Modern Theatre

A newspaper ad from March 3, 1962 lists the Mayflower (formerly Modern) showing a double bill of “The 3 Stooges Meets Hercules” and “Underwater City.”

The theater looks like it is currently in the process of being restored. It is a few steps up from the Opera House, which has just undergone a complete and magnificent renovation.

I photographed this theater in early July. The arch visible at the top of the photo has been partially removed, or perhaps collapsed. There was a tarp over it, and a cherry-picker in the street out front. The whole neighborhood needs a little help.

I would like more information on this beautiful theater… I would like to find a way to renovate it into a theater, gallery and a restaurant… Anyone interested in helping?.. or know of any information

One of the only times I went to this theatre was in 1958 to see a showing of the French-made THE CASE OF DR. LAURENT. It was dubbed in English here. The film, which starred the great Jean Gabin, achieved some exploitation because it featured the actual birth of a baby. The theatre was called the Mayflower then too.

The Modern was also known as the Mayflower from the 1960s through closing. It had turned into an Adult movie house. It is now slated for renovation by the new owner, which will bring Washington Street back to its former glory in that area.

Was this theatre ever known as the Trans-Lux in the 1950s? If not, what else was the Trans-Lux? It was kind of a racy art house, judging from newspaper ads I remember from that time.