Ball Square Theatre

707 Broadway,
Somerville, MA 02144

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Ron Newman
Ron Newman on June 28, 2011 at 11:23 am

After several years of vacancy, the Cambridge Lock storefront has been replaced by an insurance agency.

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on November 9, 2010 at 2:55 pm

The Ball Square Th. is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 1000 seats and open 6 days/week.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on May 30, 2010 at 4:51 pm

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.)

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on May 23, 2010 at 9:11 am

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.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on May 11, 2010 at 8:34 am

The Ball Square opened on April 9, 1923 and closed in 1956, according to David Guss’s Lost Theatres of Somerville website.

dguss
dguss on October 11, 2007 at 11:44 pm

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”

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on March 29, 2006 at 4:33 am

The photo that Ron Salters describes above is the first one displayed here.

dguss
dguss on March 4, 2006 at 7:27 pm

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!

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on March 4, 2006 at 12:50 pm

David, can you approach SoundBites with the idea of putting up Ball Square Theatre memorabilia in their new space?

dguss
dguss on March 4, 2006 at 12:06 pm

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.

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on March 4, 2006 at 10:54 am

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.

dguss
dguss on August 25, 2005 at 12:42 pm

For photographs and additional information on this theatre, go to:
http://www.losttheatres.org/theaters.htm