We recently received a question from Herb about the Tremont Theatre in Boston. Above is a photo Herb sent which he reckoned at being from about 1925.
There were a few theaters in Boston named Tremont Theatre at various times, at least three that I can think of, and perhaps more.
I believe the one in the photo is the Tremont Theatre at 176 Tremont Street across from Boston Common. I think it was built in the late 1880s, and in the mid-1930s started converting from a "legitimate" theater to a movie theater. It was re-named the Astor Theatre in 1947. The Astor Theater went out of business, I believe, in the 1970s or '80s. I'm not sure the building is still there.
However, the Cinema Treasures website has a description of this theater, with many interesting comments from readers sharing their knowledge about its history. If any of you have anything further to add, I’d love to hear from you.
Also visible in the photo above is the Hazel Boone School of Dancing just above the theater marquee. Herb’s family was involved in the operation of the Hazel Boone School of Dancing, and would like anyone with any information or memories to share about it to contact him at this website.
thanks! found some terrific photos.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thanks for stopping by, normadesmond.
ReplyDeleteI have two stunning postcards ca. 1905-10 showing the theater in all its glory, one, a black & white photo shows it right across the street from the Boylston Subway Station. Tremont St. was two way and had only horse drawn wagons and many of them. Right next door was a big sign for Quaker Oats, as best as I can make out. I'd be glad to provide scans of both if you can figure a way. Very interesting views.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind. If you'd care to scan them (assuming you have a printer/scanner at home. If not, you can have this done at places like chain pharmacies or stores where they do film processing and put the digital image on a disk or a USB memory stick), you can just email them to me as an attachment to: JacquelineTLynch@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. They sound like great photos. I'll post them here and on my New England Travels blog.
Also famous for the Boston premier of Birth of a Nation in 1915, prompting the most forceful protests against the film, one of which resulted in the arrest of Monroe Trotter in the lobby while thousands gathered in the common.
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