Orson Welles Cinema
1001 Massachusetts Avenue,
Cambridge,
MA
02138
1001 Massachusetts Avenue,
Cambridge,
MA
02138
14 people
favorited this theater
Opened as the Esquire Theatre on February 14, 1964. Later the name was changed to the Orson Welles Cinema. Over the years two small additional screening rooms were added that were separate from the larger main auditorium.
The theatre specialized in first run art and independent films, and had some occasional revival series. In the mid-1980s there was a fire in the theatre, and it was shuttered after that and the space put to other commercial use.
Contributed by
Gerald A. DeLuca
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Recent comments (view all 118 comments)
Oh, wow!! I had no idea that there was an Orson Welles newsletter! How I miss that place, still!
I was researching something and wow, the last thing I expected to find was a “Hi to Marty” (and others) from one Fogwrestler on a comment thread. Thanks, and Hi back at you. I was employed at the Orson Welles from 1973 to 1976 as staff, manager, then moved upstairs to do Public Relations, which involved writing Press Releases, running screenings, etc., even went to shop at Cannes Film Festival. It was a great job and I feel we were at the center of a cool cultural universe. I moved on to the bigger NYC playing field but have great memories of Cambridge and the Welles. I’ve been on Facebook with lots of people and, for those who are interested, there are photos and comments on the Orson Welles page.
This site wasn’t taking comments yesterday, so a day or so late on this. But, May 24th represented the 25th Anniversary of the fire that ultimately destroyed the Orson Welles Cinema. Talks continued about re-opening the place, but it was not to be.
A sad 25th Anniversary. But, the memories continue.
How I wish that the Orson Welles Cinema and most of the other Repertory Movie Houses were still in existence! (sigh).
I’m grateful for the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Brattle Theatre, both of which I hold yearly memberships to, but…
Somerville Theatre will be doing some repertory programming this summer: View link
I saw the programs on the website for the Somerville Theatre’s Classic/repertory programming for this summer, Ron. Thanks.
Great reading about that wonderful cinema – I studied at the Orson Welles Film School 72 & 73 (off the top of my head memory) Any other students remember those years –?– love 2 hear from others in that raggle-taggle gathering :) My avatar pix still resembles those Cambridge days :) Great courses there.
The Orson Welles Cinema…..ahhhhh, yes! Memory lane! I didn’t go to film school, but I remember frequenting the Orson Welles quite a bit as a student, and for many years after that, especially when I lived right around the corner from that cinema! I saw many a great movie at the Orson Welles Cinema, including my all time favorite, West Side Story. Those days were grand…and…gone…for.ever! (sniff, sniff).
There IS still one ongoing and STILL ACTIVE vestige of the Orson Welles Cinema – the long running Boston Science Fiction Film Marathon which has been held on President’s Day Weekend every February since 1976 (the first 11 were held at the Orson Welles)! This year’s 37th edition will be held February 19-20, 2012 at the Somerville Theater. Info: http://www.bostonsci-fi.com/ Messageboard: http://sf.theboard.net/
marcthorny, would it be possible to get copies of the newsletter? I’d be happy to pay for duplicating or scanning.