Oriental Theatre
1601 Blue Hill Avenue,
Boston,
MA
02126
1601 Blue Hill Avenue,
Boston,
MA
02126
8 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 63 comments
I was able to photograph what’s left of the theater a few years ago. Unfortunately, there isn’t much.
3 photos added. One is a lighter version of one in an embedded link.
Re. Karens Buttercup Donuts – they were the best. Try Kane’s Donuts in Saugus on the North Shore for a similar treat. Re. Stoughton – a lot of the stuff also went to the Stoughton theater.
dickneeds111 is correct-some equipment from the Oriental was removed and installed in the old Strand Theatre in Canton which was then renamed “Oriental”.When that theater closed, most of the equipment was removed to storage.
I remember the Oriental well even though I never went inside. My Father worked directly across the St. for 30 almost 30 years. He worked at Karens Buttercup Donuts and Restaurant. He made all the Donuts which were the best in all of Boston. He was there from about 1951 until it closed in the early 70’s because of financial concerns with the owners. Plus the area had really gone down hill from the middle 60’s to now. He was brassed knuckled twice that I remember when going to work at 10pm. We lived in Fields Corner so I went to the smaller Fields Corner theatre for the same entertainment. It had the same owners. I remember when it closed the moving ceiling was removed and I believe it was installed in a theatre in either Stoughton or Canton. I don’t know where it is now.
As a kid going there 1957 or so we only went there when they had special shows. Unfortunately I don’t remember just what I saw there. What I do remember is that these special shows would involve actors on the stage before, or in the middle of the program dressed up in different costumes. They would be Cowboys and Indians etc. These were always great draws. The other draw with these show were they would give away little trinkets. Can’t remember just what they were either. However I will always remember the excitement going to one of these productions. The trinkets were like something one would get in a cracker Jacks box. They would give you quite a few items.
Good content from the Dorchester Atheneum:
http://www.dorchesteratheneum.org/page.php?id=244
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.
Anyone interested in an employee reunion?
Has anyone viewing this site worked there?
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
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
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.
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!!!!
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 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.
Merrill, if it would be possible to get a copy of that photo, I would be mor ethan happy to pay for that. I own the Wurlitzer theatre organ from the Ori. Terry
That is definitely the Mattapan Oriental!
Sorry, it must have gotten lost…
View link
I have had this photo for a while and would to identify it. I believe it is the Mattapan theatre.
Thanks
What picture are you referring to????
This is a bad picture but can anyone verify if it is the Mattapan theatre?
Anyone who grew up on Callender St. close to Blue Hill Ave. in the
mid 1950’s and ‘60’s….I hope you discover this site and write
about your memories of the Oriental Theater and the good old days
living in Dorchester. It’s so great to look back on those days.
We didn’t realize just how lucky we were then!!!!
I was searching for some old pictures of the Oriental, which it seems that nobdy has, and found this site. To my surprise, one of the entries is from an old friend, from Mattapan. Rick (RHM02126). I haven’t seen him in about 20 years. Hi Rick, this is Lou M (78 Greenfield Rd). Is there anyway to get in contact with you?
I have the same memories. Grew up in Dorchester, moved to Mattapan Sq. when I was almost 18. A friend I grew up with moved to Mattapan
a year before my family. She lived right up the street from the Ori,so we spent a lot of time in that theater. Had many grilled hot dogs from Simcos. Since she lived near St.Angelas we had many occasions to talk to some of the nuns during the summer. Great memories and a great time in my life. We were so lucky to have what we had, such simple times jam packed with many fun things to do!!!
Whenever I get really fed up with the fast paced life of today I just put myself back in Mattapan walking down to the Oriental Theater envisioning the buddahs, and clouds and twinkling stars. By
doing that some of my stress melts away. I still talk to my high school friends and we always talk about the Oriental Theater and
what a wonderful time in our life those years were…….Marcy
I loved the Oriental Theater !!!! I grew up in Mattapan and lived there from 1953 thru 1975. I remember being awed by the ceiling and the budda statues with the spooky neon like glow backlighting. Loved the Sat matinees when a kid and the late show when dating….People who go to these multi screen mega plexes where you hear the movie next to you as well as your own will never see the likes of something like that again, alas never will we !!!! Great place to grow up…..I remember after getting out of work at the Cummins Pharmacy, where I was a soda jerk, and then walking down the hiway to the Theater to catch a show, then on to Brighams for an ice cream, then walk home on a nice summer nite………I live in Pa now but when I go back to the ‘hood, I always stop at Simco’s for a grilled dog, salute the nuns at St Angelas as I go by , and drive by the Oriental Theater with a big nostalgic smile on my face……Rick