Warwick Cinemas
117 Pleasant Street,
Marblehead,
MA
01945
117 Pleasant Street,
Marblehead,
MA
01945
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The Warwick Theatre opened in 1919 and was remodeled in 1949 to the plans of architect Chester Browne. This family-owned neighborhood second-run theater operated for over eight decades before suddenly and unexpectedly closing its doors in November, 1999. Its owner, Thomas McNulty, found himself increasingly unable to compete with large chains and multiplexes.
The Warwick Theatre’s last few days of operation were devoted to the Boston Jewish Film Festival. It has since been turned into a gymnastics center for the local YMCA.
Contributed by
Ron Newman
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
The Warwick was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project. There is an exterior photo dated 1941. The entrance was in the center of a one-story building with decorative elements above the marquee. The latter had “Warwick” on the front; on the side, “Two Features” was posted in white letters on a black background. There were poster cases on either side and a center boxoffice. On each side of the entrance there is a shop; the one on the left is a barber shop. The Report states that the Warwick is on Pleasant St., that it has been presenting MGM product for 15 years; that it was built about 1915, is in Fair condition, and has 643 seats, all apparently on one floor. The type of patronage is shown as “Class” (meaning “high class”). No competing theatres are listed and the 1940 population of Marblehead was 10,850.
Here are some recent photos of the Warwick Cinemas. Click each photo to expand it.
Does the YMCA still actively use this building today?
Yes, but they are actively raising funds to build a new facility on Leggs Hill Road.
A Robert-Morton theater organ size 2/4 style 75 was installed in the Warwick Theater in 1920.
The Warwick Theatre was remodeled in 1949, as reported in Boxoffice, March 5. Chester Browne of W. Chester Browne Associates was the architect for the project. Robert McNulty was the owner/operator of the house.
The Warwick Theater is listed in 1955 with 700 seats.
The Warwick is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook with 650 seats and open 6 days/week.
Is the YMCA still using this building? If not, what is there now?
This from today’s Marblehead Reporter:
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and the Salem News:
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