Central Theater

39 Alfred Street,
Biddeford, ME 04005

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.

Firms: Jackson & Salomonson

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Central Theater

The Central Theater was opened on September 18, 1916 with “It Pays to Advertise”. It was closed around 1970-1971. This former theater is now the Biddeford Police Station.

Contributed by Lost Memory

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on August 27, 2013 at 3:53 am

This web page has considerable information about Biddeford’s Central Theatre. It was opened on September 18, 1916, and was originally operated by Maine Theatres and later by Paramount. There were 1,192 seats at opening, but 42 were in boxes. Boxes were usually closed when theaters converted entirely to movies.

The opening date and the nae of the original operators indicates that this was the house mentioned in the March 11, 1916, issue of The American Contractor:

“Biddeford, Me.—Theater & Store Bldg.: $100,000. 1 sty. & bas. & balconies. 65x168. Biddeford. Archts. Jackson & Solomonson, 36 Bromfield St., Boston, Mass. Owner Maine Theaters, Inc., A. S. Black, pres., Central blk., Rockland, Me. Architects taking bids.”
Jackson & Solomonson also designed other houses for Maine Theatres during this period, including the Star Theatre in Westbrook.

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on July 26, 2015 at 6:43 pm

The Theatre Historical Society archive has the MGM Theatre Report for the Central; it’s Card # 343. Address is 39 Alfred St. There is an exterior photo dated April 1941. Condition is Fair. The report says that the theater is over 15 years old and was showing MGM films. There were 647 main floor seats, 413 balcony seats and 40 seats in the loges, total 1,100. A competing theater was the Opera House (for which no report was made). The 1940 population was 19,700.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on October 10, 2020 at 12:14 am

On March 21, 1961, The Central Theatre Installed A 4-Track Stereo System With 9 Stereo Speaker Gave “Sound All Around” With A Special Run Of The Hit-Smash “Ben Hur” (1959).

The Theater Closed Between 1970 And 1971.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 29, 2023 at 6:20 pm

Grand opening ad posted. The last newspaper listings took place in April 1972.

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