Salem Theater

Salem, MA

Essex Street

, Salem, MA, United States

(map)

Status:	Closed/Demolished
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	1000
Chain:	Loews

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

E. M. Lowes' Salem Theater opened in the mid-1950s. It's interior was modern. The walls were wallpapered, the ceiling was plain tile, and the aisles had carpet runners. All seating was orchestra, and because the theater was one story, there was no balcony or even a mezzanine in the rear. The seats moved forward slightly so that the person could recline a bit. That was innovative for its time. Otherwise, the theater was quite nondescript. It burned in the late 1990s or early 2000s and was razed.

Contributed by David April

YOUR COMMENTS

"Lowes'"? Isn't it E.M. Loew's?

posted by Gerald A. DeLuca on May 30, 2005 at 8:49am

when did this burn and what was the exact address?

posted by jph on May 30, 2005 at 9:40am

burned in SALEM very strange

posted by longislandmovies on May 30, 2005 at 10:12am

Eventually used for concerts. I have a concert list stating that Hot Tuna performed there on 11/5/83.

posted by TC on Jun 8, 2005 at 5:42am

David April...could you contact me if you have info on theaters in Salem 1896-1910?
Thanks.

posted by ASONGBIRD on Aug 12, 2006 at 3:50pm

Hi Gerald,

Yes, it was E. M. Loew's. I realized I misspelled it, but could find no editing feature in the software here, so had to let it go. Sorry for the confusion.

posted by Dave1 on Sep 4, 2006 at 4:12pm

Hi jph,

I live in Maine now, so can't give you the exact address. I can tell you it was on the west end of Essex Street, close to the intersection with Flint Street quite near Jerry's Army & Navy, and on that same side of Essex Street. The Plaza Theater was to the left of the Salem Theater, but when the former was demolished, there was just a parking lot left there next to the Salem Theater. I hope that helps.

posted by Dave1 on Sep 4, 2006 at 4:36pm

Here is a 1980 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/deo77m

posted by ken mc on May 1, 2009 at 9:22pm

Actually, Ken, that is a picture of the Salem Theater at 295 Essex Street, but very close to the Plaza Theater which abutted it at the immediate left of the photo at 273 Essex Street. (Jerry's Army & Navy was immediately to the Salem Theater's right, and you can see a little of that in the photo too). One would think that the Plaza's address would have logically been #293, but for some odd reason it was 273, even though the two buildings shared a common wall between them. Both were also owned by the E. M. Loew Co.

posted by Dave1 on Jul 12, 2009 at 6:55pm

Oops, I had just switched back and forth between the Plaza and Salem Theaters, and lost track that I was on the Salem Theater page. Sorry about that! So yes, this picture is perfect for this particular thread. And in addition to having that great picture you posted, Ken, we also now have the exact address of the Salem Theater--295 Essex Street.

posted by Dave1 on Jul 12, 2009 at 7:03pm

The Salem Theater was open and exhibiting films from 1953-1985.

posted by Dave1 on Nov 10, 2009 at 1:52pm

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