Boston Theater Company May Buy Janus and Harvard Square Theaters

Two Harvard Square movie theaters may soon be under the control of U.S.A. Cinemas, a newly formed Boston company that already owns most of Boston's first run movie houses.

Present owners of the Harvard Square and Janus theaters, which have a capacity of 1,852 seats and 6 screens between them, did not return repeated phone calls.

U.S.A. Vice President Loretta Cubberly said yesterday that negotiations are still in progress, and declined to comment on any possible changes in format at the popular theaters.

"Theoretically, the theaters are still owned and operated by Lockwood, Gordon Theatres. I can't really tell you anything about the negotiations," said Cubberly.

Gross profits at the two theaters are as high as any in Boston and will eliminate much of the competition in bidding for new releases, according to a source high in the area movie business.

The privately owned company was formed out of Sack Theaters and new acquisitions by investors, the source said.

On the other side of the Harvard Square entertainment spectrum, the Orson Welles Theatre shows no signs of reopening. The theatre which was destroyed by a fire last May has changed its marquis notice from, "See you next fall," to "Closed due to fire."

"No workmen have come, and no work has been done on the theater," said Dana MacMartin, the assistant manager of Videosmith, which is below the theater.