Then and Now - Central Theatre - Somerville, MA

The Central Theatre, located at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Central Street in Somerville, opened in November 1921. Designed by architect Frank Bignotti, the theatre was housed within an apartment building that also featured offices and retail spaces. The interior was elegantly designed with murals, false boxes to conceal the organ pipes, and a stage that hosted performances from famous actors including Rudolph Valentino. The theatre debuted with “Playthings of Destiny” and “Dice of Destiny,” and was advertised as “The Somerville Photoplay Theatre De Luxe” and the “Home of the Discriminate Movie Fan.” Like other local theatres at the time, the Central changed films three times a week to meet the demand for new content.

By the early 1940s, the Central Theatre was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through its subsidiary Mullins & Pinanski. It remained in operation for nearly forty years before closing by the 1970s. Afterward, the space was repurposed multiple times. Between 1989 and 1993, the Boston Rock Gym utilized the brick wall behind the stage for rock climbing, and later, the building became a bottle redemption center. Though the auditorium has been transformed into offices, its original structure remains largely intact. Today, a tango school operates on the corner of the building, continuing the space’s legacy of entertainment.