There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Modern Theatre in Harwichport. It has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The building was one story high, with a second floor set back from the first. In the center was an entrance with a small covered porch which was one or two steps up from the sidewalk. Under the porch were 3 sets of double doors. Above the porch roof was a vertical blade sign. There was no marquee, but there was a poster case on each side of the porch. The Report says that the Modern is on Main St., that there are no competing theatres in town; that the Modern has been showing MGM films for over 10 years, and is over 15 years old (this conflicts with the 1936 date above); is in Fair condition, and has 558 seats. The 1940 population of Harwichport was 2,500.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Community Theatre in North Attleboro has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The entrance was in the center of a 2-story business block. There was a rectangular marquee with “ComMUnity” in big letters on the front, and what appears to be a vertical blade sign above. There was a center boxoffice under the marquee. To the left was Community Clothing store. The Report says that the theatre is on “South Washington Street” (incorrect), that the competing theatres are the Union and the Bates; that the Community has been showing MGM product for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 1,398 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Lexington Theatre with an exterior photo dated 1941. The building is most definitely the same structure as shown in the color photo above posted by Lost on Oct. 1, 2006. In 1941, the theatre had a small vertical blade sign above the entrance. Above the doors was a flat panel on which attractions were posted. The blade sign says “Viano’s Lexington” which means that it was run by the Vianno family who controlled the Somerville Theatre and others at that time. The Report says that the Lexington Theatre is on Mass. Ave. in Lexington, that there are no competing theatres there; that the theatre has been a MGM customer for 10 years; that it was built about 1915 and is in Good condition; and has 330 seats on the main floor and 120 balcony seats, total: 450 seats.
To Sam S and anyone else- There are now “pages” here in Cinema Treasures for the other two theatres in Everett, the Capitol and the Rialto. Please post any comments you care to make on those two pages; there is almost nothing posted there so far. Thanks.
On my copy of the 1941 MGM Report for the Old South Theatre, the late theatre historian Don King wrote “ (I) went here once— weird layout.” I don’t know what he meant by that; I should have asked him to explain, but didn’t.
Correction to the above: it was, of course, the Capitol which was listed as part of Warner Bros. circuit in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac (not “Annual”).
Thanks to James J. Fisher for his posting above with the name of the architect and the date of the opening, as well as original seating figures. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac the Norwood Theatre, along with the Guild, are both listed under the George A. Giles Company of Cambridge. Giles also ran the Uptown in Boston and the St. George and the Gorman in Framingham, among others. For some reason, when the MGM Theatre Report project was underway in 1941, they skipped the Norwood and the Guild theatres in Norwood.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Southern Theatre in Norwood. It has an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre was a free-standing structure at least 2 stories high. It appears to be of brick construction, although it may be that cheap faux-brick tarpaper which was so common in that era. The facade must have been south-facing, because the 4 second-floor windows all have awnings. There is a triangular marquee with a James Cagney movie posted. Under the marquee are a pair of French-style double doors. There are big poster cases on each side of the doors. The Report states that the Southern had been a MGM customer for “over 10 years”, but then says that it was built “in 1936”, only 5 years earlier. It’s in Good condition, and someone scrawled what looks like the word “renovated” on the Report. It has 384 seats, but someone crossed that out and wrote in “474”. I don’t know why it was called the “Southern” Theatre. Was it in the south part of Norwood, or maybe run by someone whose last name was Southern ??
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Rialto in Everett has an exterior photo dated March 1941. The theatre had an impressive brick wall, 2-plus stories high with 5 bays seperated by pilasters, each bay having a tall arched window. The entrance was at the left end. There was a rectangular marquee with vertical blade sign above. In the photo, there is a huge crowd of people, mostly women. I assume they are waiting to buy tickets for a matinee. The Report states that the Rialto has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was built about 1920, is in Fair condition, and has 674 seats. It’s listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of Charles Morse theatres of Boston.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Capitol in Everett has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had an entrance in a one-story building. There was a rectangular marquee with “Capitol” in big letters on its front. Above, sticking up in the sky was a big vertical blade sign. On each side of the entrance was a narrow poster case, and there was a center boxoffice. The Report states that the Capitol had been showing MGM films for over 10 years, that it was over 15 years old and in Good condition, and had 1432 orchestra seats and 523 balcony seats, total: 1,955 seats. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Annual, the Rialto in Everett is listed as being part of the Warner Brothers circuit. Theatre historian Don King wrote on the MGM Report that he believed that the Capitol had been built by Mark of the Strand Theatre in New York, and that he thought that the theatre survived for awhile as a church.Can anyone confirm ?
The State Theatre in East Milton is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of M&P Theatres (Mullins & Pinanski, a Paramount affiliate). Alvan- do you know what happened to the organ after it was removed from the Needham theatre? I didn’t realize that these huge, complicated instruments could be had for so little money back then – no wonder some collectors owned 5 or 6 of them at a time.
The Regent in Norfolk Downs (Quincy) is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of M&P Theatres (Mullins & Pinanski), a Paramount affiliate.
It was indeed run by Interstate Theatre Corp. of Boston and is listed under their management in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac. Its name at that time was State Theatre. I recall that some time in the early or mid-1980s, the noted actor James Whittemore appeared on stage in a play at the Stoughton Theatre. I think it was a one or two week engagement and the play ran in Stoughton instead of at a theatre in Boston.
The Warren Theatre was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project. There is an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre was located on the east side of Warren Street a short distance south of the Dudley elevated railway terminal. It was at an intersection of a side street; its entrance was at the corner and the left side of the building ran along the side street. The theatre was one story high, and above the corner entrance was a big half-round dome. In the photo there appears to be an elevated stage house to the rear, but that may merely be the adjoining building back there. The Report states that the Warren had been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 1,328 seats, all on one floor. It was,like many of the Roxbury movie theatres, a part of M&P Theatres. In the spring of 1968, while riding the bus between the Fields Corner and the Dudley MBTA stations, I saw the Warren Theatre. It appeared to be in good shape on the outside and perhaps only recently closed.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Roxbury Theatre has 2 exterior photos. The first is dated 1941 and shows a small rectangular marquee with the name “Roxbury” on the front. There are cloth banners hanging from the marquee, but I can’t read what’s on them. There are poster cases on either side of the entrance. The second photo is undated but judging from the cars in the scene, it probably dates from late-1940s or circa-1950. There is a much larger marquee, with 3 sides, spanning the entire width of the theatre. It has the name “Roxbury” in huge neon letters on the front panel. Movies posted are “It Happens Every Spring” and “Guns and Guitars”. The bottom edge of the elevated railway structure shows clearly at the top of the photo. The Report states that the Roxbury had been showing MGM films for 15 years; that it was built about 1910, was in Poor condition, and had 525 seats on the main floor and 125 in the balcony, total: 650 seats. It’s listed under Charles Morse theatres in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac. I saw this theatre many times while riding the old Orange Line in the period 1968-1975. It was closed and the marquee had been removed, but it was not in bad shape outside. It was brick and had an elevated stage house to the rear. It was on the east side of Washington Street a short distance to the north of Dudley MBTA “el” station.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Roxie has 2 photos of the exterior. One is dated May 1941 when the house was named Shawmut Theatre. The entrance was in a head-house which was 3 stories high and had a pitched roof. The head-house was in the middle of a 1-story commercial block. There was a rectangular marquee with the letter “S” set in a crest in the center. Above the marquee was a large vertical sign reading “Shawmut”. Movies posted are “Western Union” and “Honeymoon for 3”. There was a huge poster case on each side of the entrance. The Report states that the Shawmut had been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was over 15 years old; was in Poor condition, and had 1401 seats on the main floor and 730 balcony seats, total: 2,131 seats. Someone crossed out the typed name “Shawmut” and wrote in “Roxie”. The second photo is undated, but cars in the photo hint at a date circa-1950. There is a new triangular marquee with “Roxie” in script letters at its top. The huge vertical blade sign is gone. The red-brick facade of the head-house appears to have been painted white or some light color. The theatre is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as the Shawmut and under control of M&P Theatres.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Rivoli Theatre has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The entrance is partially obscured in the photo by the elevated railway structure (which later became the Orange Line and which ran over a portion of Dudley Street just south of the terminal building.) There is a modern triangular marquee with “Rivoli” in big letters at the top. Movies posted are “Philadelphia Story” with James Stewart and “Flight from Destiny”. The entrance is in a building which appears to be 2 stories high. The Report states that the Rivoli has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old, in Fair condition and has 800 seats on the main floor and 745 in the balcony, total: 1,545 seats. The Rivoli is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as part of M&P Theatres.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Ideal Theatre has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had a fancy 2-story facade. The entrance was at the center with a small marquee and a vertical blade sign above 2 or 3 sets of double doors. There was a narrow arch over the marquee and a rounded parapet above. The Report states that the Ideal is not a MGM customer, that it’s over 15 years old and in Poor condition, and has 570 seats. The Ideal is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 600 seats and open 7 days per week. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Ideal is listed as part of the E.M. Loew theatre circuit; just about the only theatre in “The Bury” which was not run by M&P Theatres.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Humboldt Theatre has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre entrance was at the right end of a 2-story commercial building. There was a modern triangular marquee with an arch above. Attractions are Gary Cooper in “Lives of a Bengal Lancer” plus “Meet the Chump”. The Report states that the Humboldt is at 147 Humboldt Ave. in Roxbury, that it has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; is over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 800 seats on the main floor and 500 balcony seats, total: 1,300 seats. It’s listed as a “Neighborhood” theatre.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Liberty Theatre has an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre entrance was at the left end of a 1 ½ story commercial block. The theatre had a fancy facade with an arched window above and a pointed parapet above that. There was a triangular marquee and a single poster case on each side of the entrance doors. To the left of the theatre was a 3-story brick apartment building. Next to it on the right was a store with “Franklin Park” in its name, possibly “Franklin Park Pharmacy” or “Franklin Park Photography”. The Report states that the Liberty is on Blue Hill Avenue (But unfortunately does not give the street number), that it has been playing MGM films for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Poor condition, and has 898 seats. In the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook, the Liberty is listed as having 700 seats and being open 7 days per week. The theatre was part of the M&P Theatres circuit at one time.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Hamilton Theatre with an exterior photo dated March 1941. The theatre had a narrow entrance in the middle of a commercial block at least 2 stories high. The entrance appears to have one double door and above it is a small balcony with a wrought-iron fancy railing. Two old globe lamps hang from the balcony soffit. On either side are huge half-round poster boards. There was no marquee. To the right of the theatre was the Hamilton Spa (“Spa” was an old Boston-area expression meaning Variety Store, or Convenience Store). Lounging in front of the theatre are several male youths who look like they are on their way to a casting call for a Bowery Boys/ Dead End Kids movie. The Report says that the Hamilton has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 476 seats on the main floor and 147 in the balcony, total: 623 seats. The Hamilton is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 700 seats and being open 7 days per week.
I worked on the land-takings for the Southwest Expressway project circa 1968-70, and there were no active theatres in it, but many old buildings, and this could have been one of them. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Criterion has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had an impressive brick facade with 4 fluted pilasters across the front. There was a rectangular marquee with “Criterion” in big letters on the front, and a vertical blade sign above. Next to the theatre on the right appears to be a F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 store. The Report states that the Criterion has been playing MGM product for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Poor condition. It had 495 seats on the main floor and 254 in the balcony, total: 749 seats. In the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook, the Criterion is listed as having 800 seats and being open 7 days per week. The Criterion is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of M&P Theatres.
The Adams in Dorchester was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project, but no one filled out the form. There is an undated photo of the exterior. Judging from an old 1920s car in the photo, it may have been taken in 1941 when most of the other photos in the project were made. Attractions on the marquee are: “Pursued”, “Susie Steps Out”, and coming next “Trail Street”. Do those 3 movies date from 1941? The entrance was in the center, with commercial space on either side. The building was one story high, but the facade had a false front which extended upward. There was a triangular marquee. The Adams sat on the west side of Adams Street a short distance to the north of the intersection with Gallivan Boulevard. Many times in the 1960s, when driving north in the early evening on Granite Avenue from East Milton and stopping at the traffic lights at Gallivan Blvd, I could see the Adams Theatre straight ahead across the intersection. The cheerful pink and white marquee was very inviting, but I never went into it. I believe that it was constructed in the late-1930s and had about 900 – 1000 seats, all on one floor.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Modern Theatre in Harwichport. It has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The building was one story high, with a second floor set back from the first. In the center was an entrance with a small covered porch which was one or two steps up from the sidewalk. Under the porch were 3 sets of double doors. Above the porch roof was a vertical blade sign. There was no marquee, but there was a poster case on each side of the porch. The Report says that the Modern is on Main St., that there are no competing theatres in town; that the Modern has been showing MGM films for over 10 years, and is over 15 years old (this conflicts with the 1936 date above); is in Fair condition, and has 558 seats. The 1940 population of Harwichport was 2,500.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Community Theatre in North Attleboro has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The entrance was in the center of a 2-story business block. There was a rectangular marquee with “ComMUnity” in big letters on the front, and what appears to be a vertical blade sign above. There was a center boxoffice under the marquee. To the left was Community Clothing store. The Report says that the theatre is on “South Washington Street” (incorrect), that the competing theatres are the Union and the Bates; that the Community has been showing MGM product for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 1,398 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Lexington Theatre with an exterior photo dated 1941. The building is most definitely the same structure as shown in the color photo above posted by Lost on Oct. 1, 2006. In 1941, the theatre had a small vertical blade sign above the entrance. Above the doors was a flat panel on which attractions were posted. The blade sign says “Viano’s Lexington” which means that it was run by the Vianno family who controlled the Somerville Theatre and others at that time. The Report says that the Lexington Theatre is on Mass. Ave. in Lexington, that there are no competing theatres there; that the theatre has been a MGM customer for 10 years; that it was built about 1915 and is in Good condition; and has 330 seats on the main floor and 120 balcony seats, total: 450 seats.
To Sam S and anyone else- There are now “pages” here in Cinema Treasures for the other two theatres in Everett, the Capitol and the Rialto. Please post any comments you care to make on those two pages; there is almost nothing posted there so far. Thanks.
On my copy of the 1941 MGM Report for the Old South Theatre, the late theatre historian Don King wrote “ (I) went here once— weird layout.” I don’t know what he meant by that; I should have asked him to explain, but didn’t.
Correction to the above: the second photo on the MGM Report is dated “July 1950”.
Correction to the above: it was, of course, the Capitol which was listed as part of Warner Bros. circuit in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac (not “Annual”).
Thanks to James J. Fisher for his posting above with the name of the architect and the date of the opening, as well as original seating figures. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac the Norwood Theatre, along with the Guild, are both listed under the George A. Giles Company of Cambridge. Giles also ran the Uptown in Boston and the St. George and the Gorman in Framingham, among others. For some reason, when the MGM Theatre Report project was underway in 1941, they skipped the Norwood and the Guild theatres in Norwood.
Yes, they produce shows on stage 3 or 4 times per year, especially during the Christmas season, and each show runs for a few performances.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Southern Theatre in Norwood. It has an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre was a free-standing structure at least 2 stories high. It appears to be of brick construction, although it may be that cheap faux-brick tarpaper which was so common in that era. The facade must have been south-facing, because the 4 second-floor windows all have awnings. There is a triangular marquee with a James Cagney movie posted. Under the marquee are a pair of French-style double doors. There are big poster cases on each side of the doors. The Report states that the Southern had been a MGM customer for “over 10 years”, but then says that it was built “in 1936”, only 5 years earlier. It’s in Good condition, and someone scrawled what looks like the word “renovated” on the Report. It has 384 seats, but someone crossed that out and wrote in “474”. I don’t know why it was called the “Southern” Theatre. Was it in the south part of Norwood, or maybe run by someone whose last name was Southern ??
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Rialto in Everett has an exterior photo dated March 1941. The theatre had an impressive brick wall, 2-plus stories high with 5 bays seperated by pilasters, each bay having a tall arched window. The entrance was at the left end. There was a rectangular marquee with vertical blade sign above. In the photo, there is a huge crowd of people, mostly women. I assume they are waiting to buy tickets for a matinee. The Report states that the Rialto has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was built about 1920, is in Fair condition, and has 674 seats. It’s listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of Charles Morse theatres of Boston.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Capitol in Everett has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had an entrance in a one-story building. There was a rectangular marquee with “Capitol” in big letters on its front. Above, sticking up in the sky was a big vertical blade sign. On each side of the entrance was a narrow poster case, and there was a center boxoffice. The Report states that the Capitol had been showing MGM films for over 10 years, that it was over 15 years old and in Good condition, and had 1432 orchestra seats and 523 balcony seats, total: 1,955 seats. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Annual, the Rialto in Everett is listed as being part of the Warner Brothers circuit. Theatre historian Don King wrote on the MGM Report that he believed that the Capitol had been built by Mark of the Strand Theatre in New York, and that he thought that the theatre survived for awhile as a church.Can anyone confirm ?
The State Theatre in East Milton is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of M&P Theatres (Mullins & Pinanski, a Paramount affiliate). Alvan- do you know what happened to the organ after it was removed from the Needham theatre? I didn’t realize that these huge, complicated instruments could be had for so little money back then – no wonder some collectors owned 5 or 6 of them at a time.
The Regent in Norfolk Downs (Quincy) is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of M&P Theatres (Mullins & Pinanski), a Paramount affiliate.
It was indeed run by Interstate Theatre Corp. of Boston and is listed under their management in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac. Its name at that time was State Theatre. I recall that some time in the early or mid-1980s, the noted actor James Whittemore appeared on stage in a play at the Stoughton Theatre. I think it was a one or two week engagement and the play ran in Stoughton instead of at a theatre in Boston.
The Warren Theatre was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project. There is an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre was located on the east side of Warren Street a short distance south of the Dudley elevated railway terminal. It was at an intersection of a side street; its entrance was at the corner and the left side of the building ran along the side street. The theatre was one story high, and above the corner entrance was a big half-round dome. In the photo there appears to be an elevated stage house to the rear, but that may merely be the adjoining building back there. The Report states that the Warren had been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 1,328 seats, all on one floor. It was,like many of the Roxbury movie theatres, a part of M&P Theatres. In the spring of 1968, while riding the bus between the Fields Corner and the Dudley MBTA stations, I saw the Warren Theatre. It appeared to be in good shape on the outside and perhaps only recently closed.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Roxbury Theatre has 2 exterior photos. The first is dated 1941 and shows a small rectangular marquee with the name “Roxbury” on the front. There are cloth banners hanging from the marquee, but I can’t read what’s on them. There are poster cases on either side of the entrance. The second photo is undated but judging from the cars in the scene, it probably dates from late-1940s or circa-1950. There is a much larger marquee, with 3 sides, spanning the entire width of the theatre. It has the name “Roxbury” in huge neon letters on the front panel. Movies posted are “It Happens Every Spring” and “Guns and Guitars”. The bottom edge of the elevated railway structure shows clearly at the top of the photo. The Report states that the Roxbury had been showing MGM films for 15 years; that it was built about 1910, was in Poor condition, and had 525 seats on the main floor and 125 in the balcony, total: 650 seats. It’s listed under Charles Morse theatres in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac. I saw this theatre many times while riding the old Orange Line in the period 1968-1975. It was closed and the marquee had been removed, but it was not in bad shape outside. It was brick and had an elevated stage house to the rear. It was on the east side of Washington Street a short distance to the north of Dudley MBTA “el” station.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Roxie has 2 photos of the exterior. One is dated May 1941 when the house was named Shawmut Theatre. The entrance was in a head-house which was 3 stories high and had a pitched roof. The head-house was in the middle of a 1-story commercial block. There was a rectangular marquee with the letter “S” set in a crest in the center. Above the marquee was a large vertical sign reading “Shawmut”. Movies posted are “Western Union” and “Honeymoon for 3”. There was a huge poster case on each side of the entrance. The Report states that the Shawmut had been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was over 15 years old; was in Poor condition, and had 1401 seats on the main floor and 730 balcony seats, total: 2,131 seats. Someone crossed out the typed name “Shawmut” and wrote in “Roxie”. The second photo is undated, but cars in the photo hint at a date circa-1950. There is a new triangular marquee with “Roxie” in script letters at its top. The huge vertical blade sign is gone. The red-brick facade of the head-house appears to have been painted white or some light color. The theatre is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as the Shawmut and under control of M&P Theatres.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Rivoli Theatre has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The entrance is partially obscured in the photo by the elevated railway structure (which later became the Orange Line and which ran over a portion of Dudley Street just south of the terminal building.) There is a modern triangular marquee with “Rivoli” in big letters at the top. Movies posted are “Philadelphia Story” with James Stewart and “Flight from Destiny”. The entrance is in a building which appears to be 2 stories high. The Report states that the Rivoli has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old, in Fair condition and has 800 seats on the main floor and 745 in the balcony, total: 1,545 seats. The Rivoli is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as part of M&P Theatres.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Ideal Theatre has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had a fancy 2-story facade. The entrance was at the center with a small marquee and a vertical blade sign above 2 or 3 sets of double doors. There was a narrow arch over the marquee and a rounded parapet above. The Report states that the Ideal is not a MGM customer, that it’s over 15 years old and in Poor condition, and has 570 seats. The Ideal is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 600 seats and open 7 days per week. In the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac, the Ideal is listed as part of the E.M. Loew theatre circuit; just about the only theatre in “The Bury” which was not run by M&P Theatres.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Humboldt Theatre has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre entrance was at the right end of a 2-story commercial building. There was a modern triangular marquee with an arch above. Attractions are Gary Cooper in “Lives of a Bengal Lancer” plus “Meet the Chump”. The Report states that the Humboldt is at 147 Humboldt Ave. in Roxbury, that it has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; is over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 800 seats on the main floor and 500 balcony seats, total: 1,300 seats. It’s listed as a “Neighborhood” theatre.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Liberty Theatre has an exterior photo dated April 1941. The theatre entrance was at the left end of a 1 ½ story commercial block. The theatre had a fancy facade with an arched window above and a pointed parapet above that. There was a triangular marquee and a single poster case on each side of the entrance doors. To the left of the theatre was a 3-story brick apartment building. Next to it on the right was a store with “Franklin Park” in its name, possibly “Franklin Park Pharmacy” or “Franklin Park Photography”. The Report states that the Liberty is on Blue Hill Avenue (But unfortunately does not give the street number), that it has been playing MGM films for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Poor condition, and has 898 seats. In the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook, the Liberty is listed as having 700 seats and being open 7 days per week. The theatre was part of the M&P Theatres circuit at one time.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Hamilton Theatre with an exterior photo dated March 1941. The theatre had a narrow entrance in the middle of a commercial block at least 2 stories high. The entrance appears to have one double door and above it is a small balcony with a wrought-iron fancy railing. Two old globe lamps hang from the balcony soffit. On either side are huge half-round poster boards. There was no marquee. To the right of the theatre was the Hamilton Spa (“Spa” was an old Boston-area expression meaning Variety Store, or Convenience Store). Lounging in front of the theatre are several male youths who look like they are on their way to a casting call for a Bowery Boys/ Dead End Kids movie. The Report says that the Hamilton has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Fair condition, and has 476 seats on the main floor and 147 in the balcony, total: 623 seats. The Hamilton is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 700 seats and being open 7 days per week.
I worked on the land-takings for the Southwest Expressway project circa 1968-70, and there were no active theatres in it, but many old buildings, and this could have been one of them. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Criterion has an exterior photo dated May 1941. The theatre had an impressive brick facade with 4 fluted pilasters across the front. There was a rectangular marquee with “Criterion” in big letters on the front, and a vertical blade sign above. Next to the theatre on the right appears to be a F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 store. The Report states that the Criterion has been playing MGM product for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old and in Poor condition. It had 495 seats on the main floor and 254 in the balcony, total: 749 seats. In the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook, the Criterion is listed as having 800 seats and being open 7 days per week. The Criterion is listed in the 1942-43 Motion Picture Almanac as being part of M&P Theatres.
The Adams in Dorchester was included in the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report project, but no one filled out the form. There is an undated photo of the exterior. Judging from an old 1920s car in the photo, it may have been taken in 1941 when most of the other photos in the project were made. Attractions on the marquee are: “Pursued”, “Susie Steps Out”, and coming next “Trail Street”. Do those 3 movies date from 1941? The entrance was in the center, with commercial space on either side. The building was one story high, but the facade had a false front which extended upward. There was a triangular marquee. The Adams sat on the west side of Adams Street a short distance to the north of the intersection with Gallivan Boulevard. Many times in the 1960s, when driving north in the early evening on Granite Avenue from East Milton and stopping at the traffic lights at Gallivan Blvd, I could see the Adams Theatre straight ahead across the intersection. The cheerful pink and white marquee was very inviting, but I never went into it. I believe that it was constructed in the late-1930s and had about 900 – 1000 seats, all on one floor.