Newmar Theatre: Difference between revisions

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The '''Newmar Theatre''' was a motion-picture theater operated by the Newmar Theatre Corporation and owned by Waters Theatre Co. and Lt.  Col. Martin R. Rice. The art-deco theater was designed by [[Burnham and Echols Architects]] and opened in late [[1948]] on [[2nd Avenue North]] between [[19th Street North|19th]] and [[20th Street North|20th]] Streets.
[[File:Newmar Theatre.jpg|right|thumb|237px|The Newmar Theatre in 1949]]
[[File:1951 Newmar Theatre fire.jpg|right|thumb|237px|Aftermath of the 1951 fire]]
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.


A fire broke out in the theater in September [[1951]], destroying the screen and damaging three rows of seats.
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 manager was [[Hampton Lane]].
 
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 Silvana Mangano. Though the film had been described as "hot" and "flaming", fire officials did not give credence to there being any connection. The theater reopened after undertaking approximately $5,000 in repairs. In April [[1953]] a [[Birmingham Police Department|police officer]]'s automatic pistol went off accidentally when he stood to allow a woman to pass in the theater. A male patron suffered a minor injury and was treated at [[Jefferson-Hillman Hospital]].
 
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) {{BN}}
* "Birmingham To Have Theater Playing Only Art Type Films." (July 24, 1949) {{BN}}
* "Fire damages theater." (April 19, 1951) {{BN}}
* "Film patron slightly wounded as gun fired accidentally." (April 8, 1953) {{BN}}
* "Hampton Lane" obituary (August 28, 1961) {{BN}}


{{stub}}
[[Category:Former cinemas]]
[[Category:Former cinemas]]
[[Category:1948 establishments]]
[[Category:1959 disestablishments]]
[[Category:2nd Avenue North]]
[[Category:2nd Avenue North]]
[[Category:1948 buildings]]
[[Category:1948 buildings]]
[[Category:Burnham and Echols buildings]]
[[Category:Burnham & Echols buildings]]

Latest revision as of 11:34, 1 March 2020

The Newmar Theatre in 1949
Aftermath of the 1951 fire

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". The manager was Hampton Lane.

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 Silvana Mangano. Though the film had been described as "hot" and "flaming", fire officials did not give credence to there being any connection. The theater reopened after undertaking approximately $5,000 in repairs. In April 1953 a police officer's automatic pistol went off accidentally when he stood to allow a woman to pass in the theater. A male patron suffered a minor injury and was treated at Jefferson-Hillman Hospital.

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

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