Jax Jr. Cinema
32 Main Street,
Littleton,
NH
03561
32 Main Street,
Littleton,
NH
03561
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Related Websites
Jax Jr. Cinemas (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Inter-State Amusement Co.
Architects: W. Chester Browne
Firms: W. Chester Browne Associates
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
603.444.5907
Manager:
603.444.5907
Nearby Theaters
The Jax Jr. Cinema is the third theatre to occupy this site. The two previous theatres, both named the Premier Theatre (see listing on Cinema Treasures) both succumbed to fire, the last being in 1949.
After losing two theatres to fires, Jack Eames was determined to build a “fireproof” structure. Construction began on the Jax Jr. Cinema building in 1950, and it opened on March 17, 1951 with Fred Astaire in “Royal Wedding”. It was designed by W. Chester Browne Associates, it’s integral stainless steel ticket booth and blonde entry doors typify the theatre’s Streamline Moderne style. Its 900 seats were located all on a single floor.
In 1975, the Jax Jr. Cinema hosted the world premiere of “Two” – later titled “Captive”. It had been filmed on location in Littleton. In 1982, the Jax Jr. Cinema closed briefly with its beautiful marquee showing the signage: “We’re Having Twins”. After re-opening the newly twinned theatre boasted two screens with 220 seats in each auditorium. It was closed in 2020 and was still closed in 2023. It had reopened by June 2024.
Contributed by
Richard Grows
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Nice little photo here:
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The impressive marquee that you see here is after $40,000. was spent redoing it just last year. I think I have pictures of the marquee from three years ago. Although the present marquee is quite spectacular, I felt the previous design was even more spectacular. If I ever get my photos on line, everyone can decide for themselves. All the border incandescent bulbs were replaced with more neon. Perhaps someone got tired of replacing the bulbs or does neon use less electricity? Anyway, the theatre is kept spotless and the manager, Gord, will be happy to answer all you questions about the theatre. Despite having smallish screens (can’t be avoided when you take a small theatre and split it down the middle) and the New Hampshire thing of keeping the auditorium too bright, Jax Jr is a great place to see a movie. Littleton is also a great town to visit.
A glass panel with historic items of the theater in the lobby is the newest addition, one that I can appreciate. The sound system is nicely up to date, and the reasonable admission tickets are refreshing ($3 on certain night/matinees!). Blockbusters tend to play first run, though they then stay there for 3-4 weeks.
Drawbacks: the overuse of family oriënted films playing, and that it can take many weeks for a movie to arrive (in some cases, three months after it’s initial release).
www.jaxjrcinemas.com
A Marquee shot
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From Boxoffice Magazine, December 10, 1949: “LITTLETON, N.H.— A building to house a 900 seat theatre… will be constructed to replace the one containing the Premier Theatre which burned here, according to Jack Eames…. Plans for the new building now are being drawn by W. Chester Browne Associates, Boston architects.”
The Jax Jr’s actual opening date is March 17, 1951 with Fred Astaire in “Royal Wedding” along with a performance by the Nationally Famous Barbary Coast of Dartmouth College before showing.
The Jax Jr. Theatre also began housing a second floor where it housed to the original studio building facilities of radio station WTWN-AM (Now WSTJ, licensed in Littleton) in October 1951.
Owners decided to keep it closed in 2020 per official website. Announcement in photo section. Latest Streetview in 2022 indicate that it’s closed.
The theater has reopened and seats 220 in two auditoriums for a total of 440. It is owned by the same family that runs a local restaurant, Alburritos Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar.