This theatre was a pretty neat layout, a twin cinema and a drive in. I visited this theatre years ago when I had to pick up a print of Ghost there. The twin appeared to be built pretty cheaply, but was nice. there was a large fence separating the parking lot for the indoor and the lot for the drive in. Both indoor and outdoor shared a common concession stand and projection booth. The drive in ticket booth was out by itself. The drive in was no longer in operation, but the projectors were still in place and speakers were still on the poles. Drive in could have been activated immediately. On of the indoor screens had Simplex Super projector that the operater told me came from the Loews Grand (not verified). If still in existance today, the drive in portion would be viable.
Last owner was Leonard Vaughn. After he passed away the theatre ceased and stood idle with all equipment intact. The booth for screen 2 was in a small building by itself, There was another drive in listed in 1952 directory named Nova Drive In and was owned by R. E. Cannon. This may have been the same theatre.
I think the Bedford closed long before 1980. We visited our family in Shelbyville (Funeral Home business) several times in the 50’s and 60’s and the only theatre was the Princess and the 41 drive in. My Grandfather did tell me about where it was located, but I don’t remember where.
Does anybody have a picture of this theatre when it was the Princess? My family operated a funeral home in Shelbyville and we used to visit there. The Princess marquee and vertical was beautiful, loaded with neon.
Property all grown up. had to push through trees and brush to find the concession building. It was falling in. Nothing else remained except the tile floor of the screen tower building.
The Lyric was owned by Georgia Theatre Company, who also owned the other theatres in Waycross. I was in Waycross talking to a police captain that was part of the group that operates the ritz. He told me the Lyric was pretty well gutted and was owned by the same man who owned the city’s old hotel building. He told me How I could get in a back door but was unsuccessful.
The Marbro must have originally been the 82 drive in or the Pines drive in. It was west of the city of Tifton on US 82. When I saw it several years ago, the marquee, screen, concession/projection and boxoffice was still standing with a road cut through the middle. The marquee had an advertisment for the local newspaper and there was an old lamphouse laying on the grown.
The original name was “Colquitt” and later changed to “Hunter” owned by E. J. Hunter. Seating capacity was 300. I toured the building severa years ago and found that a new metal roof had been placed on the building. All of the abestos material had been removed from the walls and booth. I understand that the facade has been rebuilt with a marquee on it.
I think the Broad Avenue, the Clair and the Liberty were one and the same. The Broad Avenue was catty corner across from the Albany. The Broad Avenue ended up as a xxx house and the Albany ended up at a black explotation house. When the Exorcist came out it ran in the State Theatre, but not in the Martin multiplex theatres.
I don’t think the Bradley was ever operated by Georgia Theatre Company. The Bradley was built for Paramount Theatres, The last owner was Plitt Theatres, a successor to Paramount. The Bradley Company purchased the theatre from Plitt Theatres. It may have been operated by Martin Theatres at one time since Columbus was headquarters for Martin Theatres (now Carmike). The Rialto, located 2 door up the street, was used as a warehouse for Carmike for many years and is now being restored by an individual.
A few years ago when I toured the Bradley and the old Rialton, I found what remained of the Dixie. It was just a shell and the upper portion had been torn down. The concrete floor of what was the lobby was still there, but the auditorium, which must have had a wooden floor, was grown up in trees.
I believe an attorney may have lived in the upper portion of the theatre at one time,or had an office there, but the theatre itself remained unchanged. I hope the original deco remains. At least it didn’t meet the same as the Florida down the street/
382 North Main Street (construction date was
Housed in the only Art Moderne structure within the Crestview Historic Business District, the landmark Fox Theatre was the most popular entertainment spot in town (late 1940’s and 1950’s) and probably the most memorable for so many of today’s older Crestview residents. Many area residents can recall fond memories from their younger days that centered around the good times spent at the Fox. The theatre was also visited frequently by post WWII servicemen from nearby Eglin Air Force Base. In 1949, actor Gregory Peck and other stars were in town for the nationwide premiering of the movie “Twelve O'Clock High” at both the Fox and Eglin Theatres on Main Street in downtown Crestview. The movie was made at nearby Eglin AFB, Duke Field (an auxiliary field located immediately south of Crestview), and some scenes were even shot within the City of Crestview.
I have a newspaper story with pictures about the Roxy. It even has a picture of the floor of the projection booth and you can see the pedestal base and film on the floor. My scanner has failed me, but if you want a copy of the article with pictures email me at and I will mail you a copy.
Cinema Treasure has a video on this drive in, including the felling of the screen. There is also a video of the remains of the Ponce De Leon Drive in on Cinema Treasures.
I believe the Dixie was the one North of I-10. On my trips to Pensacola I turned left at Crestview heading to I10 and I would pass a drive in. When they played Gone with the Wind, all the marquee had was GWTW on it.
The Bacon theatre is showing first run movies.
This theatre was a pretty neat layout, a twin cinema and a drive in. I visited this theatre years ago when I had to pick up a print of Ghost there. The twin appeared to be built pretty cheaply, but was nice. there was a large fence separating the parking lot for the indoor and the lot for the drive in. Both indoor and outdoor shared a common concession stand and projection booth. The drive in ticket booth was out by itself. The drive in was no longer in operation, but the projectors were still in place and speakers were still on the poles. Drive in could have been activated immediately. On of the indoor screens had Simplex Super projector that the operater told me came from the Loews Grand (not verified). If still in existance today, the drive in portion would be viable.
Last owner was Leonard Vaughn. After he passed away the theatre ceased and stood idle with all equipment intact. The booth for screen 2 was in a small building by itself, There was another drive in listed in 1952 directory named Nova Drive In and was owned by R. E. Cannon. This may have been the same theatre.
Chuck: Where did you find the Swan located?
Was owned by L R Woodward. Before being converted to offices it was used as a game room.
I think the Bedford closed long before 1980. We visited our family in Shelbyville (Funeral Home business) several times in the 50’s and 60’s and the only theatre was the Princess and the 41 drive in. My Grandfather did tell me about where it was located, but I don’t remember where.
Does anybody have a picture of this theatre when it was the Princess? My family operated a funeral home in Shelbyville and we used to visit there. The Princess marquee and vertical was beautiful, loaded with neon.
Property all grown up. had to push through trees and brush to find the concession building. It was falling in. Nothing else remained except the tile floor of the screen tower building.
The Lyric was owned by Georgia Theatre Company, who also owned the other theatres in Waycross. I was in Waycross talking to a police captain that was part of the group that operates the ritz. He told me the Lyric was pretty well gutted and was owned by the same man who owned the city’s old hotel building. He told me How I could get in a back door but was unsuccessful.
Owner was J W Peck. The last time I was through Eatonton, it was still intact but closed. There was no name on it.
The Marbro must have originally been the 82 drive in or the Pines drive in. It was west of the city of Tifton on US 82. When I saw it several years ago, the marquee, screen, concession/projection and boxoffice was still standing with a road cut through the middle. The marquee had an advertisment for the local newspaper and there was an old lamphouse laying on the grown.
The original name was “Colquitt” and later changed to “Hunter” owned by E. J. Hunter. Seating capacity was 300. I toured the building severa years ago and found that a new metal roof had been placed on the building. All of the abestos material had been removed from the walls and booth. I understand that the facade has been rebuilt with a marquee on it.
I think the Broad Avenue, the Clair and the Liberty were one and the same. The Broad Avenue was catty corner across from the Albany. The Broad Avenue ended up as a xxx house and the Albany ended up at a black explotation house. When the Exorcist came out it ran in the State Theatre, but not in the Martin multiplex theatres.
I don’t think the Bradley was ever operated by Georgia Theatre Company. The Bradley was built for Paramount Theatres, The last owner was Plitt Theatres, a successor to Paramount. The Bradley Company purchased the theatre from Plitt Theatres. It may have been operated by Martin Theatres at one time since Columbus was headquarters for Martin Theatres (now Carmike). The Rialto, located 2 door up the street, was used as a warehouse for Carmike for many years and is now being restored by an individual.
A few years ago when I toured the Bradley and the old Rialton, I found what remained of the Dixie. It was just a shell and the upper portion had been torn down. The concrete floor of what was the lobby was still there, but the auditorium, which must have had a wooden floor, was grown up in trees.
Is the Tommy Thompson in the Mike Rogers comment any relation to the old Martin and Thompson chain?
Who owns this theatre now? and what is it being used for?
I believe an attorney may have lived in the upper portion of the theatre at one time,or had an office there, but the theatre itself remained unchanged. I hope the original deco remains. At least it didn’t meet the same as the Florida down the street/
382 North Main Street (construction date was Housed in the only Art Moderne structure within the Crestview Historic Business District, the landmark Fox Theatre was the most popular entertainment spot in town (late 1940’s and 1950’s) and probably the most memorable for so many of today’s older Crestview residents. Many area residents can recall fond memories from their younger days that centered around the good times spent at the Fox. The theatre was also visited frequently by post WWII servicemen from nearby Eglin Air Force Base. In 1949, actor Gregory Peck and other stars were in town for the nationwide premiering of the movie “Twelve O'Clock High” at both the Fox and Eglin Theatres on Main Street in downtown Crestview. The movie was made at nearby Eglin AFB, Duke Field (an auxiliary field located immediately south of Crestview), and some scenes were even shot within the City of Crestview.
It opened in the thirties and closed in the sixties.
The picture of the courthouse annex looks nothing like the building that housed the Woodard theatre. Any information on a theatre named the Swan?
I have a newspaper story with pictures about the Roxy. It even has a picture of the floor of the projection booth and you can see the pedestal base and film on the floor. My scanner has failed me, but if you want a copy of the article with pictures email me at and I will mail you a copy.
Cinema Treasure has a video on this drive in, including the felling of the screen. There is also a video of the remains of the Ponce De Leon Drive in on Cinema Treasures.
I believe the Dixie was the one North of I-10. On my trips to Pensacola I turned left at Crestview heading to I10 and I would pass a drive in. When they played Gone with the Wind, all the marquee had was GWTW on it.
Does anyone know the current status of the Fox theatre. If it is not being used I would love to tour it.