Went to the Strand a few times. It was the first theatre to add cinemascope in 1953. Opened with the “Robe”. The next theatre on the South Shore to put in Cinemascope was the Scituate Playhouse a couple of months after the Strand. Also opened with the Robe. One of the pictures I did see here was The Sound Of Music. It played here right after the Boston first run. Probably in 1967. Also saw Bedknobs and Broomsticks here in 1971.
Ron. Here are some of the Boston porns that you did not mention. Pussycat(Stuart st.) Pussycat West End(E.M. loews West End). Trans-Lux, Mayflower(Modern), the Center, the Pilgrim(sometimes), the Publix(Sometimes) South Station 1&2and the aRT 1&2 ACROSS FROM THE sAXON. There were many others that were here today and gone next week.
Saw many movies her between 1960-1962 and 1964-1966. I live in the Southview apts off of Oxon hill Rd. The one movie I remember seeing there was a re-issue of Gone With The Wind. Alao saw movies down the highway at the Sky Chief. During the run of Lord Jim I and a couple of others got thrown out for being drunk & disorderly because we kept running by the projection booth and making hand shadows on the screen. I don’t know why they got upset. Of course this was in my younger years.
Here in Boston we still have several OLD theatres that werebuilt many years ago and have been completely refurbished. They are no longer considered movie houses but performing arts palaces. The Citiwang center(Metropolitan), The Opera House(RKO Keiths Memorial) and the Loews Orpheum( Orpheum-Aquarius- Orpheum). I don’t know if they meet BigJoe’s quals but all 3 are still standing, Rebuilt and prosperous. We have others thathave been gutted and remodeled to new specifications. They are the Modern and the Paramount. Both are not at all like the original except for the outside marquees and stone work.
Here in Boston we still have several OLD theatres that werebuilt many years ago and have been completely refurbished. They are no longer considered movie houses but performing arts palaces. The Citiwang center(Metropolitan), The Opera House(RKO Keiths Memorial) and the Loews Orpheum( Orpheum-Aquarius- Orpheum). I don’t know if they meet BigJoe’s quals but all 3 are still standing, Rebuilt and prosperous. We have others thathave been gutted and remodeled to new specifications. They are the Modern and the Paramount. Both are not at all like the original except for the outside marquees and stone work.
The Boston Cinerama was bigger. Before being converted to Cinerama the RKO Boston Theatre was over 3100 seats and after conversion it was reduced to 2400. I imagine the Ambassador must have had seating changed after conversion. This happened to every theatre that was converted.
Sorry Anthony. Gillette Stadium has nothing to do with drive-ins other than the land where the stadium sits was once the New England Raceway home of sulky racing and owned by E.M. Loews the owner of many theatres and Drive-ins from Maine to Florida. Most of his theatres were 2nd runs including his downtown Boston properties. I’m sorry you go SO UPSET at my original comment so whatever else you think take it and stuff it where the sun don’t shine
To KCB3Player. Just to update you. The Boston Orpheum theatre is not gone. It is one of the oldest theatres in the country havimg opened in 1852 as the Boston Music Hall. It wasn’t named the Orpheum until 1906. In 1915 it was taken over by Loews(1915-1971) when it became the Aquarius until 1974. It became the Orpheum again in 1975. It was never an ornate theatre but it had it’s own character. It was never one of the 7 Orpheums. It has been a live music theatre since 1971 with a few movies thrown in. The balcony was removed years ago. Some of the biggest names in music from Rock, Country, Rap and classical have played here. It is still a grand old lady. Look it up on Wikipedia for more info.
Ron.
Luckily the note I listed theatres on above is still good. All of the theatres I listed are still active and have been converted to digital.The only theatre I know that has shut down recently is the Studio in Belmont. They are trying to raise money to convert and reopen. Good luck.
SORRY nEEB, yOU SAID THAT oLIVER WAS NOT IN 70MM. dO YOU MEAN AT THIS THEATRE OR ANYWHERE.Columbia made 70mm blowups and they played them in a lot of big city theatres like L.A., N.Y. SF, Chicago and others.
Sorry to disagree with you Roger but when I saw Ryan’s daughter with my wife at the Charles in it’s first week in 1970 it was presented in it’s original format of Super Panavision 70 it was on Boston’s 2nd biggest screen next to the Music Hall and a wonderful sound system. Having been a projectionist my self I do believe I know when a screen is big or small and also what type of sound they use.
To MPOL. If you saw HTWWW at the West Newton theatre you did not see it when it 1st came out. You saw the 35mm composite of all 3 strips. This was very annoying. HTWWW played at the Boston Cinerama in 3 strip Cinerama for 33 wks. The West Newton was not big enough for Cinerama. I was only there one time in 1950 to see the Documentary of Kon Tiki. Had relatives who lived down the street on Annapolis Rd which is off of Cherry St.
Hey Movieguy, Why don’t you take your movie advertising and put it in the local newspaper or ask people to go to the theatre website and see what is playing. Most theatres are playing the same flicks at the same time. We have a small twin cinema here and there ads are on the theatre’s outside Marquee or on line. Stop this repeat nonsense.
Back last year when Frozen played, my wife and I went to see it and were late because of my stupidity. I went on line and read Fri times and we were there on Tues. I asked the young man in charge what time the movie had started. He said 7PM. It was then 7:15. I had wanted to see the Mickey Mouse cartoon that preceded Frozen. We missed it and the 1st 10 mins of Frozen. We stayed and at the end the young man told us to stay and he went to the booth and played the cartoon and Frozen(10 mins) for us. This was so nice of him. I would like to thank him right here. That’s life in a small town ell liked twin Cinema.
Back last year when Frozen played, my wife and I went to see it and were late because of my stupidity. I went on line and read Fri times and we were there on Tues. I asked the young man in charge what time the movie had started. He said 7PM. It was then 7:15. I had wanted to see the Mickey Mouse cartoon that preceded Frozen. We missed it and the 1st 10 mins of Frozen. We stayed and at the end the young man told us to stay and he went to the booth and played the cartoon and Frozen(10 mins) for us. This was so nice of him. I would like to thank him right here. That’s life in a small town ell liked twin Cinema.
An answer to old questions. Earthquake never played the Gary. It played at the Saxon. After that the next Sensurround movie was Battlestar Galactica. Earthquake played at Shoppers World in Framingham for about 3-4 weeks before it came to the Saxon. G>C> Cinema shoppers World was packed all the time for Earthquake. The 2 other Sensurround movies Rollercoaster and Midway played at the G.C. theatres at south shore plaza in Braintree.
Having been stationed at NAS Northside from Jan -April in 1959 while attending Airman School which after leaving Memphis for Pensacola we had to repeat because the instructors at Pensacola didn’t like the idea that our instructors in Memphis(were TAR_reservists) and they thought that reservists were not good teachers. Actually we learned more in Memphis than Pensacola. My reason for writing this was to let you know that I saw many movies at this theatre. I only remember one which was Gunfight at OK Corral which I actually fell asleep in. This theatre was a typical multi use Nay theatre. The best looking theatre Navy theatre that I remember was at NAS Pensacola. Big well decorated and had a balcony. It looked like a downtown Pensacola theatre(the Saenger).
E.M. Loews theatres were headquarted in Boston. The RaceTrack somebody mentioned is now home of Gillette Stadium, home of he Great New England Patriots and the New England Revolution.
My favorite D.C. theatre or all around presentation was the Ontario. There Todd AO showing of Sound Of Music was fantastic. I also saw it at the Gary in Boston and was disappointed in it’s presentation there. Boston’s best presentation of 70mm was either the Charles or the Astor. Both big screens and great sound. The Saxon and Gary(both Sack/USA or Lowes theatres) were fair. The Charles was originally Walter Reade who took care of film presentation. When Sack took over it was excellent until they they put in a new smaller screen. The Charles reminded me very much of the Ontario in its conmstruction.
I can’t understand why Windjammer played only 9 weeks. Here in Boston it played at the Cinerama for 33 wks on its 1st run and then when they brought it back later it played for another 23 wks. I only remember seeing the Greatest Story Ever Told at the Uptown. Poor projection for such an outstanding theatre. The pic was real dark the whole movie including daylight scenes. The night scenes with John Wayne were almost unwatchable. The presentation of Cinerama films both 3 strip and 70mm were much better presented at the Warner, Boston Cinerama, Providence cinerama, Seattle Cinerama, the Golde gate cinerama in San Fran and the Cinerama in Rotterdam, Holland.
Other drive-ins to close in the Boston area besides the ones listed above were in these areas. West Roxbury, Ouintree(Quincy/Braintree line,the Meadow Glen, Abington and the Weymouth Twin. There may be others.
To Thetruth. Ouit crying. This digital thing is happening all over the country. All these small town theatres re having fund raisers so they can stay open. The movie dist. are screwing the theatres. It cost approx $50-$75 thousand to go digital for each screen. Only the big chains can afford this. Even some of them with up to 10-more screens are closing. Be thankful that your small theatre has converted and is able to stay open. My small town theatre has 2 screens and a small population. The owner has another 2 screener and a five screener. He has been able to convert all. It is the movie makers and Dists that caused this.
Went to the Strand a few times. It was the first theatre to add cinemascope in 1953. Opened with the “Robe”. The next theatre on the South Shore to put in Cinemascope was the Scituate Playhouse a couple of months after the Strand. Also opened with the Robe. One of the pictures I did see here was The Sound Of Music. It played here right after the Boston first run. Probably in 1967. Also saw Bedknobs and Broomsticks here in 1971.
Ron. Here are some of the Boston porns that you did not mention. Pussycat(Stuart st.) Pussycat West End(E.M. loews West End). Trans-Lux, Mayflower(Modern), the Center, the Pilgrim(sometimes), the Publix(Sometimes) South Station 1&2and the aRT 1&2 ACROSS FROM THE sAXON. There were many others that were here today and gone next week.
Correctio or above. I actually think it was the Super Chief not the Sky Chief. I’m not positive.
Saw many movies her between 1960-1962 and 1964-1966. I live in the Southview apts off of Oxon hill Rd. The one movie I remember seeing there was a re-issue of Gone With The Wind. Alao saw movies down the highway at the Sky Chief. During the run of Lord Jim I and a couple of others got thrown out for being drunk & disorderly because we kept running by the projection booth and making hand shadows on the screen. I don’t know why they got upset. Of course this was in my younger years.
Here in Boston we still have several OLD theatres that werebuilt many years ago and have been completely refurbished. They are no longer considered movie houses but performing arts palaces. The Citiwang center(Metropolitan), The Opera House(RKO Keiths Memorial) and the Loews Orpheum( Orpheum-Aquarius- Orpheum). I don’t know if they meet BigJoe’s quals but all 3 are still standing, Rebuilt and prosperous. We have others thathave been gutted and remodeled to new specifications. They are the Modern and the Paramount. Both are not at all like the original except for the outside marquees and stone work.
Here in Boston we still have several OLD theatres that werebuilt many years ago and have been completely refurbished. They are no longer considered movie houses but performing arts palaces. The Citiwang center(Metropolitan), The Opera House(RKO Keiths Memorial) and the Loews Orpheum( Orpheum-Aquarius- Orpheum). I don’t know if they meet BigJoe’s quals but all 3 are still standing, Rebuilt and prosperous. We have others thathave been gutted and remodeled to new specifications. They are the Modern and the Paramount. Both are not at all like the original except for the outside marquees and stone work.
The Boston Cinerama was bigger. Before being converted to Cinerama the RKO Boston Theatre was over 3100 seats and after conversion it was reduced to 2400. I imagine the Ambassador must have had seating changed after conversion. This happened to every theatre that was converted.
Sowcase Live is still open and thriving with good entertainment. Right next to Showcase Cinemas and close to the CBS SCene.
Sorry Anthony. Gillette Stadium has nothing to do with drive-ins other than the land where the stadium sits was once the New England Raceway home of sulky racing and owned by E.M. Loews the owner of many theatres and Drive-ins from Maine to Florida. Most of his theatres were 2nd runs including his downtown Boston properties. I’m sorry you go SO UPSET at my original comment so whatever else you think take it and stuff it where the sun don’t shine
To KCB3Player. Just to update you. The Boston Orpheum theatre is not gone. It is one of the oldest theatres in the country havimg opened in 1852 as the Boston Music Hall. It wasn’t named the Orpheum until 1906. In 1915 it was taken over by Loews(1915-1971) when it became the Aquarius until 1974. It became the Orpheum again in 1975. It was never an ornate theatre but it had it’s own character. It was never one of the 7 Orpheums. It has been a live music theatre since 1971 with a few movies thrown in. The balcony was removed years ago. Some of the biggest names in music from Rock, Country, Rap and classical have played here. It is still a grand old lady. Look it up on Wikipedia for more info.
Ron.
Luckily the note I listed theatres on above is still good. All of the theatres I listed are still active and have been converted to digital.The only theatre I know that has shut down recently is the Studio in Belmont. They are trying to raise money to convert and reopen. Good luck.
SORRY nEEB, yOU SAID THAT oLIVER WAS NOT IN 70MM. dO YOU MEAN AT THIS THEATRE OR ANYWHERE.Columbia made 70mm blowups and they played them in a lot of big city theatres like L.A., N.Y. SF, Chicago and others.
Sorry to disagree with you Roger but when I saw Ryan’s daughter with my wife at the Charles in it’s first week in 1970 it was presented in it’s original format of Super Panavision 70 it was on Boston’s 2nd biggest screen next to the Music Hall and a wonderful sound system. Having been a projectionist my self I do believe I know when a screen is big or small and also what type of sound they use.
To MPOL. If you saw HTWWW at the West Newton theatre you did not see it when it 1st came out. You saw the 35mm composite of all 3 strips. This was very annoying. HTWWW played at the Boston Cinerama in 3 strip Cinerama for 33 wks. The West Newton was not big enough for Cinerama. I was only there one time in 1950 to see the Documentary of Kon Tiki. Had relatives who lived down the street on Annapolis Rd which is off of Cherry St.
Hey Movieguy, Why don’t you take your movie advertising and put it in the local newspaper or ask people to go to the theatre website and see what is playing. Most theatres are playing the same flicks at the same time. We have a small twin cinema here and there ads are on the theatre’s outside Marquee or on line. Stop this repeat nonsense.
Back last year when Frozen played, my wife and I went to see it and were late because of my stupidity. I went on line and read Fri times and we were there on Tues. I asked the young man in charge what time the movie had started. He said 7PM. It was then 7:15. I had wanted to see the Mickey Mouse cartoon that preceded Frozen. We missed it and the 1st 10 mins of Frozen. We stayed and at the end the young man told us to stay and he went to the booth and played the cartoon and Frozen(10 mins) for us. This was so nice of him. I would like to thank him right here. That’s life in a small town ell liked twin Cinema.
Back last year when Frozen played, my wife and I went to see it and were late because of my stupidity. I went on line and read Fri times and we were there on Tues. I asked the young man in charge what time the movie had started. He said 7PM. It was then 7:15. I had wanted to see the Mickey Mouse cartoon that preceded Frozen. We missed it and the 1st 10 mins of Frozen. We stayed and at the end the young man told us to stay and he went to the booth and played the cartoon and Frozen(10 mins) for us. This was so nice of him. I would like to thank him right here. That’s life in a small town ell liked twin Cinema.
An answer to old questions. Earthquake never played the Gary. It played at the Saxon. After that the next Sensurround movie was Battlestar Galactica. Earthquake played at Shoppers World in Framingham for about 3-4 weeks before it came to the Saxon. G>C> Cinema shoppers World was packed all the time for Earthquake. The 2 other Sensurround movies Rollercoaster and Midway played at the G.C. theatres at south shore plaza in Braintree.
Having been stationed at NAS Northside from Jan -April in 1959 while attending Airman School which after leaving Memphis for Pensacola we had to repeat because the instructors at Pensacola didn’t like the idea that our instructors in Memphis(were TAR_reservists) and they thought that reservists were not good teachers. Actually we learned more in Memphis than Pensacola. My reason for writing this was to let you know that I saw many movies at this theatre. I only remember one which was Gunfight at OK Corral which I actually fell asleep in. This theatre was a typical multi use Nay theatre. The best looking theatre Navy theatre that I remember was at NAS Pensacola. Big well decorated and had a balcony. It looked like a downtown Pensacola theatre(the Saenger).
E.M. Loews theatres were headquarted in Boston. The RaceTrack somebody mentioned is now home of Gillette Stadium, home of he Great New England Patriots and the New England Revolution.
My favorite D.C. theatre or all around presentation was the Ontario. There Todd AO showing of Sound Of Music was fantastic. I also saw it at the Gary in Boston and was disappointed in it’s presentation there. Boston’s best presentation of 70mm was either the Charles or the Astor. Both big screens and great sound. The Saxon and Gary(both Sack/USA or Lowes theatres) were fair. The Charles was originally Walter Reade who took care of film presentation. When Sack took over it was excellent until they they put in a new smaller screen. The Charles reminded me very much of the Ontario in its conmstruction.
Please change your seat count to approx 200 cinema 1 and 75 in cinema 2.
I can’t understand why Windjammer played only 9 weeks. Here in Boston it played at the Cinerama for 33 wks on its 1st run and then when they brought it back later it played for another 23 wks. I only remember seeing the Greatest Story Ever Told at the Uptown. Poor projection for such an outstanding theatre. The pic was real dark the whole movie including daylight scenes. The night scenes with John Wayne were almost unwatchable. The presentation of Cinerama films both 3 strip and 70mm were much better presented at the Warner, Boston Cinerama, Providence cinerama, Seattle Cinerama, the Golde gate cinerama in San Fran and the Cinerama in Rotterdam, Holland.
Other drive-ins to close in the Boston area besides the ones listed above were in these areas. West Roxbury, Ouintree(Quincy/Braintree line,the Meadow Glen, Abington and the Weymouth Twin. There may be others.
To Thetruth. Ouit crying. This digital thing is happening all over the country. All these small town theatres re having fund raisers so they can stay open. The movie dist. are screwing the theatres. It cost approx $50-$75 thousand to go digital for each screen. Only the big chains can afford this. Even some of them with up to 10-more screens are closing. Be thankful that your small theatre has converted and is able to stay open. My small town theatre has 2 screens and a small population. The owner has another 2 screener and a five screener. He has been able to convert all. It is the movie makers and Dists that caused this.