Olympia Theatre
414 Washington Street,
Lynn,
MA
414 Washington Street,
Lynn,
MA
1 person
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The Olympia was a large theatre in downtown Lynn, an inner suburb to the north of Boston. It was operated at one time by M & P Theatres, an affiliate of Paramount. Further information welcomed.
Contributed by
Ron Salters
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The Olympia Theatre in Lynn was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project. The form has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre entrance was in the middle of a large commercial building at least 4 stories high. Above the entrance was a rectangular marquee with “Olympia” at the top-front in letters which probably had neon tubing. There is a large poster case on each side of the entrance with an elaborate frame. The Report states that the Olympia has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old; in Fair condition, with 1296 seats on the orchestra floor and 1240 balcony seats; total: 2,536 seats. The 1942-43 edition of the Motion Picture Almanac lists the Olympia, along with the Paramount in Lynn, as part of the M&P Theatres.
The Olympia was opened on January 25, 1908. It was a live theatre with films at first, and also was renowned locally for its Sunday afternoon concerts at which famous classical music artistes performed. A number of stars appeared there. Later, it featured movies only. It closed on October 7, 1952 and was then demolished to provide parking for Anthony’s Hawthorne Restaurant. This info is from an article about Lynn theatres written by Elmo Benedetto and found at the Lynn public library by CT member Barry Goodkin.
I don’t know if its the same Olympia Theater or not but a Hutchings theater organ size 4/14 was installed in Gordon’s Olympia Theater in Lynn, MA in 1915.
Yes, it’s the same. It was run by Nathan Gordon.
Thanks Ron. Some theaters on the organ list include the owner/operators name even if that name was not part of the “official” name of the theater.
The following comes from The Moving Picture World July 1915:
“The Olympia Theater at Lynn, Mass., which was the first large photoplay theater in New England, has been closed In order that extensive alterations might be made. The house will reopen in September.
The remodelling plans call for a front of 160 feet long, four stories high containing six stores on the ground floor and a hotel of 37 rooms with baths on the upper floors. Italian marble columns will be placed in front of the entrance to the theater, and the six stores will be uniform in appearance, the entire front being of ornamental tapestry brick. The entire lobby will be of Italian marble. The construction of the interior of the theater itself will not be changed, but extensive redecoratlons will be made. The scheme of these decorations will be pale gray and gold, with high lights of red. Adjoining the lobby on the first floor will be retiring rooms for men and women and a checking room. Directly over these will be the offices of the Olympia management. A 30-ton organ will be installed over the boxes".
The Olympia is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 2,300 seats and open daily.