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James V. Roy | profile | all galleries >> Merrimack Valley Theaters >> Lawrence Theaters >> The Victoria/State Theater tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

The Victoria/State Theater

The 900 seat Victoria Theater at 125-127 Broadway in Lawrence MA, was built in 1910, the same year as, and situated diagonally across the street from, the Broadway Theater. It was originally owned by A.A. Kellerman, who also owned the Pastime at 386 Essex St. (1908-1913). According to Moving Picture World magazine (Volume 18 No. 6 November 8, 1913) it was "purchased by a company, headed by Hiram Abrams, known as the Victoria Amusement Company. Motion Pictures will continiue to be the policy. F. S. Earger of New York, has been secured as manager, and he comes with a good record behind him. 'In The Bishop's Carriage' was the first feature under the new management."

In 1914 the "Report of the Chief of the Massachusetts District Police" listed the Victoria Theatre licensed to D. F. Conlon but by 1918 listed it licensed to the Victoria Theater Company of Lawrence and Harold Siskind as President. Harold Meyer Siskind, with offices in the Bay State building, was also treasurer of the Capitol Amusement Company.
According to Louise Brady Sandberg writer of "Lawrence in the Gilded Age", Siskind's father Dr. Alexander L. Siskind had started his association with the movie industry when he opened the Marquise Theater (1908-1910) at 503 Essex St. and would later purchase the Victoria. Heading the Empire Amusement Company he would later purchase the Empire, Palace, Broadway and Premier and take a lease on the Colonial.

The Victoria operated until 1946 at which time it became the State Theater. The State operated until 1952. By 1959, Siskind's company was being run Roland R. Siskind, a prominent Lawrence realtor. The site of the Victoria, opposite theater row, is now a Walgreen's drug store.

Note: The Moving Picture World Vol. 18. No. 1 October 4, 1913 wrote, "The Pastime Theater, Lawrence, Mass., has outlived its usefulness, and is being remade into stores. It's 'goodnight' to the store shows!"

CinemaTreasures.org:32143
The Victoria Theater
The Victoria Theater
The Broadway and Victoria Theaters
The Broadway and Victoria Theaters
Victoria Theatre across Broadway
Victoria Theatre across Broadway
Victoria Theatre across Broadway
Victoria Theatre across Broadway
Independence Day Parade
Independence Day Parade
Walgreens on the site of the Victoria
Walgreens on the site of the Victoria