Ball Square Theatre
707 Broadway,
Somerville,
MA
02144
707 Broadway,
Somerville,
MA
02144
1 person
favorited this theater
Showing 12 comments
After several years of vacancy, the Cambridge Lock storefront has been replaced by an insurance agency.
The Ball Square Th. is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 1000 seats and open 6 days/week.
David Guss’s article “Lost Theatres of Somerville”, from the First Quarter 2006 issue of Marquee, the journal of the Theatre Historical Society of America, is now online at View link .
Besides an extensive history, the article also contains many old photos of and advertisements for the various theatres in Somerville.
(This is a 17-page scanned-image PDF, so unfortunately you cannot search or copy the text.)
Cambridge Lock appears to be in disarray and out of business. I don’t know what the future holds for this storefront. SoundBites expanded across the street rather than moving in here.
The Ball Square opened on April 9, 1923 and closed in 1956, according to David Guss’s Lost Theatres of Somerville website.
Lost Memory, I’m curious how you discovered this unusual piece of information about the Robert-Theater Organ. The long article in the Somerville Journal the week the theatre opened in April 1923 makes elaborate mention of a large organ being installed but doesn’t identify the brand. It says simply:
“A huge pipe organ of multiple instruments is an outstanding feature. This organ is one of the costliest and best of its kind in New England. Manager Locatelli has engaged G. F. Fenton, an organist of wide experience, who will skillfully manipulate its keys, accompanying the carefully selected photoplays that will serve as the programme for the two weekly changes”
The photo that Ron Salters describes above is the first one displayed here.
Yes, I spoke to them and they’re very interested in including theater material in the decor of the new restaurant. Now to convince them to erect a new marquee. The original Ball Square sign was so beautiful!
David, can you approach SoundBites with the idea of putting up Ball Square Theatre memorabilia in their new space?
Unforunately, Nick Riselli, who ran Cambridge Lock for years, died and the site will soon become the home of an enlarged Soundbites, the popular restaurant presently located directly across the street.
The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Ball Square Theatre has a facade photo taken in May 1941. There is a banner hanging from the front edge of the marquee advertising James Cagney in “Stawberry Blond”. The Report states that the house has been presenting MGM product for over 10 years; that it’s over 15 years old; that it’s in Fair condition; and that it has 953 seats on the main floor and 295 in the balcony; total: 1,248 seats.
For photographs and additional information on this theatre, go to:
http://www.losttheatres.org/theaters.htm