Garden Cinemas celebrates 94th birthday with two free screenings

Staff Report

Published: 03-09-2023 11:20 AM

GREENFIELD — To celebrate its 94th birthday on Saturday, the Garden Cinemas is offering free screenings of “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) at 10 a.m.

“These two movies from different generations are both comedy classics. We just love the sense of whimsy they offer,” Garden Cinemas co-owner Isaac Mass said in a statement. “They are our gift to the community on our 94th birthday.”

The Main Street theater was opened by the Goldstein brothers on March 11, 1929, and was considered unusual for its atmospheric colonial style. Designed by Mowll & Rand of Boston, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The original opening day program and Marr & Colton pipe organ can be seen in the theater lobby today.

Divided into a seven-screen multiplex in the late 1980s, the theater was operated by the Goldstein family until 1999 when the theater was taken by the city for back taxes and restaurateur George Gohl won the bid to operate the business. The Goldstein family recovered the property and allowed Gohl to continue to operate the cinemas, finally selling the building to him and his husband, Bill Gobeille, in 2006.

In November 2019, current owners Isaac and Angela Mass took over the business, buying the building itself in September of the following year. Improvements under the Mass’ ownership include the installation of new carpets, remodeling of the concession area, adding a beer and wine license, expanding to create The Bored Room video arcade, soundproofing theaters, and upgrading servers and audio equipment.

“We even reinstalled a fish tank,” co-owner Angela Mass said in a statement. “We heard so many stories about the fish tank and we were so pleased to bring it back.”

Future improvements will focus on façade repairs and rebuilding the ticket booth.

About the films

“Singin’ in the Rain” (G) stars Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. The film is set in 1927 Hollywood and follows the movie industry’s progress into talking pictures.

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“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (PG) starring Paul Reubens marked the directorial debut of Tim Burton. An eccentric man-child Pee-wee Herman gets his beloved bicycle stolen in broad daylight and sets out on a cross-country adventure to recover it.

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