Strand Theatre

JohnnyC- Yes, I know about the Cinema Data Project. It has extensive lists of theaters in Maine, NH and VT. I have gleaned a great deal of info, mostly accurate, from it. Thanks.

JohnnyC- thanks for the info. Found it. It was never called the “Rumford Opera House”, but was called either Cheney Opera House or just plain “Opera House”. Had stage shows at first, then movies. It made it into the 1946 FDY which implies that it was still open then.

Rob- Yes, I know that the 2 theaters do not have pages here in CT. I learned that the name was “Acadia”, not “Arcadia” and that it still exists as a fraternal hall. I don’t know anything about the Rumford O.H. – yet!

The Theatre Historical Society on-line archive has the MGM Theatre Report for the Strand; it’s Card # 440. Address is “Main St.” There is an exterior photo dated May 1941. Condition is Fair. The report says it’s over 15 years old, was showing MGM films, and had 812 seats. Competing theaters were the Arcadia and the Opera House. 1940 population was 10,200. But no MGM reports were made for the Arcadia and the Opera House.

In the “Theatre Circuits” list in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Strand in Rumford is listed in 2 places. It’s listed as part of the Maine & New Hampshire Theatres Co., 260 Tremont St. in Boston. George W. Lane was Pres. and JJ Ford was Gen. Mgr. It’s also listed under Paramount Theatres, unit 30, John Ford.