That’s my 1966 Mustang, parked there around 1977, my first stint at the theatre. You’ll notice there were 3 screens at the time. The theatre on the far left of the lobby was split sometime after that.
My Chief of staff, Bud, sitting on the left side. Wish I could remember the others, but the picture was taken 40 years ago! Time flies, those years I Managed Braintree, first from Nov 1975 until September 1977 and again from 1983 until 1986, were some of the “most fun” years of my 32 year career with General Cinema.
The theatre division building was moved across the street to 1280 Boylston St. The Flutie Pass address was the new location for the Framingham GCC when Shoppers World closed. The new location bordered Natick, which was Doug Flutie’s hometown. Doug was honored and made a speech at the grand reopening. There were a couple of Film buyer offices in the back of that new Framingham theatre, which is now an AMC.
Stan may be wrong about an error in showtimes, as they may have had a second print used the 2nd auditorium for an additional show, at a better time. (the other feature only being shown one time, that is.) That was a frequent occurrence at Chestnut Hill, thus the way we got such great grosses with the small seating capacity.
Ron, I think that’s because Concord St (main thoroughfare downtown) was to the right about a block, and to the left down Kendall St. there are only some houses. Funny how it only took me 2 years to notice the comment. Time flies.
You have a good memory! I had photos of the addition of Cinema III and IV being constructed in 1974, but don’t remember exactly when the split of I occurred. I remember the Sensurround being constructed (large plywood panels in the corners of the large auditorium.)
The split of Cinema I didn’t happen until about 1974, so it probably wasn’t the first split house either.
However, I’d suggest that the addition of Cinema II in 1963, could be called a new design with a changed configuration to the lobby as well as a completely new auditorium to the north side of the original building.
Love the name reminiscences from the past, Lenny Mays, Vic Gattuso, Larry Bello, Bob Klass, Ed Dineen, this is vintage GCC History. Whenever there was a Regional Meeting, those guys were there!
I took the picture of the screen in 1979, just after the Drive In closed,and was about to be torn down. The other photo I took and uploaded, was the view of the front. Taken the same day, you can see my 1966 Ford Mustang convertible parked in front.
This is a huge upgrade, and I’m sure everyone is excited about uploading their photos, as I am. I would like to be able to go back and edit my comments, if necessary, and also, be able to know when anyone responds to a comment I may make. But if that’s not possible, it’s OK.
Who knew about asbestos dangers back in the fifties? The Kent micronite filter had it! My description of the panels was based on what we could see when damage occurred, either a delivery truck backing into an area, or kids vandalism while leaving down the balcony exit ways.
This is a huge accomplishment, and great thanks go to all the folks out there who continue to find great photos and information to keep us all interested in a great business.
The sign actually says Thick Frappes. Those are like milk shakes. The sign is clearer in Boxoffice Magazine of Oct 4, 1952, link above. You have to go back to page 121.
If you check back in that issue, there’s also a nice article about the Cinema sign on the building, as well as a picture of the sign for Richard’s Drive In Restaurant, which was in Cambridge somewhere. Richard’s was Richard Smith’s restaurant venture. To Dave-Bronx, I don’t know about the use of Cambridge Seven, but the time frame sounds right. I wonder if Paul Delrossi has an answer?
Hey, it’s been a long time since anyone posted anything here! I think I should turn the replies notification back on.
Yes, the photos look like they came from an Annual Report.
It was a very informative presentation. I liked the mention about how theaters began hiring High School kids, in order to save money. I began working as an usher myself, in 1966, for $1 per hour. In Massachusetts, theaters were allowed to pay “sub-minimum wage” at the time. The real minimum wage was $1.25.
Dean, your Father was a General Cinema legend. Not only did he invent the “Lotta Lemon”, he was also the originator of the “Straw Vote” which predicted every Presidential election from 1972 until the Company declared bankruptcy. It was a great run while it lasted.
(I remember you coming to the movies with your Dad back in the ‘70s.)
Great pictures, I hope the theatre is saved by the town.
Hope everyone enjoys my photoshop of the Hollis, as it might have looked in modern times, had it not been closed as a theatre in 1955.
That’s my 1966 Mustang, parked there around 1977, my first stint at the theatre. You’ll notice there were 3 screens at the time. The theatre on the far left of the lobby was split sometime after that.
My Chief of staff, Bud, sitting on the left side. Wish I could remember the others, but the picture was taken 40 years ago! Time flies, those years I Managed Braintree, first from Nov 1975 until September 1977 and again from 1983 until 1986, were some of the “most fun” years of my 32 year career with General Cinema.
The theatre division building was moved across the street to 1280 Boylston St. The Flutie Pass address was the new location for the Framingham GCC when Shoppers World closed. The new location bordered Natick, which was Doug Flutie’s hometown. Doug was honored and made a speech at the grand reopening. There were a couple of Film buyer offices in the back of that new Framingham theatre, which is now an AMC. Stan may be wrong about an error in showtimes, as they may have had a second print used the 2nd auditorium for an additional show, at a better time. (the other feature only being shown one time, that is.) That was a frequent occurrence at Chestnut Hill, thus the way we got such great grosses with the small seating capacity.
Ron, I think that’s because Concord St (main thoroughfare downtown) was to the right about a block, and to the left down Kendall St. there are only some houses. Funny how it only took me 2 years to notice the comment. Time flies.
From a quick drive-by, I’d guess June…?
You have a good memory! I had photos of the addition of Cinema III and IV being constructed in 1974, but don’t remember exactly when the split of I occurred. I remember the Sensurround being constructed (large plywood panels in the corners of the large auditorium.)
The split of Cinema I didn’t happen until about 1974, so it probably wasn’t the first split house either. However, I’d suggest that the addition of Cinema II in 1963, could be called a new design with a changed configuration to the lobby as well as a completely new auditorium to the north side of the original building.
Theatre District, with Loews State and the Joy on the left in this photo, and the Saenger on the right.
What was the last name?
Actually, I took this photo after GCC went bankrupt and the building was being used by Garber Travel. It’s now a Container Store.
Love the name reminiscences from the past, Lenny Mays, Vic Gattuso, Larry Bello, Bob Klass, Ed Dineen, this is vintage GCC History. Whenever there was a Regional Meeting, those guys were there!
A Sanborn map from 1922 lists 850 seats with 2 balconys. The building was modernized in 1948.
I took the picture of the screen in 1979, just after the Drive In closed,and was about to be torn down. The other photo I took and uploaded, was the view of the front. Taken the same day, you can see my 1966 Ford Mustang convertible parked in front.
This is a huge upgrade, and I’m sure everyone is excited about uploading their photos, as I am. I would like to be able to go back and edit my comments, if necessary, and also, be able to know when anyone responds to a comment I may make. But if that’s not possible, it’s OK.
There was a great tour of the theatre conducted yesterday, here’s a link to a video of the Wurlitzer organ.
View link
Who knew about asbestos dangers back in the fifties? The Kent micronite filter had it! My description of the panels was based on what we could see when damage occurred, either a delivery truck backing into an area, or kids vandalism while leaving down the balcony exit ways.
This is a huge accomplishment, and great thanks go to all the folks out there who continue to find great photos and information to keep us all interested in a great business.
The sign actually says Thick Frappes. Those are like milk shakes. The sign is clearer in Boxoffice Magazine of Oct 4, 1952, link above. You have to go back to page 121.
If you check back in that issue, there’s also a nice article about the Cinema sign on the building, as well as a picture of the sign for Richard’s Drive In Restaurant, which was in Cambridge somewhere. Richard’s was Richard Smith’s restaurant venture. To Dave-Bronx, I don’t know about the use of Cambridge Seven, but the time frame sounds right. I wonder if Paul Delrossi has an answer?
Hey, it’s been a long time since anyone posted anything here! I think I should turn the replies notification back on.
Yes, the photos look like they came from an Annual Report.
It was a very informative presentation. I liked the mention about how theaters began hiring High School kids, in order to save money. I began working as an usher myself, in 1966, for $1 per hour. In Massachusetts, theaters were allowed to pay “sub-minimum wage” at the time. The real minimum wage was $1.25.
Dean, your Father was a General Cinema legend. Not only did he invent the “Lotta Lemon”, he was also the originator of the “Straw Vote” which predicted every Presidential election from 1972 until the Company declared bankruptcy. It was a great run while it lasted.
(I remember you coming to the movies with your Dad back in the ‘70s.)
I guess the Sundance idea fell through again. What happened this time?