Fine Arts Theatre
19 Summer Street,
Maynard,
MA
01754
19 Summer Street,
Maynard,
MA
01754
2 people
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This charming (and, I believe, independently owned) triplex has managed to remain in business for decades despite the competition of nearby megaplexes. The first time I visited the Fine Arts was in the 1970s when the theatre primarily exhibited foreign and independent films (I saw “Cousin Cousine” there)—-the theatre wasn’t new then, so I assume it was built by no later than the 1960’s.
The theatre now primarily shows mainstream first run fare. The main auditorium features Asian-style artwork on the walls. The other two auditoriums, which I presume were built at a later date, are small and nondescript.
Contributed by
Erik Hestnes
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Recent comments (view all 20 comments)
I remember the Fine Arts Theatre in Maynard, MA. as being another theatre that I went to a number of times back in the 1960’s, as a high school kid. It was a popular theatre, not only with Maynard residents, but with kids from Lincoln, Sudbury and some other reasonably nearby towns as well. I remember seeing a number of films there, including “Georgie Girl”, “Oliver”, “Endless Summer” and “Lion in Winter”, as well as “Easy Rider”. Again, often enough, one ran the risk of not being able to get into the movies, especially on a Friday or Saturday night if they didn’t get theire early enough to get a ticket…it was a first-come, first-served basis. Since this movie theatre was popular enough so that it drew a lot of people from Lincoln and Sudbury, MA, my friends and I would invariably meet up with other kids that we knew. What a coincidence!
btw, I recognized the Fine Arts Theatre in Maynard, MA right off of the bat. It hasn’t changed. Too bad that the proprietors of the theatre felt compelled to do up to date first-run schlock in order to stay afloat.
1983 Photo
So….the Fine Arts Theatre in Maynard, MA still looks the same! I’ll be darned!
The book Maynard, Massachusetts: A House in the Village, by Jan Voogd, says that the Fine Arts opened in 1949.
Hi, Ron. Thanks for posting the interesting preview of the book about Maynard, Ma, and for the heads-up about when the Fine Arts Theatre first opened.
An advertisement for both the Peoples and Fine Arts theatres is on page 92 of this book:
Maynard: Postcard History Series by Paul Boothroyd
The caption under the ad says: “On May 6, 1921, Peoples Theatre on Nason Street was opened with a license to show moving pictures. In June 1949, the Fine Arts Theatre, a moving picture house on Summer Street, was opened. A few years later, Peoples was closed, and the Fine Arts became the only moving picture theatre in town.”
The FIne Arts advertised itself as ‘Showing Quality American, English and Foreign Films.’ The movies advertised for the “Week of December 31” are Madeleine and Rocking Horse Winner, both ‘English Made’. Madeleine came out in 1950 so I assume this is when the ad ran. Admission was 55 cents, or 25 cents for children accompanied by adults. There are ‘Daily Broadcasts from WKOX Framingham’ but this is not otherwise explained in the ad.
Interesting info, Ron. Thanks again for the heads-up.
THEATER SEAT COUNT IS WAY OFF—I BELIEVE ITS 630
THEATER UP FOR SALE OR LEASE.
THEATER # 1 IS 405
THEATER 2 —160
THEATER 3—90