Warwick Cinemas

Marblehead, MA

117 Pleasant Street

, Marblehead, MA 01945 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Twin
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Gym
Seats:	Unknown
Chain:	Independent

Architect:	W. Chester Browne
Firm:	W. Chester Browne Associates

The Warwick Theatre opened in 1919 and was remodeled in 1949 to the plans of architect Chester Browne. This family-owned neighborhood second-run theater operated for over eight decades before suddenly and unexpectedly closing its doors in November, 1999. Its owner, Thomas McNulty, found himself increasingly unable to compete with large chains and multiplexes.

The Warwick Theatre's last few days of operation were devoted to the Boston Jewish Film Festival. It has since been turned into a gymnastics center for the local YMCA.

Contributed by Ron Newman

YOUR COMMENTS

This theater opened in 1917 and has been in the same family since 1922, when Thomas McNulty's grandfather bought it. Its final second-run show open to the general public was on Thursday, October 28, 1999. However, it reopened briefly the following month to fulfill an obligation to the Boston Jewish Film Festival. Its last show was on Thursday, November 11, 1999.

posted by Ron Newman on Nov 18, 2004 at 6:59pm

While walking around Marblehead last night, I saw posters from a group called Marblehead 20|20, showing a reopened Warwick Theatre. I don't yet know how serious their plan is.

posted by Ron Newman on May 14, 2005 at 8:40am

Yesterday's Boston Globe North Weekly section has an article about the closing of the Warwick, and a nonprofit group called marbleheadmovies.org that is trying to bring movies back to the town:

Cinema communite: Group inspired to save local movie tradition

It's possible that the Warwick could become available again once the YMCA moves out next year.

posted by Ron Newman on Jul 15, 2005 at 1:59am

The Warwick was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project. There is an exterior photo dated 1941. The entrance was in the center of a one-story building with decorative elements above the marquee. The latter had "Warwick" on the front; on the side, "Two Features" was posted in white letters on a black background. There were poster cases on either side and a center boxoffice. On each side of the entrance there is a shop; the one on the left is a barber shop. The Report states that the Warwick is on Pleasant St., that it has been presenting MGM product for 15 years; that it was built about 1915, is in Fair condition, and has 643 seats, all apparently on one floor. The type of patronage is shown as "Class" (meaning "high class"). No competing theatres are listed and the 1940 population of Marblehead was 10,850.

posted by Ron Salters on Jan 17, 2007 at 7:41am

Here are some recent photos of the Warwick Cinemas. Click each photo to expand it.

posted by Lost Memory on May 16, 2007 at 6:51am

Does the YMCA still actively use this building today?

posted by Ron Newman on May 16, 2007 at 6:57am

Yes, but they are actively raising funds to build a new facility on Leggs Hill Road.

posted by mp775 on Jun 25, 2007 at 7:38am

A Robert-Morton theater organ size 2/4 style 75 was installed in the Warwick Theater in 1920.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 9, 2007 at 7:47pm

The Warwick Theatre was remodeled in 1949, as reported in Boxoffice, March 5. Chester Browne of W. Chester Browne Associates was the architect for the project. Robert McNulty was the owner/operator of the house.

posted by Joe Vogel on Oct 7, 2009 at 11:52pm

The Warwick Theater is listed in 1955 with 700 seats.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 8, 2009 at 8:20pm

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