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Portrait of Modern Theatre owner Jacob Lourie (1874-1940), undated
Jacob Lourie (1874-1940) owned the Modern Theatre when it opened in 1914. He was an innovator who was the first in Boston to introduce sound with movies.
Postcard featuring a view of Boston's Theatre District, undated
Visitors to Boston sent postcards home showing that they had seen the celebrated Washington Street theater and shopping district
Postcard featuring a view of Boston's Theatre District, undated
Visitors to Boston sent postcards home showing that they had seen the celebrated Washington Street theater and shopping district
1914 Modern Theatre program
The program includes a synopsis of the photo play as well as a list of coming attractions and advertising.
View of the damage to the Modern Theatre pre-restoration, undated
Holes in the Modern Theatre roof let in the elements, leading to deterioration of the fine detail inside the original building.
Sun Ra performs at the opening of a Modern/Mayflower Theatre
Sun Ra was the opening act for a re-imagined Modern/Mayflower Theatre, which featured live entertainment after the movie business declined. However, that venture was short-lived. The theater closed in 1981 and fell into disrepair.
Poster advertising The Jazz Singer, undated
The Jazz Singer was a groundbreaking movie that incorporated spoken dialogue into film.
1947 U.S. postage stamp featuring Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison experimented with the transmission of vocal sounds and images while living in the Boston area. The great inventor was commemorated in a U.S. postage stamp
Early film camera developed by Thomas Edison
This early film camera was developed by Thomas Edison, whose invention of the Kinetoscope and the Vitascope led to the first silent motion pictures.
Professor Wesley Savick directs students in Car Talk: The Musical, undated
Professional and Suffolk Theatre Department performances are among the offerings at the new Modern Theatre. Here Professor Wesley Savick directs students in Car Talk: The Musical. The musical comedy, inspired by the National Public Radio show, was…