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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Massachusetts » Ware » Casino Theater

Casino Theater

Ware, MA
121 Main Street
, Ware, MA 01082 United States
(map)
Status: Closed
Screens: Twin
Style: Unknown
Function: Unknown
Seats: 750
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown
Add a photo for this theater!
The Casino Theater opened in 1909. This theater was operated by Western Mass Theaters at its closing in 1997. Originally a one screen neighborhood house, it was divided into a twin during the 1980's. One would assume that it dates back to the vaudeville days because of its old structure and stage fly house.

Like most of the other remaining theaters in the WMT chain, it fell victim to video sales, bypassing second run movie theaters after first run showings.
Contributed by AlLarkin

YOUR COMMENTS

 
The Casino Theatre was loctaed at 121 Main Street and it seated 750 people.
posted by William on Nov 20, 2003 at 2:15pm
I Remember when I first moved here in the early 70s. this theatre had chasing lights that was replaced with a backlit sign. I hope if this theatre is restored they should fix it the way it looked before with the chasing lights. It wasn't open when I moved here so I never got the real feel of the theatre in the 90s. Also it should be converted to one screen only the way it was before. I truly miss going on Main street to see a movie now I have to go to Sprigfield or Hadley to see one.
posted by nonmember on Sep 15, 2006 at 9:19am
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Casino in Ware has a facade photo taken in March 1941. The entrance was centered in the building and there was a small 2-sided marquee with the theatre name and the legend "Today Two Features" below. Above the marquee was an arch. The Report states that the Casino is on Main St. in Ware and that it has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was built about 1925 and is in Good condition. The seating was shown as 570 on the main floor and 36 in the balcony, total: 606 seats, but someone crossed out those figures and wrote in a total of 618 seats. The Report lists no competing theatres; the 1940 population of Ware was 7,557.
posted by Ron Salters on Nov 22, 2006 at 8:10am
i am intersted in trying to buy this theater, and bring it back to its original..does anyone have any information leading to a possinle sale of this please contact me at kustom69@comcast.net
posted by kustom on Jan 14, 2007 at 11:30am
The Casino in Ware is listed in the 1927 edition of the Film Daily Yearbook. It was open daily and the seating was listed as "800". There was also a Bijou Theatre in Ware, with 750 seats, open daily.
posted by Ron Salters on Jan 20, 2007 at 8:16am
Here is a recent b/w photo of the Casino Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 3, 2008 at 1:00pm
Here is a 1986 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/db4vuu
posted by ken mc on May 1, 2009 at 9:03pm
Here are some 1985 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/qbwjtb
http://tinyurl.com/ohnuke
posted by ken mc on May 10, 2009 at 11:43pm
1979 Photo

1983 Photo

posted by Lost Memory on May 14, 2009 at 12:07pm
This is a recent photo of the Casino.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 27, 2009 at 9:11am
"Someone Who Was There" tells me that he found the plans for the Casino in an archive and that they were dated "1909", and that the theater was open all through the 1910's showing films. He believes that it is one of the oldest surviving movie theaters in the USA.
posted by Ron Salters on Jul 28, 2009 at 10:42am
The Casino was recently sold to someone who is a long-time cinema operator.
posted by Ron Salters on Sep 11, 2009 at 10:33am
$10,000 on LoopNet. "Description- Casino Theatre now for sale in as in condition as tear down or rehab".

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 11, 2009 at 11:00am
The LoopNet ad was posted as of Aug. 11th; the Casino must have been sold right after that. The new owner is/was an Independent movie exhibitor, who does not view this property as a "tear-down". He wants to preserve it.
posted by Ron Salters on Sep 12, 2009 at 11:29am
That's great news. I wish the new owner luck. With an asking price of $10,000, the building must be in poor condition.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 12, 2009 at 11:32am
Lost- I heard that the asking price was set so low because the owner was eager to sell it and leave the area. The building is apparently in fairly good condition. By the way, in my post above of July 28, the sentence "...one of the oldest surviving..." should be changed to "one of the oldest surviving purpose-built movie theaters". It was built in 1909 with movies foremost in mind, with the emphasis not on live performances.
posted by Ron Salters on Sep 13, 2009 at 10:20am
The new owner of the Casino is considering selling it. It's in good condition. The wood flooring in the auditoriums needs to be replaced to conply with code. Also it needs new roofing. Inquiries to warecasino@hotmail.com
posted by Ron Salters on Nov 17, 2009 at 11:22am
Update on new owner of the Casino and plans:

http://warehistoricalsociety.wetpaint.com/page/The+Casino+Theatre
posted by tolover on Jan 31, 2010 at 8:07am
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