Purchase of the Eagle and Strand theatres in Oak Bluffs by the Edgartown Playhouse corporation became known this week when the fact that an agreement to transfer the properties had been signed was verified by officials of the Edgartown company. The theatres are sold by Simon Beserovsky and Zoel Roy of New Bedford. The principal owners of the Edgartown Playhouse are Alfred Hall and Arthur B. Hillman of Edgartown and W. Irving Bullard of Boston. Mr. Hall, who will be in charge of the Playhouse this summer, will also do the booking for all three theatres.
On behalf of the Edgartown company it is said that, besides restoring the Island theatres to local ownership and management, the acquisition of the Strand and the Eagle will make possible’ economies of operation and the showing of more high grade pictures. In the past many films have been shown both in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, each theatre paying full price. Under common management, it is explained, features can be obtained for both theatres simply by paying for an extra day’s use of the film.
The Edgartown Playhouse, formerly the Elm Theatre, was built in 1920 and was sold last year by R. L. Colter to the interests at present in control. The Eagle Theatre in Oak Bluffs was controlled up to a year or so ago by Mrs. George W. Judkins. It was formally transferred to Mr. Beserovsky and Mr. Roy in 1928. The Strand was formerly under the management of M. J. Keegan, passing into the New’ Bedford ownership some years ago.
Mellen and Hall were the agents in the present transaction.
This article appears in June 7, 1929.