Vermont movie theatres Includes Burlington

Mike Rivest www.movie-theatre.org

1/3/2012

Vermont movie theatres by Mike Rivest www.movie-theatre.org Page 2

BENNINGTON BENNINGTON COUNTY

BENNINGTON Bennington Drive-In ? 1961-? 1985 Owners: 1955 Affiliated Theatres Corp. 1961-1975 Brigham, Lloyd Theatres 1980 Brandt Theatres

Cinema 7

319 Northside Dr 2003-

Cinema I & II AKA: Movieplex 3 Ames Plaza ? 1990

General Starke

24 Main St ? 1930-1959 979 seats

Harte

481 Main ? 1935-? 1990 Brigham, Lloyd Theatres owned this theatre 1964-1969.

Movieplex 3

Ames Plaza ? 1998-2003 Mini Theatres owned this theatre in 1998.

New

? 1961 Western Massachusetts Theatres owned this theatre.

Uptown

? 1940-? 1950 1,000 seats

EAST ARLINGTON Arlington

? 1940-? 1950 208 seats

Hollywood

? 1935

MANCHESTER

Arcade

? 1935

Manchester Drive-In ? 1961-? 1985

Village Picture Shows 2 263 Depot St. ? 2000- 300 seats

MANCHESTER DEPOT Colonial Harrison St. ? 1935-? 1950 207 seats

Modern

Harrison St. ? 1940-? 1955 292 seats

Playhouse

? 1940-? 1955 290 seats

NORTH BENNINGTON Anthony Drive-In

? 1955

North Bennington Drive-In

? 1950-? 1975

READSBORO

Masonic Hall ? 1935

WINDHAM COUNTY

BELLOWS FALLS Bellows Falls Drive-In

? 1961-? 1975

Belmont Drive-In

? 1955-? 1980 400 cars Brigham, Lloyd Theatres owned this drive-in in 1969.

New Falls Cinema

The Square ? 2000-2008

Opera House

170 Rockingham 1927- 557 seats This was owned by Interstate Theater Corp. until 1969. It is now a playhouse with some movies.

Park

? 1940-? 1964 400 seats Interstate Theater Corp. owned this theatre.

Rockingham

? 1945

Star

? 1930

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State

39 Rockingham ? 1950 500 seats Interstate Theater Corp. owned this theatre.

BRATTLEBORO

Auditorium

189 Main 1918-August 1955 675 seats Owners: 1930: Sharby Circuit 1935-1955 Interstate Theater Corp.

Capitol ? 1930-? 1935 Sharby, Fred owned this theatre.

CMCI Brattleboro Cinemas 5

? 2000-2001

First Cinema 3

? 1990-? 1995 Western Massachusetts Theatres owned this theatre.

Kipling Cinema 6

770 Putney Road ? 2000-2011 600 seats This has very small auditoriums, as small as 30 seats.

Latchis

50 Main http://www.latchis.com/ 1938- 1,200 seats 3 cinemas in 2001 leaving the orginial theatre intact and a 4th cinema added in the store next door in 2008. It is one of the last two art deco buildings in Vermont.

Paramount 167 Main ? 1940-? 1990 919 seats

Parkway Drive-In

? 1955-? 1975

WEST DOVER Mountain Park Cinemas 3 ? 2005-

HARRISVILLE

Winn

? 1935

JACKSON

North River Hall ? 1930 Mill Theatres owned this theatre.

NEWFANE

Town Hall ? 1935

SOUTH LONDONDERRY Swan Hill ? 1935

WILMINGTON

Memorial Main St. ? 1935-? 1964 375 seats 40 listings 2009.03.17

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BURLINGTON CHITTENDEN COUNTY

BURLNGTON Burlington Drive-In ? 1961-? 1985

Cinema I & II ? 1975-? 1990 This opened as a twin and a third screen added in the early 1990’s. It was owned by SBC Management Corporation.

Ethan Allen

? 1940

Ethan Allen Cinemas 1,2,3,4

1170 North March 1983-2006 503 seats This was owned by Merrill Theatre Corp. 1980-1995.

Flynn

1930-? 1969 1,400 seats Maine and New Hampshire Theatres owned this theatre. It is now a performing arts center.

Majestic

? 1920-? 1955 1,000 seats Maine and New Hampshire Theatres owned this theatre.

Nickelodeon Cinemas 6 AKA: Roxy 222 College ? 1981-2003 654 seats Owners: 1981-1988 USA Cinemas 1988-1993 Loew’s 1993-1995 Sony Theatre Management, Inc. 1995-2003 Hoyt’s

Orpheum

? 1925-? 1930

Roxy 6

222 College 2003- Merrill’s owns this cinema.

State

156 Bank ? 1935-? 1955 565 seats Affiliated Theatres Corp. owned this theatre 1945-1955.

Strong

203 Main 1904-? 1955 1,224 seats Young, Harold E. Theater Booking Service owned this theatre in 1955.

Sunset Drive-In

http://www.sunsetdrivein.com/ 1948- 3 screens in 1981 and four by 2000.

COLCHESTER

Mallet's Bay Drive-In

North of Winooski on Mallet's Bay Avenue ? 1950-? 1992 This drive-in had shown adult movies and place ads in the Montréal newspaper since it was the closest adult drive-in there. In Quebec, movies rated 18 are not allowed to be shown at outdoor screens.

Montreal Gazette

Mount View Drive-In

? 1961-? 1985

ESSEX JUNCTION Colonial ? 1935

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Essex Outlet 8

21 Essex Way 2001-

MILTON

Milton Drive-In

? 1950

Recreation

? 1935

RICHMOND

Richmond

? 1935

SOUTH BURLINGTON Century Plaza 1,2,3

? 1990-? 1995 This opened as a twin and expanded to three cinemas in the late 1980’s. Owners: 1975 CinemaNational 1990-1995 Merrill Theatre Corp.

Cinema 9 AKA: Palace 9 10 Fayette Dr ? 1995-2005 Owners: 1995-2003 Hoyts Cinema Corporation 2003-2005 Regal Cinemas

Palace 9 AKA: Cinema 9 10 Fayette Dr 2005- Merrill’s owns this cinema.

Showcase 5 1214 Williston ? 1990-2004 Hoyts Cinema Corporation owned it until 2002.

UNDERHILL

Mansfield

? 1930-? 1940

WILLISTON

Majestic 10

190 Boxwood 2004- Merrill’s owns this cinema.

WINNOSKI

Mountain View Drive-In

? 1955-? 1961 Daytz Theatres owned this theatre in 1961.

Strand

66 Main ? 1930-? 1955 380 seats Affiliated Theatres Corp. owned this theatre in 1950.

Winooski Drive-In ? 1955-? 1975 SBC Management Corporation owned it in 1975. 28 listings

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MONTPELIER – BARRE ADDISON COUNTY

BRISTOL Colonial Main St. ? 1940-? 1955 247 seats

Holly

? 1935

MIDDLEBURY

Opera House

? 1930

Campus Aka Marquis Main St. ? 1940-? 1990 675 seats Graphic Theatre Circuit owned this theatre 1940-1980.

Marquis AKA: Campus Main St. ? 2000-2010 No showtimes in 2010.

Opera House

? 1935-? 1940

Town Hall 68 S. Pleasant St. http://www.townhalltheater.org/ 1884-1958 350 seats Affiliated Theatres Corp. owned this theatre in 1950. This is now a live theatre.

Jim Westphalen

NEW HAVEN Mid Haven Drive-In ? 1955-? 1985 Owners: 1955 Affiliated Theatres Corp. 1969-1985 Graphic Theatre Circuit

VERGENNES

New City

? 1935

Vergennes

S. Maple ? 1940-? 1955 388 seats Interstate Theater Corp. owned this theatre.

CALENDONIA COUNTY

EAST BARNET Lyric

? 1930

HARDWICK

Idle Hour

Main St. ? 1940-? 1955 350 seats

Town House

? 1945

LYNDONVILLE

Gem

? 1935-? 1950 500 seats .

Plaza

Depot St. ? 1950-? 1955 616 seats

ST. JOHNSBURY Blue Moon Drive-In

? 1955-? 1985

Catamount Arts Center

60 Eastern http://www.catamountarts.com/ 1985-

Palace

23 Eastern ? 1930-? 1955 864 seats Owners: 1950 Tegu’s Palace Theater, Inc. 1955 Affiliated Theatres Corp.

Star

18 Eastern ? 1930- 800 seats 3 cinemas in 2006. It was owned by Interstate Theater Corp. 1940-1955.

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ESSEX COUNTY

ISLAND POND Roxy

? 1940-? 1955 240 seats Sharby Theatres owned this theatre in 1940.

Star

? 1930-? 1935

NORTON

Norton Drive-In

? 1955-? 1985 Daytz Theatres owned this theatre in 1961.

ORANGE COUNTY

BRADFORD

Bradford

Main St. ? 1945-? 1955 Affiliated Theatres Corp. owned this theatre in 1955.

Colonial ? 1935-? 1940

FARILEE

Fairlee

? 1935-? 1950 250 seats

Hi-Way 5 Drive-In

? 1969-? 1985

Holiday Park Drive-In

? 1955-? 1964 Daytz Theatres owned it in 1961.

RANDOLPH

Playhouse

11 S Main 1943- 350 seats

Strand

11 S Main 1919-? 1940

WASHINGTON COUNTY

BARRE

Magnet ? 1930-? 1955 837 seats Owners: 1930-1933 Publix Theatres Corp. 1933-1949 M & P Theaters (Paramount) 1949-1950 New England Theatres 1955 Bridgham Theatres

Opera House

6 N Main St http://www.barreoperahouse.org/ 1899-1944 649 seats This reopened as a performing arts center in 1982.

Paramount

241 N Main 1932- 1,161 seats Owners: 1932-1933 Publix Theatres Corp. 1933-1949 M & P Theaters (Paramount) 1949-1955 New England Theatres 1961 Brigham, Lloyd Theatres 2005- FGB Theatres 2 screens in 1981.

Park AKA: Paramount 241 N Main 1921-1932 Publix Theatres Corp. owned this theatre.

Park

241 N Main 1915-1920 This burned down in 1920

BERLIN

Berlin Drive-In ? 1955

Twin City Drive-In

? 1950-? 1985 Young, Harold E. Theater Booking Service owned it in 1950.

MONTPELIER

Capitol 93 State ? 1940- 600 seats 5 screens with a total of 1,033 screens in the early 1990’s. Owners: 1940-1964 Maine and New Hampshire Theatres 2005- FGB Theatres

Moonlight Drive-In

? 1964-? 1985

Playhouse

? 1930-? 1935 Maine and New Hampshire Theatres owned this theatre.

Savoy

26 Main http://www.savoytheater.com/ ? 1990-

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Strand

66 Main ? 1935-? 1955 450 seats Young, Harold E. Theater Booking Service owned this theatre in 1955.

NORTH MONTPELIER Homestead Drive-In

? 1955-? 1969

NORTHFIELD

Savoy

East St. ? 1930-? 1955 395 seats Young, Harold E. Theater Booking Service owned this theatre in 1955.

PLAINFIELD

Village

? 1940-? 1945

WAITSFIELD

Big Picture Theater & Café AKA: Eclipse, Mad River Flick 48 Carroll Road 2008-

Eclipse

48 Carroll Road 1983-2008

Mad River Flick 1973-1983

WATERBURY

Lyric

? 1935

Opera House

? 1935

Rialto

Stot St. ? 1940-? 1955 424 seats 50

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NORTHERN VERMONT FRANKLIN COUNTY

ENOSBURG Playhouse Depot St. ? 1930-? 1955 360 seats

FAIRFAX

Fairlee

? 1935

MONTGOMERY

Community

? 1930

Crescent ? 1935

RICHFORD

Colonial ? 1930 Publix Theatres Corp. owned this theatre.

Park

River St. ? 1935-? 1955 420 seats Owners: 1940 Sharby Theatres 1955 Young, Harold E. Theater Booking Service

Richford Drive-In

? 1955-? 1975 Young, Harold E. Theater Booking Service owned this drive-in in 1955. This drive-in had place ads in newspapers from Granby, QC.

ST. ALBANS Bellevue

86 N Main ? 1930-? 1955 700 seats

Empire ? 1930-? 1950 378 seats

St. Albans Drive-In

Hwy 7 ? 1950- This is the closest drive-in to Montreal showing English movies since Ciné-Parc St. Eustache stopped showing then in 2005.

Studio

? 1955

Weldon

104 N Main ? 1940-? 1990 692 seats Affiliated Theatres Corp. owned this theatre 1945-1955. Three cinemas in the early 1990’s.

SWANTON

Champlain

3 Canada ? 1935-? 1955 460 seats

GRAND ISLE COUNTY

ALBURG

Colonial ? 1935

SOUTH HERO Community

? 1935

LAMOILLE COUNTY

JEFFERSONVILLE

Jefferson

? 1945-? 1955 200 seats

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Town Hall ? 1935-? 1940

JOHNSON

Johnson

? 1935

MORRISVILLE

Bijou

52 Portland http://www.bijou4.com/ ? 1930- 430 seats 4 cinemas by 2000.

Morrisville Drive-In

? 1950-? 1985

Tegu

? 1940-? 1955 624 seats Owners: 1950 Tegu’s Palace Theater, Inc. 1955 Affiliated Theatres Corp.

STOWE

Auditorium AKA: Stowaway ? 1940

Center

? 1950

Civic Club

? 1935-? 1935

Stowaway AKA Auditorium ? 1945-? 1955 298 seats

Stowe

? 1990-? 1995

Stowe 3-Plex

108 Mountain Rd ? 2000- 350 seats

Stowe Center

? 1955-? 1955

Town Hall ? 1935

ORLEANS COUNTY

BARTON

Gem

? 1935

Memorial Main St. ? 1945-? 1985

DERBY LINE Derby Drive-In

? 1961-? 1985 Very popular with Quebecers where drive-ins are banned until 1970

Haskell Opera House

1 Church Street Stanstead, Quebec and 93 Caswell Avenue Derby Line, Vermont USA www.haskellopera.org 1904- This theatre may have shown movies, the stage is on the Canadian side and audience sets on the American side.

IRASBURG

Screenland

? 1935

NEWPORT

Burns

? 1930-? 1969 750 seats

Cinema AKA Burns ? 1975-? 1990

Merrill's Showcase 1,2,3

137 Waterfront ? 1990- Merrill’s sold it by 2003.

ORLEANS

Auditorium

? 1935-? 1955 500 seats 38 listings

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RUTLAND RUTLAND COUNTY

BRANDON Brandon Main St. ? 1930-? 1961 575 seats Graphic Theatre Circuit owned this theatre.

CASTLETON

Fort Warren Drive-In

? 1950-? 1975

FAIR HAVEN Fair Haven

24 Liberty ? 1930-? 1955 350 seats

Robinson

? 1935

POULTNEY

Playhouse

? 1950-? 1950 750 seats

Star

17 Main ? 1930-? 1955 312 seats

PROCTOR

Town Hall ? 1935-? 1950 500 seats

RUTLAND

Colonial 131 West St. ? 1925-? 1925

Duns

? 1935

Flagship Premium 9 AKA: Plaza Movieplex 9 143 Merchants Row December 17th, 2009- This is owned by Flagship Cinemas.

Grand

? 1920-? 1969 845 seats Owners: 1930 Publix Theatres Corp. 1933-1949 M & P Theaters (Paramount) 1949-1950 New England Theatres 1955-1969 Brigham, Lloyd Theatres

Joy

? 1950-? 1955 270 seats

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Paramount

36 Center http://www.paramountvt.org/ 1931-1975 959 seats Owners: 1931-1933 Publix Theatres Corp. 1933-1949 M & P Theaters (Paramount) 1949-1955 New England Theatres 1961-1975 Brigham, Lloyd Theatres History of The Paramount Theatre... In the early part of the 20th century, many called The Playhouse Theatre of Rutland, Vermont one of the finest theatres in America and very few, reportedly, were more artistically designed or appointed. Built in 1912 & 1913 by George T. Chaffee. The Theatre opened on January 16, 1914. The classical style exterior architecture of the building reflected the "City Beautiful" movement of the time, while the interior took on the look of a Victorian opera house. The theatre provided seating for 1000 patrons in the orchestra, balcony, and 6 boxes flanking the proscenium arch. Du Barry rose tapestry covered the side-walls, and velour hangings of the same shade adorned the boxes. The ceilings were beautifully decorated with gold leaf, and a large oval painting representing music, lyric art, and the dramas shown among the 150 softly glowing incandescent ceiling lights. The floors of the auditorium, aisles, boxes, and lobby were carpeted in green with wilton. Top performers traveling via the Rutland Railroad between Montreal and Boston, would stop to perform in The Playhouse. Minstrel shows, grand and light opera, and vaudeville, and appearances by Tom Thumb, Will Rogers, Sarah Bernhardt, Ethel Barrymore, and The Great Houdini, delighted local audiences. During the disastrous flood of 1927, while water lapped at the foundation, the theatre provided refuge for Rutland residents driven out of their homes in lower parts of the city. When "talking pictures" came to town, The Playhouse embraced the movie phenomenon, and as a motion picture theatre, was renamed The Paramount, in 1931. Presentations alternated between "talkies" and vaudeville, until film finally supplanted live performance in popularity. The movies of the 1930s, frivolous or sentimental, were screened at the Paramount; "Gone with the Wind", among others, attracted huge audiences. The onset of World War II brought more patriotic and inspirational films to the stage. This patriotism and inspiration gripped the community as Rutland members of the 43rd Infantry Division were given a farewell send off from the stage in the summer of 1941. Later, rallies to raise pledges for war bonds

were conducted in the theatre. Activity continued through the 1950s and 1960s and scores of Rutland residents, who later became prominent in business or politics, got their start as ushers or projectionists. In the 1970s, however, like many small theatres across the country, The Movies, as the theatre was now known, paralleled the decline of the film industry, and closed its doors in 1975. The theatre sat empty and neglected for nearly a decade, until the Center on the Alley, Inc. was formed to purchase the theatre for use as a performing arts center. In 1985, the Paramount Theatre was mortgaged to the Paramount Center, Inc. and three years later the organization assumed ownership of the property. Although in a state of disrepair, the theatre was structurally sound and essentially intact, with much of its decorative detailing remaining. As a result of recommendations of architectural and feasibility studies begun in the mid 1980s and early 1990s, the Richardson Block building, adjacent to the theatre, was purchased in 1995 with an eye toward future expansion. The architectural firm of Nimtz - Berryhill - Figiel developed the plan uniting the two buildings, combining modern amenities with a fully restored 850 seat historic theatre. In January of 1999 the John A. Russell Corporation was selected as the construction manager for the historic restoration, and construction began that spring. Extensive historic research was conducted to determine original colors and textures, and the Du Barry rose fabric stretched over the wall surfaces was recreated by the F. Schumacher Company of New York. Artisans began the daunting tasks of repairing the damaged ornamental plaster, retouching the stenciled ceiling, and of reapplying gold leaf to plaster surfaces. The successful restoration of the Paramount Theatre was completed in February 2000 and an Opening Night Gala in March 2000 honored the artisans and contributors who made the historic project possible. Once again, the Paramount Theatre has assumed its role as an arts, cultural, and educational leader, and as a significant and valuable community resource. It stared to show movies again in 2009 after the Cinema North closed.

Playhouse AKA: Paramount 36 Center 1914-1931 1930-1931 owners: Publix Theatres Corp.

Plaza

? 1969-? 1995 2 screens in the late 1980’s. Owners: 1969 Brigham, Lloyd Theatres 1990-1995 Mini Theatres

Plaza Movieplex 9

143 Merchants Row ? 1998-2009 Owners: 1998 Mini Theatres 2005-2009 Cinema North

Rutland Drive-In

? 1950-? 1985 Owners: 1955 Affiliated Theatres Corp. 1961-1969 Brigham, Lloyd Theatres

Strand

77 Wales St. ? 1920-? 1950 600 seats Owners: 1930-1933 Publix Theatres Corp. 1933-1949 M & P Theaters (Paramount) 1949-1950 New England Theatres

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Studio Cinema Twin

? 1990-? 1998 Mini Theatres owned this theatre.

Westway Quad

? 1990-2008 Owners: 1990-1998 Mini Theatres 2005-2008 Cinema North

WEST RUTLAND Town Hall ? 1935

WINDSOR COUNTY

ASCUTNEY

Midway Drive-In

? 1955-? 1985

BETHEL

Bethel ? 1935-? 1961 750 seats

Randall Drive-In

? 1964-? 1995

CHESTER

Park

? 1950-? 1955 200 seats

LUDLOW

Ludlow

? 1961-? 1961 Daytz Theatres owned this theatre.

Opera House ? 1935

Pa-Ra-Mo

212 Waber ? 1945-? 1955 387 seats Daytz Theatres owned this theatre in 1955.

Royal ? 1935-? 1940

ROCHESTER

Pierce Memorial Hall ? 1940-? 1950 280 seats

SOUTH ROYALSTON Opera House

? 1935

SPRINGFIELD

Auditorium

? 1935-? 1940

Avon AKA: Ellis, Springfield 26 Main 1931-? 1985 543 seats Affiliated Theatres Corp. owned this theatre. 1945-1955

Ellis

26 Main http://www.springfieldmovietheater.com ? 1990-? 1995 2 screens in the early 1990’s

Ideal 9 Summer ? 1930-? 1955 665 seats Owners: 1935 Sharby, Fred 1945-1955 Affiliated Theatres Corp.

Springfield 2 AKA: Avon, Ellis

26 Main ? 1998-2008, 2010- The world premiere of “The Simpsons The Movie” was held here in 2007. It was damaged by an arsonist in 2008 and reopened in 2010 with three cinemas.

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION Lyric

? 1930-? 1964 688 seats Interstate Theater Corp. owned this theatre 1940-1964.

Opera House ? 1940-? 1955 Interstate Theater Corp. owned this theatre.

White River Junction Drive-In

? 1955-? 1985 Interstate Theater Corp. owned this drive-in.

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WINDSOR

Empress

? 1935-? 1940

Latchis

Main St. ? 1955-? 1955

New Windsor Main St. ? 1940-? 1945

Strand

? 1930-? 1945 Latchis Brothers owned this theatre 1935-1945.

Windsor

Main St. ? 1950-? 1964 400 seats Latchis Brothers owned this theatre.

Windsor Drive-In

? 1950

WOODSTOCK

Community

? 1940-? 1945 Latchis Brothers owned this theatre in 1940.

Gem

? 1930-? 1940

Town Hall 29 The Green http://www.pentanglearts.org ? 1945- 438 seats Affiliated Theatres Corp. owned this theatre 1950-1955.

Woodstock

? 1935-? 1940 Latchis Brothers owned this theatre. 49 205 in state.