Boynton Theatre
416 N. Federal Highway,
Boynton Beach,
FL
33435
416 N. Federal Highway,
Boynton Beach,
FL
33435
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Claughton Theaters
Previous Names: Herald Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Built in 1921 by William Menzel, this single screen venue was Boynton Beach’s first movie house. It opened as the Herald Theatre on June 13, 1921. It had wooden floors and in the silent era had piano accompaniment. By 1950 it was operated by the Claughton Theaters chain. It was closed on March 30, 1963. In the mid-1950’s, a shopping plaza was built adjacent to the theatre. I believe it was shuttered before the opening of the Twin in 1973. The shopping plaza that the Boynton resided in was demolished in 2006. The location is now a large condo development.
Contributed by
aeterna
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Boynton must have stayed open until at least 1959 as this flyer confirms a showing of “Al Capone” with Rod Steiger. Year of closing is still not clear.
http://web.archive.org/web/20160120140626/http://www.boyntonhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Boynton-Theatre-flyer-50s-800x623.jpg
May 1956 program added credit Anchor Litho Co.-Tampa Florida, courtesy of the Historic Boynton Beach Facebook page.
Name is spelled “Theatre” on all 3 examples of print ads.
New photo uploaded of the facade of the Boynton.
Last ad for the Boynton in the Palm Beach Post looks like March 30, 1963, with “Barabbas” and “Shark River” on the screen. For the next few days the paper’s theater directory said that the Boynton had not provided listing information. Classified ads in the Post on April 29 and 30 stated that the theater was to be demolished and that concession equipment, office furniture, etc. would be offered for sale on the 30th.
@RickB: The theater was not demolished in the 60s. The owners held on to it until 1973, At some point not long after, the Steven’s Rexall drugstore took up residence but the projection equipment remained upstairs even during its use as a drugstore. There are several local accounts of this on various Boynton Beach groups. The entire plaza where the theater resided was razed in the mid 2000s but I don’t have an exact date of the theaters demolition itself. Possibly in the 1990s or earlier. The theater was also used as a makeshift community church by many local denominations over the decades.
Added newspaper clipping with opening date as June 13th, 1921. Menzel originally named it the Herald Theater.