Oriental Theatre
1601 Blue Hill Avenue,
Mattapan,
MA
02126
1601 Blue Hill Avenue,
Mattapan,
MA
02126
4 people
favorited this theater
Originally the Oriental Theatre was going to built in Waltham, but ended up in Boston’s Mattapan district/neighborhood. This theatre in the heart of Mattapan Square is still standing although used as a electrical supply house.
This ornate theatre was a showplace at the time with twinkling stars and moving clouds. It opened in 1929 and was designed by the Boston based architectural firm Krokyn, Browne & Rosenstein. The Chinese themed interior re-created such notable Chinese structures as the Street Gate of Tsinanfu and the facade of the Wan Shou Tsu Temple. Seating was on a stadium plan, with a raised section at the rear instead of an overhanging balcony.
Originally, part of Jacob Lourie’s and Sam Pinanski’s NETOCO, then Paramount-Publix and M & P closing as one of the last of the old American Theatres Corp. (ATC). The Oriental Theatre closed in 1971 with the James Bond movie “Diamonds Are Forever”
Contributed by
John Toto, Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 59 comments)
I compared the photo which Merrill Bancroft posted above with the rather poor photo (xerox copy) on the MGM Report and they are the same theatre. The MGM photo was taken head-on from across the street in May 1941.
Terry:
The picture is MUCH better than the photobucket shot indicates. I have framed it up and it is very nice and shows detail well. It is sort of a brownish black and white photo from possibly a publicity photo from the opening or 1930. “Min and Bill” and “Along Came Youth” is on the marque. It measures 14 ½" x 10 ½". I will do everything I can to see that you get a good copy. I bought this at a flea market not knowing what it was. Nice that you have the organ. Merrill
I have had that picture for a while now. That picture was and maybe still is posted on the internet and it’s even clearer than that so you can make out what movie is playing on the marquee!! Aren’t you nice to take the time to post it. I appreicate that! I spent a lot of time in that theater when I was very young, through my teens and later on a few dates!! Now…..if anyone has the good fortune to have any interior pictures of that theater that would be awesome. I can picture in my mind the red lacquered elaborate benches and the
fancy ladies room and the ornate carpet etc. Those wonderful
memories will stay with me forever!!!!
View link
hello……….if this link does not work, type in “Mattapan Reporter, Oriental Theater in Google, should get you to a great old shot of the Oriental.
by the way if anyone has any old Mattapan Square pics or any Delaney Chevrolet,Mattapan pics I would love to see them……….thanks
wwm
I just want to say “Thank You!” to all who have shared photos here. Each one gave me a small rush as I viewed them.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
Has anyone viewing this site worked there?
Anyone interested in an employee reunion?
Terry Hochmuth, do you have any pictures of the Wurlitzer Organ? I had lived behind the Oriental on Rexford St until 1985. I am an organist myself and am curious about the organ that was there. I was still a young kid when the theatre closed.
Good content from the Dorchester Atheneum:
http://www.dorchesteratheneum.org/page.php?id=244