From Glory to Demolition: New Haven's Poli-Bijou Theatre Legacy
Sylvester Z. Poli had already established himself as a dominant figure in New Haven entertainment by the time he built the Palace Theatre across Church Street from his earlier Wonderland Theatre in 1905. As competition intensified along Church Street, Poli acquired the nearby Fox Theatre, a house that opened on May 27, 1912, and renamed it the Poli-Bijou Theatre, folding it into his expanding downtown circuit.
The Poli-Bijou underwent a major transformation in 1917, when the building was completely gutted and rebuilt to compete with newer and larger theatres. Seating was expanded to 3,005, making it one of the largest movie houses in the city. The rebuilt theatre was equipped with a Möller pipe organ, consistent with Poli’s approach to outfitting his most important venues. During its peak years, the Poli-Bijou presented motion pictures and live performances, including an appearance by Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in August 1939.
At the height of his influence in 1916, Poli was widely described in trade publications as the world’s largest individual theatre owner, controlling hundreds of theatres across New England and beyond. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the Poli Palace and Poli-Bijou thrived during Hollywood’s golden age, drawing steady crowds from across New Haven. Admission remained affordable, with movie tickets priced at approximately 25 cents into the 1930s.
Poli reorganized his holdings in 1928 when he sold his theatres to Fox New England Theatres while retaining a controlling interest, creating the Fox-Poli circuit. After the stock market crash of 1929, Fox New England lost control of the circuit and the theatres reverted to Poli. He retired in 1934 and sold the circuit to the Loew’s Theatre Chain, after which the New Haven houses became known as Loew’s Poli theatres.
The Poli-Bijou did not survive postwar redevelopment of downtown New Haven. The theatre closed and was demolished in the 1950s, clearing the site for new construction. Today, no physical trace of the building remains, and nothing on Church Street suggests a 3,000-seat theatre once stood on the block.
Matt Lambros CT New Haven Feb 09, 2026 History Theaters Then & Now
Feb 09, 2026
SHARE
