Olympia Theatre

A CT and THSA member has sent me a clipping from a trade publication called “The Film Index” dated August 21, 1909 which includes an exterior photo. The article states that the Olympia Theatre in Lynn, Mass. has reopened after extensive renovation and enlargement. It now seats 1,500. The stage was expanded; more boxes were built on either side of the stage. A steel girder was inserted to carry the weight of the balcony, so that the support posts under the balcony could be removed. New interior paint scheme was maroon and gold. The ventilation and heating were upgraded. A sign outside says “10 Cents- with Free Seat – Your Monies' Worth”. (Some movie theaters in those days had a base admission price, but you had to pay extra for a seat.) The photo of the entrance looks nothing like the outside of the theater as it appeared in, say, the 1930s- 40s. So it would seem that the theater must have been rebuilt and greatly enlarged later.

The Olympia was opened on January 25, 1908. It was a live theatre with films at first, and also was renowned locally for its Sunday afternoon concerts at which famous classical music artistes performed. A number of stars appeared there. Later, it featured movies only. It closed on October 7, 1952 and was then demolished to provide parking for Anthony’s Hawthorne Restaurant. This info is from an article about Lynn theatres written by Elmo Benedetto and found at the Lynn public library by CT member Barry Goodkin.