NH Movie Theaters Vibrant As Ever (Pt. 2)
From music halls near Boston, Massachusetts to movie theaters near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, public performance in New England has a long history. The first public performance pieces in the area probably originated centuries ago amongst Native American tribes. The strict obedience the European settlers had for their Puritan religion forbade most theatrical performance. Most Puritans considered their Bible enough in itself to meet not only their spiritual needs, but provide all of the leisure time entertainment they would ever need. The popularity of the theater increased in direct relation to the changing political landscape during the American Revolution era, as a dissatisfied public had developed an appetite for performances of open opposition to British rule. The subversive element did no favors for the theater in the eyes of the authorities and public productions were often censored or banned outright. As a result of these strong suppressing forces, theaters did not expand in New England as quickly as in some of the other colonies, such as Virginia.
It was not until the nineteenth century arrived that the theater in New England became more common. Problems persisted in the form of fighting both inside and outside the theaters as well as theaters being burned to the ground. A number of hit plays were written in the mid-1800s, foremost among them being "The Drunkard," by Boston actor and playwright W.H. Smith. The success of productions like "The Drunkard" established New England as a destination for performers and the number of available playhouses increased dramatically as a result. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, as the modern cinema began to develop, regional film companies like Photoplay, Eastern Film and Pine Tree Pictures started up in the region. }
New England in the first half of the twentieth century was where the cultural movement known as the "American Renaissance," called the "New England Renaissance" by some, took place. This cultural development drew heavily on the literature of treasured New England authors such as Longfellow, Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Beecher Stowe and, notably, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne especially seemed to draw the attention of filmmakers and his The Scarlet Letter was adapted to film in 1909, 1917, 1926, and 1934. Another well-respected New England author, Henry James, perhaps has had the most films based on his work, totaling roughly fifteen in the last century. Historians have observed in the work of both men a representation of the New England landscape. The look of New England has continued to be used by directors into the present, taking advantage of the contrasting landforms and seasonal weather.
New England motion pictures were also heavily influenced by the work of regional playwrights. Eugene O'Neill was particularly influential in both theater and film, with several plays preserved on film. Another renowned name from the New England theater was Thornton Wilder and his "Our Town" appeared in film in 1940. The film used the town of Peterborough, New Hampshire as a shooting location which made perfect sense as it was the town that had inspired Wilder's play. New England's way of life are especially presented at the forefront of the works by these two men. The two sides of New England lifestyles, repressed, simplistic and traditional small town life and expressive, modern and dangerous urban life were often pitted against one another, beautifully contrasted in 1915's The Old Homestead. Famous Players made the picture based on playwright and actor Denman Thompson's long-running play about small townboy Joshua Whitcomb's adventures in the city.
The theater continues to portray the life and land of New England and theaters once condemned now tend to be treasured. The next time you are in a New Hampshire movie theater, take a moment to remember all of the people and events which brought that theater into existence.
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