This building was the Douglas Town Hall from 1923-1990. According to this entry on Flickr(https://www.flickr.com/photos/22280677@N07/2260506767/in/photostream/), movies were shown in the auditorium by one Robert Walker from 1923 until 1950. The auditorium portion might have been demolished, or it was converted to other uses. Regardless, the building still stands - it was repurposed as the Douglas Post Office sometime after 1990.
As of 10/21/2014, this cinema is a pile of rubble, as the CityScape project is finally moving forward and the section of the old Fashion Outlets it was housed in has been razed. Please update the listing accordingly – thanks!
Walked past the former location yesterday(6/19)– still looks the same as the street view(which is circa 2009) Pressed Sandwiches closed almost a year and a half ago.
I will say that looking at the structure, it has the look of a movie theater marquee, even with the signage on it.
The description needs to be updated, as the Pier 1 Imports store has since closed. The space is now housing a Citi Bank branch, a Kaplan Test Center, and a salon, Mini-Luxe.
I’m surprised no one mentioned the closed and vacant 7-screen Circle Cinemas on the Brookline/Brighton line. Not exactly Boston proper, but close. Of course, National Amusements might have an issue with any prospective buyer repurposing it as cinema; on the other hand, doing anything else requires the area to be rezoned, so they don’t have much leverage.
In regards to Drive-In Dave’s story above, that’s the one I remember being posted at drive-ins.com, albeit with some details filled in. I think the name of the gentleman who posted it was Steve Coan; said he was involved in the last attempt to revive it. Unfortunately, drive-ins.com has been in a state of flux for several years, and some information remains inaccessible.
Dave, does that name ring any bells for you?
And as far as the asking price, I checked again, and at least as far as the brochure on the broker’s(Kelleher & Sadowsky) goes, it’s still a cool $1,250,000. Good luck getting that for it.
It really is a shame, too. The lot is still in decent shape, and all the structures are still there, as well as all the equipment, projectors included(condition not withstanding). But between the town and the 14-screen theater 10 minutes up Route 146, I can’t see it ever opening again.
Wow, I just saw this story – guy smashed the concession stand at the Brattle. Why? Because Sound Of Music was out of focus for five minutes. I can only assume he was denied a refund or something, but that’s still a poor reason to destroy property.
AMC closed it around Christmas. There is a local movement to get it opened again, though. But for now, the marquee is blank and the entry boarded. Good luck to them!
Saw Despicable Me here in 3D back in August, when I was in town with a friend. 3D ticket was cheap because they use the cheapest version of 3D(MasterImage 3D). This was the first showing of the day(12:15PM on a Sunday), and the theater was not cleaned from the night before. Other than that, no complaints, nice place, and the price is right.
I can’t say much other than I went there once, and it seemed pleasant enough, if unassuming and bland. The current ownership seems to keep on top of upkeep, if nothing else.
But it certainly sounds like Hoyts didn’t give a damn about the place.
30,000 theaters and ten years is a huge accomplishment. Kudos to Ross and Pat for creating this website and maintaining it. And Kudos to Ken for keep the place organized and in one piece! Great job, guys, and great site!
Hey, here’s a slogan for ya: “All I Need To Know About Theaters I Learned From CinemaTreasures!”
This website (new window) has a picture of the AMC Framingham 16 with it’s original GCC signage. It also notes the architect for the building was Robert Luchetti Associates
I was strictly referring to the former Hoyts houses in East Bridgewater and Sharon; I referenced the Chestnut Hill’s page only because of comments by both Ian Judge & yourself, Ron, that clarified the ownership lineage both of the aforementioned theaters and their ownership. I said nothing specifically about the Chestnut Hill cinema. If I was unclear in that respect, well, that’s on me then.
Ron would be correct. Looking at comments on the page for the AMC Chestnut Hill 5, both this cinema and the one in East Bridgewater were Hoyts Cinemas, then passed to Northeast Entertainment. Both cinemas appear to be leased to independent operators by BCG at this point.
Maybe I’m off my rocker, but looking at the current Google Map would suggest the layout of the area has changed some. If you search for 134 Harborside Avenue, and drop the Street View marker at the corner of Shipyard Street & Harborside Avenue, you can see the former field. Maybe Allens Avenue ran there at one point…but not anymore. Just my two cents on it.
Not much left – just the faint impression of the rows. And I know it’s the right location because I compared with Lost’s satellite image – the bends in the riverbank match.
Here is a Youtube video of a recent walk through the old State Theater/Milton Theater. Frankly, the video is not very good, and it is hard to hear much of the talking or see much. But the shell of the auditorium is still intact. Looks like there’s some sunlight peaking through the roof, though.
According the Lost Theatres Of Somerville website, Ron is correct. The building that housed the Winter Hill is now the post office. The bakery has the address, but the entrance was apparently next door.
Looks like the Grand is under new ownership, and currently undergoing a massive remodel (thanks to lots of fundraising).
This building was the Douglas Town Hall from 1923-1990. According to this entry on Flickr(https://www.flickr.com/photos/22280677@N07/2260506767/in/photostream/), movies were shown in the auditorium by one Robert Walker from 1923 until 1950. The auditorium portion might have been demolished, or it was converted to other uses. Regardless, the building still stands - it was repurposed as the Douglas Post Office sometime after 1990.
As of 10/21/2014, this cinema is a pile of rubble, as the CityScape project is finally moving forward and the section of the old Fashion Outlets it was housed in has been razed. Please update the listing accordingly – thanks!
Ron, you are correct: that is Stetson Hall in the far center background of the photo.
Walked past the former location yesterday(6/19)– still looks the same as the street view(which is circa 2009) Pressed Sandwiches closed almost a year and a half ago.
I will say that looking at the structure, it has the look of a movie theater marquee, even with the signage on it.
The description needs to be updated, as the Pier 1 Imports store has since closed. The space is now housing a Citi Bank branch, a Kaplan Test Center, and a salon, Mini-Luxe.
I’m surprised no one mentioned the closed and vacant 7-screen Circle Cinemas on the Brookline/Brighton line. Not exactly Boston proper, but close. Of course, National Amusements might have an issue with any prospective buyer repurposing it as cinema; on the other hand, doing anything else requires the area to be rezoned, so they don’t have much leverage.
In regards to Drive-In Dave’s story above, that’s the one I remember being posted at drive-ins.com, albeit with some details filled in. I think the name of the gentleman who posted it was Steve Coan; said he was involved in the last attempt to revive it. Unfortunately, drive-ins.com has been in a state of flux for several years, and some information remains inaccessible.
Dave, does that name ring any bells for you?
And as far as the asking price, I checked again, and at least as far as the brochure on the broker’s(Kelleher & Sadowsky) goes, it’s still a cool $1,250,000. Good luck getting that for it.
It really is a shame, too. The lot is still in decent shape, and all the structures are still there, as well as all the equipment, projectors included(condition not withstanding). But between the town and the 14-screen theater 10 minutes up Route 146, I can’t see it ever opening again.
Wow, I just saw this story – guy smashed the concession stand at the Brattle. Why? Because Sound Of Music was out of focus for five minutes. I can only assume he was denied a refund or something, but that’s still a poor reason to destroy property.
Here’s your answer: View link
AMC closed it around Christmas. There is a local movement to get it opened again, though. But for now, the marquee is blank and the entry boarded. Good luck to them!
Saw Despicable Me here in 3D back in August, when I was in town with a friend. 3D ticket was cheap because they use the cheapest version of 3D(MasterImage 3D). This was the first showing of the day(12:15PM on a Sunday), and the theater was not cleaned from the night before. Other than that, no complaints, nice place, and the price is right.
Anything concerning the Stoneham Cinema that was in Redstone Plaza should now go on this page:
/theaters/34522/
I can’t say much other than I went there once, and it seemed pleasant enough, if unassuming and bland. The current ownership seems to keep on top of upkeep, if nothing else.
But it certainly sounds like Hoyts didn’t give a damn about the place.
I have submitted a page for the Stoneham Cinema that was at Redstone Plaza; once it is active I will post a link here for people to follow.
30,000 theaters and ten years is a huge accomplishment. Kudos to Ross and Pat for creating this website and maintaining it. And Kudos to Ken for keep the place organized and in one piece! Great job, guys, and great site!
Hey, here’s a slogan for ya: “All I Need To Know About Theaters I Learned From CinemaTreasures!”
OK, maybe not!
No, this is a dupe that needs to be removed in favor of the earlier listing.
This website (new window) has a picture of the AMC Framingham 16 with it’s original GCC signage. It also notes the architect for the building was Robert Luchetti Associates
I was strictly referring to the former Hoyts houses in East Bridgewater and Sharon; I referenced the Chestnut Hill’s page only because of comments by both Ian Judge & yourself, Ron, that clarified the ownership lineage both of the aforementioned theaters and their ownership. I said nothing specifically about the Chestnut Hill cinema. If I was unclear in that respect, well, that’s on me then.
Ron would be correct. Looking at comments on the page for the AMC Chestnut Hill 5, both this cinema and the one in East Bridgewater were Hoyts Cinemas, then passed to Northeast Entertainment. Both cinemas appear to be leased to independent operators by BCG at this point.
BCG’s website says “East Bridgewater Cinema 5”, but this is a typo, for sure. Everywhere else says “Cinema 6”.
Also, this cinema hosts a monthly performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show by the RKO Army. Second Friday of every month, see www.rkoarmy.com
I think this cinema passed through Regal’s hands briefly, but other than a random notation on the internet, I can’t seem to confirm that.
Maybe I’m off my rocker, but looking at the current Google Map would suggest the layout of the area has changed some. If you search for 134 Harborside Avenue, and drop the Street View marker at the corner of Shipyard Street & Harborside Avenue, you can see the former field. Maybe Allens Avenue ran there at one point…but not anymore. Just my two cents on it.
Not much left – just the faint impression of the rows. And I know it’s the right location because I compared with Lost’s satellite image – the bends in the riverbank match.
Here is a Youtube video of a recent walk through the old State Theater/Milton Theater. Frankly, the video is not very good, and it is hard to hear much of the talking or see much. But the shell of the auditorium is still intact. Looks like there’s some sunlight peaking through the roof, though.
In my earlierpost, I should have said to check the street view.
That could very well be it.
Mike, there appears to be a marquee left at the entrance. Does it look like the one you photographed?
According the Lost Theatres Of Somerville website, Ron is correct. The building that housed the Winter Hill is now the post office. The bakery has the address, but the entrance was apparently next door.