![]() ![]() ![]() Hardwood flooring from the old Union Hall, now the Town’s fire station, was used to complete the expansion. The theater lost 50 seats when a wide stage was installed to accommodate live productions. The Theatre was donated (April 19) to the Pittsfield Community Theatre Association, a non-profit group. “1975 – Maine National Bank & Cianbro Corporation purchased the Theatre for $6,000 each and absorbed the Theatre debt. Wheaton was opposed to running X-rated movies and chose to shut the Theatre down (March 31, 1975) before he would run them. “1962 – Glen Wheaton bought the Bijou Theatre. “1957 April – The completely renovated and modernized Bijou Theatre was reopened! It was one of the most modern and beautiful small town theatres in New England. Cianchette purchased theatre and closed it for remodeling spending between $80-100,000 on such luxurious items as the State’s first cushioned swing back seats and carbon-rod projectors. “1929 – Sound was installed (talking movies). “1918 – Bijou Theatre opened (formerly Leger’s Theatre). “1915 – Leger’s Theatre opened for business by Andy St. Old photos of the Bijou Theatre can be found here (1955, before the marquis was added) and here (1966) and here (1972).Ī series of advertising slides that were shown in the Theatre in the 1920s and 1930s can be seen here. Pittsfield Community Theatre History (from the Communty Theatre page at the Town of Pittsfield’s website in 2002.) The Theatre now has its own website at /pittsfieldtheatre where you can see what’s currently playing and learn what other services the theatre provides. The Theatre hosts events such as school plays and magic shows and has been used for business meetings. ![]() The Theatre is closed two weeks in July for the Egg Festival Pageant and the second week is the annual vacation shut down. The Theatre continues to provide a free Christmas movie one weekend in the month of December that includes free popcorn and soda for everyone attending and there are drawings for gifts. Donna was the projectionist at the theatre for 10 years prior to assuming the duties of Manager when Marilyn retired in 2001. Others include Susanna Ventura and Gerald Cowan. MAINE’S ONLY MUNICIPALLY OWNED AND OPERATED THEATREĭonna Dunphy became the fifth Theatre manager since the Town has owned it. Read him on our free site,, and on our subscriber site, of Pittsfield Pittsfield Community Theatre Guzman is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. The chain was donated to the nonprofit San Antonio Area Foundation, which connects donors and charitable funds with area groups and causes. Santikos ran the company until his death in 2014. Louis Santikos founded Santikos Theatres, later Santikos Entertainment, in 1911. Santikos’ Palladium and Mayan Palace saw their own upgrades last year. In 2016, the company transformed the Embassy into a posh picture house with a classic Hollywood aesthetic, with glass-encased movie memorabilia, auditoriums sporting custom-made electric recliners, premium sound and laser digital projection. Santikos has overhauled other theaters in recent years. RELATED: Fall’s biggest concerts, shows, exhibits in San Antonio Unlike the Northwest, the Bijou has remained open during its remodeling. About a mile away, the Bijou at Wonderland of the Americas mall also is undergoing renovations, which should wrap up by the end of the year. The Northwest isn’t the only Santikos staple undergoing a face lift. The first films at the Northwest included Woody Allen’s “Play It Again, Sam,” “The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox” starring Goldie Hawn and George Segal and “Bugs Bunny, Superstar.” It was just the second Santikos movie complex in San Antonio, and it was the first in the nation to use a computer-operated electric flashing sign as a marquee. The multiplex at Interstate 10 near Callaghan Road first opened in April 1976 as the Northwest Six Theatres. “We also want to remind guests when they do come in, the theater will still be under renovation,” said Andrew Brooks, Santikos Entertainment director of marketing.īrooks said the theater will have limited concessions and food items through November. RELATED: Home video: High-tech thriller ‘Searching’ now on digital A snazzy new lobby with a new bar and upscale food items, plus a new arcade area, also is in the works. ![]()
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