Boulevard Theater (Miami)

Boulevard Theater
Address 7770 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida
United States
Owner Leroy Griffith
Operator Paramount Enterprises, Inc. (1940s)
Capacity 974
Current use Wonderland (adult nightclub)
Construction
Opened November 21, 1940
Years active 1940-present
Architect Weed & Reeder
Website
wonderlandmiami.com

The Boulevard Theater is a former movie theater located at 7770 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida.[1] It is owned by theater and nightclub proprietor and former Broadway theater producer Leroy Griffith.

The theater has variously served as a night club and adult movie theater. It is currently an adult entertainment club, Wonderland.

History

This Nov. 20, 1940 ad promoted the grand opening of a "healthfully air-conditioned" theater with "comfortable and luxurious surroundings."

The Boulevard's doors first opened on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 21, 1940. Hailed as "the finest neighborhood theater in the South," the Boulevard featured modern amenities unique to the period, including a massive air conditioning system, acoustical walls, and neon lighting.[2]

The theater, part of the Paramount Theatres chain, debuted with a matinee showing of Rhythm on the River, starring Bing Crosby and Mary Martin.

Purchased by Griffith for $165,000 in 1970 and renamed the Pussycat, he created three different theaters within: the Pussycat, the center theater, was a 900-seat theater that showed adult films including Deep Throat; the Kitty Cat featured female performers; and the Tomcat featured male performers.[3]

Over the decades, the theater has also been known variously as Black Gold, Club Madonna II, Pussycat II, and Shadows.

Community activists have tried, and failed, to shut down the theater during its time as an adult club.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ "Boulevard Theatre". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Paramount Chain Completes Newest Theater in Miami". The Miami Daily News. November 21, 1940. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  3. ↑ Norman, Forrest (February 2, 2006). "The Battle of Biscayne". The Miami New Times. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Edifice Complex: Boulevard Theater". The Biscayne Times. July 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Bojnansky, Erik. "Boulevard Theater: The New Incarnation". The Biscayne Times (February 2010). Retrieved 19 April 2015.

External links

Coordinates: 25°50′49.0″N 80°11′05.8″W / 25.846944°N 80.184944°W / 25.846944; -80.184944

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