Winchester Theatre
661 Main Street,
Winchester,
MA
01801
661 Main Street,
Winchester,
MA
01801
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: E.M. Loew's Theaters Inc.
Styles: Colonial Revival
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The E. M. Loew’s Winchester Theatre was a second run movie theatre in this town northwest of Boston. It was opened by 1939 and was still open in 1957. It was demolished in the mid-1980’s.
Contributed by
Gerald A. DeLuca
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The building was torn down in the mid ‘80’s, I believe, and was replaced by the headquarters of the Winchester Savings Bank. Toward the end of its life it was used in a “Jean Shepherd” made-for-TV movie (of Ralphie, Flick, Schwartz, and Randy fame) called “Phantom of the Open Hearth”. In the movie, it was called the “Orpheum”, and was the site of a toungue-in-cheek “Gravy Boat Riot”.
I recall that movie and got a laugh out of that sequence. It brought back memories of ‘dish nights’ at one of the local theaters. I wish they’d show it again in lieu of “A Christmas Story' which lately has been run into the ground on a number of tv channels. Shepherd’s other opus of summer vacation at ‘Ollie Hopnoodles Haven of Bliss’ is also seldom aired. I’ve never quite figured out the exact time frame that these stories took place, but I’m thinking it must have been pre WWII and in an era when many movie palaces still existed.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Winchester Theatre on Main St. has a exterior photo taken in May 1941. The attraction is “Strawberry Blonde”. There is a rectangular marquee with “Winchester” in the front center with E.M. Loew logos on each side of the name, plus one line for attractions below. The sides of the marquee have the name above and 3 lines below. The boxoffice is situated below the marquee, centered in the entrance. The facade is fancy brick. The Report states that the theatre has been a MGM customer for 3 years, that it was built in 1938, that it’s in Good condition, and has 874 seats, apparently all on one floor.
I have created a video using Blender of my childhood memories of this theatre. This is an animated tour of the theatre’s lobby and auditorium.
https://vimeo.com/706616269