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 written by Savick and premiered at the Modern Theatre.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Gilooly%2C+John">Gilooly, John</a>
Other related resources
Copyright John Gilooly. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Wes Savick-Car Talk.jpg
Street view of Suffolk University's restored Modern Theatre, undated
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Vanderwarker%2C+Peter">Vanderwarker, Peter</a>
Other related resources
Copyright Peter Wanderwarker. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Vanderwarkerimg_exterior.jpg
View of the Modern Theatre's restored interior, undated
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Vanderwarker%2C+Peter">Vanderwarker, Peter</a>
Other related resources
Copyright Peter Wanderwarker. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Vanderwarkerimg_curtain.jpg
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Vanderwarker%2C+Peter">Vanderwarker, Peter</a>
Other related resources
Copyright Peter Wanderwarker. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Vanderwarkerimg_8441.jpg
15 cent movie tickets from the Modern Theatre, undated
Other related resources
Courtesy of John Toto. Copyright is retained by the creators of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the Moakley Archive & Institute. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Tix_IMG_4960.jpg
Portrait of Harvard physicist and architectural sound pioneer Wallace C. Sabine (1868-1919)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Sabine%2C+Clement">Sabine, Clement</a>
Other related resources
By Wallace Clement Sabine (Collected Papers on Acoustics), accessed via Wikimedia Commons
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Sabine.png
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.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Clineff%2C+Kendra">Clineff, Kendra</a>
Other related resources
Copyright Kendra Clineff. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
ruin1.jpg
Postcard advertising shows at the Modern and Beacon Theatres, 1926
Other related resources
1926
Courtesy of John Toto. Copyright is retained by the creators of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the Moakley Archive & Institute. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
postcard_IMG_1926.jpg
The restoration team inspects a column from the Modern Theatre, 2009
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Dekona%2C+Ren%C3%A9e+%0D%0A">Dekona, Renée
</a>
Other related resources
2009
Copyright Renée Dekona. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
MT-stones-column.jpg
Workers reinstalling one of the restored Modern Theatre signs, undated
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Dekona%2C+Ren%C3%A9e+%0D%0A">Dekona, Renée
</a>
Other related resources
Copyright Renée Dekona. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
MT-reinstalling marble sign.jpg
A mural is restored in Suffolk University's Modern Theatre, undated
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Dekona%2C+Ren%C3%A9e+%0D%0A">Dekona, Renée
</a>
Other related resources
Copyright Renée Dekona. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
MT-Beatty painting-web.jpg
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
Other related resources
Copyright is retained by the creators of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the Moakley Archive & Institute. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Modern-postcard-5.jpg
Interior of the Modern Theatre during the restoration, undated
A deteriorated roof and years of neglect left the interior of the Modern Theatre in ruins by the 2000s.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Clineff%2C+Kendra">Clineff, Kendra</a>
Other related resources
Copyright Kendra Clineff. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by Suffolk University. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Modern Theatre.jpg
View of Boston's Theatre District, including the restored Modern Theatre, undated
The Modern Theatre has been called the “jewel in the crown” of Boston’s restored Theater District. (unknown, commissioned by Suffolk)
Other related resources
Copyright is retained by the creators of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the Moakley Archive & Institute. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Modern Theatre sign 1.jpg
Modern Theater Interior and Floor Plan from the The American Architect, Vol. CVII, No. 2049.
Other related resources
Courtesy of Boston Public Library
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Modern Theater Interior and Floor Plan.jpg
Judith Selwyn of Preservation Technology Associates looks over the marble blocks incised with the Modern Theatre name during Suffolk University’s restoration of the historic theater’s façade, 2009
Other related resources
2009
Renee
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Modern Renee DeKona-Selwyn-lge.jpg
New England Theatres Operating Company, or NETOCO, pamphlet, circa 1927
Modern Theatre owner Jacob Lourie built a theater empire as owner of New England Theatres Operating Company, or NETOCO, which at its height operated 35 theaters. The company was affiliated with the Paramount studio until antitrust action broke up such partnerships.
Other related resources
1927
Courtesy of John Toto. Copyright is retained by the creators of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the Moakley Archive & Institute.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Modern netocomatchbkmore.jpg
Exterior of the Modern Theatre, 1926
Other related resources
1926
Courtesy of John Toto. Copyright is retained by the creators of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the Moakley Archive & Instit
JPG
Still image
Photographs
historic exterior.jpg
Boston newspaper listing from advertises a 1940 double feature playing at the paired Modern and Beacon theaters. The film reels were transported from one venue to the other by streetcar between showings.
Other related resources
1882-1915
Public Domain. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons
JPG
Still image
Photographs
drawing and 1915 image.jpg
Boston newspaper listing advertises a 1940 double feature playing at the paired Modern and Beacon theaters.
Other related resources
1940
Courtesy of John Toto. Copyright is retained by the creators of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the Moakley Archive & Institute.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Double feature ad.jpg
Engraving of John & James Dobson Carpets at 323 Washington Street, Boston, MA
A furniture warehouse designed by Levi Newcomb & Son was built at 323 Washington St. In 1876. Later it became a carpet warehouse and later still was converted into the Modern Theatre.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=King+">King </a>
Other related resources
1881
Public Domain. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Dobson_KingsBoston1881.jpg
Portrait of Architect Clarence H. Blackall (1857-1942), circa 1877
Architect Clarence H. Blackall (1857-1942) was known for his hundreds of theaters, but he also designed one of Boston’s first skyscrapers, the nine-story Carter Winthrop Building at 7 Water St. Blackall also designed 17 theaters in and around Boston. The Colonial Theater, Boston’s oldest surviving theater, dating from 1900; the Metropolitan Theatre, now the Wang Theatre for the Performing Arts; the Wilbur Theatre, Tremont Temple; and the Modern Theatre remain.
Other related resources
circa 1877
Public domain. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives, 26/4/1, Alumni and Faculty Biographical, 1882-1995
JPG
Still image
Photographs
C.H. Blackall.tif
Design for a new Modern Theatre marquee, side view
Other related resources
Courtesy of Boston Public Library.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
BP marquee side.jpg
Blueprint featuring Modern Theatre marquee ceiling
Other related resources
1930
Courtesy of Boston Public Library.
JPG
Still image
Photographs
Blueprint Modern marquee ceiling.jpg
Exterior of Suffolk University's Modern Theatre
Other related resources
JPG
Still image
Photographs
072210modern021.jpg