Remembering the Latchis Theatre

(Editor’s Note—The Latchis Theatre of Claremont and Newport is well remembered by many residents of Newport and surrounding communities. This presentation will share these theaters’ fascinating histories and the story behind the ambitious family who built them.)

 

NEWPORT — At 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, the Newport Historical Society will host a special one of a kind ‘live-documentary’ by Film and Theater historian Jonathan A. Boschen.

 

This presenation will visually look at the Latchis family, their theatre chain, and how Claremont’s and Newport’s Latchis Theaters fit into the towns’ rich legacy.

 

Boschen, who assisted with the book “Greek Epic,” that chronicles the history of the Latchis family, makes use of a large number of archival photos of the various theaters and reconstructed architectural sketches to visualize what these buildings looked like.

 

In addition, relevant history pertaining to the Latchis family, American film history and theatre history will be included to help put the history of the Latchis Theater chain into perspective.

 

Exhibition of the program will be in the Ballroom of the Richard’s Free Library (58 North Main St.) in Newport. Admission is free with complimentary popcorn and refreshments.

 

This show, which was first performed at the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro, was performed for the Claremont Historical Society in October of 2017, where it received a rave reception. The Newport exhibition will be an opportunity for additional people to enjoy this presentation.

 

Jonathan A. Boschen is a professional videographer and video editor who is also a Film and Theater Historian. His work, pertaining to film and theater history, ranges from articles, slide show presentations, to history videos.

 

Boschen’s slide shows are designed to play out as ‘live-documentaries,’ meaning they are not traditional PowerPoint presentations, but instead a motion picture experience created to entertain and educate the viewer.

 

Boschen’s presentation style is heavily influenced by many old documentaries, industrial films, animated cartoons and filmstrips of the 1930s through the 1950s; mainly by the works of Walt Disney, Jamison Handy, Jerry Fairbanks, Frank L. Goldman, and Pete Smith.