Gary Theatre
131 Stuart Street,
Boston,
MA
02116
131 Stuart Street,
Boston,
MA
02116
6 people
favorited this theater
This sizable theatre was formerly the Plymouth Theatre which opened in 1911. It was located on Stuart Steet near Tremont Street and right around the corner from what is now the Emerson Majestic Theatre.
It became the Gary Cinema in 1958. It was demolished in 1978 for construction of the State Transportation Building.
Contributed by
Gerald A. DeLuca
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Recent comments (view all 75 comments)
Hello, All!
I just have put together a tribute to the Plymouth…aka…Gary on my retro blog.
I have included some wonderful moments in the history of the theatre and also located a few photos…most have been here before I think.
I have asked Bob for his wonderful snapshot from the 1960’s…and said he said yes to posting it:–)
Thanks, Bob.
Gerald, I have used your neat shot as well on the blog and written your name on it for full credit. Looked for email contact but could not locate any…sorry. It is a super photo and adds so much to the update as well!!!
The blog update covers 1911 until the building came down in late 1979..early 80.
I hope you enjoy it:–)
http://usaretrotimes.blogspot.com/
Charles:–)
CharlesBoston – this is a very nice archive, and beautifully presented. But it would be even better if there were dates on the ads and clippings.
Thanks, Ron!
Glad you enjoyed the posting.
Most of the JPEGs on the blog are dated with at least the year in the address bar.
Here is an expample:
View link
The months may not be there but the year is on most and if there are multiple posting for a year they may appear like: 1950-1, 1950-2, etc.
So, if you scroll over each you can see the info or click each image and it will show up the address bar.
I hope that helps:–)
Enjoy….and I hope to do another theatre soon:–)
Charles:–)
http://usaretrotimes.blogspot.com/
I didn’t think to look up in the address bar for the date; the year is sufficient for me. Thanks.
Hey, Ron!
I am happy to help. Glad you enjoyed it and I am open to any requests for my next theater project….any ideas???
Love to hear them:–)
http://usaretrotimes.blogspot.com/
Hey CharlesBoston I enjoyed your wonderful post on the old Gary Theater. I lived right next door on the top floor in 74-75 and saw many films there most notably Earthquake in its second run and yes plaster DID fall lol. I wish had more photos from all of the old theaters
I don,t believe Earthquake ever played the Gary. It did play the Saxon on a moveover from the general Cinema at shoppers world in Framingham. The only other Sensurround movie to play there was Battlestar Gallactica. Roller Coaster and Midway played at the South Plaza General Cinema in Braintree.
I was browsing in the Globe’s online archives and came across a few interesting facts about the Gary’s run of hits in the 1960s.
Only three films played at the Gary between October 1964 and May 1967, and each featured the same lead actress: “Mary Poppins” (October 22, 1964 to March 16, 1965; general admission); “The Sound of Music” (March 18, 1965 to October 18, 1966; roadshow); and “Hawaii” (October 20, 1966 to May 8, 1967; roadshow).
During the final months of the Gary run of “Music,” the Globe ads indicate that “Music” was being shown in two other area theaters, also on a roadshow basis (the GC Brockton and Showcase Lawrence). Apparently GC and Showcase were not permitted to include the title in their respective ads during the Gary run; instead, the ads referred to “Best Picture of 1965, starring Julie Andrews.” As soon as “Music” closed at the Gary, the GC and Showcase ads began to use the title.
The Gary’s string of Julie Andrews hits ended with “Star!” which opened its roadshow run on November 6, 1968 and closed on January 4, 1969. Surprising to see that the renamed and substantially edited version of “Star!” called “Those Were the Happy Times” played the Music Hall exclusively (and, presumably, disastrously) for several weeks in the fall of 1969—-I would have expected a much more low-profile release than an exclusive run at the largest theater in Boston.
That whole area has really changed. I remember the hillbilly ranch and playboy club in that area near park square and the old greyhound bus terminal. I wish there were some photos somewhere of them.
AFTER READING ALL COMMENTS about Sound Of Music and the Gary I must add mine. Saw Sound Of Music the 1st time at I believe The Ontario in Wash D.C. beautiful 70mm presentation then I saw it at the Gary which was also beautiful and great sound. I saw it for a 3rd time at the Capri in San Diego. This was the best picture and sound of all. Also saw West Side Story there and I believe also at the Ontario in D.C. all in 70mm. Saw WSS and SOM several times at othe theatres in reg 35 mm release. The best ToddAO presentations in Boston I believe were at the Astor and the Metropolitan(Music Hall and especially for sound it had to be the Walter Reade Charles even after Sack(USA) took over.