There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand in Haverhill with an exterior photo dated April 1941. The entrance was in the right half of a 3-story building called the Strand Building. The left half was occupied by a Liggett’s Rexall drugstore. The Strand had a half-round semicircular marquee. A movie with Joan Blondell was playing; also a Charlie Chan movie. The Report states that the Strand is on Main St., but someone crossed that out and wrote in “135 Merrimac St.” The Report says that the Strand has been showing MGM films for “over 10 years”, but then says that it’s “under 10 years old”. The condition is Fair, and it had 835 seats on the orchestra floor and 555 in the balcony, total: 1,390 seats. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Strand is listed under Charles Morse theatres of Boston.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Paramount in Haverhill, with an exterior photo dated Aoril 1941. The theatre entrance was in the right half of a 3-story building. There was a fancy rectangular marquee. The left half of the building front was occupied by Goodrich Silvertown Store. The Report states that the Paramount is at 31 Main St., that it has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old, in Good condition, and has 1295 seats on the main floor and 443 balcony seats; total: 1,738 seats. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Paramount is listed as part of M&P Theatres of Boston.
The Lafayette Theatre in Haverhill was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project. There is an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre entrance was in a long rectangular 3-story building which looks like a typical New England mill/factory. It has wood clapboard siding and on the 2nd and 3rd floor are long rows of windows. The theatre entrance was in the middle and was very wide with a rectangular marquee above. The Report states that the theatre was on Merrimac St., but someone crossed that out and wrote in “7-9 Essex St.” The Report states that the theatre has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; and that it has 600 seats.
Brad- I don’t have a photo, but these banners were once very common. They hung along the bottom edge of the marquee. The ones I remember in my area (eastern-MA) were light blue, with rows of white icicles pointing downward. I recall them from the late-1940s onward.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Phillips Theatre in Springfield with an exterior photo dated March 1941. The theatre had a narrow free-standing entrance 1-plus story high with a rectangular marquee with “Phillips” on the front, and an arch and cornice above. There was a poster case on the right side of the entrance and what looks like a little ticket booth on the left side. The Report states that the Phillips was at 499 Summer St.,that it had been playing MGM product for over 10 years; was over 20 years old and in Fair condition. The seating was listed as 742 on the main floor and 420 in the balcony, total: 1,162 seats. It was described as having “Neighborhood” patronage.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Plymouth Theatre in Worcester with an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre then had a rectangular marquee with white letters on a black background. Attractions were “This Thing Called Love” and “Dangerous Game”. There appears to be a ticket booth in the center under the marquee. The street in front consists of cobblestones and also trolley tracks. The Report says the Plymouth is on Main St.,that it has been playing MGM product for over 10 years; is over 15 years old (in 1941) and in Fair condition. Seating is listed as 1400 on the main floor and 1200 in the balcony, total: 2600. (these figures were probably rounded up.) Competing theatres are listed as the Olympia (Art), and the Elm Street. Worcester’s population in 1941 was 193,000.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report for this theatre with an exterior photo dated June 1950. The Merrimack had a one-story entrance just to the right of a large 4-story commercial building. There was a triangular marquee with “Merrimack” in neon-outline letters at the top. Attractions are Robert Preston in “The Sundowners” plus “Square Dance Katy”. There was a poster case at each side of the entrance, and a portable poster board set up in the middle. Unfortunately, no one filled out the Report form. However, someone typed in the theatre name as “Merrimack Square”, then someone crossed that out and wrote in “Merrimack”.
The Palace in Lowell was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project but no one filled out the form or dated the photo. The exterior photo is of a rather wide free-standing building 2 stories high with 5 fancy windows on the second floor and what appears to be a tile roof. The small rectangular marquee has “Palace” across the top and a movie starring Jane Powell posted on it. To the right of the Palace there was either a side-street or a small parking lot. I suspect that this photo was taken circa-1950 rather than in 1941 like most of the others.
The photo link posted above on March 9 by ken mc matches the 1941 photo of the Central Theatre, even to the little jog in the center of the roof line above the entrance. Lancerfan, for an explanation of the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project, see under the Warner Theatre in Worcester.
As the Strand, the theatre is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of the Warner Brothers circuit of New York. At that time, it was one of 16 theatres in Massachusetts controlled by Warner Brothers, only 3 of which actually carried the name “Warner Theatre”.
The 1942-43 edition of the Motion Picture Almanac has a very long list of movie theatre circuits in US and Canada which consist of at least 5 theatres. Among them is Rapalus Theatres whose address is this theatre, the Majestic in Easthampton. Joseph S. Rapalus is listed as General Manager and Film Buyer. The 4 other theatres in the circuit are the Opera House in Bondsville, the Bijou in Holyoke, the Burr in Ludlow, and the Capitol in Monson.
In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Burr in Ludlow is listed under the Rapalus Theatres, which was run by Joseph Rapalus of the Majestic Theatre in Easthampton, MA. At the time, there were 5 theatres in the Rapalus circuit.
The Paramount in Brattleboro is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of Western Massachusetts Theatres of Springfield, run by well-known exhibitor, Nathan Goldstein. At the time, the Paramount was the only WM movie theatre in Vermont.
In the 1942-43 edition of the Motion Picture Almanac, there is a long list of theatre circuits in the US and Canada. The Paramount in Rutland is listed under the M&P Circuit (Mullin & Pananski) of Boston, which was affiliated with Paramount. According to the list, M&P controlled 5 theatres in Vermont, the Paramount, Grand and Strand in Rutland, and the Paramount and Magnet in Barre.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for this theatre when it was named the Baylies Square Theatre. There is a poor-quality exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had a distincitive facade with a rather small rectangular marquee. The name “Baylies Square” is at the top of the marquee and the attractions are “The Son of Monte Cristo” and Anne Neagle in “No No Nanette”. The Report says that the Baylies Square was at 1777 Acushnet Avenue, that it had been showing MGM films for over 10 years, that it was less than 15 years old (in 1941) and in Good condition. It had 1,200 seats, apparently all on one floor.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand has an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre had a big 2-sided triangular marquee with “Strand” in big neon-outline letters at the top and 4 lines of black letters on a white background. Attractions were Cary Grant, Kath. Hepburn and James Stewart in “Philadelphia Story” plus “Flight from Destiny”. There is what appears to be a M&P Theatres logo on the front of the marquee. The Report states that the Strand is at 543 Columbia Rd., that it has been playing MGM movies for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition. The seating is listed as 839 in the orchestra, and 55 in the loges, but someone typed in only 32 seats in the balcony, an obvious error. Nearest competing movie theatre is the Hamilton Theatre. The type of partronage at the Strand is listed as “Neighborhood”.
Very funny, Warren ! Actually, I was in Reykjavik 2 or 3 times in the winter during the 1970s and it was actually milder there (because of the Gulf Stream) than it was in New York, and no snow on the ground either. But I don’t remember seeing any theatres or cinemas there.
A rare chance to see movies at the Colonial will take place on Saturday, April 21 2007 when the Boston finals of the Campus Movie Fest film festival will be held there.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Park has an exterior photo which is posted just above. It’s not clear if that photo was made in May 1941 or Sept. 1946. The Report states that the Park is at 1425 South Main St., that it had been playing MGM films for over 10 years, that it was in Good condition, and had 1152 seats on the main floor and 510 in the balcony, total: 1,662 seats. There is a note: “renovations made within last couple of years, and house now in good condition.”.
Patsy- the info that I have (from THSA notes) is that the Orpheum had a 3-manual Kilgen organ with twin consoles, but it was removed, probably a long time ago. The auditorium does feature an enormous crystal chandelier, “15 feet high, and weighing one ton”. The THSA is planning to visit the Orpheum and other theatres in the Twin Cities in mid-June, 2007.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project form for the Empire has an exterior photo dated May 1941. There was a fairly narrow entrance with a triangular marquee above. Attractions posted were “The Black Cat” and “Man Made Mobster”. The Report states that the Empire is on South Main St., that it has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Good condition, and has 1069 seats on the main floor and 750 in the balcony; total: 1,819 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre photograph and Report form for the Embassy, with an exterior photo dated May 18, 1949. The theatre had an impressive facade. Near the top is engraved “—– & Son” which seems to suggest a previous occupant. There was a 2-sided marquee on which were posted the movies: Buster Crabbe in “Nabonga” and Frank Buck in “Tiger Fangs”. The Report states that the Embassy was not a MGM customer, that it was built (about) 1945, was in Good condition and had (about) 850 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Center Theatre with an exterior photo dated May 1941. That photo is posted just above by Gerry DeLuca. The Report states that the Center is on South Main St., that it has been showing MGM product for 1 year; that it was built in 1940 and is in Excellent condition, and has 894 seats on the main floor and 496 balcony seats, total: 1,390 seats. Someone wrote “was Olympia” on the form, which is incorrect.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand in Haverhill with an exterior photo dated April 1941. The entrance was in the right half of a 3-story building called the Strand Building. The left half was occupied by a Liggett’s Rexall drugstore. The Strand had a half-round semicircular marquee. A movie with Joan Blondell was playing; also a Charlie Chan movie. The Report states that the Strand is on Main St., but someone crossed that out and wrote in “135 Merrimac St.” The Report says that the Strand has been showing MGM films for “over 10 years”, but then says that it’s “under 10 years old”. The condition is Fair, and it had 835 seats on the orchestra floor and 555 in the balcony, total: 1,390 seats. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Strand is listed under Charles Morse theatres of Boston.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Paramount in Haverhill, with an exterior photo dated Aoril 1941. The theatre entrance was in the right half of a 3-story building. There was a fancy rectangular marquee. The left half of the building front was occupied by Goodrich Silvertown Store. The Report states that the Paramount is at 31 Main St., that it has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old, in Good condition, and has 1295 seats on the main floor and 443 balcony seats; total: 1,738 seats. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Paramount is listed as part of M&P Theatres of Boston.
The Lafayette Theatre in Haverhill was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project. There is an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre entrance was in a long rectangular 3-story building which looks like a typical New England mill/factory. It has wood clapboard siding and on the 2nd and 3rd floor are long rows of windows. The theatre entrance was in the middle and was very wide with a rectangular marquee above. The Report states that the theatre was on Merrimac St., but someone crossed that out and wrote in “7-9 Essex St.” The Report states that the theatre has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; and that it has 600 seats.
Brad- I don’t have a photo, but these banners were once very common. They hung along the bottom edge of the marquee. The ones I remember in my area (eastern-MA) were light blue, with rows of white icicles pointing downward. I recall them from the late-1940s onward.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Phillips Theatre in Springfield with an exterior photo dated March 1941. The theatre had a narrow free-standing entrance 1-plus story high with a rectangular marquee with “Phillips” on the front, and an arch and cornice above. There was a poster case on the right side of the entrance and what looks like a little ticket booth on the left side. The Report states that the Phillips was at 499 Summer St.,that it had been playing MGM product for over 10 years; was over 20 years old and in Fair condition. The seating was listed as 742 on the main floor and 420 in the balcony, total: 1,162 seats. It was described as having “Neighborhood” patronage.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Plymouth Theatre in Worcester with an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre then had a rectangular marquee with white letters on a black background. Attractions were “This Thing Called Love” and “Dangerous Game”. There appears to be a ticket booth in the center under the marquee. The street in front consists of cobblestones and also trolley tracks. The Report says the Plymouth is on Main St.,that it has been playing MGM product for over 10 years; is over 15 years old (in 1941) and in Fair condition. Seating is listed as 1400 on the main floor and 1200 in the balcony, total: 2600. (these figures were probably rounded up.) Competing theatres are listed as the Olympia (Art), and the Elm Street. Worcester’s population in 1941 was 193,000.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report for this theatre with an exterior photo dated June 1950. The Merrimack had a one-story entrance just to the right of a large 4-story commercial building. There was a triangular marquee with “Merrimack” in neon-outline letters at the top. Attractions are Robert Preston in “The Sundowners” plus “Square Dance Katy”. There was a poster case at each side of the entrance, and a portable poster board set up in the middle. Unfortunately, no one filled out the Report form. However, someone typed in the theatre name as “Merrimack Square”, then someone crossed that out and wrote in “Merrimack”.
The Palace in Lowell was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project but no one filled out the form or dated the photo. The exterior photo is of a rather wide free-standing building 2 stories high with 5 fancy windows on the second floor and what appears to be a tile roof. The small rectangular marquee has “Palace” across the top and a movie starring Jane Powell posted on it. To the right of the Palace there was either a side-street or a small parking lot. I suspect that this photo was taken circa-1950 rather than in 1941 like most of the others.
The photo link posted above on March 9 by ken mc matches the 1941 photo of the Central Theatre, even to the little jog in the center of the roof line above the entrance. Lancerfan, for an explanation of the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project, see under the Warner Theatre in Worcester.
The 2 photo links which Ian posted above have the correct names for this theatre: Globe, Center and Pagoda. It was never called the Century Theatre.
As the Strand, the theatre is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of the Warner Brothers circuit of New York. At that time, it was one of 16 theatres in Massachusetts controlled by Warner Brothers, only 3 of which actually carried the name “Warner Theatre”.
The 1942-43 edition of the Motion Picture Almanac has a very long list of movie theatre circuits in US and Canada which consist of at least 5 theatres. Among them is Rapalus Theatres whose address is this theatre, the Majestic in Easthampton. Joseph S. Rapalus is listed as General Manager and Film Buyer. The 4 other theatres in the circuit are the Opera House in Bondsville, the Bijou in Holyoke, the Burr in Ludlow, and the Capitol in Monson.
In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Burr in Ludlow is listed under the Rapalus Theatres, which was run by Joseph Rapalus of the Majestic Theatre in Easthampton, MA. At the time, there were 5 theatres in the Rapalus circuit.
The Paramount in Brattleboro is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of Western Massachusetts Theatres of Springfield, run by well-known exhibitor, Nathan Goldstein. At the time, the Paramount was the only WM movie theatre in Vermont.
In the 1942-43 edition of the Motion Picture Almanac, there is a long list of theatre circuits in the US and Canada. The Paramount in Rutland is listed under the M&P Circuit (Mullin & Pananski) of Boston, which was affiliated with Paramount. According to the list, M&P controlled 5 theatres in Vermont, the Paramount, Grand and Strand in Rutland, and the Paramount and Magnet in Barre.
In the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook, the Strand in Amesbury is listed as being open 6 days per week and having 600 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for this theatre when it was named the Baylies Square Theatre. There is a poor-quality exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had a distincitive facade with a rather small rectangular marquee. The name “Baylies Square” is at the top of the marquee and the attractions are “The Son of Monte Cristo” and Anne Neagle in “No No Nanette”. The Report says that the Baylies Square was at 1777 Acushnet Avenue, that it had been showing MGM films for over 10 years, that it was less than 15 years old (in 1941) and in Good condition. It had 1,200 seats, apparently all on one floor.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand has an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre had a big 2-sided triangular marquee with “Strand” in big neon-outline letters at the top and 4 lines of black letters on a white background. Attractions were Cary Grant, Kath. Hepburn and James Stewart in “Philadelphia Story” plus “Flight from Destiny”. There is what appears to be a M&P Theatres logo on the front of the marquee. The Report states that the Strand is at 543 Columbia Rd., that it has been playing MGM movies for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition. The seating is listed as 839 in the orchestra, and 55 in the loges, but someone typed in only 32 seats in the balcony, an obvious error. Nearest competing movie theatre is the Hamilton Theatre. The type of partronage at the Strand is listed as “Neighborhood”.
Very funny, Warren ! Actually, I was in Reykjavik 2 or 3 times in the winter during the 1970s and it was actually milder there (because of the Gulf Stream) than it was in New York, and no snow on the ground either. But I don’t remember seeing any theatres or cinemas there.
A rare chance to see movies at the Colonial will take place on Saturday, April 21 2007 when the Boston finals of the Campus Movie Fest film festival will be held there.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Park has an exterior photo which is posted just above. It’s not clear if that photo was made in May 1941 or Sept. 1946. The Report states that the Park is at 1425 South Main St., that it had been playing MGM films for over 10 years, that it was in Good condition, and had 1152 seats on the main floor and 510 in the balcony, total: 1,662 seats. There is a note: “renovations made within last couple of years, and house now in good condition.”.
Patsy- the info that I have (from THSA notes) is that the Orpheum had a 3-manual Kilgen organ with twin consoles, but it was removed, probably a long time ago. The auditorium does feature an enormous crystal chandelier, “15 feet high, and weighing one ton”. The THSA is planning to visit the Orpheum and other theatres in the Twin Cities in mid-June, 2007.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project form for the Empire has an exterior photo dated May 1941. There was a fairly narrow entrance with a triangular marquee above. Attractions posted were “The Black Cat” and “Man Made Mobster”. The Report states that the Empire is on South Main St., that it has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Good condition, and has 1069 seats on the main floor and 750 in the balcony; total: 1,819 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre photograph and Report form for the Embassy, with an exterior photo dated May 18, 1949. The theatre had an impressive facade. Near the top is engraved “—– & Son” which seems to suggest a previous occupant. There was a 2-sided marquee on which were posted the movies: Buster Crabbe in “Nabonga” and Frank Buck in “Tiger Fangs”. The Report states that the Embassy was not a MGM customer, that it was built (about) 1945, was in Good condition and had (about) 850 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Center Theatre with an exterior photo dated May 1941. That photo is posted just above by Gerry DeLuca. The Report states that the Center is on South Main St., that it has been showing MGM product for 1 year; that it was built in 1940 and is in Excellent condition, and has 894 seats on the main floor and 496 balcony seats, total: 1,390 seats. Someone wrote “was Olympia” on the form, which is incorrect.