Doc here with an introduction of a new contributor to the Journal of Adult Theaters, Tomkat (On The Prowl). Tomkat is based in New England, and will be reporting on both the current scene in Hartford and East Haven, CT, as well Blasts From The Past from Boston and Worcester, MA.
His first report is in response to the report earlier this week from Oldbeatnik on the Art Cinema in Hartford. The Journal is all about free speech, and everyone has equal footing in our forum discussing this thing of ours. So right now, Tomkat (On The Prowl) has the floor...
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Hi Doc,
I’d like to offer an alternative perspective to Oldbeatnik’s Field Report on the Art Cinema in Hartford. I’m a semi-frequent “patron of the Art,” visiting once or twice a month. As a middle aged bloke living in Central Massachusetts, I have fond memories of the Paris Cinema, and New Art Cinema in Worcester. The City of Worcester shut both of them down in the winter of 2005 after a series of well-publicized police raids. I drive by the dilapidated marque and shuttered edifice of the Paris every day. It’s a sad relic of by-gone era.
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| The Paris Cinema, Worcester, MA circa yesterday morning |
Boston’s Combat Zone is long gone as are almost all other adult theaters in New England. Only two remain, the Art Cinema in Hartford, Conn. and the Fairmount in East Haven, Conn. Despite living an a densely populated region, I must drive 90 miles each way to partake of “this thing of ours.” I don’t get down to Hartford nearly as often as I’d like to.
Hartford’s Art Cinema is a very couples friendly theater. The couples only balcony provides a safe space for the ladies to relax and get in mood. Often couples will spend time in balcony before venturing downstairs to play in the penis gallery. Ernie, the owner, and the regulars go out of the way to help them feel comfortable. This can lead some hot times like the following episode.
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| New Art Cinema Worcester, MA circa 1986 |
I and several other members of the penis gallery ran down the front of the theater to an area that offers a partial view of the balcony. Snoop Dogg and the Latina were seated toward the front of the balcony, about 3 rows back. Before long, the Latina was riding Snoop in the reverse cowgirl position. Their gasps and moans could be heard throughout the theater. After a while, they noticed us watching and moved up the front of the balcony to give us all a show.
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| Art Cinema Hartford |
Sure the place is old, but it is one of the cleanest adult theaters I’ve ever visited. The neighborhood isn’t the best. My advice is to park on Franklin St. and avoid the side streets. Friday and Saturday nights are best for couples. Most of all, enjoy this gem while we still have it. Once it’s gone, it’ll be gone forever.
“Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot”
Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
-Tomkat (On The Prowl)
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Doc here again...Tomkat was kind enough to take that photo of the Paris Cinema yesterday on his way around town, so that we could get a feel of what the theater was like back in the day. Thank you for the pic and the outstanding first report.
Back in the late 1990's, the Good Doctor visited the New Art in Worcester... It was a week night, in February, and was dead as could be expected. But it was an interesting place, and I wish I could have seen what a Saturday night was like in May versus a bitter cold night in the winter.
We are looking forward to more from Tomkat (On The Prowl) in the coming weeks... Welcome aboard, and I will make sure the HR department here at the Journal gets you your new employee packet ASAP.
Do you have an adult theater report that you'd like to see on the pages on The Journal? Just e-mail The Good Doctor directly at emiliolizardo1@gmail.com. Tomkat submitted his report and the pic, I pulled up another 2 photos, formatted the report, and presto-chango you have his first report in front of you.
It's easy... Try it.
Thanks,
Doc