Bibb Theatre
451 3rd Street,
Macon,
GA
31201
451 3rd Street,
Macon,
GA
31201
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On Thursday, 9/27/1973, the Bibb cancelled their final showings of Detroit 9000 and in conjunction with a local radio station promoted their next attraction, Save The Children, with a free promotional screening. However, instead of giving the tickets away via some sort of contest, the station just invited everyone to come see the movie, free, on a first come first admitted basis.
The resulting chaos made the front page of the paper the next morning. A picture of the page with the story and a photo of the theater is posted in the Photo section.
Structure is still there, kind of looks like a theater, but clearly vacant for many years.
Actually, it closed on January 1, 1978 with “Petey Wheatstraw” as its last film.
Closed 1977
Held a big reopening on December 23rd, 1963.
Bibb theatre reopening 22 Dec 1963, Sun The Macon News (Macon, Georgia) Newspapers.com
Remodeled picture and article:
Bibb theatre reopening 23 Feb 1964, Sun The Macon News (Macon, Georgia) Newspapers.com
The Bibb theatre was opened on December 26th, 1938 by the Weis family.
Bibb theatre opening 25 Dec 1938, Sun The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Georgia) Newspapers.com
Would love to find memorabilia about this: as a kid in the early to mid 1960’s, the Bibb partnered with the local Coca-Cola bottler to sponsor a Kiddie Carnival on Wednesday mornings during the summer. Admission was 6 Coca-Cola bottle caps. Kids only movies, kids only admission. Anyone remember more details?
Would you happen to have 50’s era photos of the Railto, Ritz and Grand from Boxoffice?
Great photo, that was before I remember the Bibb, not sure when they renovated, did not realize what a drastic change it was, am still hopeful someone will restore it.
Not quite sure who owns the building. The Bibb was a fine theatre at one time in the 50’s and 60’s showing first run movies, think Dr. Zhivago, a small lobby/concession area with a sweeping staircase to the balcony. I remember in the late 50’s, local WBML disc jockey, Bob Saggese did Teen Time on Saturday morning with music, fun and of course a movie, great times.
Does anyone have any ideas who owns ths building? I’m trying to get some more information on the Bibb Theater and would love any help I can get.
Photo in Boxoffice magazine, September 30, 1950. Front of theatre during showing of Walt Disney’s Treasure Island.
View link
Shows up in John Huston’s 1979 film “Wise Blood.”
The December 10, 1938, issue of Boxoffice said that a permit had been granted for the installation of a marquee at the Bibb Theatre.
In its October 15 issue, Boxoffice had reported on an unnamed theater nearing completion on 3rd Street in Macon. It was to have 800 seats. I think it must have been the Bibb. The article implied that the new theater was being built in an existing building, saying “…workmen have nearly completed removal of two upper floors to make room for the balcony.”
The November 25, 1963, issue of Boxoffice announced that the the Bibb Theatre was to undergo a $150,000 remodeling. Reconfiguration of the auditorium and seating would reduce the capacity of the house to 550 seats. The plans for the remodeling were drawn by the Atlanta architectural firm of Finch, Alexander, Barnes, Rothschild & Paschal.
A good view of the Bibb Theatre from 1986 in Macon.
Here are a few summer 2006 photos of the Bibb. It appeared at the time that some work was being done on the interior, but was unable to locate anyone with any knowledge of the building’s current status.
The Weis family owned this theater as well as several others in Georgia. Here is a link:
http://www.trusteestheater.com/history.html