Strand Theatre
27 Market Street,
Ipswich,
MA
01938
27 Market Street,
Ipswich,
MA
01938
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The Strand Theatre in Ipswich Massachusetts was located at 27 Market Street. It was opened around 1928. One of the first three theatres owned by Phil Smith and his Theatrical Enterprises, it was considered his classiest. Quoted Dick Smith, “Managed by a straight-laced yankee named Picard, it catered to an upscale clientele who sometimes arrived in limousines. The Strand Theatre was the only theatre northshore residents could see a first run film without traveling into Boston”.
The Strand Theatre Ipswich, Strand Theatre South Boston, and Broadway Theatre in South Boston, were credited by Phil Smith as bringing his family through the depression. Every Sunday, the Smith family would attend one of the three theatres, and while his father Phil Smith helped manage, his mother Marian might cashier, and Dick and Nancy would watch movies.
The Strand Theatre was demolished in 1985.
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Strand on Market St. in Ipswich has a facade photo taken in April 1941. The entrance was in the center of a 2-story business building. The attraction is Cary Grant in “Penny Serenade”. On the front of the marquee is the name “Strand” under which is “News & Short Subjects”. The Report states that the Strand has been a MGM customer for over 10 years; that it was “rebuilt in 1930”, that it’s in Good condition; and has 550 seats on the main floor and 145 in the balcony; total: 695 seats. Competing theatre is listed as the Ipswich Theatre. The 1940 population of Ipswich was 6,300.
I saw many movies there in my childhood, but the only one I am certain I saw there was E.T. I can’t say when it was closed, but it was torn down and a bank is on that lot now.
The 1927 Film Daily Yearbook lists one movie venue for Ipswich, the Opera House, with 538 seats, open daily.
Ron Salters, I realize your post above is several years old, but I would be TRULY grateful if you could assist me in finding the photo you referenced of the Strand Ipswich in Ipswich MA. I cannot find the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form. I grew up in Ipswich (I also work in the movie business) and photos of the Strand are impossible to find. I has great meaning to me and to find this picture would be wonderful. Thank you!
Read about the Ipswich Strand Opera House and Theater, and view photos at http://ipswich.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/the-strand-opera-house-and-theater/. The Google Map view above is the wrong location. The Strand Theater was at 27 Market Street in Ipswich MA.
Pretty sure at one time the Strand was part of the General Cinema chain. I remember the newspaper ads for the chain and The strand was the only single house, all others were at least twin cinemas.