanted to see. I do remember those “folksy” ones that ran for a time in the Providence Journal.
Hurricane is no hindrance!
Item in Boxoffice magazine, October 2, 1954:
“Although hurricanes demolished 150 homes in nearby Riverside, Joe Jarvis kept his Gilbert Stuart Playhouse in almost continuous operation. It was stilled only during a temporary power loss.”
Advertising method:
Earlier item from June 5, 1954:
“Joe Jarvis, owner-operator of the Gilbert Stuart Theatre in adjoining Riverside, has adopted a unique style of advertising pictures. While he uses only limited space, he devotes 50 per cent of his newspaper advertising to condensed editorial comments on either the stars appearing in the current attractions or on some outstanding feature of the film. Written in a smooth, easy, and friendly style, the copy is doing much to attract extra patronage.”
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Fairlawn in adjacent Pawtucket, showing "The French Line,” advised patrons it would be omitted at the Saturday matinee, which is largely made up of juveniles."
[Note: that movie feature Jane Russell in a skimpy costume.]
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Quonset Drive-In while presenting "Three Forbidden Stories” suggested that children be left at home during this presentation."
[Note: that was an Italian-made film with three stories dealing with love and sex.}
Park Theatre closes (1964). An item in Boxoffice magazine of April 6, 1964 states:
Closes Park Theatre in Taunton, Mass.
TAUNTON, MASS. —– The Park Theatre has been closed, leaving the Strand as the town’s only operating motion picture theatre. Richard Bentley, attorney for the Park, ascribed its closing to “competition” and “lack of patronage.”
The theatre is owned by Mrs. Bentley, Mrs. Margaret Lawson and Mrs. Rosemary O'Neill, who have put it up for sale. The Park has a seating capacity of 1,600 and is known for having one of the largest stages in New England.
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
A fine three-page article, with plenty of photos, in and out, of the original Kenmore Theatre, appears in the “Modern Theatre” section of Boxoffice magazine in the June 4, 1955 issue, linked here: View link
Licensed granted for the construction of the Somerset Drive-In Theatre in 1949, as reported in Boxoffice magazine, December 10, 1949. Construction would be completed in the summer of 1950. View link
Manager of Johnston Theatre narrowly escapes death. This item appeared in the February 14, 1953 issue of Boxoffice magazine:
“Mario Votolato, manager of the Johnston Theatre, narrowly escaped death from suffocation recently when smoke and flames ravaged the building housing the popular neighborhood theatre. Fire caused by flaming wax in an adjoining bowling alley filled the entire Thornton district with dense smoke. Votolato entered the theatre, which was not in operation at the time, to take out films and rescue two kittens. After he entered the darkened auditorium he was unable to see, even with a flashlight. Choking with the smoke and growing weak, he dropped the flashlight. A volunteer fireman, who had entered the theatre, saw the light drop and heard the choking and thought Votolato had fallen through the floor. He inched cautiously over until he reached the body of the theatre manager and dragged him to a window for air. The manager save one of the kittens and all of the films. Votolato estimated damage to the building at approximately $20,000.”
The Cranston Drive-In was equipped with 3-D projection capability in 1953, with the first offering being “Man in the Dark” per an item in Boxoffice mahgazine, July 4, 1953.
Folks lined up at the Palms to see Mighty Joe Young and Isle the Dead, photo from the 1950s in Boxoffice issue of November 18, 1963:
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Stagecoach in front of the Orpheum, from Boxoffice magazine, August 1, 1966:
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There is an interior shot in this ad from Boxoffice magazine, December 6, 1947:
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This article in Boxoffice magazine, December 6, 1947, contains some photos of the theatre.
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From Boxoffice, November 7, 1936:
Lombardi “Dante” Backer
Philadelphia – Joe Lombardi, wel-known south Philadelphia theatre owner, heads the syndicate of Italian-Americans building a new theatre at Broad and Federal streets.
The theatre, which will show both foreign and domestic films, will be called the “Dante.”
Small images of the interior of the Avon can be seen in Boxoffice magazine, September 19, 1936. See ad on right side.
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A small photo of the interior of this theatre can be seen in an ad in Boxoffice magazine, September 19, 1936. Left side of page.
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The concept of “Curtain at 8:40” is dealt with in this Boxoffice article from November 22, 1952:
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I lived then and now in Johnston, and I often checked out the ads for all the area theatres. I went to the Gilbert Stuart many times, because they often showed what I wanted to see. I do remember those “folksy” ones that ran for a time in the Providence Journal.
Article, with photo, on the opening of the Burnside Theatre which appeared in Boxoffice magazine, October 8, 1949:
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“A Small House Receives the 1954 Touch"
Article, with photos, of the Ohio Theatre, from Boxoffice magazine, October 2, 1954:
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Hurricane is no hindrance!
Item in Boxoffice magazine, October 2, 1954:
“Although hurricanes demolished 150 homes in nearby Riverside, Joe Jarvis kept his Gilbert Stuart Playhouse in almost continuous operation. It was stilled only during a temporary power loss.”
Advertising method:
Earlier item from June 5, 1954:
“Joe Jarvis, owner-operator of the Gilbert Stuart Theatre in adjoining Riverside, has adopted a unique style of advertising pictures. While he uses only limited space, he devotes 50 per cent of his newspaper advertising to condensed editorial comments on either the stars appearing in the current attractions or on some outstanding feature of the film. Written in a smooth, easy, and friendly style, the copy is doing much to attract extra patronage.”
Photo of Roosevelt in Boxoffice magazine, June 5, 1954 (top left):
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Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Fairlawn in adjacent Pawtucket, showing "The French Line,” advised patrons it would be omitted at the Saturday matinee, which is largely made up of juveniles."
[Note: that movie feature Jane Russell in a skimpy costume.]
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Johnston in nearby Thornton is giving away hand-painted ovenware to hype business.”
Item in Boxoffice magazine, November 6, 1954:
“The Quonset Drive-In while presenting "Three Forbidden Stories” suggested that children be left at home during this presentation."
[Note: that was an Italian-made film with three stories dealing with love and sex.}
Article in Boxoffice magazine, April 20, 1964, reporting on the opening of the Warwick Cinema of Post Road on March 19, 1964:
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“Johnston Pike Airer Closed by Council"
Article in Boxoffice magazine, April 20, 1964:
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Park Theatre closes (1964). An item in Boxoffice magazine of April 6, 1964 states:
Closes Park Theatre in Taunton, Mass.
TAUNTON, MASS. —– The Park Theatre has been closed, leaving the Strand as the town’s only operating motion picture theatre. Richard Bentley, attorney for the Park, ascribed its closing to “competition” and “lack of patronage.”
The theatre is owned by Mrs. Bentley, Mrs. Margaret Lawson and Mrs. Rosemary O'Neill, who have put it up for sale. The Park has a seating capacity of 1,600 and is known for having one of the largest stages in New England.
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
Portuguese films at the Embassy, Capitol. Item from Boxoffice magazine, October 29, 1955:
“Sponsors of Portuguese presentations have selected the stilled Embassy Theatre to present productions on Sundays of each week for an indefinite period. Portuguese films are offered weekly at the Capitol, which now resumes its seven-day policy.”
A fine three-page article, with plenty of photos, in and out, of the original Kenmore Theatre, appears in the “Modern Theatre” section of Boxoffice magazine in the June 4, 1955 issue, linked here:
View link
Licensed granted for the construction of the Somerset Drive-In Theatre in 1949, as reported in Boxoffice magazine, December 10, 1949. Construction would be completed in the summer of 1950.
View link
Manager of Johnston Theatre narrowly escapes death. This item appeared in the February 14, 1953 issue of Boxoffice magazine:
“Mario Votolato, manager of the Johnston Theatre, narrowly escaped death from suffocation recently when smoke and flames ravaged the building housing the popular neighborhood theatre. Fire caused by flaming wax in an adjoining bowling alley filled the entire Thornton district with dense smoke. Votolato entered the theatre, which was not in operation at the time, to take out films and rescue two kittens. After he entered the darkened auditorium he was unable to see, even with a flashlight. Choking with the smoke and growing weak, he dropped the flashlight. A volunteer fireman, who had entered the theatre, saw the light drop and heard the choking and thought Votolato had fallen through the floor. He inched cautiously over until he reached the body of the theatre manager and dragged him to a window for air. The manager save one of the kittens and all of the films. Votolato estimated damage to the building at approximately $20,000.”
The Cranston Drive-In was equipped with 3-D projection capability in 1953, with the first offering being “Man in the Dark” per an item in Boxoffice mahgazine, July 4, 1953.