Silent Era : Theaters

Empire Theatre	Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
Address	410 Westminster Street
Opening Night Seating Capacity	1460 (in 1914)
Original Theatre Owner	Abraham Spitz [?] ? Nathanson
Original Theatre Architect	unknown
Years of Operation	4 September 1899 through 16 January 1915
Type of Musical Accompaniment	unknown
Current Status	Demolished
Empire Theatre was a live theatre venue — Charles Chaplin appeared with the Fred Karno troupe at the theatre — but the Empire only exhibited motion pictures shortly before its closing in 1915. The theatre’s final film presentation was The Spoilers (1914). The Empire Theatre was demolished when city fathers wanted to extend Empire Street, which ended at the theatre’s location, further to Weybosset Street. This theatre is not to be confused with the Westminster Theatre which was renamed the Empire Theatre. References: Cinema Treasures website.