Then and now:
The life of the Pittsfield Theatre
1915 Leger's Theatre opened for business (silent movies).
1918 Bijou Theatre opened (formerly Leger's Theatre).
1929 Sound was installed (talking movies).
1956 J.R. 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.
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.
1962 Glen Wheaton bought the Bijou Theatre.
1971 Mr. Wheaton was opposed to running X-rated movies and chose to shut the Theatre down (March 31, 1975) before he would run them.
1975 Maine National Bank & Cianbro Corporation purchased the Theatre for $6,000 each and absorbed the Theatre debt. The Theatre was donated (April 19) to the Pittsfield Community Theatre Association, a non-profit group. Ticket prices were $1.75. The theater lost 50 seats when a wide stage was installed to accommodate live productions. Hardwood flooring from the old Union Hall, now the Town's fire station, was used to complete the expansion.
Mr. Wheaton continued to work first as the projectionist for the Association and then Operations Manager for the Town until December 28, 1978.
1977 Town of Pittsfield bought the Theatre for $24,000.
1978 By April, the Theatre was hopping every day with movies, concerts, matinees for children and assorted artistic delights. A series of films by Maine film makers such as "Dead River Rough-cut" were shown and audiences also enjoyed the Ralph P. Robinson Ballet. There was also a blood pressure screening day.
Mid 1980s The Pittsfield Players, spearheaded by Alma Dow, was a group of local talent that performed plays such as Blythe Spirit and Visit to a Small Planet. They also performed revues with themes such as places (New York, New York) or seasons such as Christmas.
1982-1994 The Popular Opera of Pittsfield came together 1 week every August to put on Gilbert & Sullivan plays such as Ruddigore, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury. When asked why he did it, Steve M. Quint stated, "For fun!"
Present day Today the theatre not only shows first-run movies five days a week, it also retains that small-town flavor in both operation and attitude.Come check out what's happening now at your local community theatre!
President Eisenhower stopped to give an impromptu speech in front of the Theatre on his visit to Pittsfield - June 27, 1955