Orpheum Theatre
1 Hamilton Place,
Boston,
MA
02108
1 Hamilton Place,
Boston,
MA
02108
16 people
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Showing 26 - 50 of 145 comments found
I went by the Aldo shoe store yesterday. It occupies the Washington Street entrance of the Orpheum. It appears to have been enlarged at some point recently (?)– it now looks much deeper than formerly. This means that the marble staircase going up to the theater, which was in back of the store’s former rear wall, has been removed, at least its lower end. The store’s exterior sign almost certainly uses the frame of the Orpheum marquee, while above it, now blank, is another sign perpendicular to the facade which dates to Aquarius Theater days.
Several sources online say that Seven Brides for Seven Brothers had a 70mm re-release starting in 1968, but I can’t find any reference to a 70mm release of The Girl Can’t Help It
As a kid going to the orpheum was fun.. We lived in the suburbs and my mother did not drive. We would take the train from Scituate to South Station, go shopping and always have lunch somewhere. Then we would take in a movie. The 1st movie I remember seeing at the Orpheum was 7 Brides For 7 Brothers. This was not only a great movie but the Projection and the sound were both clear and crisp on that beautiful big Cinemascope screen. I remember also going there in the 70’s for a 70mm stereo sound re=release of 7 Brides and also a 70mm re-release of Fox’s The Girl Casn’t Help It. Probabloy the best rock movie 50’s music ever. Jayne Mansfield sure filled that big Cinemascope screen. I just read in the paper recently that they are going to invest several million into sprucing up this grand old dame. Hope it works.
On this day in 1925, Loew’s Orpheum was presenting “The Tower of Lies,” starring Lon Chaney and Norma Shearer, with comedian Jack Wilson topping the vaudeville bill. Performances were continuous from 9:15am, with the last complete show starting at 10:30pm.
No, they don’t offer tours to the public. However, they have provided tours to groups such as the Theatre Historical Society, the Cinema Theatre Association; also, the League of Historic American Theatres toured the Orpheum, I think. I went on a couple of these; someone from the theater greeted the group upon arrival, spoke about the house’s history; then we were free to wander around on our own for 45 minutes or so. All of these tours were in the late-morning or early-afternoon.
anyone know if they offer tours? i’ve been there 100 times for shows, but would love to get into some nooks and crannies and take some photos.
Thanks Ron.Thanks for your reply.
See my message above dated Jun 28, 2005 at 3:12am: “The Orpheum is listed in the 1966 annual report of Loew’s Theatres, Inc., but not in the 1967 annual report.”
This theatre was listed in the 1965 Loews Annual report,they must have closed or sold this theatre serveral years latter.
to RS
Thanks so much. This is very helpful. Leslie
to LMD- “Morriscope” were the movie shorts shown at the Orpheum when William Morris was the Mgr. See comment above on Dec 14, 2005 where there is a description of a 1909 program at the Orpheum. Since these movies were silient, I assume that “Morriscope Music” were short films of some sort which had a musical accompaniement by the pit orchestra. These movies in vaudeville houses of that era were used as “chasers” at the end of the program to encourage people to leave.
On 19 April 1909 the program at 12th act at the Orpheum was listed as “Morriscope Music.” Can anyone help me with a description of what sort of entertainment this was?
The Boston Herald entertainment section today has a list of some upcoming music concerts in the Boston area for Sept and Oct., and there are 2 listed for the Orpheum for late-Sept. Someone told me that he heard that not a lick of work was done in the Orpheum this summer – no repairs and no refurbishment. I hope that’s not true.
The 1968 photo shows the Washington Street entrance. The theater was called the Aquarius then. I.J Fox to the right was a furrier which had been in that location for many years. (What a Politically-INcorrect business that is today!) Gilchrist’s dept. store occupied the corner location; its rear was in the bottom level of the old Boston Music Hall. Today, Gilchrist’s is The Corner mall.
I don’t know anything about Karen Wyman either. Here she is on YouTube.
The marquee in that photo advertises what appears to be a triple-bill concert on October 24, which was a Thursday in 1968:
KAREN WYMAN
HOLIDAYS
MICKEY FREEMAN
but I don’t know anything about these performers. Do any of you?
While the big vertical sign says ORPHEUM, a small sign to the left of and below the marquee says ‘aquarius’.
To the right of the theatre entrance is a store called “I.J. Fox”. To the left is Gilchrist’s Department Store.
The year given for this photo is 1968.
The Boston Herald today says that Druker will spend about $1M this summer for repairs at the Orpheum which will include the washrooms, carpets, painting, and some of the seats. “Next Fall, I think the Orpheum will look much better” Don Law was quoted as saying in the article written by Donna Goodison. The deal for Don Law’s organization to take over Live Nation’s management contract for the theater should close sometime in the July-Sept quarter.
The Boston Herald story today, by Donna Goodison, says “Law said the Orpheum will undergo renovations this summer by owner Ronald Druker. ‘The discussion is ongoing, but my sense is that they will be significant’ Law said.” Let’s hope they do something to fix up the sleazy dump.
Whereas today’s Boston Globe article says:
“For consumers, the latest ownership change is unlikely to have a significant impact on the programming or ambiance of the three venues. Law said he does not anticipate making significant renovations to any of the facilities.”
Who to believe here?
According to today’s Boston Herald story about the transaction, the Orpheum is to close this summer for renovation work performed by its owner, the Drucker reality company. Concert promoter Don Law and his partner David Mugar purchased the operating contract for the Orpheum from Live Nation. Renovation work and just plain basic maintenance are long, long, long overdue at the Orpheum, for sure !
The Boston Globe and Boston Herald websites both report that Live Nation has sold the Orpheum, the Opera House, and the Paradise Rock Club (in Allston) to the newly organized Boston Opera House Ventures LLC , owned by Don Law and David Mugar. Law is president of Live Nation New England, but his new company will operate separately from Live Nation, according to the Herald.
I hope Don Law and David Mugar invest some money into fixing up the Orpheum. Its current condition should make them embarrassed to own it.
According to WBZ-TV Boston local news today, Live Nation has given up management of the Orpheum ; an unnamed entity will manage the theater and Live Nation will continue to book attractions there.
Ron, Thanks for the website info. I looked at the website listed at the top of this page, which needs to be updated. The venue review was right on the money!!
SgtPickles, Most balconies have some movement in them. It’s the same principle as the sway in tall buildings. I went to a concert at the Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady NY where the balcony swayed so hard that the crowd sat down!
I am very interested in Boston’s theatre history and have gained great knowledge and insight from what people share on this site- so thanks! Wanted to say that I’ve been to the Orpheum twice, once around 2001-2002 for a Pet Shop Boys concert and then again last night for a Hall & Oates concert. Last night I was seated in Row O of the scary Orpheum balcony and got to view up close the once-magnificent architectural details of the place, the procenium and some (what I guess) were huge beautiful murals flanking either side of the building. Sadly, the murals are barely visible under a layer of dirt and grime and the layers of dark paint are peeling in huge chunks from the ceiling and walls. While I am so happy that this gem is still open, the place is quite dirty and disgusting. I’ve heard many stories about the Orpheum balcony being quite unsafe, friends even telling me they’ve felt it move under their feet, which wouldn’t surprise me.