One Saturday afternoon in early- or mid-1980s I was down in Union Square area and went over to look at the Academy. I went around back and noticed that the big loading doors on the rear stage wall were open because a truck was parked there for unloading. I walked up to get a look inside of the stage and auditorium, but was disappointed to find only a brick wall. The loading door at the Academy opened onto a corridor behind the stage and not the stage itself. It was really a huge theatre and its west side-wall really was an impressive bulk.
The new book “Theaters” by Craig Morrison has 6 photos and one floor plan of the Academy, all made in 1979. The adddress is 68 – 114 South Main St. Opened January 6, 1876, Hartwell & Swasey, architects. 2050 seats, which were located on the main floor and adjoining parquet circle; plus two balconies. The 2nd balcony still had its antique wood benches in 1979. The LHAT Directory also has the Academy, with a long list of stars who appeared there during its long stage career. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Academy has a photo taken in May 1941. The Report states that the theatre was not a MGM customer, that it was in Poor condition, that it had 900 seats on the main floor, and 500 in the balcony, and that it was, at the time, Closed. Other theatres in Fall River in 1941 were: The Empire on S. Main; the Durfee on N. Main; the Royal on Brightman; the Strand on Pleasant St; the Embassy on Franklin St.; and the Capitol and the Center, both on S. Main. There is a note that the Center Th. was originally the Olympia.
The Broadway was still open when I used to go to South Boston fairly frequently in the 1960s. I never went into it, but did see later a beautiful photo of the interior taken when it was new. I know that it was indeed called “The Bug House” by local kids in its later years. Someone told me that after it closed, there was some sort of live attraction there some time in the mid- or late-1980s. I also understand that in the 1990s, it was to have been converted into condos. I have the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Broadway, with a photo taken in April 1941. The rectangular marquee had a big “Broadway” on its front with 2 lines of black letters on white background. Movies playing were “Hudson’s Bay” and “The Mad Doctor”. The Report states that the Broadway had been presenting MGM product for over 15 years, that the condition was Good, and that it had 1067 seats on the main floor and 676 in the balcony, total 1743. The competing theatres in Southie in 1941 were the Strand at 710 Broadway, and the Imperial on I Street. The latter, which had almost 500 seats, may have been an “upstairs” house.
I used to go to South Boston occasionally in the 1960s and there was no Strand Theatre there then (from 1961 on). Later, someone told me that a furniture store went into the Strand building. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form has an exterior photo taken in April 1941. The building has at least two floors. The marquee is a 2-sided triangle with a big “S” at the apex and 3 rows of black letters on a white background. The films playing are “Philadelphia Story” and “Her First Romance”. The address is 710 Broadway. The Report states that the Strand has been a MGM customer for over 10 years, That the condition is Good; and that the house has 1498 seats. Competing theatres in South Boston in 1941 were the Broadway Theatre and the little Imperial Th. over on I Street.
This theater was a “House of Hits” for the first 20 years or so of its existence – the site of many popular musical shows. It was a leading B'way theater during that period. When it became a vaude-filmer, it did not have the same cachet, because of newer and better theatres opening to the north. An interesting point about it is that its right exterior sidewall was very very similar to the left sidewall of the Tremont/ Astor Theatre in downtown Boston, also designed by McElfatrick, which opened in 1889 and which was demolished in 1983.
Other movie theatres in East Boston in 1941 in addition to the Seville are: Orient Palace Theatre on Bennington St., Central Square Theatre on Bennington St., and Gem Theatre on Meridian St.
The Seville was still open in the early-1960s, although I never went into it. It was on Italian films Sundays-only in the 1970s. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Seville has a photo taken in March 1941. The movie is Errol Flynn in “Footsteps in the Dark”. There was a fancy marquee and vertical. The Report states that the Seville has been showing MGM product for over 10 years, that it was built around 1930, tht it’s in Good condition; that it has 893 seats on the main floor and 817 in the balcony, total: 1710. A good place to view the Seville today is from the ends of the piers at the Charlestown Navy Yard – it can be clearly seen across the harbor and is quite an impressive building, even from the rear. (actually, the left side). It was one of very few Atmospheric auditorium designs in the New England area.
I never went into this Nabe, although I could have. I have a seating capacity of 2054, all on one floor. I understand that it had a large inner foyer, decorated in a hokey faux-Egyptian style.
In the early- and mid- 20th century, there was another Allston Theatre in Allston. It was located at 128 Brighton Avenue, had an impressive facade, and over 1100 seats with a balcony.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Capitol gives its address as 1266 Commonwealth Avenue. There is a facade photo taken in May 1941. There was a rectangular dark marquee with 3 rows of white letters on a black background. Movies playing are “Virginia” and “You’re the One”. The Report states that the theatre has been showing MGM product for over 10 years, that it is over 15 years old; that it’s in Good condition, and that it has 1423 seats on the main floor and 320 seats in the balcony, total: 1743. The building housing the entrance is just one story high, so the auditorium with balcony must have been in back.
Looking at photos of that block taken in the 1930s reveals no trace of the Comique, but no evidence of demolition, either. It appears that the cinema may have been created in an existing building, which, after the cinema closed, reverted back to its former self.
Yes, it definitely appears to be operating in this July 1961 view, check out the poster case and the ticket window. Note also how the building has been truncated down to one floor. This confirms my memory that the Rialto was open almost until demolition.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Oriental has a photo of the facade taken in May 1941. Films playing are “Philadelphia Story” and “Flight from Destiny”. The Report states that the theatre has been presenting MGM film product for over 10 years; that it’s in Good condition; and has 1421 seats on the orchestra floor and 746 in the balcony, total: 2167. There was another movie theatre in Mattapan Square— the Mattapan Theatre which was at 510 River Street, which I believe would place it on the opposite side of the square. It had 781 seats. Many artifacts from the Oriental did end up in Fred McLellan’s theatre in Canton, MA which he renamed the “Oriental”. I believe that this was the old Strand Theatre on Washington Street which had about 500 seats. The Oriental Theatre in Mattapan was a busy and popular “nabe” which lasted a long time, and was also a fairly rare example of an “atmospheric” cinema design in New England.
The Capitol had 230 seats on the main floor and 70 in the balcony. Outside, there was a half-circle marquee over a ticket window and a pair of doors. The competition included the Strand Theatre to the east in Rockland; and the Cameo Theatre to the north in South Weymouth. Plus, there was a Drive-in theatre, whose name I don’t know. It was located a short drive to the north on the west side of Route 58, just south of the Weymouth line. The marquee and the frame of the screen lasted until the 1990s, when the site was finally built upon. Both the remains of this drive-in and the Capitol Theatre were torn down within the past 10 years or so.
Although it opened on February 25, 1932, well into the Sound era, the Boston Paramount had a Wurlitzer organ. It must have been removed to storage many years ago, but it’s now being installed in the Aztec Theatre, San Antonio TX, now undergoing restoration.
The Cabot Street was built by two brothers, Harris and Glover Ware who were in the entertainment business and who operated the Larcom Theatre. When it opened, it was called “The Golden Theatre Beautiful”. It ws a vaude and film house. Later acquired by the Ramsdell Bros. for their small North Shore circuit. Then, in the 1930s, E.M. Loew acquired both the Ware and the Larcom. Sometime in the 1960s, the name was changed to Cabot Street Cinema. It was acquired by the Le Grand David magic troupe who premiered their first show on stage on February 20, 1977. They continued to offer film fare on screen, with stage shows on Sunday matinees.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Morton Theatre lists the address as 1161 Blue Hill Avenue. Someone had typed in “Mattapan” and then crossed it out and typed “Dorchester”. The facade photo was taken in May 1941. The marquee had white lettes on a black background with a big vertical sign above. The photo quality is too poor to make out the movie titles. The Report states that the Morton has been a MGM customer for over 10 years, that it is in Good condition; and that it has 1308 seats on the main floor and 656 seats in the balcony, total: 1964 seats. During the 1960s I drove by the Morton Theatre often while en route to Army Reserve meetings in Roslindale. I seem to recall that the rear and side walls were of light-gray concrete or stucco finish, like the Oriental in Mattapan Square.
I understand that in the recent past the Strand in Dover was managed by a man who had worked for the old E.M. Loew Theatre circuit and that he had some EML memorabilia in the Strand lobby. I have the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand, It has a photo taken in April 1941 of the facade. The triangular marquee has 3 lines of black letters on a white background. The film attraction is “Men of Boys Town”. The Report states that the Strand has been a MGM customer for 15 years, that it was built about 1925; that it’s in Good condition, and has 700 seats on the main floor and 200 in the balcony. Competing theatres in Dover are the State Theatre and the Broadway Theatre. The city population in 1940 was about 14,000.
They did not work in recent years. I don’t know when the installation took place, but it surely was in working order at first. I first went in there around 1955 and a number of times afterward, and never saw the escalator running. It was on the right side of the lobby as you walked in from the street.
Ron Newman – I was attending movies at the Uptown in 1962 and 1963! It was not demolished until the late-1960s. Work on the Pru tower was stopped for a long while, due to, I think, money problems. Its construction was very slow. The date may be wrong, but it’s a good photo.
The theatre was called “Uphams” both on the marquee and in its listings in the M&P/Netco ads, and not “Uphams Corner Theatre”. It could have been located in the old Winthrop Hall Building. That building was 5-plus stories high, with a gable and tower. But it was eventually converted into a shorter building. It was right next to the big Columbia Square Building, a landmark in Uphams Corner. By the 1980s, the Winthrop Hall Building housed the First American Bank. I simply don’t know if that’s where the Uphams Theatre was. Donald King told me that he heard tht Fred Lieberman had created the Uphams Th. out of an existing building which he thought had possibly been a garage. It’s address, by the way, as listed on the MGM Report card is at 568 ½ Columbia Road. Why the “½” ?? Who knows, today!
One Saturday afternoon in early- or mid-1980s I was down in Union Square area and went over to look at the Academy. I went around back and noticed that the big loading doors on the rear stage wall were open because a truck was parked there for unloading. I walked up to get a look inside of the stage and auditorium, but was disappointed to find only a brick wall. The loading door at the Academy opened onto a corridor behind the stage and not the stage itself. It was really a huge theatre and its west side-wall really was an impressive bulk.
The new book “Theaters” by Craig Morrison has 6 photos and one floor plan of the Academy, all made in 1979. The adddress is 68 – 114 South Main St. Opened January 6, 1876, Hartwell & Swasey, architects. 2050 seats, which were located on the main floor and adjoining parquet circle; plus two balconies. The 2nd balcony still had its antique wood benches in 1979. The LHAT Directory also has the Academy, with a long list of stars who appeared there during its long stage career. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Academy has a photo taken in May 1941. The Report states that the theatre was not a MGM customer, that it was in Poor condition, that it had 900 seats on the main floor, and 500 in the balcony, and that it was, at the time, Closed. Other theatres in Fall River in 1941 were: The Empire on S. Main; the Durfee on N. Main; the Royal on Brightman; the Strand on Pleasant St; the Embassy on Franklin St.; and the Capitol and the Center, both on S. Main. There is a note that the Center Th. was originally the Olympia.
The Broadway was still open when I used to go to South Boston fairly frequently in the 1960s. I never went into it, but did see later a beautiful photo of the interior taken when it was new. I know that it was indeed called “The Bug House” by local kids in its later years. Someone told me that after it closed, there was some sort of live attraction there some time in the mid- or late-1980s. I also understand that in the 1990s, it was to have been converted into condos. I have the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Broadway, with a photo taken in April 1941. The rectangular marquee had a big “Broadway” on its front with 2 lines of black letters on white background. Movies playing were “Hudson’s Bay” and “The Mad Doctor”. The Report states that the Broadway had been presenting MGM product for over 15 years, that the condition was Good, and that it had 1067 seats on the main floor and 676 in the balcony, total 1743. The competing theatres in Southie in 1941 were the Strand at 710 Broadway, and the Imperial on I Street. The latter, which had almost 500 seats, may have been an “upstairs” house.
I used to go to South Boston occasionally in the 1960s and there was no Strand Theatre there then (from 1961 on). Later, someone told me that a furniture store went into the Strand building. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form has an exterior photo taken in April 1941. The building has at least two floors. The marquee is a 2-sided triangle with a big “S” at the apex and 3 rows of black letters on a white background. The films playing are “Philadelphia Story” and “Her First Romance”. The address is 710 Broadway. The Report states that the Strand has been a MGM customer for over 10 years, That the condition is Good; and that the house has 1498 seats. Competing theatres in South Boston in 1941 were the Broadway Theatre and the little Imperial Th. over on I Street.
This theater was a “House of Hits” for the first 20 years or so of its existence – the site of many popular musical shows. It was a leading B'way theater during that period. When it became a vaude-filmer, it did not have the same cachet, because of newer and better theatres opening to the north. An interesting point about it is that its right exterior sidewall was very very similar to the left sidewall of the Tremont/ Astor Theatre in downtown Boston, also designed by McElfatrick, which opened in 1889 and which was demolished in 1983.
Other movie theatres in East Boston in 1941 in addition to the Seville are: Orient Palace Theatre on Bennington St., Central Square Theatre on Bennington St., and Gem Theatre on Meridian St.
The Seville was still open in the early-1960s, although I never went into it. It was on Italian films Sundays-only in the 1970s. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Seville has a photo taken in March 1941. The movie is Errol Flynn in “Footsteps in the Dark”. There was a fancy marquee and vertical. The Report states that the Seville has been showing MGM product for over 10 years, that it was built around 1930, tht it’s in Good condition; that it has 893 seats on the main floor and 817 in the balcony, total: 1710. A good place to view the Seville today is from the ends of the piers at the Charlestown Navy Yard – it can be clearly seen across the harbor and is quite an impressive building, even from the rear. (actually, the left side). It was one of very few Atmospheric auditorium designs in the New England area.
I never went into this Nabe, although I could have. I have a seating capacity of 2054, all on one floor. I understand that it had a large inner foyer, decorated in a hokey faux-Egyptian style.
In the early- and mid- 20th century, there was another Allston Theatre in Allston. It was located at 128 Brighton Avenue, had an impressive facade, and over 1100 seats with a balcony.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Capitol gives its address as 1266 Commonwealth Avenue. There is a facade photo taken in May 1941. There was a rectangular dark marquee with 3 rows of white letters on a black background. Movies playing are “Virginia” and “You’re the One”. The Report states that the theatre has been showing MGM product for over 10 years, that it is over 15 years old; that it’s in Good condition, and that it has 1423 seats on the main floor and 320 seats in the balcony, total: 1743. The building housing the entrance is just one story high, so the auditorium with balcony must have been in back.
Looking at photos of that block taken in the 1930s reveals no trace of the Comique, but no evidence of demolition, either. It appears that the cinema may have been created in an existing building, which, after the cinema closed, reverted back to its former self.
Yes, it definitely appears to be operating in this July 1961 view, check out the poster case and the ticket window. Note also how the building has been truncated down to one floor. This confirms my memory that the Rialto was open almost until demolition.
Fred’s name is spelled McLennan. Sorry about that!
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Oriental has a photo of the facade taken in May 1941. Films playing are “Philadelphia Story” and “Flight from Destiny”. The Report states that the theatre has been presenting MGM film product for over 10 years; that it’s in Good condition; and has 1421 seats on the orchestra floor and 746 in the balcony, total: 2167. There was another movie theatre in Mattapan Square— the Mattapan Theatre which was at 510 River Street, which I believe would place it on the opposite side of the square. It had 781 seats. Many artifacts from the Oriental did end up in Fred McLellan’s theatre in Canton, MA which he renamed the “Oriental”. I believe that this was the old Strand Theatre on Washington Street which had about 500 seats. The Oriental Theatre in Mattapan was a busy and popular “nabe” which lasted a long time, and was also a fairly rare example of an “atmospheric” cinema design in New England.
The Capitol had 230 seats on the main floor and 70 in the balcony. Outside, there was a half-circle marquee over a ticket window and a pair of doors. The competition included the Strand Theatre to the east in Rockland; and the Cameo Theatre to the north in South Weymouth. Plus, there was a Drive-in theatre, whose name I don’t know. It was located a short drive to the north on the west side of Route 58, just south of the Weymouth line. The marquee and the frame of the screen lasted until the 1990s, when the site was finally built upon. Both the remains of this drive-in and the Capitol Theatre were torn down within the past 10 years or so.
Although it opened on February 25, 1932, well into the Sound era, the Boston Paramount had a Wurlitzer organ. It must have been removed to storage many years ago, but it’s now being installed in the Aztec Theatre, San Antonio TX, now undergoing restoration.
The architect of the Larcom Theatre was George Swan. Opening night was October 28, 1912 with the film “Count of Monte Cristo” plus a concert on stage.
The Cabot Street was built by two brothers, Harris and Glover Ware who were in the entertainment business and who operated the Larcom Theatre. When it opened, it was called “The Golden Theatre Beautiful”. It ws a vaude and film house. Later acquired by the Ramsdell Bros. for their small North Shore circuit. Then, in the 1930s, E.M. Loew acquired both the Ware and the Larcom. Sometime in the 1960s, the name was changed to Cabot Street Cinema. It was acquired by the Le Grand David magic troupe who premiered their first show on stage on February 20, 1977. They continued to offer film fare on screen, with stage shows on Sunday matinees.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Morton Theatre lists the address as 1161 Blue Hill Avenue. Someone had typed in “Mattapan” and then crossed it out and typed “Dorchester”. The facade photo was taken in May 1941. The marquee had white lettes on a black background with a big vertical sign above. The photo quality is too poor to make out the movie titles. The Report states that the Morton has been a MGM customer for over 10 years, that it is in Good condition; and that it has 1308 seats on the main floor and 656 seats in the balcony, total: 1964 seats. During the 1960s I drove by the Morton Theatre often while en route to Army Reserve meetings in Roslindale. I seem to recall that the rear and side walls were of light-gray concrete or stucco finish, like the Oriental in Mattapan Square.
I understand that in the recent past the Strand in Dover was managed by a man who had worked for the old E.M. Loew Theatre circuit and that he had some EML memorabilia in the Strand lobby. I have the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand, It has a photo taken in April 1941 of the facade. The triangular marquee has 3 lines of black letters on a white background. The film attraction is “Men of Boys Town”. The Report states that the Strand has been a MGM customer for 15 years, that it was built about 1925; that it’s in Good condition, and has 700 seats on the main floor and 200 in the balcony. Competing theatres in Dover are the State Theatre and the Broadway Theatre. The city population in 1940 was about 14,000.
The Magnet Theatre was at 301 Washington St. in Dorchester. It had quite an impressive facade, and over 1400 seats.
They did not work in recent years. I don’t know when the installation took place, but it surely was in working order at first. I first went in there around 1955 and a number of times afterward, and never saw the escalator running. It was on the right side of the lobby as you walked in from the street.
Ron Newman – I was attending movies at the Uptown in 1962 and 1963! It was not demolished until the late-1960s. Work on the Pru tower was stopped for a long while, due to, I think, money problems. Its construction was very slow. The date may be wrong, but it’s a good photo.
I didn’t realize it was that far up! This location puts it north of the MBTA Red Line bridge over Adams St. It definitely was not there in the 1960s.
The theatre was called “Uphams” both on the marquee and in its listings in the M&P/Netco ads, and not “Uphams Corner Theatre”. It could have been located in the old Winthrop Hall Building. That building was 5-plus stories high, with a gable and tower. But it was eventually converted into a shorter building. It was right next to the big Columbia Square Building, a landmark in Uphams Corner. By the 1980s, the Winthrop Hall Building housed the First American Bank. I simply don’t know if that’s where the Uphams Theatre was. Donald King told me that he heard tht Fred Lieberman had created the Uphams Th. out of an existing building which he thought had possibly been a garage. It’s address, by the way, as listed on the MGM Report card is at 568 ½ Columbia Road. Why the “½” ?? Who knows, today!