Newmar Theatre: Difference between revisions
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The '''Newmar Theatre''' was a motion-picture theater operated by the Newmar Theatre Corporation which was owned by [[Newman Waters]] and [[Martin Rice]]. The name combined the partners' given names. | The '''Newmar Theatre''' was a motion-picture theater operated by the Newmar Theatre Corporation which was owned by [[Newman Waters]] and [[Martin Rice]]. The name combined the partners' given names. | ||
The Newmar originally opened in December [[1948]] | The Newmar originally opened in [[December 10]], [[1948]] in the building that formerly housed the [[Capitol Theatre]] at 1911 [[2nd Avenue North]]. The $45,000 Art Deco style remodeling was designed by [[Burnham & Echols]] architects. The stage, lobby and restrooms were rebuilt along with new sound and projection, and heating and air-conditioning equipment. All the interior walls were replastered and painted in soft hues that blended with the new carpets. The [[Dixie Neon Company]] fabricated the new marquee. | ||
The Newmar showed second-run "A" features at reduced prices. The opening night picture was "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein". | |||
The second Newmar closed in September [[1959]] when the Strand was reopened as an Acme Theater affiliate. | On [[July 31]], [[1949]] Waters converted the Newmar into an "Art Theater". The new format launched with a screening of Roberto Rosselini's "Paisan". Waters expressed confidence, "that Birmingham will support these finer motion pictures, which people in other cities are enjoying, and which never before have played regularly in Birmingham." The experiment was short-lived, and the Newmar returned to playing adventures and comedy films within a year or two. | ||
On [[April 19]], [[1951]] a small fire broke out in the theater, destroying the screen and damaging three rows of seats. The last film screened was "Bitter Rice" starring Mangano. Though the film had been described as "hot" and "flaming", fire officials did not believe that it caused the fire. | |||
Within a few years the Newmar moved next door into the former [[Strand Theatre]] at 1913–1915 2nd Avenue. The second Newmar closed in September [[1959]] when the Strand was reopened as an Acme Theater affiliate. | |||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
==References== | |||
* "Old Capitol Theater Being Remodeled, To Open as 'Newmar'." (December 5, 1948) {{BN}} | |||
* "Birmingham To Have Theater Playing Only Art Type Films." (July 24, 1949) {{BN}} | |||
* "Fire damages theater." (April 19, 1951) {{BN}} | |||
[[Category:Former cinemas]] | [[Category:Former cinemas]] | ||
[[Category:1948 establishments]] | [[Category:1948 establishments]] | ||
Revision as of 16:18, 29 February 2020
The Newmar Theatre was a motion-picture theater operated by the Newmar Theatre Corporation which was owned by Newman Waters and Martin Rice. The name combined the partners' given names.
The Newmar originally opened in December 10, 1948 in the building that formerly housed the Capitol Theatre at 1911 2nd Avenue North. The $45,000 Art Deco style remodeling was designed by Burnham & Echols architects. The stage, lobby and restrooms were rebuilt along with new sound and projection, and heating and air-conditioning equipment. All the interior walls were replastered and painted in soft hues that blended with the new carpets. The Dixie Neon Company fabricated the new marquee.
The Newmar showed second-run "A" features at reduced prices. The opening night picture was "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein".
On July 31, 1949 Waters converted the Newmar into an "Art Theater". The new format launched with a screening of Roberto Rosselini's "Paisan". Waters expressed confidence, "that Birmingham will support these finer motion pictures, which people in other cities are enjoying, and which never before have played regularly in Birmingham." The experiment was short-lived, and the Newmar returned to playing adventures and comedy films within a year or two.
On April 19, 1951 a small fire broke out in the theater, destroying the screen and damaging three rows of seats. The last film screened was "Bitter Rice" starring Mangano. Though the film had been described as "hot" and "flaming", fire officials did not believe that it caused the fire.
Within a few years the Newmar moved next door into the former Strand Theatre at 1913–1915 2nd Avenue. The second Newmar closed in September 1959 when the Strand was reopened as an Acme Theater affiliate.
References
- "Old Capitol Theater Being Remodeled, To Open as 'Newmar'." (December 5, 1948) The Birmingham News
- "Birmingham To Have Theater Playing Only Art Type Films." (July 24, 1949) The Birmingham News
- "Fire damages theater." (April 19, 1951) The Birmingham News