Papers of Barry Goodkin on Bridgeport Theaters

Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library

Summary Information

Repository:
Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library
Creator:
Goodkin, Barry
Creator:
Poli's Palace (Bridgeport, Conn.)
Creator:
Majestic Theatre (Bridgeport, Conn.)
Title:
Papers of Barry Goodkin on Bridgeport Theaters
ID:
BHC-MSS 0145
Date [inclusive]:
1986-2010
Physical Description:
.5 Linear Feet
Language of the Material:
English .
Abstract:
Barry Goodkin is a theater researcher who spent time focused on Bridgeport, Stratford, and Fairfield theaters. Within are original photographs, research, and newspaper articles on venues including the Palace, Majestic, and Bijou theaters along with the Downtown Cabaret Theater, Klein Memorial Auditorium, and others.

Preferred Citation

Papers of Barry Goodkin on Bridgeport Theaters (BHC-MSS 0145), Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library.

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Biographical / Historical

Barry Goodkin is a theater researcher who spent some time focused on Bridgeport, Stratford, and Fairfield theaters. Indeed, Bridgeport has been the home of a number of theatres over the centuries. Not only was it the backyard of theatre mogul Sylvester Z. Poli, but Bridgeport was located between the theatre towns of both New York City and New Haven. Theatre was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Bridgeporters had an astounding selection of locations to choose from.

Two of the most important theatres in the city are the Palace (often called Poli's Palace) and the Majestic Theatres. Owned by Sylvester Z. Poli, the two theatres share a building and a city block, with the Savoy Hotel placed between them. The buildings themselves are in the beaux arts style, and were designed by Thomas Lamb. Opened in 1922, the theatres were originally for live programing - especially vaudeville. Major actors of the time period and upcoming stars performed in the complex, including Mae West.

In 1934, the complex was sold to Loew Theatres and began showing movies. The two theatres remained open until the 1970s, when they were closed. While 1975 did see both the Palace and the Majestic join the National Register of Historic Places and there have been numerous attempts to renovate the buildings over the years, the complex remains boarded up as of 2021.

The Downtown Cabaret Theater remains one of the most active in Bridgeport, with both adult and children's programming happening on a regular basis. Not far away is the Bijou Theater, which opened in 1909. It originally showed silent films and vaudeville, but has since been converted into a modern theater space. The Klein Memorial Auditorium was constructed in 1940, which has served in various capacities over the years including a speaking venue, theater, and concert hall.

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Scope and Contents

The bulk of the material focuses on Bridgeport theaters, with additional ones in Stratford and Fairfield included. Of note is the research material on the Palace and Majestic Theaters, considered the crown jewels of Bridgeport's various venues. The Bijou, Poli-Globe, Warner, Downtown Cabaret Theater, and others are also included. Research material ranges from clippings, correspondence, and personal notes. Photographs and slide film from the 1980s to the 1990s are also included, and are especially important for theaters like the Palace and Majestic as their various states of deterioration are key in restoration.

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Arrangement

Material was given to the Bridgeport History Center in a set of three binders. Original order was maintained.

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Administrative Information

Publication Statement

Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library

Bridgeport History CenterBridgeport Public Library925 Broad StreetBridgeport, CT 06604URL: https://bportlibrary.org/hc/

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2016.15, gift of Barry Goodkin

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Controlled Access Headings

  • Theater--United States--History--19th century
  • Theater - United States - History - 20th century
  • Children's theater
  • Theaters--Connecticut
  • Klein Memorial Auditorium
  • Downtown Cabaret Theater (Bridgeport, Conn.)
  • Bijou Theater (Bridgeport, Conn.)

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Collection Inventory

Detailed box and folder listing

Title/DescriptionInstances
Research, Palace and Majestic Theaters, 1990-2005
Box 1 folder 1
Research, 1986-2010
Box 1 folder 2-3
Research, 1986-2004
Box 1 folder 4-5
Slide film, 1980s
Box 1 folder 6
Photographs, 1980-1990s
Box 1 folder 7

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