Victory Theater (1919)
The Victory Theater (spelled “Theatre” in stone on the building itself) is a grand movie/stage show palace erected in 1919 by Goldstein Brothers Amusement Company at 81–89 Suffolk Street in Holyoke. It was named in honor of the Allied victory in World War One. The theater suffered fire damaged in 1942, but continued in operation until it closed in 1979. The building remained vacant for decades, its blade sign being removed in 1986 and marquee torn down in 1991. In recent years a restoration of the old theater has been undertaken by the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts with plans to open in 2017.
Many trips to the Victory for my friends and me in the early 60s, where we saw the Longest Day, Phantom of the Opera, 101 Dalmatians, and Dr. Strangelove, among others. Holyoke also had the Strand and the Suffolk theatres, and many other strange and wonderful diversions for 12 year-olds.
Many trips to the Victory for me and my friends in the early 60s to see Phantom of the Opera, 101 Dalmatians, Battle of the Bulge, Dr. Strangelove… Holyoke also had the Strand and the Suffolk theatres, and many other strange and wonderful diversions for 12 year-olds.