There is a poster or ad for the Weymouth Drive-In reproduced in the Arcadia Images of America book “Weymouth” by Sullivan & Tighe, 2001.The copy says “Elderly, invalids, fat people and tall people may enjoy the show in comfort and privacy without leaving their cars. Bring the family and even household pets if you wish!” Admission 35 cents per person, kids under 10 free, No Charge for Car". Last show at 1030PM, enter or leave any time. The authors write that it opened on May 28, 1936. There were 6 uniformed concession boys who went around to the cars with baskets of refreshments. It had electric heaters for the winter. They say that in 1965 it went from 8 acres to 22 acres when 2 screens were added. Closed in 1976. We know they added one screen, not sure about 2.
In the book “Boston Then and Now” by Peter Vanderwalker (Dover, 1982) there is a photo taken in 1925 which shows the Bowdoin Square Theatre on the left and the Palace Theatre’s marquee in the center-distance. On the next page is a similar photo taken in 1934. The Bowdoin Square Theatre is still there, but the Palace and its front building are gone.
This theater’s entrance and lobby were constructed in an existing building which dated back to at least 1860. In the book “Boston Then and Now” (Dover 1982) there are photos dating from 1860, 1925, and 1934. The theater entrance is missing from the first photo.
The only movie ads which appear in the Patriot Ledger, and then only during the second half of the week, are for the Showcase in Randolph and for Patriot Cinemas (Hanover Mall 10, Hingham Shipyard 6, and Loring Hall in Hingham). It’s a pale shadow for what the situation was like in the past.
I never heard this anecdote. It would have caused a minor sensation in the Boston Record-American; the Midtown Journal; the Police Gazette. In order to create sparks while tap-dancing Buddy Wade would have had to have been hoofing on a metal surface. Backstage at live theaters in those days there were stand-pipes and fire hoses, fire extinguishers, buckets of sand, brooms, etc. It seems rather far-fetched, although anything is possible.
Still another old Alhambra ad was reproduced in the Patriot Ledger Archives column, this one from March 7, 1936. The theater was running shows continuously to 1030PM, and opening Saturdays at 1030AM. Movies were “So Red the Rose” and “The Crime Patrol”. It says “Tonight – 50 1-lb Boxes of Howard Johnson’s Chocolates Free.” I assume that the boxes were given out to the first 50 ticket buyers.
This theater and address was not included in a list of Theatres in the 1918 edition of the Boston Register and Business Directory. So it was gone by then.
Tinsetoes' comments above about the day-and-date film policies at the “Loewsstateandorpheum” and the Paramount/Fenway theaters are 100% accurate. I was a patron at all 4 theaters circa-1950.
I’m guessing that at some point the theater was renovated and reopened as the “New Nickleodeon.” But it was an old theater which dated from late-19th Century. Please see posting above of Oct 14, 2009.
A 1918 Boston street directory lists Waldron’s Casino Theatre at 44 Hanover St. Across the street from the Casino it lists the New Nickleodeon – moving pictures and burlesque, at 51 Hanover St.
There was a vertical sign above the Washington St. entrance of the Orpheum in the 1950s, but I don’t think it was as tall as the one Mann photographed in 1931. On another matter: The Boston Public Library has an on-line video collection “Boston at the Movies”. One of the novelty films is “Boston Subway from an Electric Car”. They say it was filmed in downtown Boston in Dec. 1900, Copyrighted in Dec. 1901, first shown on Jan. 7, 1901 at the Boston Music Hall. In view of the Copyright date, I wonder if the first show was on Jan. 7, 1902?? In any event, by Jan. 1901 or 1902, the Boston Music Hall no longer existed, and had been remodeled into the Orpheum.
The 1921 Boston business directory lists the Scenic Temple at Berkeley and Warren Ave. under “theatres”. Other cinemas named “Scenic Temple” during the 1918-21 period were the Scenic Temple at 348 Meridian St. in East Boston; the Scenic Temple in the Congress Hall at 220 West Broadway in South Boston; and the Scenic Temple in Mattapan Square (Mattapan Theatre). The Rialto in Providence RI was a Scenic Temple originally; and there may have been a Scenic Temple (or just plain Scenic) in Quincy. I have heard that these movie theaters were affiliated with one another.
That’s bad news. It’s thought that it is one of the oldest purpose-built movie theaters in the US. (“purpose-built” for movies as opposed to conversion from a live theater). Someone purchased it in mid-2009 to save it, then sold it a year later to someone who was hot to re-open and operate it. I guess there were too many hurdles in the way.
In the 1918 edition of the Boston Register and Business Directory, Issue 83, under “Theatrical Supply” there is an out-of-town firm listed: O.L. Story Scenic Company Inc., 21 Tufts St. in Somerville. It seems probable that the Somerville Theatre may have been a client of this company.
I went into the building after Waterstone’s Books located in it. The theater was an “upstairs house”, with the auditorium on the second floor. I recall that the only trace that was apparent to me was the street-level foyer and staircases.
I also remember reading a long time ago that the Diplomat Hotel contained some remnant of the old Castle Square Hotel, which was part of the Castle Square Theatre building, but I don’t know how true that is.
There is a poster or ad for the Weymouth Drive-In reproduced in the Arcadia Images of America book “Weymouth” by Sullivan & Tighe, 2001.The copy says “Elderly, invalids, fat people and tall people may enjoy the show in comfort and privacy without leaving their cars. Bring the family and even household pets if you wish!” Admission 35 cents per person, kids under 10 free, No Charge for Car". Last show at 1030PM, enter or leave any time. The authors write that it opened on May 28, 1936. There were 6 uniformed concession boys who went around to the cars with baskets of refreshments. It had electric heaters for the winter. They say that in 1965 it went from 8 acres to 22 acres when 2 screens were added. Closed in 1976. We know they added one screen, not sure about 2.
In the book “Boston Then and Now” by Peter Vanderwalker (Dover, 1982) there is a photo taken in 1925 which shows the Bowdoin Square Theatre on the left and the Palace Theatre’s marquee in the center-distance. On the next page is a similar photo taken in 1934. The Bowdoin Square Theatre is still there, but the Palace and its front building are gone.
This theater’s entrance and lobby were constructed in an existing building which dated back to at least 1860. In the book “Boston Then and Now” (Dover 1982) there are photos dating from 1860, 1925, and 1934. The theater entrance is missing from the first photo.
The only movie ads which appear in the Patriot Ledger, and then only during the second half of the week, are for the Showcase in Randolph and for Patriot Cinemas (Hanover Mall 10, Hingham Shipyard 6, and Loring Hall in Hingham). It’s a pale shadow for what the situation was like in the past.
The new operators are not advertising in the Patriot Ledger; Patriot Cinemas still advertises their remaining cinemas.
If you click on “Site Map” in the website that Edward Findlay has linked to there are a large number of photos of 19th Century theaters.
I never heard this anecdote. It would have caused a minor sensation in the Boston Record-American; the Midtown Journal; the Police Gazette. In order to create sparks while tap-dancing Buddy Wade would have had to have been hoofing on a metal surface. Backstage at live theaters in those days there were stand-pipes and fire hoses, fire extinguishers, buckets of sand, brooms, etc. It seems rather far-fetched, although anything is possible.
I didn’t think to look up in the address bar for the date; the year is sufficient for me. Thanks.
CharlesBoston – this is a very nice archive, and beautifully presented. But it would be even better if there were dates on the ads and clippings.
Still another old Alhambra ad was reproduced in the Patriot Ledger Archives column, this one from March 7, 1936. The theater was running shows continuously to 1030PM, and opening Saturdays at 1030AM. Movies were “So Red the Rose” and “The Crime Patrol”. It says “Tonight – 50 1-lb Boxes of Howard Johnson’s Chocolates Free.” I assume that the boxes were given out to the first 50 ticket buyers.
This theater and address was not included in a list of Theatres in the 1918 edition of the Boston Register and Business Directory. So it was gone by then.
Tinsetoes' comments above about the day-and-date film policies at the “Loewsstateandorpheum” and the Paramount/Fenway theaters are 100% accurate. I was a patron at all 4 theaters circa-1950.
I’m guessing that at some point the theater was renovated and reopened as the “New Nickleodeon.” But it was an old theater which dated from late-19th Century. Please see posting above of Oct 14, 2009.
The old building right next to the Strand, on its left, was recently demolished. So now there is one big lot there waiting for “development”.
A 1918 Boston street directory lists Waldron’s Casino Theatre at 44 Hanover St. Across the street from the Casino it lists the New Nickleodeon – moving pictures and burlesque, at 51 Hanover St.
In the 1921 Boston street directory, there is nothing at all listed for 4255 Washington St.
There was a vertical sign above the Washington St. entrance of the Orpheum in the 1950s, but I don’t think it was as tall as the one Mann photographed in 1931. On another matter: The Boston Public Library has an on-line video collection “Boston at the Movies”. One of the novelty films is “Boston Subway from an Electric Car”. They say it was filmed in downtown Boston in Dec. 1900, Copyrighted in Dec. 1901, first shown on Jan. 7, 1901 at the Boston Music Hall. In view of the Copyright date, I wonder if the first show was on Jan. 7, 1902?? In any event, by Jan. 1901 or 1902, the Boston Music Hall no longer existed, and had been remodeled into the Orpheum.
The 1918 Boston business and street directory also lists this theater.
The 1921 Boston business directory lists the Scenic Temple at Berkeley and Warren Ave. under “theatres”. Other cinemas named “Scenic Temple” during the 1918-21 period were the Scenic Temple at 348 Meridian St. in East Boston; the Scenic Temple in the Congress Hall at 220 West Broadway in South Boston; and the Scenic Temple in Mattapan Square (Mattapan Theatre). The Rialto in Providence RI was a Scenic Temple originally; and there may have been a Scenic Temple (or just plain Scenic) in Quincy. I have heard that these movie theaters were affiliated with one another.
That’s bad news. It’s thought that it is one of the oldest purpose-built movie theaters in the US. (“purpose-built” for movies as opposed to conversion from a live theater). Someone purchased it in mid-2009 to save it, then sold it a year later to someone who was hot to re-open and operate it. I guess there were too many hurdles in the way.
In the 1918 edition of the Boston Register and Business Directory, Issue 83, under “Theatrical Supply” there is an out-of-town firm listed: O.L. Story Scenic Company Inc., 21 Tufts St. in Somerville. It seems probable that the Somerville Theatre may have been a client of this company.
I went into the building after Waterstone’s Books located in it. The theater was an “upstairs house”, with the auditorium on the second floor. I recall that the only trace that was apparent to me was the street-level foyer and staircases.
I also remember reading a long time ago that the Diplomat Hotel contained some remnant of the old Castle Square Hotel, which was part of the Castle Square Theatre building, but I don’t know how true that is.
The Strand is listed at 543 Columbia Road in the 1921 edition of the Boston Register and Bus. Directory, Issue 85.
In the 1921 edition of the Boston Register, Issue 85, this theater was listed as “Mattapan Theatre” at 512 River St.