Somerville Theatre

55 Davis Square,
Somerville, MA 02144

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Somerville Theatre

Opened on May 11, 1914, with 1,100 seats, this neighborhood movie palace was home to plays, opera, and vaudeville before going movies-only. Ray Bolger danced here live, and Busby Berkeley directed plays here.

The non-theatre part of the building housed an old ballroom, that, along with some storefronts, was demolished in the 1980’s to make way for four smaller screens to complement the big original theatre, which has a huge balcony, screen, and a lot of style. By 2012, a 31-seat micro screen had been added, creating a 6-screen movie theatre.

Many concerts happen here, in addition to the current slate of movies. Since September 2016 it has hosted the annual 70mm & Widescreen Festival. This is a well-maintained and well-loved theatre. It was closed in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The theatre reopened September 17, 2021. Screens 4 & 5 upstairs were removed for the restoration of the Crystal Ballroom which opens October 8, 2021. Two basement screens remain in addition to the historic auditorium.

Contributed by Andy Blesser, Loewlife

Recent comments (view all 163 comments)

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on September 6, 2017 at 8:47 am

September 20 thru Oct 1, 2nd annual 70mm & Widescreen Festival http://somervilletheatre.com/70-mm-presentations/ including films that were filmed in 65mm & shown in 70mm: The Agony and the Ecstasy on 9-20, Lawrence of Arabia 9-21 & 9-23, Cleopatra 9-28. 2001: A Space Odyssey 10-1. Other films, too.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on July 25, 2018 at 5:13 pm

Along with the Capitol Theatre in Arlington, the Lexington Venue, the Coolidge Corner in Brookline, and the IMAX screens at the Aquarium and Jordan’s Furniture, this is one of the very few theatres that continue to advertise in the Boston Globe Movie Directory.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on August 13, 2018 at 7:19 am

The 3rd Annual 70mm & Widescreen Film Festival will be held on September 20-30, 2018.

MSC77
MSC77 on August 23, 2018 at 10:28 am

^Are the titles in the 3rd Annual 70mm & Widescreen Film Festival known yet?

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on September 4, 2018 at 1:58 pm

70mm titles now announced and booking has opened: 9/21 at 7:30 “Brainstorm” (1983) 9/21 at 10pm “Lifeforce” (1985)

9/22 at 2pm “Kong:Scull Island” (2017) 9/22 at 7pm “Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines” (1965)

9/23 at 2pm “El Cid” (1961) 9/23 at 7pm “Malcolm X” (1992)

9/25 at 7:15 “Spartacus” (1960)

9/26 at 7:30 “Khartoum” (1966) in 70mm Ultra Panovision

9/28 at 7:30 “The Witches of Eastwick” (1987) 9/28 at 10pm “The Thing” (1982)

9/29 at 2pm “70mm Odds & "Ends” Rare 70mm footage 9/29 at 7pm “Patton” (1970)

9/30 at 3pm “2001:A Space Odyssey” (1968)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on September 13, 2018 at 9:25 am

A new addition to the schedule:

9/20 at 7:30 “Starman” (1984)

MSC77
MSC77 on October 24, 2018 at 1:26 pm

Somerville’s recent 70mm screenings are noted in this new article on Boston’s large format and roadshow history.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on June 9, 2021 at 10:27 am

This theatre has not yet reopened after restrictions ended, because they have taken advantage of the pandemic closure to do major renovations. They are removing the upper two small cinemas and replacing them with a ballroom (returning the building to something like its original 1914 state). The theatre should reopen in mid to late summer.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on September 20, 2021 at 2:38 pm

The Somerville Theatre reopened on Friday, September 17 after 18 months of dormancy. The three opening films are “Last Night in Rozzie” (a local independent film), “Cry Macho”, and “Pig”.

The Crystal Ballroom, which replaces the former upstairs cinemas 4 and 5, will open on Friday, October 8.

The status of this theatre should be changed back to “Open”.

Matt Lambros
Matt Lambros on July 17, 2023 at 11:19 am

The Somerville is one of my favorite local theaters. Here’s a short write up with some of my photos. Somerville Theatre at After the Final Curtain.

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