Plaza Theatre

For immediate release.

The Plaza Theatre set to change owners December 27th.
Plaza Theatre – 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave Atlanta GA 30306

After six years as owners and operators of the Plaza Theatre, Jonathan and Gayle Rej have decided to pass the torch of operating Atlanta’s oldest cinema to Michael Furlinger. He has 30 years experience in the cinema business and has worked as an owner/operator as well as film booker. He took his last theatre, the Terrace Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina from a struggling enterprise to a huge success with deep ties to the community. Furlinger’s plan for the Plaza Theatre is to use his expertise in film booking and close relationships with the studios to strengthen the feature programming while continuing the current popular special events such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Silver Scream Spookshow, Splatter Cinema, Taboo La-La, The Room, and Wonderroot’s Local Film Night. The Plaza Theatre will also remain home to the revered Atlanta Film Festival, continuing their programming and workshops throughout the year. Furlinger has big plans for substantial renovations including new state of the art DCP digital projectors, brand new seats, and gourmet concessions.

The Rejs look forward to see this new chapter in the story of The Plaza Theatre unfold. They’re excited Furlinger is able to invest in the future of the theatre and ensure it’s longevity continues. The community and patrons have been very encouraging towards the theatre and the Rejs hope that support will continue for Furlinger.

The theatre has been sold.

I first started watching movies at the Plaza when I was a kid living in Little FIve Points in the 50s.
The Euclid was my usual haunt, but sometimes I’d feel adventurous and make the walk to the Plaza -
the movies for the kiddie matinee there were usually a bit more recent than the Euclid’s fare.
Saturday morning, there was always a line of Baby Boomers waiting to get in. Plaza Drugs (“We Never
Close”) anchored the north end of the little strip mall, the Plaza theater (and a grocery store) were at
the center, a bank anchored the south end. On rare occasions I’d enjoy a grilled burger with my dad
at the Majestic Diner just across the street, before taking in a movie at the Plaza.
At night the theater’s neon facade would be lit up – the accordion neon behind the brightly
lit “PLAZA” would be flashing in sequence – it was quite a sight to see. Riding in my dad’s car down
Ponce de Leon at night, I couldn’t take my eyes off those lights.
Years later the Plaza suffered the fate of many a struggling neighborhood theater – the grand old
lady became a porn house. I went to one such performance – I couldn’t stay for more than a few
minutes. It was like watching porn in church.
Happily, as we know from CT posts, the Plaza cleaned up and went back to the mission she was
made for – showing “regular” movies. The last one I saw there was “The Crying Game.” (A girl with a
silver ring in her nose sold me my ticket.) What a thrill to see the house lights go down and to hear the pulleys working to draw that beautiful curtain back! If I ever get back to Atlanta (from exile in Arizona) I hope to be able to once again see another movie at the Plaza.
another movie at the Plaza.

Saving Atlanta’s oldest cinema, Supporting independent film, Serving the Community
Restoring The Plaza Theatre is a rare chance to do something special for this community and gifts of all sizes will make a big difference! The Plaza Foundation is a 501©(3) organization and all gifts are tax deductible. All funds generated will be used toward restoration, furnishings, equipment, operations and community initiatives for The Plaza Theatre.

Here some more photo.

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Recent article featuring an interview with the owners:
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Hello all. I have recently become a projectionist at The Plaza and I’m working on many ideas to improve the look and attendance of the theater. I want to celebrate the history of this beautiful old theater. I’m looking for any older photos of the Plaza or any old ads from the newspapers. I want to blow up and frame them to display throughout the lobby. If you go to The Plaza’s website and scroll down on the main page you will see a photo of the entire audience wearing 3-D glasses. I took that photo and am going to frame it for display as well. I would also love to hear from anyone that went to the theater pre 1980’s. Any help would be greatly appreciated. You can e-mail me at

Thank you and take care, Shawn Murphy

Here is a 1983 photo.
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should read 2006

Sorry, my e-mail is actually

What happened?

Let it go?

I saw a screening of the 1982 movie “THE THING” last nite and the theatre was PACKED! So glad!