According to “Rilpey’s Believe It or Not,” the only place in the world where one could find a street with four movie theaters in a row was in Lawrence, MA. Known as “Theater Row” on Broadway, there were the STRAND (built in 1917), later renamed as the ASTOR, the MODERN (1921), BROADWAY (1910) and PALACE (1921). Along with several other theaters in downtown Lawrence, these venues entertained Merrimack Valley citizens for decades. With the popularity of the suburban malls in the early 60s, the inner-city theatres went into a steady decline. By the end of the 70s, all four had been demolished, with the exception of the STRAND, which was recycled into a shopping outlet. <p> At nearby Brooks School in the 1960s and 70s, where we presented a 35mm theatrical film every Saturday night, I enjoyed hearing the many stories of Lawrence’s “Great White Way,” from the team of Union projectionists who showed our films on two DeVry arc-lamp WWII surplus projectors. Once the photo uploading capability is up and running on this site, I have a vintage photo of the PALACE to submit. Michael B. KIng
According to “Rilpey’s Believe It or Not,” the only place in the world where one could find a street with four movie theaters in a row was in Lawrence, MA. Known as “Theater Row” on Broadway, there were the STRAND (built in 1917), later renamed as the ASTOR, the MODERN (1921), BROADWAY (1910) and PALACE (1921). Along with several other theaters in downtown Lawrence, these venues entertained Merrimack Valley citizens for decades. With the popularity of the suburban malls in the early 60s, the inner-city theatres went into a steady decline. By the end of the 70s, all four had been demolished, with the exception of the STRAND, which was recycled into a shopping outlet. <p> At nearby Brooks School in the 1960s and 70s, where we presented a 35mm theatrical film every Saturday night, I enjoyed hearing the many stories of Lawrence’s “Great White Way,” from the team of Union projectionists who showed our films on two DeVry arc-lamp WWII surplus projectors. Once the photo uploading capability is up and running on this site, I have a vintage photo of the PALACE to submit. Michael B. KIng