History of Western Massachusetts movie theatres - Movie

Transcription

History of Western
Massachusetts movie
theatres and drive-ins
Includes Pittsfield, Springfield
and Worchester.
12/24/2011
2|Page
FITCHBURG
WORCHESTER COUNTY
(NORTH)
ATHOL
Athol
? 1930
George Giles owned this theatre.
BALDWINSVILLE
Fraternity
? 1935
Town Hall
? 1940
Capitol
493 Main
? 1930-? 1950
1,225 seats
G-B Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in
1930
Lyric
? 1935
Opera House
? 1925
Steinburg Circuit owned this theatre.
York
469 Main
? 1935-? 1955
1,200 seats
3|Page
FITCHBURG
Bijou
5 Prichard Street
December 21st, 1898-1916
The building opened as the Whitney Opera
House on October 20th, 1880
Cinema World 10
476 John Fitch Hwy
1996This was opened by David Fedeli and now
managed by his son, Adam.
Cummings
? 1902-? 1955
800 seats
John Philip Sousa performed here in 1902.
4|Page
Fitchburg
336 Main St.
1929-? 1975
1,700 seats
Owners:
1930-1945 Maine & New Hampshire Theaters
1950 American Theaters Corp.
1955 American Theaters and Daytz
Partnership
1961 Daytz Theatre Enterprises Corp.
1975 Sack Theatres, Inc.
Gem
9 Day
? 1950-? 1955
900 seats
American Theaters Corp. owned this theatre
in 1950
Lowell
? 1920-? 1925
Lyric
AKA: Saxon
719 Main
? 1930-? 1945
Owners:
1930 Maine & New Hampshire Theaters
1940-1950 Leiberman, Fred E. Circuit
Majestic
? 1920-? 1940
Loew’s E. M. Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre.
Rialto
? 1920-? 1925
5|Page
Saxon
AKA: Lyric
729 Main
? 1946-? 1975
1,000 seats
Owners:
1975 Sack Theatres, Inc.
Universal
105 Main
? 1927-? 1950
827 seats
theatre.
GARDNER
Gardner
? 1920-? 1930
Gardner 1 & 2
AKA: Sack Cinema 1-2, Orpheum
34 Parker
? 1985-1999
Gardner 9
336 Timpany Blvd
? 2000-
Shea's
? 1930-? 1945
Maine & New Hampshire Theaters owned
this theatre.
Strand
80 Daniel
? 1935-? 1950
789 seats
Owners:
1940 Maine & New Hampshire Theaters
1950 American Theaters Corp.
6|Page
Mohawk Drive-In
Airport St.
1953-2000
450 cars
Owners:
1955 Affiliated theaters corp.
Orpheum
AKA: Gardner 1 & 2, Sack Cinema
32 Parker
1919-? 1969
Owners:
1920-1950 George Giles
1961-1964 General Drive-In Corporation
1969 General Cinemas Corp.
Sack Cinema 1-2
AKA: Gardner 1 & 2, Orpheum
? 1980
Sack Theatres, Inc. owned this theatre.
Uptown
260 Central
? 1935-? 1950
1,048 seats
LEOMINSTER
Capitol
? 1935
Levenson Circuit owned this theatre.
Gem
? 1920-? 1925
7|Page
Leominster 10
Sack St.
? 1990* Late 1970's opened as Sack Cinema 1-2-3-45-6-7 by Sack Theatres, Inc.
* Late th1980's expanded to 12 screens as it
was taken over by Loew's
* 1998 Taken over by Loews Cineplex and
reduced to 10 screens
* By 2005 taken over by Entertainment
Cinemas, who updates this cinema with
stadium-seating and upgraded sound
systems.
Metropolitan
46 Central
? 1930-? 1969
1,399 seats
Owners:
1935 Levenson Circuit
1940 Strand Theaters Company
1945-1969 Latchis
Music Hall
? 1920-? 1925
Plymouth
27 Mechanic
? 1930-? 1955
1,042 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Latchis
Lexington
? 1930
8|Page
Rialto
Whalom Park Drive-In
Sack Cinema 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
WEST BOYLSTON
55 Main
? 1930-? 1950
1,124 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Latchis
AKA: Leominster Cinemas
Sack St.
? 1980-? 1985
Sack Theatres, Inc. owned this theatre.
357 Electric
? 1950-? 1985
400 cars
Daytz Theatre Enterprises Corp. owned this
drive-in in 1961
West Boylston 6
July 25th, 1997-
LUNENBERG
Tri-Town Drive-In
3 Youngs Road
1955-2009
600 cars
9|Page
Worcester drive-in
184 W. Boylston St.
? 1955-? 1980
1,600 cars
Loew’s E. M. Theaters, Inc. owned this drivein in 1955
WINCHENDEN
Capitol
190 Central
? 1930-? 1995
599 seats
Owners:
1930 Sharby Circuit
1980-1995 Nutter Theatres
Monadnock
? 1920
42
10 | P a g e
PITTSFIELD
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
ADAMS
Adams
27 Park
? 1940-? 1961
960 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Morse, Charles
1950-1961 Rothenberg Theaters
This is now a community arts center entered
by the back only. The former entrance is now
a Subway.
Hoosac Drive-In
199 Howland
? 1955-? 1985
435 cars
Rothenberg Theaters owned this theatre
1955-1961
New Adams
? 1940
Park
Atlas
? 1930-? 1935
Morse, Charles owned this theatre in 1935
? 1935-? 1940
Morse, Charles owned this theatre in 1940
DALTON
Briggs Open Air
? 1950-? 1955
400 cars
Dalton
Main
? 1935-? 1955
500 seats
Nilman Circuit owned this theatre 1950-1955
11 | P a g e
GREAT
BARRINGTON
KENBERMA
14 Castle
1905-? 1995
885 seats
http://www.mahaiwe.org/
This 885-seat theatre was owned by
Interstate Theater Corp. 1935-1985 and
Hoyts Cinemas until it stopped showing
movies, It is now a performing arts center. It
was split into 2 screens in the early 1980's.
LANESBORO
Mehaiwe Triplex
Sunset Park Auto Drive-In
Mehaiwe
70 Railroad St
1995http://www.thetriplex.com
Art cinema.
Strand
? 1930-? 1930
Berkshire Mall 10
Highway 8 & Old State Rd
1989Owners:
1989-2003 Hoyts Cinemas
2003- Regal Cinemas
379 N. Main
? 1950-? 1975
400 cars
Owners:
1961-1969 Daytz Theatre Enterprises Corp.
1975 Cinecom Theatres Northeastern States,
Inc.
12 | P a g e
LEE
NORTH ADAMS
101 Main
? 1945-? 1955
520 seats
838 Curran
? 1961-1994
600 cars
Lee
Coury's Drive-In
Paris Cinema I & II
? 1969
Esquire Theatres of America, Inc. owned
this theatre.
Park
? 1935-? 1940
Tanglewood
? 1969
Esquire Theatres of America, Inc. owned
this theatre.
LENOX
Town Hall
6 Walker
? 1927-? 1990
435 seats
Movies were shown once a week in 1927.
Empire
55 Main
1912-? 1930
Heritage Cinema
40 Main-? 1990
Mohawk
111 Main
November 5, 1938-? 1991
1,204 seats
13 | P a g e
Movieplex 8
AKA: North Adams 6
86 Main
http://www.northadamsmovieplex.com/
2007-
Richmond
36 Main
? 1930-? 1950
718 seats
Owners:
1935 Loew’s E. M. Theaters, Inc.
1940-1945 Western Massachusetts Theaters,
Inc
PITTSFIELD
Beacon Cinemas 6
North St. in downtown
Fall 2009-
North Adams 6
Curran Highway
? 1990-2007
Owners:
1990- Mini Theatres (Cinema North)
This closed when the board of health
condemned the strip mall.
Paramount
Bijou
? 1930
Boy's Club
55 Main
16 Melville
1929-? 1964
? 1940
1,306 seats
Owners:
1935 Mullins and Pinanski (controlled by
Paramount Publix)
1940-1950, 1964 Western Massachusetts
Theaters, Inc
1955-1961 Daytz Theatres and Western Mass.
Theatres Partnership
14 | P a g e
Capitol
328 North
? 1925-? 1985
1,350 seats
Owners:
1930 Publix Theaters Corp.
Paramount Publix)
Inc
Colonial
115 South
1903-1951
758 seats
http://www.thecolonialtheatre.org
Owners:
1920 Goldstein Brothers Amusement
Company
1925 Goldstein Circuit
Company
Paramount Publix)
Inc
This is now a live theatre.
Cinema Center 8
450 W Housatonic St
? 1990-2001
Melrose Associates, Inc. owned this theatre
1990-1995
Inn Cinema
South Street Berkshire Common
? 1973-? 1982
190 seats
Hallmark Releasing Corp. owned this tiny
cinema with flat floors in the early 1970's
15 | P a g e
Kameo
AKA: Showcase, State
426 North St
? 1930-? 1945
Little Cinema
39 South
1937359 seats
Full-time cinema since 1949. This theatre is
in the Berkshire Museum.
Paris Cinéma
30 Union
? 1969-? 1995
Owners:
1969-1985 Esquire Theatres of America, Inc.
1990-1995 Melrose Associates, Inc.
Now a live theatre.
Pittsfield Drive-In
Majestic
AKA: Palace
132 North
1913-? 1925
Palace
Merrill Road south of Dalton
? 1961-? 1975
600 cars
Owners:
Inc.
AKA: Majestic
132 North
? 1930-? 1985
1,582 seats
Owners:
Company
Paramount Publix)
1940-1950, 1964-1985 Western Massachusetts
Theaters, Inc
16 | P a g e
Showcase
Union Square
426 North St
? 1969-? 1985
Western Massachusetts Theaters, Inc owned
this theatre.
30 Union
1912-? 1955
1,050 seats
Goldstein Brothers Amusement Company
owned this theatre in 1930
This is now a playhouse called Barrington
Stage Company.
AKA: Kameo, State
Spa
Closed by 1935
AKA: Paris Cinema
State
AKA: Kameo, Showcase
426 North
? 1950-? 1955
1,159 seats
Strand
409 North
? 1920-? 1950
775 seats
Owners:
1920 A. B. C. Theater Company
1930 Publix Theaters Corp.
Paramount Publix)
Inc
Tyler
532 Tyler
1915-? 1955
500 seats
WEST PITTSFIELD
Berkshire Drive-In
? 1950-? 1980
600 cars
Owners:
Inc.
17 | P a g e
WILLIMANSETT
Walden
5 Meadow
? 1945-? 1955
Leiberman, Fred E. Circuit owned this 700seat theatre.
Willow
Willow
WILLIAMSTOWN
College Cinema
? 1975
Hallmark Releasing Corp. owned this
theatre.
Images
AKA: Images
50 Spring
1916-? 1945
? 1935-? 1940
Leiberman, Fred E. Circuit owned this
theatre in 1940
WINDSOR
Windsor Drive-In
? 1950
51 listings
AKA: Walden
50 Spring
? 1990http://www.imagescinema.org
Taconic
? 1950
493 seats
18 | P a g e
SPRINGFIELD
HAMPDEN COUNTY
SPRINGFIELD
Allen Cooley 2
Corner of Allen & Cooley
May 25th, 1973-1986
Arcade
171 State
1931-1971
1,000 seats
70mm roadshows were shown here.
Owners:
Inc
1961-1971 B & Q Circuit
19 | P a g e
Art
1670 Main
1934-1956
934 seats
Owners:
1945-1953 Warner Brothers
1953-1961 Stanley Warner
Aubert
? 1930
Warner Brothers owned this theatre.
Bijou
91 Worthington
1910-1975
1,015 seats
* Feb 19, 1910 opened as a playhouse
* 1925 owner: George Hammond
* 1930 owner: Rackliffe Circuit
* 1955-1968 owner: B & Q Circuit
* 1968 converted to an adult cinema and
renamed Bijou Cinema. The manager, Mrs.
Norberry was arrested for showing indecent
films.
* 1973 back to family fare but it closed in 1975
* 1975 The Bijou, the last of the downtown
cinemas is demolished
20 | P a g e
Bing
716 Sumner Ave
August 1st, 1951-? 1995
AKA: X (not an adult theatre)
This theatre is being restored.
Owners:
Inc
Boy's Club
260 Chestnut
? 1940-? 1955
475 seats
No listings in the newspapers.
21 | P a g e
Broadway
161 Bridge
April 28th, 1913-1952
1,713 seats
Owners:
Company
1930 G-B Theaters Corp.
Paramount Publix)
Inc
22 | P a g e
Capitol
Cinema 1 & 2
1368 Main St
April 18th, 1920-1968
1,768 seats
* 1857 opened as the Gilmore Opera House
* 1864 burned down
* 1865 reopened
* April 1920 renamed Capitol and had 1,450
seats.
* 1930-1950 Owner: Warner Brothers
* 1955-1968 Stanley Warner owned it.
* February 29, 1968 closed with a showing of
Bonnie and Clyde
* November 1972 demolished for "urban
renewal"
Liberty St.
1975-1976
AKA: Gilmore Opera House
AKA: Springfield Twins
Cinema X
499 Sumner Ave
November 13th, 1963-1985
* 1923 Opened as Phillips
* 1964 closed
* 1965 Reopened as an art cinema called
Cinema X by the Art Theatre Guild (for the
neighbourhood not as an adult theatre)
* Mid 1980's closed
* 1991 demolished for a Walgreen’s
23 | P a g e
Court Square
11 Elm
1892-1955
1,730 seats
* September 21, 1892 opened
* 1936 E. M. Loew leased it as a cinema
* 1941 Playgoers of Springfield took it over
until 1953
* April 22, 1956 Final performance
* March 1957 Demolished for a parking lot.
Cleveland
41 Cleveland
? 1900-? 1910
Eastfield Mall
December 25th, 1968-1983
* Christmas Day 1968 opened by General
Cinemas as a single cinema.
* 1976 2 cinemas twinned on the same day as
the Sack Palace
* 1978 General Cinemas sells it to Sack.
* 1983 closed
This theatre was managed by Henry
Cummings.
24 | P a g e
Eastfield Mall 16
1655 Boston Road
August 22, 19993,000 seats
Owners:
1999-2010 National Amusements
2010- Rave Motion Pictures
The “Mall” tag was removed in 2010.
Fox
1913-1934
Edisonia
510 Main
? 1915-? 1915
Elm
? 1930
25 | P a g e
Fox
1340 Boston Rd
February 26th, 1970-1978
1,000 seats
Owners:
1970-1973 Fox Eastern
1973-1978 Mann Theatres Corporation of
California
Fox Palace
? 1920-? 1935
2,500 seats
Fox Theatres Corp. owned this theatre.
26 | P a g e
Garden
1176 Main
? 1923-1943
Winchester Amusement Co. owned this
theatre 1930-1935
Liberty Theatres 1940-1943
Jefferson
2645 Main
1921-1957, 1969-1975
1,030 seats
Owners:
1930-1935 Winchester Amusement Co.
1945-1954 Rifkin, Herman, Theaters (DBA:
Liberty Theatres)
* October 6, 1921 opened
* 1957 closed
* 1969 reopened as an adult cinema called
Jefferson Fine Arts
* 1974 stopped showing adult films
* 1975 closed
Gilmore Opera House
1368 Main
1857-1920
See Capitol for more details.
Globe
124 Main
? 1915-? 1916
27 | P a g e
Jerry Lewis Twin
AKA: Springfield Twins, Cinemas 1 & 2
Liberty St.
1972-1973
Majestic
1928-? 1950
theatre.
Liberty
739 Liberty
1928-1954
946 seats
Owners:
1940-1950 Rifkin, Herman, Theaters (DBA
Liberty Theatres)
Mirror
Wilbraham Road
? 1915-? 1916
Municipal Auditorium
1913-1938
Lyric
Closed by 1940
28 | P a g e
Nelson
? 1909-1912
New Franklin
? 1935-? 1950
theatre.
29 | P a g e
Paramount
AKA: Sanderson
1705 Main
September 29th, 1929-1965, 1968-1981
3,755 seats
* 1926 opened as Paramount at a cost of
$1,000,000. This was the largest theatre in
Springfield.
* 1935 owner: Mullins and Pinanski
(controlled by Paramount Publix)
* 1940-1950 owner: Western Massachusetts
Theaters, Inc.
* 1955-1964 owner: New England Theatres
* 1969-1973 owner: Western Massachusetts
Theaters, Inc.
* 1971 shows last movies
* 1973 reopened as Mary Sanderson theatre
and live shows were presented
* 1980 became an repertory cinema named
Paramount
* 1981 closed
* 1999 restored and reopened as
Hippodrome
* 2011 closed
30 | P a g e
Phillips
AKA: Cinema X
499 Sumner
1919-1963
1,160 seats
Owners:
1940-1954 Liberty Theatres
Plaza
1911-1919
owned this theatre in 1920.
Poli’s
? 1909-1914
Pine Point
? 1935
31 | P a g e
Poli's Palace
195 Worthington
December 22nd, 1913-1965
2,610 seats
* December 1913 opened as Poli Palace
* 1921 Loew's buys it
* 1928 taken over by Fox
* 1932 Fox sells it
* 1937 sold to Loew’s
* 1965 closed
* July-August 1967 closed and demolished
32 | P a g e
Round Hill Drive-In
101 Plainfield
August 8th, 1951-1966
drive-in
33 | P a g e
Sanderson
Springfield Plaza 1-2-3
1705 Main
1974-1975
1225 Liberty
1971-1984
3rd cinema added in 1980.
AKA: Paramount
AKA: Jerry Lewis
Springfield
? 1930
Springfield Cinemas 12
1060 Wilbraham Road
? 1995-2004
National Amusements owned this cinema.
34 | P a g e
Springfield Plaza 16
1250 Saint James Avenue
December 12, 1999-2001, 2003-2005, May 20063,200 seats
Owners:
1999-2001 Regal Cinemas
2003-2005 MegaStar
2005 Marquee
Reopened May 2006 by Entertainment
Cinemas
State
? 1925-1933
700 seats
Owners:
Springfield Twins
AKA: Cinema 1 & 2, Jerry Lewis
1976-1980
35 | P a g e
Strand
24 Eastern
1921-1953
995 seats
Owners:
1941-1953 Rifkin, Herman, Theaters (DBA:
Liberty Theatres)
Subway
231 Main
? 1915-? 1916
48 listings
36 | P a g e
FRANKLIN COUNTY
ASHFIELD
GREENFIELD
? 1930
Mills Theaters owned this theatre.
229 Mohawk Trl
? 1990-2003
Owners:
1990 Mini Theatres (Cinema North)
2002-2003 Northeast Cinemas LLC
This closed when everyone went downtown
to the Garden.
Ashfield
Community
? 1935
BUCKLAND
Cinema Six
Buckland
? 1930-? 1935
Mills Theaters owned this theatre in 1930.
CHARLEMONT
Community Drive-In
? 1950-? 1980
Nilman Circuit owned this drive-in 1950-1969
DEERFIELD
Deerfield Drive-In
? 1961-? 1975
450 cars
Garden
361 Main
1929* 1929 opened with 1,877 seats by G-B
Theaters Corp.
* 1935 owner: Mullins and Pinanski
* 1940-1969 (except 1955-1961) owned by
Western Massachusetts Theaters, Inc
* 1955-1961 owned by Daytz Theatres and
Western Mass. Theatres Partnership
* Early 1990's rebuilt into 7 screens by
Western Massachusetts Theaters, Inc
37 | P a g e
Lawler
42 Federal St.
1913-? 1961
1,150 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Latchis
1955 Jamestown Amusement Co., Inc. (Shea)
1961 Daytz Theatres and Western Mass.
Showplace
Victoria
AKA: Vic Showcase, Showplace
125 Chapman
1913-? 1964
880 seats
this theatre 1961-1964
NORTHFIELD
Northfield Auto
Hinsdale Road at the New Hamphsire
125 Chapman
border
? 1975-? 1985
1949Western Massachusetts Theaters, Inc owned 300 cars
this theatre.
AKA: Vic Showcase, Victoria
Starlight Outdoor
Bernardston Road
1948
This small drive-in had an 16mm projector.
Vic Showcase
125 Chapman
? 1969
this theatre.
Renamed Showplace when the Redstones
complained.
38 | P a g e
Northfield Community
? 1950
Town Hall
Closed by 1935
ORANGE
ORANGE-ATHOL
Pioneer Valley Drive-In
Rt 2
? 1955-? 1980
drive-in 1955-1961
Athol
? 1930
Orange
52 E Main
? 1950-? 1955
630 seats
Orange Drive-In
? 1961-? 1985
350 cars
Town Hall
? 1935-? 1940
SHELBURNE
FALLS
Buckland
? 1935
Community Drive-In
? 1955-? 1986
300 cars
Memorial
51 Bridge
? 1930-? 1980
owners:
1930 Mills Theaters
1950-1969 Nilman Circuit
404 seats
39 | P a g e
Pothole Pictures
51 Bridge
? 2000Open one day a week.
Valleyview Drive-In
North of town
? 1950-? 1969
150 cars
theatre in 1955
TURNER FALLS
Park Villa Drive-In
Shelburne Falls Drive-In
? 1950
SOUTH
DEERFIELD
Oak and Fairway
? 1955-? 1975
350 cars
Owners:
Inc.
Deerfield Drive-In
? 1975
Red Men's Hall
Closed by 1935.
Town Hall
? 1935
Closed by 1935.
40 | P a g e
Shea's
71 Avenue A
1927-1956, 1963-1964 as cinema.
728 seats
http://www.theshea.org/
* Febrary 14, 1927 opened
* 1956 closed
* 1963-1964 reopened
* 1973 the Renaissance Community
commune bought this theatre and used it for
a recording studio and the site for their
religious activities.
* 1986 sold to the Franklin County
Community Development Corp.
* 1990 reopened as a live theatre.
41 | P a g e
HAMPDEN COUNTY
AGAWAM
Agawam Twin
AKA: Cinema 1 & 2
Jerry Lewis
AKA: Family Cinema 2, Agawam Twin
866 Suffield St.
1971-1973
866 Suffield St.
1977-? 1989
Family Cinema 2
AKA: Jerry Lewis, Agawam Twin
866 Suffield St
? 1990-
Park Inn
? 1940
42 | P a g e
Riverside Park Drive-In
1623 Main
April 21st, 1944-1947
This amusement park is still open as of 2011.
AMHERST
Amherst
30 Amity
1926-2001, 2006846 seats
* 1926 opened in an old horse stable
* 1935-1940 owned by Shea Chain, Inc
* 1955 owned by Jamestown Amusement Co.,
Inc. (Shea)
* 1961 owned by Daytz Theatre Enterprises
Corp.
* 1975-2001 owned by Western
Massachusetts Theaters, Inc
* 2001 competition from the AMC Mountain
Farms 4 and Hampshire 6 forced this and
the Rivoli to close. Ironically, the theatre
outlasted the AMC Hampshire Mall 6.
* November 2006 reopened as the Amherst
Cinema Arts center with 3 screens
Http://www.amherstcinema.org/
Community
? 1930
ALDENVILLE
Midway
? 1930
Town Hall
? 1930-? 1955
546 seats
Owners:
1930 Shea Chain, Inc
43 | P a g e
BONDSVILLE
Opera House
? 1930-? 1955
Rapalus Theaters owned this theatre.
CHICOPEE
Chabot
1964-1966
Rivoli
41 Springfield St
? 1935-1999
1,235 seats
Owners:
Paramount Publix)
Theaters, Inc
Elms
? 1930
G-B Theaters Corp. owned this theatre.
Playhouse
AKA: Victoria
79 Chabot
? 1930
Midway
685 Grattan St.
Dates unknown
Royal
? 1930
44 | P a g e
Victoria
79 Cabot
? 1935-? 1955
730 seats
Westover Base
Westover AFB
? 1950
This theatre got its movies before everyone
else in town.
CHICOPEE FALLS
Airline Drive-In
Memorial Drive Near Turnpike
1950-1983
1,000 cars
drive-in 1952-1961
45 | P a g e
Falls
AKA: Wernick
24 Broadway
? 1930-1968
Owners:
Inc
Majestic
37 Cottage
1923-1986
800 seats
* 1910 opened
* 1923 burned and rebuilt by Stefan Rapalus
* Early 1960's switched to adult movies
* 1986 completion from the home video
industry forced this theatre to close.
Wernick
24 Broadway
? 1930-? 1950
1,000 seats
EASTHAMPTON
Majestic
37 Cottage
1910-1923
46 | P a g e
HADLEY
Campus Cinema Complex I,II &
III
1967-1976
theatre. It opened with 2 cinemas and
expanded to 3 cinemas by 1972.
Hadley Drive-In
320 Russell St
1953-1973
400 cars
Owners:
Inc.
Hampshire Mall
341 Russell St
1978-1999
* 1978 opened by American Multi-Cinemas
with 4 screens
* Late 1980's expanded to 6 cinemas
* 1999 demolished for a megaplex cinema
which was never built.
47 | P a g e
Hampshire Mall
367 Russell St
2000This Cinemark theatre, the only one in New
England was to have 24 screens but the
plans were scaled back to 12 screens when
the new Regal cinemas opened nearby. 3
more screens including an XD screen
opened in 2012
Mountain Farms 4
335 Russell St
1973-2001
This was the first AMC theatre in the state.
When it closed, there was no more AMC in
the state until they taken over General
Cinemas in 2002.
48 | P a g e
HOLYOKE
Bijou
318 Main
? 1930-? 1975
1,255 seats
Rapalus Theaters owned this theatre 19401975
Holyoke Plaza 2
Route 5
1974-1977
Empire
147 High
? 1909-1910
Globe
26 Suffolk
? 1935-? 1950
420 seats
Holyoke
? 1925-? 1950
Owners:
49 | P a g e
Holyoke Mall Cinemas 8
50 Holyoke
1979-1988
Owners:
1980 Theatre Management Services
1985 Cinema Centers Corp.
Majestic
205 Main
? 1927-? 1950
1,624 seats
Owners:
1930 Rackliffe Circuit
1945 Rifkin, Herman, Theaters
Royal
Closed by 1935
State
461 Dwight Street
? 1950-? 1969
theatre.
Strand
265 Main
1920-1978
1,109 seats
Owners:
Paramount Publix)
Theaters, Inc
1955-1961 New England Theatres
50 | P a g e
Suffolk
11 Suffolk
? 1912-? 1969
880 seats
Owners:
1935 George Hammond
1945 Rifkin, Herman, Theaters
1961 Daytz Theatres and Western Mass.
Inc
INDIAN ORCHARD
Grand
207 Main
1911-1985
Three Star
? 1935
Victory
91 Suffolk
1919-1979
1,680 seats
Owners:
Paramount Publix)
Theaters, Inc
LUDLOW
Burr
94 Hubbard
September 19, 1927-1967
Rapalus Theaters owned this 700-seat
theatre. This theatre is now a storage
building for a lumber yard.
Lyric
113 Center
1911-1927
200 seats
51 | P a g e
MONSON
NORTHAMPTON
? 1930-? 1955
274 Main
1890-2007,2009964 seats
Owners:
1945-1961 Rifkin, Herman Theatres
1964-1969 Rifkin Theatres
1975 Theatre Management Services
In Early 2007, this theatre switched to live
performances only.
2009 back to movies
2010 stopped showing movies
Capitol
Monson
218 Main
? 1945-? 1955
354 seats
Academy of Music
52 | P a g e
Calvin
19 King
Apr 24, 1924-? 2000
1,739 seats
Owners:
1924-1925 Goldstein Circuit
Paramount Publix)
Theaters, Inc
Northampton Drive-In
? 1955-? 1961
398 cars
Palace
14 Masonic Street
1907-1916
740 seats
Lyric
24 Pleasant
? 1915-1917
53 | P a g e
Plaza
79 Pleasant
1912-1952
Owners:
Company
Paramount Publix)
Inc
PALMER
Five Star
1416 Main
? 1941-? 1955
Imperial Cinema
? 1972-? 1995
Nutter Theatres owned this theatre.
Metropolitan Airport Drive-In
AKA: Metro DI 1956-
561 River St
1949-1986
500 cars
Daytz Theatres and Western Mass. Theatres
Partnership owned this theatre 1955-1961
Pleasant Street
27 Pleasant
1976-January 2008, Late 2008-2012
Reopened late in 2008 with 4 cinemas
http://www.pleasantstreettheater.com/
54 | P a g e
Palmer
? 1935-? 1940
Snider, Ralph E. owned this theatre in 1940
Strand
Central
? 1940-? 1955
600 seats
Owners:
1935-1950 Snider, Ralph E.
1955 Western Massachusetts Theaters, Inc
SOUTHAMPTON
Red Rock Drive-In
11 College Highway
? 1950-1984
275 cars
Three Rivers
? 1945
PINE POINT
Lyric
? 1940
SOUTH HADLEY
Tower Twin
19 College http://www.towertheaters.com
1989280 seats
Mini Theatres (Cinema North) owned this
cinema until 2005
55 | P a g e
South Hampton Drive-In
1950
WARE
Bijou
? 1925-? 1945
Owners:
Casino
THREE RIVERS
Idle Hour
121 Main
? 1925-1999
750 seats
Owners:
Inc
This theatre was twinned in the early 1990's.
It was demolished in 2011
2305 Main
? 1927-? 1945
Three Rivers
67 Main
? 1945-? 1950
500 seats
56 | P a g e
WEST
SPRINGFIELD
Elm
AKA: Majestic, Paris
131 Elm
1988-1996
Cinema
AKA: West Springfield Showcase Cinemas
864 Riverdale Street
1964-2000
See West Springfield Showcase Cinemas for
more details.
Crown
? 1940
Drive-In
AKA: Memorial DI
555 Memorial
1949
Empire
750 Main
? 1922-? 1965
Elm
? 1930
57 | P a g e
Majestic
Memorial Drive-In
131 Elm
? 1935-1968
701 seats
* 1922 opened as Majestic
* 1968 renamed Paris and shown foreign and
art films
* 1984 renamed Elm
* 1988 closed as a cinema.
* 1996 reopened as a live theatre by the
Theater Project.
555 Memorial
1950-1978
600 cars
theatre in 1961
AKA: Paris, Elm
AKA: Drive-In
58 | P a g e
Palace
AKA: West Springfield Showcase 11-14, 15-19
895 Riverdale St
Yellow building on map and aerial.
March 22nd, 1968-1988
*March 22nd, 1968 opened as a single screen
cinema by Loew’s E. M. Theaters, Inc.
* 1976 taken over by Sack Theatres and split
into two cinemas
* 1983 taken over by National Cinemas
* June 24th, 1988 Became Showcase 11-14
* 2000 became Showcase 16-19
* 2002 closed when the Showcase Cinemas
are completed
* 2006 demolished
59 | P a g e
Paris
131 Elm
February 16th, 1968-1981
theatre in 1975
Riverdale Drive-In
May 27th, 1950-1982
1,008 cars
Loew’s E. M. Theaters, Inc. owned this drivein
60 | P a g e
Strand
? 1940-? 1950
theatre.
West Springfield Showcase 11-14
(16-19)
AKA: Palace
895 Riverdale St Yellow building on map and
aerial.
1988-2002
61 | P a g e
West Springfield Showcase
Cinemas
864 Riverdale Street Blue and Red buildings
* November 25, 1964 opened with 2 screens
in the red building.
* April 19th, 1967 Building 2, a large theatre
with a Cinerama screen opened in the center
of the red building on top. 3 screens in all. It
was the first triple hard-ticket cinema in the
U. S.
* 1971 Building 3 in Blue: 2 more theatres
opened in Phase 2 and 3 of plan below. 5
screens
* 1973 6 screens
* 1976 8 screens
* 1983 10 screens in red and blue buildings.
* June 24th, 1988 The Palace across the street
is renamed Showcase 11-14.
* 2000-June 2001 consolidated and rebuilt
with 15 screens. The Blue building in the
map and aerial was demolished.
* Taken over by Rave Motion Pictures and
renamed West Springfield 15
1967 seating: 700, 1,100, 1,012
1967 aerial
http://cinerama.topcities.com/b071767.htm
62 | P a g e
63 | P a g e
WESTFIELD
Opera House
? 1920
owned this theatre.
Sundown Drive-In
1029 North Road
1947-1986
drive-in 1955-1961
Park
38 Main
1928-1967
1,200 seats
Owners:
1930-1940 Shea Chain, Inc
Rialto
? 1930
Strand
10 Church
? 1920-? 1980
1,054 seats
Owners:
Company
Theaters, Inc
64 | P a g e
WILBRAHAM
Parkway Drive-In
2001 Boston Road
1948-1987
Owners:
1969-1987 Esquire Theatres of America, Inc.
54 theatres found
February 24, 2007
Last update 2011 09 11
Thanks to Cliff McCarthy of the Springfield
Historical Socity and National
Amusements’s Wanda Whitson with
providing the information on the Showcase
cinemas.
Springfield Union checked 1910-1989
65 | P a g e
WORCHESTER
WORCHESTER COUNTY
WORCHESTER
Art
AKA: Fine Arts, Lothrop's Opera House, Pleasant, Olympia
17 Pleasant
1984-2006
See Fine Arts for more details on this adult
cinema.
Bijou
AKA: Family, Phillips, Cinema I,II & III
110 Front St.
? 2000-2004
http://www.bijoucinema.org/
* Late 1910's opened as Family
* Late 1950's
* 1964 reopened as Phillips with seating
down to 450 from 1,000 with the balcony and
the first 12 rows removed.
* Late 1960's closed for redevelopment of the
Galleria.
* 1973 reopened by General Cinemas with 3
cinemas with a total of 700 seats. It becomes
part of the Galleria.
* Late 1980's General Cinemas sells it and
renamed Bijou
* November 2004
66 | P a g e
Capitol
Cinema I
68 Franklin
December 11, 1926-1966
1,874 seats
* December 11, 1926 opened as Capitol
Seating: Main 1,100, Loges 284, Balcony 490
* 1935-1945 owners: Mullins and Pinanski
* 1950-1966 owners: New England Theatres
* December 25, 1962 reopened after
renovations.
* 1966 closed down
* 1967 reopened as Paris cinema.
* September 1982 switched to adult cinemas,
which paid higher rent. It had 2 adult
cinemas
1: straight porn,
2: Adonis cinema (upstairs) gay porn, also an
adult bookstore
* January 2005 the police arrests 22 men
including a high school teacher from the
northwest part of the state caught
masturbating to a skin flick. The theatre was
packed.
* July 2005 License revoked and the theatre
is closed.
The Paris cinema in New Hartford near
Utica UN had the same facade.
24 Mill
1963-? 1980
* 1939 opened as Park
* 1961 closed it is bought out by the Redstone
Company.
* 1963 reopened as Cinema, the first indoor
screen for the Redstones. It had a Cinerama
screen.
* Early 1980's renamed Webster Square
Cinemas and split into 2 cinemas
* Late 1990's closed when Showcase North
opened.
AKA: Paris
AKA: Park, Webster Square Cinemas
Cinema I,II & III
AKA: Bijou, Family, Phillips
110 Front
? 1975-? 1985
General Cinemas owned this theatre. See
Bijou for more details.
Crystal
? 1925
Moe Mark owned this theatre.
67 | P a g e
Elm
3 Elm
1912-1961
2,301 seats
* 1912 opened
* Late 1920's sold to Fox and then to MGM's
Loew's theatres
* 1939-1940 "Gone with the Wind" played
here.
* 1959 closed
* 1961 torn down for a "motor hotel”, which
was never built. A parking lot remains.
Franklin Square
AKA: Grand, Poli, Showcase Cinemas
4 Southbridge
1904-1908
Family
AKA: Cinema I,II & III, Bijou, Phillips
116 Front
? 1920-? 1964
800 seats
theatre 1935-1964. See Bijou for more details
Grand
Fine Arts
Greendale
AKA: Lothrop's Opera House, Pleasant, Fine Arts, Art
17 Pleasant
? 1961-? 1985
* 1891 opened as Lothrop's Opera House
* 1910 renamed Pleasant
* 1920 renamed Olympia
* 1956 renamed Fine Arts and started to
show risqué art movies and later adult
movies. It was owned by Loew’s E. M.
Theaters, Inc.
* 1984 renamed Arts
* January 2006 closed.
AKA: Poli, Showcase Cinemas, Franklin Square
4 Southbridge
1908-1925
See Poli for more details.
50 Barber
? 1940-? 1950
744 seats
68 | P a g e
Lincoln Plaza
545 Lincoln
? 1969-1996
* Late 1960's opened by New England
Theatres
* Early 1970's taken over by Hallmark
Releasing Corp.
* Early 1980's taken over by Northeast
Theatres and split into 2 screens
* Late 1980's 3 screens as it is owned by
National Amusements
* 1996 closed
Paris
AKA: Capitol
68 Franklin
1967-2005
This was an adult cinema. See Capitol for
more details.
Lothrop's Opera House
AKA: Art, Fine Arts, Olympia, Pleasant
17 Pleasant
1891-? 1909
See Fine Arts for more details
Majestic
Park
Mark Strand
24 Mill
1939-1961
754 seats
See Cinema for more details.
? 1935-? 1940
? 1920-? 1925
AKA: Cinema, Webster Square 1-2
Modern
? 1930
Olympia
AKA: Art, Fine Arts, Plesant, Lothrop's Opera House
17 Pleasant
? 1920-? 1955
1,107 seats
Owners:
1920 S. Z. Poli
1925 N. H. Gordon Circuit
1930-1955 Loew’s E. M. Theaters, Inc.
Palace
? 1920-? 1940
Owners:
1920-1925 S. Z. Poli
1930-1940 Fox Theatres Corp.
Park
Front St.
? 1920-? 1925
69 | P a g e
Phillips
AKA: Bijou, Cinema I,II & III, Family
110 Front
1964-? 1969
450 seats
Plaza
Across from City Hall
? 1930-1941
Owners:
1930 Fox Theatres Corp.
1935-1940 Poli-New England Theaters, Inc
Plymouth
261 Main
1928-? 1985
2,633 seats
Owners:
1930 Loew's
1935 Strand Theaters Company
Now a concert hall called Pallidum.
Pleasant
17 Pleasant
? 1910-? 1919
Motion Pictures News 1929 02 02
70 | P a g e
Poli
AKA: Loew's Poli, Grand, Showcase Cinemas
4 Southbridge
http://www.thehanovertheatre.org
? 1920-? 1964
3,196 seats
* 1908 opened as Grand
* 1920 owned by S. Z. Poli
* 1925 owned by N. H. Gordon Circuit
* Late 1926 rebuilt as Poli
* 1935-1955 owned by Poli-New England
Theaters, Inc
* 1961-1964 owned by Loew's
* June 27, 1968 reopened with 2 cinemas,
Showcase 1, the penthouse unit had 791
seats and was reached by an escalator or an
grand marble staircase. It was equipped with
70mm projection. Showcase 2 with 1,068
seats with the largest Cinerama screen in
New England according to the circuit.
Advance tickets were sold at Steinert's at 303
Main and at all Sears area stores. It was
managed by John DiBenedetto.
* Late 1970's 4 cinemas
* September 1997 became a 2nd run theatre.
* May 20, 1998 closed when the Showcase
North 14 expanded.
* 2008 reopened as the Hanover Theatre for
the Performing Arts
Princess
? 1920
Regent
? 1930-? 1945
Owners:
Rialto
39 Millbure
? 1935-? 1955
1,050 seats
Royal
621 Main
? 1930-? 1955
750 seats
theatre 1940-1955
71 | P a g e
Showcase Cinema
AKA: Poli, Loew's Poli
4 Southbridge
June 27, 1968-May 20, 1998
National Amusements owned this theatre.
See Poli for more details.
Showcase North
135 Brooks St
December 14, 19952,200 seats (first phase of 7 screens)
* December 14, 1995 opened with 2,200 seats
in 7 cinemas
* May 15, 1996 expanded to 14 screens
(Lincoln Plaza cinemas opened the same
day) and an neon sculpture added
* Late 1998 expanded to 18 screens
National Amusement owns this theatre. It
features an 4-screen area called the
Showcase Cine Art with an upscale
concession stand.
St. Mary's Hall
? 1940
Strand
AKA: Warner
62 Front
? 1925-1930
* Early 1920's opened as Strand
* April 19, 1930 renamed Warner
* 1965 closed and replaced by a new cinema
in Shrewsbury called White City, which was
designed by Drew Eberson.
72 | P a g e
Tuckerman Hall
10 Tuckerman
? 1910
521 seats
* 1902 opened as a women's club
* 1910 movies were shown here
Now a concert hall used by the
Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra.
Wooster Academy
? 1930
Worcester
? 1930
39 listings
February 25, 2007
Art, Paris and Webster Square Photos by
Garry De Luca.
Warner
AKA: Strand
62 Front
1930-1965
1,290 seats
Warner-Stanley Warner owned this theatre.
Webster Square 1-2
AKA: Cinema I, Park
24 Mill
? 1985-1998
National Amusements owned this theatre.
73 | P a g e
SUBURBAN WORCHESTER
AUBURN
Auburn Drive-In
CLINTON
Clinton
779 Washington
? 1930
? 1961-? 1985
900 cars
Clinton Drive-In
Loew’s E. M. Theaters, Inc. owned this drive- High St.
in
? 1961-? 1975
600 cars
drive-in 1964-1969
BARRE
Town Hall
Main
? 1935-? 1955
301 seats
BOYLSTON
Boylston Drive-In
Globe
107 High
? 1930-? 1961
622 seats
Owners:
1930 Boas Circuit
1961 B & Q Circuit
? 1969-? 1975
CLEGHORN
Strand
? 1930
74 | P a g e
Last Strand
AKA: Strand
58 High
1995-2010
Http://www.strandtheatre.com/
State
20 Ferry
? 1950
320 seats
GILBERTVILLE
Plaza
? 1930-? 1935
Premier
? 1940
Strand
AKA: Last Strand
58 High
1924-? 1961, 20101,111 seats
Owners:
1930 Boas Circuit
1961 B & Q Circuit
Star
? 1950
280 seats
LEICESTER
Leicester Drive-In
1675 Main St
? 19753 screens in 2003
EAST DOUGLAS
G. A. R. Hall
Main
? 1935-? 1950
435 seats
FARNUMSVILLE
Jacques Hall
? 1920-? 1925
Walker Circuit owned this theatre.
FISHERVILLE
Fisher
? 1940
75 | P a g e
LINWOOD
MILFORD
? 1920-? 1925
Walker Circuit owned this theatre.
124 Medway Road
October 1974-1996
* 1973 opened with 3 cinemas by Interstate
Theater Corp.
* Late 1980's taken over by Hoyts Cinemas
* 1996 closed
Hall
MENDON
Mendon Auto Drive-In
? 1950
Mendon Air
45 Milford http://www.mendondrivein.com/
June 14, 1954* June 14, 1954 opened by Affiliated theaters
corp.
* Late 1950's-Late 1980's owned by Interstate
Theater Corp.
* 1998 2nd screen added
* 2012 Digital projection added to this drivein, it is so busy that cars are turned away.
800 cars
Cinema 495
Milford I & II
AKA: State
1967-1990
Garden Hall
? 1940
Ideal
97 Main
? 1940-? 1955
550 seats
theatre in 1955
Opera House
? 1920-? 1950
Owners:
1920 Film Amusements Company
1930-1950 Interstate Theater Corp.
Nitnuck Park
? 1935-? 1940
76 | P a g e
State
3 Park
1927-? 1964
1,400 seats
Interstate Theater Corp. owned this 1,400seat theatre.
Elm
35 Elm
? 1945-? 1955
700 seats
Elm Draught House Theatre
35 Elm
? 1990-
MILLBURY
Blackstone Valley 14: cinema
de lux
146/122 Mass Pike 10a
June 30, 2004National Amusements owns this theatre.
Paradise
? 1940
Town Hall
? 1935-? 1945
NORTHBORO
Westboro Theatre
56 Brewer
? 1998-2000
NORTHBRIDGE
Pastime
Main
? 1940-? 1955
300 seats
Affiliated theaters corp. owned this theatre
in 1950
Walker's Hall
? 1920-? 1935
Walker Circuit owned this theatre 1920-1925
77 | P a g e
NORTH
BROOKFIELD
Town Hall
? 1940-? 1945
Star
49 Mt. Pleasant Road
? 1927-? 1955
391 seats
NORTH OXFORD
Oxford Drive-In
12/20
? 1955-? 1990
Owners:
1961-1964 American Theaters Corp.
1975 Hallmark Releasing Corp.
1990 Melrose Associates, Inc.
SHREWSBURY
Edgemere Drive-In
US 20 at Lake
? 1955-2004
1,150 cars
Owners:
1990-2004 Melrose Associates, Inc.
OXFORD
Memorial
? 1935-? 1950
350 seats
Open Air Auto
Rt 9
? 1955
78 | P a g e
Shrewsbury Drive-In
Turnpike road at Fruit St.
1938-? 1985
350 cars
Owners:
1955-1969 American Theaters Corp.
SOUTH BARRE
Florence
Vernon
? 1935-? 1950
295 seats
SOUTHBRIDGE
Blanchard
? 1940
Interstate Theater Corp. owned this theatre.
Phelps
? 1940-? 1950
Strand
White City Theatre
50 Boston Tpke
1964-2001
* 1964 opened by Stanley Warner with "Mary
Poppins"
* 1965-1966 The Sound of Music played here.
* 1976-1977 twinned with Star Wars in
Cinema 1. It was taken over by Northeast
Theatres.
* Late 1990's 3 screens
* 2001 closed
18 Elm
1926-1965
617 seats
SPENCER
Champ
6 Mechanic
? 1955
Imperial Cinema
? 1980-? 1995
Nutter Theatres owned this theatre.
Park
6 Mechanics
? 1935-? 1950
597 seats.
STURBRIDGE
Dolly Drive-In
? 1950-? 1961
475 cars
drive-in in 1955
79 | P a g e
Sturbridge Drive-In
? 1950-? 1975
drive-in in 1961
Quaker Drive-In
? 1955-? 1985
theatre 1955-1961
Town Hall
? 1920-? 1930
Walker Circuit owned this theatre 1920-1925
Walker
Closed by 1935
WARREN
Casino
? 1935
WEBSTER
Sturbridge Ride-In
? 1940-? 1945
SUTTON
Liberty
276 Main
? 1930-? 1985
981 seats
theatre 1940-1985
Motor-In Drive-In
110 Worcester-Providence Tpke
1947-1996
450 cars
UXBRIDGE
Bijou
? 1935-? 1940
Cameo
Music Hall
? 1920-? 1925
Main
? 1945-? 1955
570 seats
80 | P a g e
State
253 Main
? 1930-? 1985
987 seats
theatre 1940-1985
Westborough 12
231 Turnpike
? 1997Owners:
2002-Regal Cinemas
Stienburg's
? 1920-? 1925
WESTBOROUGH
New Park
? 1935-? 1940
Rialto
? 1935
Ruth Gorden Flick Twin
AKA: Westboro 2
18 Lyman
? 1985-? 1990
WEST
BROOKFIELD
Westwind Drive-In
? 1950
Strand
19 Summer
? 1940-? 1955
542 seats
Owners:
1950-1955 Affiliated theaters corp.
Westboro 2
AKA: Ruty Gorden Flick Twin
18 Lyman
? 1995-? 2000
81 | P a g e
WEST WARREN
Grand
Main-? 1935-? 1950
275 seats
WINTINSVILLE
Prospect
19 Prospect
? 1920-? 1955
725 seats
Owners:
1920-1925 Walker Circuit
1950-1955 Affiliated theaters corp.
Star
N Main
? 1935-? 1950
350 seats
73 listings
328 total
82 | P a g e

History of Western Massachusetts movie theatres - Movie

Transcription

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