This Week in Marblehead History: 1931

Every week, Marblehead Patch digs through the Marblehead Messenger microfilm archives at to find out what was happening on this week in local history.

In 1931:

Little Theatre to Open Next Summer: In 1931, town residents were preparing to open The Marblehead Little Theatre in Mugford Hall, under the direction of Harmon MacGregor. "Marbleheaders are responding well to the call for subscriptions, it is reported, and quite a number of people from surrounding places are looking forward to the coming dramatic season." According to the article, the big attraction would be that coffee was served between acts and the building would provide a "smoking room."

Light Company Prepares for Summer Demand: Similar to several stories , in 1931 the municipal electric light department was looking to find ways to efficiently keep up with summer demand (though the rates were a little different). "Keeping pace with the growth of the town, the municipal electric light plant is continuing to increase its efficiency through the installation of larger machines. A drop in the rate for current has been put into effect, and consumers now obtain electricity at seven cents per kilowatt hour, one of the lowest rates in the state.

Headers Football Schedule Calls for 11 Games: "Marblehead High School's football team will play 11 games of football, according to the 1931 scheduled, announced today by Faculty Manager Edward Remick, with seven of the games booked at home and four contests abroad."

Crow's Nest Burns Down: State Fire Marshal James C. Grady and Fire Chief Jason T. Oliver made an investigation Tuesday afternoon of the ruins of the Crow's Nest, a summer cottage which was destroyed by a fire of "mysterious origin" over the weekend. The examination ended against a blank wall and the blaze will be recorded as of unknown origin.

Fishermen Make Big Haul Sunday: It sounds like 1931 featured the same abnormally warm start to the spring season as we are enjoying today. "Fort Beach was more crowded Sunday afternoon than it has been for many weeks. In fact, it resembled a day in the summer, so many autos lined the street. But the people were not assembled to see the scenery, picturesque as it is. They thronged the beach in front of the Beachcomber's Dory Club to see the first big haul of haddock and cod unloaded. Camera shutters clicked on the scene. About 700 pounds of fish were brought in from the bay by Captains Will Sweet and Will Tutt of the Fort Beach fishing fleet."

Showing at The Warwick:

• "Big Money" starring Eddie Quiller, Jason Gleason, Rober Armstrong and Margaret Livingston
• "Madonna of the Streets" starring Evelyn Brent and Robert Ames
• "One Heavenly Night" starring John Boles and Evelyn Laye
• "All Quiet on the Western Front" starring Lewis Ayres and Louis Wolheim
• "Reducing" starring Marie Dressler and Polly Moran

Do you know anyone who was a town resident in 1931? Do you recognize any of these names, events, or locations? Let us know in the comments section.