My grandfather, Peter Raniere, was manager of the Porter Square Theater from the early 1930’s until the early 1950’s. When the original owner, Mr. Markell, died he left the theater to his son Harold who fired my grandfather. My grandfather was very close to the elder Markell and there was some rivalry. Harold lacked the business sense and skills and the theater quickly went down hill. Harold then decided to latch on the the emerging “rock and roll” craze and open a dance hall. That business did not flourish either. I have photos of my grandfather standing in front of the dish display in the theater. They used to give out “fine china” and housewives would flock to the movies to expand their collections. Prior to managing Porter Square, my grandfather was the manager of the Washington Theater in Boston. Amazingly, I still have the “take slips” for several days in the early 1930’s…362 patrons at .10 each saw Masquerade, a newsreel and another movie.
My grandfather, Peter Raniere, was manager of the Porter Square Theater from the early 1930’s until the early 1950’s. When the original owner, Mr. Markell, died he left the theater to his son Harold who fired my grandfather. My grandfather was very close to the elder Markell and there was some rivalry. Harold lacked the business sense and skills and the theater quickly went down hill. Harold then decided to latch on the the emerging “rock and roll” craze and open a dance hall. That business did not flourish either. I have photos of my grandfather standing in front of the dish display in the theater. They used to give out “fine china” and housewives would flock to the movies to expand their collections. Prior to managing Porter Square, my grandfather was the manager of the Washington Theater in Boston. Amazingly, I still have the “take slips” for several days in the early 1930’s…362 patrons at .10 each saw Masquerade, a newsreel and another movie.