Final Curtain Call For Beloved Nh Theater
Filed Under Country Curtain | Posted on November 19, 2008
Exeter, New Hampshire is home to one of New England’s oldest movie houses. The Ioka Theater has been a downtown fixture for nine decades, but is set to close on Christmas Eve the victim of updated building codes and increased costs.
“There were people dressed up as Klansmen, riding through the streets to help promote the film.”
While that story is well documented, many urban legends have debuted in the last nine decades. According to Ioka’s Web site, Exeter Judge Edwards Mayer was inspired to build the theater by his uncle, Hollywood giant Louis B. Mayer of the MGM fame. But, Historical Society curator Barbara Rimkunas says there is no proof of that lineage. Old newspaper articles show Mayer secured financing from local investors, built the theater and defaulted six months later and skipped town.
“The Ioka has been at the brink before, and in fact has closed its doors on several occasions over its long and storied history,
Tags: christmas eve, curator, decades, edwards, exeter new hampshire, final curtain call, giant, ioka theater, lineage, mgm, movie houses, new england, occasions, old newspaper articles, proof, storied history, urban legendsRelated posts
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