1932 Criterion Theatre

The History of the Theatre
Bar Harbor’s Criterion Theatre opened at 7 o’clock p.m. on Monday, June 6th, 1932. The lavish opening night lasted from 7pm until after midnight, and drew nearly 2,000 people to two separate shows, each of which featured a speech by Julien Emery - chairman of the Board of Selectmen, live music by a seven-piece orchestra, vaudeville acts, and a screening of “Arsene Lupin,” starring John & Lionel Barrymore, and Karen Morley. In the opening ceremony, a large basket of flowers was given to George & Ethel McKay, and congratulatory telegrams from stars such as Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Joan Crawford, and John Barrymore were read aloud. Harry A. Smith, “well known in Portland and New York theatrical circles,” was the director of the opening shows.