Ron, either Pinanski or Sack renamed it – I’m thinking Pinanski, since he renamed the MODERN the MAYFLOWER about the same time. Perhaps, it does make since to combine the histories. We have certainly pointed out the difference between the two “names”
In reality the BEACON THEATRE and the BEACON HILL should be separate entries since they are different theatres. Back in the day runners would go between the BEACON and MODERN carrying the film so they could switch showings between the two sister theatres.
“The Great Entertainment” hosted by Frank Avruch used the Wollaston Theatre as his backdrop when he intro’d and spoke about the movie that was playing..I believe on Channel 56 or maybe Channel 5.
This was the “newest” of the ATC Theatres. ATC President was Sam Pinanski, who came from M&P and previously NETOCO (Jacob Lourie’s). He was determined to have his own chain of theatres patched together from the old M&P, New England Theatres, NETOCO, Paramount Publix, etc. My understanding is he sold the theatre to Redstone. To the ATC staff the inside joke was ATC meant “Another Theatre Closed”.
The “Oriental” statement isn’t that far off. Reason being is that NETOCO out of Boston with Sam Pinanski and Jacob Lourie heading the company had originally planned to build the Oriental Theatre in Waltham not Mattapan. See Oriental listing under Mattapan for more info.
The original BEACON THEATRE at 53 Tremont was the sister theatre to the MODERN THEATRE on Washington St. This theatre was opened in 1913 by Boston movie theatre pioneer Jacob Lourie and his partners. It had, along with the MODERN, the first Western Electric sound projection equipment installed in the country. It premiered along with its sister theatre, the Boston showing of the “Jazz Singer”. It was build exclusively for the showing of moving pictures and along with the MODERN was the first deluxe movie-only theatre in New England. The policy of “Double Feature” was conceived and implemented by Jacob Lourie. This was done out of necessity because his competitors (ie Mr. Loew, etc) were starting to show a Feature with Vaudeville. Lourie’s stages were too small at the Beacon and Modern. Hollywood responded to Lourie’s innovation by producing “B” films. It was opened by New England Theatres Operating Company (NETOCO) and later was part of the M&P and ATC chains.
I believe this to be the BEACON THEATRE, which was the sister to the MODERN THEATRE on Washington St. This theatre was opened in 1913 by movie theatre pioneer Jacob Lourie and his partners. It had, along with the MODERN, the first Western Electric sound projection equipment installed in the country. It premiered along with its sister theatre, the Boston showing of the “Jazz Singer”. It was build exclusively for the showing of moving pictures and along with the MODERN was the first deluxe movie-only theatre in New England. It was opened by New England Theatres Operating Company (NETOCO) and later was part of the M&P and ATC before SACKs.
The Modern was also known as the Mayflower from the 1960s through closing. It had turned into an Adult movie house. It is now slated for renovation by the new owner, which will bring Washington Street back to its former glory in that area.
Ron, either Pinanski or Sack renamed it – I’m thinking Pinanski, since he renamed the MODERN the MAYFLOWER about the same time. Perhaps, it does make since to combine the histories. We have certainly pointed out the difference between the two “names”
In reality the BEACON THEATRE and the BEACON HILL should be separate entries since they are different theatres. Back in the day runners would go between the BEACON and MODERN carrying the film so they could switch showings between the two sister theatres.
“The Great Entertainment” hosted by Frank Avruch used the Wollaston Theatre as his backdrop when he intro’d and spoke about the movie that was playing..I believe on Channel 56 or maybe Channel 5.
This was the “newest” of the ATC Theatres. ATC President was Sam Pinanski, who came from M&P and previously NETOCO (Jacob Lourie’s). He was determined to have his own chain of theatres patched together from the old M&P, New England Theatres, NETOCO, Paramount Publix, etc. My understanding is he sold the theatre to Redstone. To the ATC staff the inside joke was ATC meant “Another Theatre Closed”.
The “Oriental” statement isn’t that far off. Reason being is that NETOCO out of Boston with Sam Pinanski and Jacob Lourie heading the company had originally planned to build the Oriental Theatre in Waltham not Mattapan. See Oriental listing under Mattapan for more info.
The original BEACON THEATRE at 53 Tremont was the sister theatre to the MODERN THEATRE on Washington St. This theatre was opened in 1913 by Boston movie theatre pioneer Jacob Lourie and his partners. It had, along with the MODERN, the first Western Electric sound projection equipment installed in the country. It premiered along with its sister theatre, the Boston showing of the “Jazz Singer”. It was build exclusively for the showing of moving pictures and along with the MODERN was the first deluxe movie-only theatre in New England. The policy of “Double Feature” was conceived and implemented by Jacob Lourie. This was done out of necessity because his competitors (ie Mr. Loew, etc) were starting to show a Feature with Vaudeville. Lourie’s stages were too small at the Beacon and Modern. Hollywood responded to Lourie’s innovation by producing “B” films. It was opened by New England Theatres Operating Company (NETOCO) and later was part of the M&P and ATC chains.
I believe this to be the BEACON THEATRE, which was the sister to the MODERN THEATRE on Washington St. This theatre was opened in 1913 by movie theatre pioneer Jacob Lourie and his partners. It had, along with the MODERN, the first Western Electric sound projection equipment installed in the country. It premiered along with its sister theatre, the Boston showing of the “Jazz Singer”. It was build exclusively for the showing of moving pictures and along with the MODERN was the first deluxe movie-only theatre in New England. It was opened by New England Theatres Operating Company (NETOCO) and later was part of the M&P and ATC before SACKs.
The Modern was also known as the Mayflower from the 1960s through closing. It had turned into an Adult movie house. It is now slated for renovation by the new owner, which will bring Washington Street back to its former glory in that area.