NPR’s Morning Edition is right now broadcasting a feature about the Silent Movie theatre. If you don’t catch it on the radio, try listening to it from this page.
“The Wizard of Oz”, the musical comedy made famous by Montgomery and Stone, is the motion picture feature offered in the double bill at Tremont Temple this week from 1 to 10:30 pm daily. All the amusing situations have been retained in the picture adaptation of this delightful comedy. The antics of the acrobatic mule, the kangaroo, the tin woodman and the scarecrow are all reproduced in the movie.
The other feature of the picture bill is “David Copperfield.” This is its third booking at this house and the possibilities are very remote of its ever being presented again. This is well known as one of Charles Dickens' most famous novels, and picturized as it is by the Hepworth Company of London there is little question why it has merited so many reengagements this season.
[The above is editorial text. On the same page is a display ad:]
TREMONT TEMPLE THIS WEEK
The Home of Wholesome Entertainment
Continuous 1 to 10:30 P.M. Daily
DAVID
COPPERFIELD
IN SEVEN PARTS
AND AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE
ADAPTATION OF THE WELL
KNOWN COMEDY
THE WIZARD
OF OZ
In Five Magnificent Parts
Prices 25c, 15c, 10c None Higher
[i happened across this while exploring the Boston Globe archives at ProQuest Historical Newspapers. These are free to anyone with a Boston Public Library card, if you start from this page.]
This theatre is shown as BEACON UNIVERSALIST CHURCH on a 1919 map of Brookline. Look at the bottom left corner of the map, on the west side of Harvard Street just north of Beacon Street.
The Washington Theatre is labelled as such on this 1928 map. It is at the right edge of the map, on the bottom (east) side of Washington Street, at the corner of Kneeland.
The Puritan Theatre is near the bottom left corner of this 1928 map. It is on the left (north) side of Washington Street, between West Springfield St. and Massachusetts Ave.
The National Theatre is visible near the top left of this 1928 map.
It is on the north (left) side of Tremont Street, next to the the Boston Flower Exchange (which was built as the Cyclorama, and is called that again today).
On this 1928 map, the ‘Jewett Repertory Theatre’ is visible on the south side of Huntington Avenue, between Gainsborough Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
This 1928 map shows the Loew’s State – Fine Arts Theatre complex, occupying most of a city block bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Astor Street, Bickerstaff Street, and Norway Street.
It looks massive. Besides the two theatres, the map also shows it containing a “BALL ROOM”.
I never saw these buildings, but I’m appalled that the city fathers at the time allowed them to be demolished, especially since they were apparently well-used up to the date of demolition.
This 1928 map shows the Loew’s State – Fine Arts complex, occupying most of a city block bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Astor Street, Bickerstaff Street, and Norway Street.
It looks massive. Besides the two theatres, the map also shows it containing a “BALL ROOM”.
I never saw these buildings, but I’m appalled that the city fathers at the time allowed them to be demolished, especially since they were apparently well-used up to the date of demolition.
You can just barely make out the Strand Theatre on this 1928 map if you know where to look. It is on the left side of Huntington Avenue, about 2/3 of a block below W. Newton Street, just below the ‘NEW CENTURY BLDG’. Unfortunately the “Community Heritage Maps” watermark is partially overlaid on it.
It looks quite small, especially compared to the St. James a block and a half further down the avenue.
On this 1928 map, you can barely make out the FENWAY THEATRE near the map’s bottom left corner. It’s on Masschusetts Avenue, one building to the right (south) of Boylston Street.
On this 1928 map, the same building is labelled “EXETER STREET THEATRE” in large letters, and “1ST SPIRITUAL TEMPLE” in smaller letters underneath. It’s near the bottom right corner of the map.
This 1928 map shows the Metropolitan Theatre near the top right corner. West is at the top of this map.
The METROPOLITAN BLDG. is on Tremont Street, at the corner of Hollis Street, just south of the Wilbur Theatre. The METROPOLITAN THEATRE is just behind (east of) this building.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
At the northeast corner of Washington and Essex streets is the very large WASHINGTON-ESSEX BLDG. The east side of this building, along Harrison Avenue, is labelled KEITH-ALBEE BOSTON THEATRE.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The GLOBE THEATRE is on the east side of Washington Street, one building north of Kneeland Street, at the far left edge of this map. It is next door to the Unique Theatre, later to be renamed Stuart Theatre.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The UNIQUE THEATRE is on the east side of Washington Street, at the corner of Kneeland Street, at the far left edge of this map. In an earlier comment, I quoted from a pamphlet which said the theatre’s name changed to Stuart in 1925. Either this was inaccurate, or the mapmaker didn’t notice the change.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
To find the PARK THEATRE on this map, go to the corner of Washington and Boylston Streets. Go west on Boylston, then north on Bumstead Court, a small dead-end alley. You’ll see the theatre labelled on the right side of Bumstead Court, just before this alley turns to the left.
This map, too, identifies the owner as Lotta M. Crabtree. In fact, it looks like she owned several adjoining buildings as well.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The GAIETY THEATRE is on the west side of Washington Street, between Boylston and Lagrange streets. If you look carefully, you’ll see that it had a very narrow entrance onto Washington Street, flanked by two storefronts that took up most of the street frontage.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The MODERN THEATRE is on the west side of Washington Street, just south of West Street. Behind it is the much larger B.F. KEITH MEMORIAL THEATRE, now called the Opera House.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The very large B.F. KEITH MEMORIAL THEATRE is on the west side of Washington Street, just south of West Street. As you can see, it had (and still has) only a narrow entrance on Washington Street. Most of its street frontage is on the back alley, Mason Street.
Just south of the Keith Memorial is the theatre it replaced, KEITH’S THEATRE, along with the BIJOU DREAM, which was also part of the Keith circuit.
This map was published the same year that the Keith Memorial opened, and the old Keith’s closed (at least under that name).
NPR’s Morning Edition is right now broadcasting a feature about the Silent Movie theatre. If you don’t catch it on the radio, try listening to it from this page.
From the Boston Globe, April 30, 1916, page 54:
Tremont Temple Pictures
“The Wizard of Oz”, the musical comedy made famous by Montgomery and Stone, is the motion picture feature offered in the double bill at Tremont Temple this week from 1 to 10:30 pm daily. All the amusing situations have been retained in the picture adaptation of this delightful comedy. The antics of the acrobatic mule, the kangaroo, the tin woodman and the scarecrow are all reproduced in the movie.
The other feature of the picture bill is “David Copperfield.” This is its third booking at this house and the possibilities are very remote of its ever being presented again. This is well known as one of Charles Dickens' most famous novels, and picturized as it is by the Hepworth Company of London there is little question why it has merited so many reengagements this season.
[The above is editorial text. On the same page is a display ad:]
TREMONT TEMPLE THIS WEEK
The Home of Wholesome Entertainment
Continuous 1 to 10:30 P.M. Daily
DAVID
COPPERFIELD
IN SEVEN PARTS
AND AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE
ADAPTATION OF THE WELL
KNOWN COMEDY
THE WIZARD
OF OZ
In Five Magnificent Parts
Prices 25c, 15c, 10c None Higher
[i happened across this while exploring the Boston Globe archives at ProQuest Historical Newspapers. These are free to anyone with a Boston Public Library card, if you start from this page.]
This theatre is shown as BEACON UNIVERSALIST CHURCH on a 1919 map of Brookline. Look at the bottom left corner of the map, on the west side of Harvard Street just north of Beacon Street.
The Washington Theatre is labelled as such on this 1928 map. It is at the right edge of the map, on the bottom (east) side of Washington Street, at the corner of Kneeland.
The Puritan Theatre is near the bottom left corner of this 1928 map. It is on the left (north) side of Washington Street, between West Springfield St. and Massachusetts Ave.
The National Theatre is visible near the top left of this 1928 map.
It is on the north (left) side of Tremont Street, next to the the Boston Flower Exchange (which was built as the Cyclorama, and is called that again today).
On this 1928 map, the ‘Jewett Repertory Theatre’ is visible on the south side of Huntington Avenue, between Gainsborough Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
This 1928 map shows the Loew’s State – Fine Arts Theatre complex, occupying most of a city block bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Astor Street, Bickerstaff Street, and Norway Street.
It looks massive. Besides the two theatres, the map also shows it containing a “BALL ROOM”.
I never saw these buildings, but I’m appalled that the city fathers at the time allowed them to be demolished, especially since they were apparently well-used up to the date of demolition.
This 1928 map shows the Loew’s State – Fine Arts complex, occupying most of a city block bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Astor Street, Bickerstaff Street, and Norway Street.
It looks massive. Besides the two theatres, the map also shows it containing a “BALL ROOM”.
I never saw these buildings, but I’m appalled that the city fathers at the time allowed them to be demolished, especially since they were apparently well-used up to the date of demolition.
You can just barely make out the Strand Theatre on this 1928 map if you know where to look. It is on the left side of Huntington Avenue, about 2/3 of a block below W. Newton Street, just below the ‘NEW CENTURY BLDG’. Unfortunately the “Community Heritage Maps” watermark is partially overlaid on it.
It looks quite small, especially compared to the St. James a block and a half further down the avenue.
The ST. JAMES THEATRE is quite prominently visible near the bottom of this 1928 map.
It is on the left side of wide Huntington Avenue, just above Horticultural Hall.
On this 1928 map, you can barely make out the FENWAY THEATRE near the map’s bottom left corner. It’s on Masschusetts Avenue, one building to the right (south) of Boylston Street.
On this 1928 map, the same building is labelled “EXETER STREET THEATRE” in large letters, and “1ST SPIRITUAL TEMPLE” in smaller letters underneath. It’s near the bottom right corner of the map.
Near the top right of this 1928 map you can see the Plymouth Theatre, as well as its neighbor,
the Majestic.
The Majestic is on the west side of Tremont Street, just north of Eliot Street. The Plymouth is just to the left (west) of the Majestic.
Near the top right of this 1928 map you can see the Majestic Theatre, as well as its neighbor, the Plymouth (later renamed Gary).
The Majestic is on the west side of Tremont Street, just north of Eliot Street.
This 1928 map shows the Metropolitan Theatre near the top right corner. West is at the top of this map.
The METROPOLITAN BLDG. is on Tremont Street, at the corner of Hollis Street, just south of the Wilbur Theatre. The METROPOLITAN THEATRE is just behind (east of) this building.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
At the northeast corner of Washington and Essex streets is the very large WASHINGTON-ESSEX BLDG. The east side of this building, along Harrison Avenue, is labelled KEITH-ALBEE BOSTON THEATRE.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The OLYMPIA THEATRE is on the east side of Washington Street, between Beach and Essex streets, near the left side of the map.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The GLOBE THEATRE is on the east side of Washington Street, one building north of Kneeland Street, at the far left edge of this map. It is next door to the Unique Theatre, later to be renamed Stuart Theatre.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The UNIQUE THEATRE is on the east side of Washington Street, at the corner of Kneeland Street, at the far left edge of this map. In an earlier comment, I quoted from a pamphlet which said the theatre’s name changed to Stuart in 1925. Either this was inaccurate, or the mapmaker didn’t notice the change.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The TREMONT THEATRE is shown on the south side of Avery Street. A narrow finger connects it to an entrance on Tremont Street.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
To find the PARK THEATRE on this map, go to the corner of Washington and Boylston Streets. Go west on Boylston, then north on Bumstead Court, a small dead-end alley. You’ll see the theatre labelled on the right side of Bumstead Court, just before this alley turns to the left.
This map, too, identifies the owner as Lotta M. Crabtree. In fact, it looks like she owned several adjoining buildings as well.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The GAIETY THEATRE is on the west side of Washington Street, between Boylston and Lagrange streets. If you look carefully, you’ll see that it had a very narrow entrance onto Washington Street, flanked by two storefronts that took up most of the street frontage.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The MODERN THEATRE is on the west side of Washington Street, just south of West Street. Behind it is the much larger B.F. KEITH MEMORIAL THEATRE, now called the Opera House.
This 1928 map shows at least 11 downtown Boston theatres. West is at the top of this map.
The very large B.F. KEITH MEMORIAL THEATRE is on the west side of Washington Street, just south of West Street. As you can see, it had (and still has) only a narrow entrance on Washington Street. Most of its street frontage is on the back alley, Mason Street.
Just south of the Keith Memorial is the theatre it replaced, KEITH’S THEATRE, along with the BIJOU DREAM, which was also part of the Keith circuit.
This map was published the same year that the Keith Memorial opened, and the old Keith’s closed (at least under that name).