The Miner’s Eighth Avenue Theatre is listed in the 1897-98 edition of Julius Kahn’s Official Theatrical Guide. The seating capacity is listed as 2,100— Orchestra: 650, Balcony: 650; Gallery: 800. The proscenium opening was 25 feet wide X 28 feet high; the stage was 26 feet deep. The theatre was on the ground floor. The admission prices ranged from 15 cents to 75 cents. From what I know about this Guide, it’s possible that the seating capacity may be an estimate, on the high side.
Daly’s Theatre is listed in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn Official Theatrical Guide. The manager was Augustin Daly. The seating capacity was Orchestra: 500, Balcony: 320; Gallery: 350, total: 1,170. The proscenium opening was 32 feet wide by 23 feet high. The stage was 40 feet deep. The theatre was on the first floor, and there were 20 places in the orchestra pit.
The Weber & Fields Music Hall in NY is listed in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide. The listing shows that Weber & Fields were the Managers; the seating capacity was 731, broken down as Orchestra: 407, Balcony: 124, Gallery: 200. Admission prices ranged from 25 cents to $1. The theater had both electric and gas illumination, and it was on the ground floor. The proscenium opening was 30 feet wide by 55 feet high. The stage was only 18 ½ feet deep. There were 14 places in the orchestra pit. With such a shallow stage and fairly low seating capacity, it’s surprising that it did not become a cinema earlier.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Majestic in Holyoke lists the address as “205 Main St.” There is a facade photo taken in March 1941. The theatre had a marquee large enough to display both the current attractions and the coming attractions. The 2 current movies posted on the right panel of the marquee are Deanna Durbin in “Nice Girl” plus “Leather Pusher”; on the front panel of the marquee, starting “Next Sun.” are “Virginia” and “The Old Swimming Hole”. There appears to be a vertical blade sign above the marquee. The Report states that the Majestic is not a MGM customer; that it was over 20 years old; that it’s in Fair condition; and has 680 orchestra seats and 420 balcony seats; total: 1,100 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Willow Theatre in “Williamsett MA”. The address is listed as Meadow St.There is a facade photo taken in May 1941. It was a 2-story building with about a dozen windows in a row on the 2nd floor. Below the windows is a wide marquee with a Tyrone Power movie posted. In the center, above the marquee is a small vertical sign “Willow”. The Report states that the Willow has been showing MGM product for over 10 years, that it was built about 1915, is in Good condition, and the seating was given as 782 seats, all on one floor. But someone crossed that out and wrote in 714 seats.
There are MGM Theatre Photograph and Report forms for both the Prospect Theatre and the Star Theatre in Whitensville MA, with facade photos taken in June 1941. The Prospect was on Prospect St. and had a small triangle marquee with a large “P” at the apex. Attraction is “I Wanted Wings” with Ray Milland. The street appears to be on a slope. The Report states that the Prospect is not a MGM customer, that it was built about 1925, that it’s in Poor condition, and has 700 seats, all on one floor. The Star Theatre was on North Main St. It appears to be a free-standing building with center entrance and a small marquee. It has been showing MGM films for 3 years; was built about 1930, is in Fair condition and has 344 seats, all on one floor. The 1940 population of Whitensville was 6,122.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Casino in Ware has a facade photo taken in March 1941. The entrance was centered in the building and there was a small 2-sided marquee with the theatre name and the legend “Today Two Features” below. Above the marquee was an arch. The Report states that the Casino is on Main St. in Ware and that it has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was built about 1925 and is in Good condition. The seating was shown as 570 on the main floor and 36 in the balcony, total: 606 seats, but someone crossed out those figures and wrote in a total of 618 seats. The Report lists no competing theatres; the 1940 population of Ware was 7,557.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand in Springfield has a facade photo taken in March 1941. There was a fairly small but flashy rectangular marquee with 3 large Palladiun-style windows above it. Attraction is “Lady Eve”. The address is 24 Eastern Avenue. The Report states that the Strand has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; that it’s over 20 years old; is in Fair condition; and has 738 orchestra seats and 226 balcony seats; total: 964 seats. The type of patronage is “Neighborhood”.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for this theatre calls it the “Poli Palace”. There is a photo of the entrance taken in 1941. There was a boxy marquee with “Loew’s Poli” in big letters at the top-front. There were 4 lines of white letters on a black background. Movies were “The Great American Broadcast” and “The Trial of Mary Dugan”. The Report states that the theatre is on Worthington St. It has been a MGM customer for over 15 years. It is in Good condition, and has 1466 seats on the main floor, 840 balcony seats, and 144 Loge seats; total: 2,450 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Art in Springfield. The 1941 photo shows the Art’s entrance in the middle of a large office building. There is a small marquee with a large vertical sign above. Attractions are “Strawberry Blonde” and “Mistic Circle Murders”. Below the marquee is a center boxoffice, with double doors on either side, flanked by poster cases. Someone penciled in “WB” on the report, probably for Warner Bros. The Report states that the Art is on Main St., that it is not showing MGM product, that it’s over 15 years old; is in Good condition, and has about 1,000 seats, all on one floor. Also typed on the form is “Last Run”.
The Court Square Theatre is listed in the 1897-98 edition of Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide, an annual publication for roadshow producers and stage managers. The seating capacity is given as 1,865. Ticket prices were 25 cents to $1. The theatre was on the ground floor. The building was served by both gas lighting and electricity. The proscenium opening was 35 feet wide, and the stage was 50 feet deep. Nearby hotels were: Gilmore, Haynes, Cooley, City, and Mansion Hotel. The 1897 population of Springfield was 50,000.
The Bates' Opera House is listed under Attleboro, MA in the 1897-98 edition of Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide, an annual publication for roadshow producers and stage managers. It refers twice to the theatre as Bates', in the possesive, (pronounced “Bates-es”). The listing says that the theatre had about 1,000 seats, with a stage 43 feet deep, and a proscenium arch 30 feet wide and 27 feet high. It says the theatre was on the ground floor, and ticket prices ranged from 25 cents to $1; the Manager was J. G. Hutchinson. The house orchestra had 7 members, led by T. Link. There was apparently a Bates' Opera Cafe in or near the theatre. The population of Attleboro in 1897 was 8,000. There was also a Bates Opera House in Weymouth MA, in Weymouth Landing, right on the Weymouth-Braintree town line.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Court Square Theatre in Springfield has a facade photo taken in May 1941. There was a rectangular multi-bulbed movie marquee with the E.M. Loew logos on either side of the name on the front. A card with something about “Vaudeville” is posted above one of the double entrance doors. The address is listed as “Elm Square” and the person who did the Report wrote “2 doors off Main St.” on it. The Report states that the Court Square is not a MGM customer, that the theatre is over 15 years old; that it’s in Fair condition; and has 700 seats on the main floor and 398 in the balcony, total: 1,098 seats. (Since it was an old 19th-century legiter,it may have had 2 balconies). It was a live road-show house in Springfield for many years.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Community Playhouse in Wellesley has a facade photo taken in April 1941. There is a 3-sided marquee with a flat front panel on which is printed “Community Playhouse” in script letters. The other 2 panels have “Playhouse” in large letters with 3 lines for attractions below. The film playing is “Strawberry Blonde”. At the top of the center panel appears to be a planter with flowers in it – I’m not sure of that. Below the marquee is a double set of French doors with poster cases on either side. The Report states that the Community is at 370 Washington St. in Wellesley Hills; that it has been playing MGM product for over 10 years; that it was opened about 1925; that it’s in Good condition; and has 499 seats, all on one floor. It attracts a “class” patronage (meaning “high-class”).
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Bijou in Holyoke has a facade photo taken in May 1941. It’s definitely the same theatre as shown in the photo above. The attractions are “Tall Dark and Handsome” and “Night Train”. The address is “Main St.” The Report states that the theatre has been a MGM customer for 10 years; that it was built about 1915; that it’s in Fair condition; and has 1020 seats on the main floor and 238 in the balcony; total: 1,258 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Globe Theatre at 26 Suffolk St. in Holyoke. It has a photo of the entrance taken in May 1941. There is a rain canopy over the sidewalk but it doesn’t appear to be a real movie marquee. Above, on the 2nd floor are windows in which there are big letters spelling out “Alleys”, undoubtedly for the bowling alley up there. The Report states that the Globe has been a MGM customer for 2 years; that it was built about 1920; that it’s in Poor condition; and has 440 seats, apparently all on one floor.
Those of us who visit CT regularly appreciate the work you do to keep the site working efficiently. The “Whose On-Line” feature is not that important to me.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Uptown Theatre in Gardner. It has an exterior photo taken in 1941. It apppears to be a large brick building with the theatre entrance at the right end. There is a rectangular marquee with a big vertical blade sign above. Attractions, in white letters on black background, are “Las Vegas Nights” and “New Adventures of Tarzan”. The Report states that the Uptown is on Centre St. It has been a MGM customer for over 15 years; It was built over 15 years ago. The condition is Good. Seating is 578 on the main floor and 470 in the balcony; total: 1,048 seats. The competing theatre is the Orpheum; the 1940 population of Gardner was 20,200.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Lee Theatre in Lee, MA. It has a very poor quality facade photo taken in April 1941. There was a small triangular marquee with the theatre name on top and 2 lines for attractions. Movie playing is “Western Union”. The Report states that the Lee has been a MGM customer for “15 years”, but then says it was built in 1940. (This is typical of the careless info which sometimes appears in these reports.) The date built is 1940. The condition is “New – Good”. The seating is 520, all on one floor. The type of patronage is listed as “Rural & Summer trade”. There is a further note, “New theatre built from former Town Hall.” The address is simply “Main Street”. The 1940 population of Lee is given as 4,222.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the University Theatre in Cambridge. It has a facade photo taken in April 1941. The entrance at that time was on Mass. Ave. There was a rectangular 1920s-style multi-bulbed marquee but the photo quality is poor and I can’t read the names of the attractions. The Report states that the University has been a MGM customer for over 10 years, that it was built about 1925, that it’s in Good condition, and has the following seating: Orchestra floor: 1129; Balcony: 495; Loges: 235; total: 1,859 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Elm Theatre in Millbury MA. There is a facade photo taken in May 1941. There is a one-story brick entrance which appears to be added on to a 2-story wood-frame building. The entrance has “1939” in Roman Numerals at the top. There are 2 sets of double doors seperated by about 10 feet. There is a rain canopy, but no marquee. The Report states that the theatre is on Elm St. The theatre was not a MGM customer. It was opened in 1939 and is in Good condition. The seating was shown as 350 but someone crossed that out and inserted 750, all on one floor. The competing theatre in Millbury is listed as the Paradise Theatre. The 1940 population was 6,900.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand on Market St. in Ipswich has a facade photo taken in April 1941. The entrance was in the center of a 2-story business building. The attraction is Cary Grant in “Penny Serenade”. On the front of the marquee is the name “Strand” under which is “News & Short Subjects”. The Report states that the Strand has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was “rebuilt in 1930”, that it’s in Good condition; and has 550 seats on the main floor and 145 in the balcony; total: 695 seats. Competing theatre is listed as the Ipswich Theatre. The 1940 population of Ipswich was 6,300.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Uptown Theatre. It is listed as being on Western Avenue, in West Lynn. There is a facade photo taken in April 1941. The theatre entrance was located at the left end of a 2-story business block. The entrance was embellished with architecutral elements such as an arch above the marquee. The latter had “Uptown” in big letters on its front. There were narrow poster cases on either side of what appear to be 2 sets of double doors. The Report states that the Uptown was not presenting MGM product, that it was over 15 years old; tht it was in Poor condition, and had 750 seats, apparently all on one floor.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report card for the Burr Theatre in Ludlow. There is a photo of the facade taken in April 1941. My copy is of very poor quality. There is a rather nice brick facade which features a small, brightly-lit triangular marquee. Attractions are “Let’s Make Music” and “Slightly Tempted”. To the left of the entrance is Florence’s Sweet Shop. The Report states that the address is “24 Hubbard St.” It says that the Burr has been a MGM customer for 10 years; that it was built about 1930; that it;s in Good condition; and has 700 seats, apparently all on one floor. There is a competing theatre in Indian Orchard and the 1940 population of Ludlow was 8,181.
Here is the info on the MGM Report for the Hyannis Theatre, with a photo taken in May 1941. The photo apparently is of the Center Theatre. It has a brick facade with a rectangular rain canopy over the sidewalk. On either side of the center boxoffice are 2 pairs of double doors. The Report states that the theatre has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 10 years old, is in Fair condition and has 960 seats on the main floor and 90 balcony seats, total: 1050 seats. It’s obvious that the person who did the Reports mixed up the 2 theatres; I know now which photo is correct, but I don’t know which set of data pertains to which theatre.
The Miner’s Eighth Avenue Theatre is listed in the 1897-98 edition of Julius Kahn’s Official Theatrical Guide. The seating capacity is listed as 2,100— Orchestra: 650, Balcony: 650; Gallery: 800. The proscenium opening was 25 feet wide X 28 feet high; the stage was 26 feet deep. The theatre was on the ground floor. The admission prices ranged from 15 cents to 75 cents. From what I know about this Guide, it’s possible that the seating capacity may be an estimate, on the high side.
Daly’s Theatre is listed in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn Official Theatrical Guide. The manager was Augustin Daly. The seating capacity was Orchestra: 500, Balcony: 320; Gallery: 350, total: 1,170. The proscenium opening was 32 feet wide by 23 feet high. The stage was 40 feet deep. The theatre was on the first floor, and there were 20 places in the orchestra pit.
The Weber & Fields Music Hall in NY is listed in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide. The listing shows that Weber & Fields were the Managers; the seating capacity was 731, broken down as Orchestra: 407, Balcony: 124, Gallery: 200. Admission prices ranged from 25 cents to $1. The theater had both electric and gas illumination, and it was on the ground floor. The proscenium opening was 30 feet wide by 55 feet high. The stage was only 18 ½ feet deep. There were 14 places in the orchestra pit. With such a shallow stage and fairly low seating capacity, it’s surprising that it did not become a cinema earlier.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Majestic in Holyoke lists the address as “205 Main St.” There is a facade photo taken in March 1941. The theatre had a marquee large enough to display both the current attractions and the coming attractions. The 2 current movies posted on the right panel of the marquee are Deanna Durbin in “Nice Girl” plus “Leather Pusher”; on the front panel of the marquee, starting “Next Sun.” are “Virginia” and “The Old Swimming Hole”. There appears to be a vertical blade sign above the marquee. The Report states that the Majestic is not a MGM customer; that it was over 20 years old; that it’s in Fair condition; and has 680 orchestra seats and 420 balcony seats; total: 1,100 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Willow Theatre in “Williamsett MA”. The address is listed as Meadow St.There is a facade photo taken in May 1941. It was a 2-story building with about a dozen windows in a row on the 2nd floor. Below the windows is a wide marquee with a Tyrone Power movie posted. In the center, above the marquee is a small vertical sign “Willow”. The Report states that the Willow has been showing MGM product for over 10 years, that it was built about 1915, is in Good condition, and the seating was given as 782 seats, all on one floor. But someone crossed that out and wrote in 714 seats.
There are MGM Theatre Photograph and Report forms for both the Prospect Theatre and the Star Theatre in Whitensville MA, with facade photos taken in June 1941. The Prospect was on Prospect St. and had a small triangle marquee with a large “P” at the apex. Attraction is “I Wanted Wings” with Ray Milland. The street appears to be on a slope. The Report states that the Prospect is not a MGM customer, that it was built about 1925, that it’s in Poor condition, and has 700 seats, all on one floor. The Star Theatre was on North Main St. It appears to be a free-standing building with center entrance and a small marquee. It has been showing MGM films for 3 years; was built about 1930, is in Fair condition and has 344 seats, all on one floor. The 1940 population of Whitensville was 6,122.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Casino in Ware has a facade photo taken in March 1941. The entrance was centered in the building and there was a small 2-sided marquee with the theatre name and the legend “Today Two Features” below. Above the marquee was an arch. The Report states that the Casino is on Main St. in Ware and that it has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was built about 1925 and is in Good condition. The seating was shown as 570 on the main floor and 36 in the balcony, total: 606 seats, but someone crossed out those figures and wrote in a total of 618 seats. The Report lists no competing theatres; the 1940 population of Ware was 7,557.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand in Springfield has a facade photo taken in March 1941. There was a fairly small but flashy rectangular marquee with 3 large Palladiun-style windows above it. Attraction is “Lady Eve”. The address is 24 Eastern Avenue. The Report states that the Strand has been showing MGM films for over 10 years; that it’s over 20 years old; is in Fair condition; and has 738 orchestra seats and 226 balcony seats; total: 964 seats. The type of patronage is “Neighborhood”.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for this theatre calls it the “Poli Palace”. There is a photo of the entrance taken in 1941. There was a boxy marquee with “Loew’s Poli” in big letters at the top-front. There were 4 lines of white letters on a black background. Movies were “The Great American Broadcast” and “The Trial of Mary Dugan”. The Report states that the theatre is on Worthington St. It has been a MGM customer for over 15 years. It is in Good condition, and has 1466 seats on the main floor, 840 balcony seats, and 144 Loge seats; total: 2,450 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Art in Springfield. The 1941 photo shows the Art’s entrance in the middle of a large office building. There is a small marquee with a large vertical sign above. Attractions are “Strawberry Blonde” and “Mistic Circle Murders”. Below the marquee is a center boxoffice, with double doors on either side, flanked by poster cases. Someone penciled in “WB” on the report, probably for Warner Bros. The Report states that the Art is on Main St., that it is not showing MGM product, that it’s over 15 years old; is in Good condition, and has about 1,000 seats, all on one floor. Also typed on the form is “Last Run”.
The Court Square Theatre is listed in the 1897-98 edition of Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide, an annual publication for roadshow producers and stage managers. The seating capacity is given as 1,865. Ticket prices were 25 cents to $1. The theatre was on the ground floor. The building was served by both gas lighting and electricity. The proscenium opening was 35 feet wide, and the stage was 50 feet deep. Nearby hotels were: Gilmore, Haynes, Cooley, City, and Mansion Hotel. The 1897 population of Springfield was 50,000.
The Bates' Opera House is listed under Attleboro, MA in the 1897-98 edition of Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide, an annual publication for roadshow producers and stage managers. It refers twice to the theatre as Bates', in the possesive, (pronounced “Bates-es”). The listing says that the theatre had about 1,000 seats, with a stage 43 feet deep, and a proscenium arch 30 feet wide and 27 feet high. It says the theatre was on the ground floor, and ticket prices ranged from 25 cents to $1; the Manager was J. G. Hutchinson. The house orchestra had 7 members, led by T. Link. There was apparently a Bates' Opera Cafe in or near the theatre. The population of Attleboro in 1897 was 8,000. There was also a Bates Opera House in Weymouth MA, in Weymouth Landing, right on the Weymouth-Braintree town line.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Court Square Theatre in Springfield has a facade photo taken in May 1941. There was a rectangular multi-bulbed movie marquee with the E.M. Loew logos on either side of the name on the front. A card with something about “Vaudeville” is posted above one of the double entrance doors. The address is listed as “Elm Square” and the person who did the Report wrote “2 doors off Main St.” on it. The Report states that the Court Square is not a MGM customer, that the theatre is over 15 years old; that it’s in Fair condition; and has 700 seats on the main floor and 398 in the balcony, total: 1,098 seats. (Since it was an old 19th-century legiter,it may have had 2 balconies). It was a live road-show house in Springfield for many years.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Community Playhouse in Wellesley has a facade photo taken in April 1941. There is a 3-sided marquee with a flat front panel on which is printed “Community Playhouse” in script letters. The other 2 panels have “Playhouse” in large letters with 3 lines for attractions below. The film playing is “Strawberry Blonde”. At the top of the center panel appears to be a planter with flowers in it – I’m not sure of that. Below the marquee is a double set of French doors with poster cases on either side. The Report states that the Community is at 370 Washington St. in Wellesley Hills; that it has been playing MGM product for over 10 years; that it was opened about 1925; that it’s in Good condition; and has 499 seats, all on one floor. It attracts a “class” patronage (meaning “high-class”).
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Bijou in Holyoke has a facade photo taken in May 1941. It’s definitely the same theatre as shown in the photo above. The attractions are “Tall Dark and Handsome” and “Night Train”. The address is “Main St.” The Report states that the theatre has been a MGM customer for 10 years; that it was built about 1915; that it’s in Fair condition; and has 1020 seats on the main floor and 238 in the balcony; total: 1,258 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Globe Theatre at 26 Suffolk St. in Holyoke. It has a photo of the entrance taken in May 1941. There is a rain canopy over the sidewalk but it doesn’t appear to be a real movie marquee. Above, on the 2nd floor are windows in which there are big letters spelling out “Alleys”, undoubtedly for the bowling alley up there. The Report states that the Globe has been a MGM customer for 2 years; that it was built about 1920; that it’s in Poor condition; and has 440 seats, apparently all on one floor.
Those of us who visit CT regularly appreciate the work you do to keep the site working efficiently. The “Whose On-Line” feature is not that important to me.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Uptown Theatre in Gardner. It has an exterior photo taken in 1941. It apppears to be a large brick building with the theatre entrance at the right end. There is a rectangular marquee with a big vertical blade sign above. Attractions, in white letters on black background, are “Las Vegas Nights” and “New Adventures of Tarzan”. The Report states that the Uptown is on Centre St. It has been a MGM customer for over 15 years; It was built over 15 years ago. The condition is Good. Seating is 578 on the main floor and 470 in the balcony; total: 1,048 seats. The competing theatre is the Orpheum; the 1940 population of Gardner was 20,200.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Lee Theatre in Lee, MA. It has a very poor quality facade photo taken in April 1941. There was a small triangular marquee with the theatre name on top and 2 lines for attractions. Movie playing is “Western Union”. The Report states that the Lee has been a MGM customer for “15 years”, but then says it was built in 1940. (This is typical of the careless info which sometimes appears in these reports.) The date built is 1940. The condition is “New – Good”. The seating is 520, all on one floor. The type of patronage is listed as “Rural & Summer trade”. There is a further note, “New theatre built from former Town Hall.” The address is simply “Main Street”. The 1940 population of Lee is given as 4,222.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the University Theatre in Cambridge. It has a facade photo taken in April 1941. The entrance at that time was on Mass. Ave. There was a rectangular 1920s-style multi-bulbed marquee but the photo quality is poor and I can’t read the names of the attractions. The Report states that the University has been a MGM customer for over 10 years, that it was built about 1925, that it’s in Good condition, and has the following seating: Orchestra floor: 1129; Balcony: 495; Loges: 235; total: 1,859 seats.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Elm Theatre in Millbury MA. There is a facade photo taken in May 1941. There is a one-story brick entrance which appears to be added on to a 2-story wood-frame building. The entrance has “1939” in Roman Numerals at the top. There are 2 sets of double doors seperated by about 10 feet. There is a rain canopy, but no marquee. The Report states that the theatre is on Elm St. The theatre was not a MGM customer. It was opened in 1939 and is in Good condition. The seating was shown as 350 but someone crossed that out and inserted 750, all on one floor. The competing theatre in Millbury is listed as the Paradise Theatre. The 1940 population was 6,900.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand on Market St. in Ipswich has a facade photo taken in April 1941. The entrance was in the center of a 2-story business building. The attraction is Cary Grant in “Penny Serenade”. On the front of the marquee is the name “Strand” under which is “News & Short Subjects”. The Report states that the Strand has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was “rebuilt in 1930”, that it’s in Good condition; and has 550 seats on the main floor and 145 in the balcony; total: 695 seats. Competing theatre is listed as the Ipswich Theatre. The 1940 population of Ipswich was 6,300.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Uptown Theatre. It is listed as being on Western Avenue, in West Lynn. There is a facade photo taken in April 1941. The theatre entrance was located at the left end of a 2-story business block. The entrance was embellished with architecutral elements such as an arch above the marquee. The latter had “Uptown” in big letters on its front. There were narrow poster cases on either side of what appear to be 2 sets of double doors. The Report states that the Uptown was not presenting MGM product, that it was over 15 years old; tht it was in Poor condition, and had 750 seats, apparently all on one floor.
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report card for the Burr Theatre in Ludlow. There is a photo of the facade taken in April 1941. My copy is of very poor quality. There is a rather nice brick facade which features a small, brightly-lit triangular marquee. Attractions are “Let’s Make Music” and “Slightly Tempted”. To the left of the entrance is Florence’s Sweet Shop. The Report states that the address is “24 Hubbard St.” It says that the Burr has been a MGM customer for 10 years; that it was built about 1930; that it;s in Good condition; and has 700 seats, apparently all on one floor. There is a competing theatre in Indian Orchard and the 1940 population of Ludlow was 8,181.
Here is the info on the MGM Report for the Hyannis Theatre, with a photo taken in May 1941. The photo apparently is of the Center Theatre. It has a brick facade with a rectangular rain canopy over the sidewalk. On either side of the center boxoffice are 2 pairs of double doors. The Report states that the theatre has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it’s over 10 years old, is in Fair condition and has 960 seats on the main floor and 90 balcony seats, total: 1050 seats. It’s obvious that the person who did the Reports mixed up the 2 theatres; I know now which photo is correct, but I don’t know which set of data pertains to which theatre.