Palladium Theatre

Here is a photograph I took of the Palladium (E.M. Loew's) not too long ago.

Listed in editions of Film Daily Yearbook's that I have;1941-1950, as the Plymouth Theatre, operated by E.M. Loew's.

I am the janitor of the Palladium in Worcester, MA. The capacity on this site is incorrect. It holds 2160 patrons, not 2633. It is a wonderful place to work for a lover of older architecture. I will never tire of caring for my old theatre. The original chandelier from its movie palace days still lights the balcony. The bowling alley in the basement is long since defunct. Most of the old marble, (stairs, walls) is still intact. Though long unused, the screen is still perched high above the stage. My old theatre is still alive and kicking and I do love it dearly.

If anyone knows of original blueprints, old photos, or just who built the place, please contact me!

T.R., if you can find out when it orginally opened, then perhaps, using public library microfilm, you can find the Worcester Telegram article which, might have appeared at its opening. It could have some of that information. Contact someone in the music/entertainment department at the newspaper. They might be willing to help. The Worcester Historical Society could have something. I've done similar things with some success for Providence area theatres.

The Palladium Theatre opened on November 24, 1928. It was designed by Arland W. Johnson who also designed the Roger Sherman, New Haven, Commodore Hull, Derby, Ct. and the Garde in New London.
All four theatres were operated by Alfred Gottesman who sold out to Warner Bros. in 1929. Warner Bros. chose to renovate the Worcester Strand and reopen it as the Warner.
The Plymouth was taken over by E. M. Loew, an independent New England theatre operator.

The Palladium was featured on Sci-Fi's "Ghost Hunters" series yesterday. The marquee still has E.M. Loew's on it.

I go often to rock (hardcore) shows there. The "upstairs" room is small and wonderful but I wonder what it was originally? It's just above lobby level and lies under the floor of the main theatre. Anyone know what it was originally?

I am trying to find infomation about the Plymouth Theatre/Cinema. I understand that there is a recent article that said that this theatre was the Plymouth for a time. Does anyone have any information confirming this or know any information about the Plymouth?

I am also trying to learn about the Philips Cinema - one L - what it was before, after, address, any information?

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.

A Robert-Morton theater organ size 2/8 was installed in a New Plymouth Theater in Worcester in 1928. Same theater as this one?

The Palladium Theatre opened as the Plymouth Theatre on November 24, 1928. It became the E. M. Loew Center for the Performing Arts on April 14, 1980 and the Palladium after that.
According to the Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ it did have a 2/8 Robert Morton organ. The newspaper article on the opening identified "Buddy" Webber at the console of Our Mighty Organ but did not identify the organ manufacturer.

Here is a recent photo.

1986 Photo

Another February 2009 photo of the Palladium Theatre.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23021987@N06/3287602271/sizes/o/in/pool-72675154@N00/