The Tudor opened in June 1929. Since the style was Tudor, which came first the name or the interior design? There were no Sunday night performances but Saturday was a special dressup night and seats could be reserved. At one time there were up to 300 permanently reserved seats.
With the advent of popular TV attendance dropped sharply so the stall portion of the theatre (main floor) was closed off and only the circle (balcony) open.
I have uploaded some photos from the Remuera Heritage including the original and later facade, the interior and the full exterior.
There is much more of the Tudor story and additional pictures on the site.
Original owner was George L. Trammell. At some point name changed to Joy. Presumably became the Gem after the rebuild from the fire in 1953. Final movie was Kiss of the Vampire in 1964. Added to the Directory of Historic Places in April 2025.
Uploaded a photo from before the recent transformation.
When I tried to check out the South Main address Google told me there was no such street. So that makes it even more difficult to resolve the burnt down versus converted question.
Theatre appears in the center background of the photo I’ve uploaded.
Address was 31 South Main Street. According to a Cuthbert site the theatre opened on September 27, 1941. It also indicated there was a fire in the early 80s but the fire department was ordered to let it burn.
This information is at odds with the photo showing the purported Lee Theatre which was in competition with the Gem and the comment by Jack Coursey indicating the Gem was formerly the Lee. Vertical in both pictures look the same to me.
It also is at odds with Jack’s indication that the building was converted to retail use rather than a rebuild after the fire.
robboehm
commented about
Voxon
Aug 5, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Renovated in 1956 and 1973.
In the 1950s and 1960s specialized in German Romantic films set in beautiful landscapes.
1970s a family theater. Mid 1980s porn.
Bought by the City of Mulhouse in 1994 for redevelopment. Eventually demolished and replaced by housing.
Opened in the Baker Village neighborhood of Columbus, GA by a partnership of Lucas, Jenkins and Martin Theaters on June 27, 1945. See photo. Solely managed by Martin in 1951. Closed 1959.
celboy-not uncommon for remnants of the past to still be present even though a venue is closed. Common for posters and, when there was no marquee, but rather a pylon at the road, movies live on for years.
I also saw a situation at the Whitman Theatre in Melville, NY where the theatre was about to close and had already removed the concession stand but the large sign on the front of the building displayed a previous movie rather than the one that was playing. I know that for a certainty because I wanted to see THAT movie and hoped to do it there.
The building in which it was housed was constructed in 1947. After several different tenants it opened in the 1980s. Closed in 2009. Then became an ice rink.
The Tudor opened in June 1929. Since the style was Tudor, which came first the name or the interior design? There were no Sunday night performances but Saturday was a special dressup night and seats could be reserved. At one time there were up to 300 permanently reserved seats.
With the advent of popular TV attendance dropped sharply so the stall portion of the theatre (main floor) was closed off and only the circle (balcony) open.
I have uploaded some photos from the Remuera Heritage including the original and later facade, the interior and the full exterior.
There is much more of the Tudor story and additional pictures on the site.
The Urban cost $36,000 and was air conditioned. Whether a/c in 1936 as is does now is questionable.
Original owner was George L. Trammell. At some point name changed to Joy. Presumably became the Gem after the rebuild from the fire in 1953. Final movie was Kiss of the Vampire in 1964. Added to the Directory of Historic Places in April 2025.
Uploaded a photo from before the recent transformation.
New operator was Pinet.
New operator was Pinet.
New operator was Pinet.
The only source that doesn’t agree with the 1929 build date is the Tax Division which only carries it from 1940.
According to one long time resident only half the theatre had seats. Many patrons brought cushions and sat on the floor.
When I tried to check out the South Main address Google told me there was no such street. So that makes it even more difficult to resolve the burnt down versus converted question.
Theatre appears in the center background of the photo I’ve uploaded.
Address was 31 South Main Street. According to a Cuthbert site the theatre opened on September 27, 1941. It also indicated there was a fire in the early 80s but the fire department was ordered to let it burn.
This information is at odds with the photo showing the purported Lee Theatre which was in competition with the Gem and the comment by Jack Coursey indicating the Gem was formerly the Lee. Vertical in both pictures look the same to me.
It also is at odds with Jack’s indication that the building was converted to retail use rather than a rebuild after the fire.
Renovated in 1956 and 1973. In the 1950s and 1960s specialized in German Romantic films set in beautiful landscapes. 1970s a family theater. Mid 1980s porn. Bought by the City of Mulhouse in 1994 for redevelopment. Eventually demolished and replaced by housing.
Opened in the Baker Village neighborhood of Columbus, GA by a partnership of Lucas, Jenkins and Martin Theaters on June 27, 1945. See photo. Solely managed by Martin in 1951. Closed 1959.
celboy-not uncommon for remnants of the past to still be present even though a venue is closed. Common for posters and, when there was no marquee, but rather a pylon at the road, movies live on for years.
I also saw a situation at the Whitman Theatre in Melville, NY where the theatre was about to close and had already removed the concession stand but the large sign on the front of the building displayed a previous movie rather than the one that was playing. I know that for a certainty because I wanted to see THAT movie and hoped to do it there.
Closed for a period in the 1950s because of sanitary conditions and ringworm in the community.
I would have thought that this theatre was part of the Prudential circuit. Brandt was more NYC oriented.
Uploaded a photo of the entrance which appeared in the San Saba High School yearbook in 1959.
Uploaded a photo of the Saturday Evening Post cover mentioned in the overview.
Neither the Isis or the Colosseum are on CT.
I also found a reference to a Gem Theatre on South Ninth Street.
A segregated theatre. “Coloreds” used a separate entrance to the balcony.
Now the home of Smith’s Jewelers. Address is 344 Broad Street. Photo uploaded before street was renamed.
Was a pop-up. 100 cars. $20/car. Opened at 7:30 daily. Show began at dusk. Friday and Saturday double feature.
Ad and entrance plan photos attached.
Actually located in the Arts Hotel. Entrance photo uploaded.
Uploaded a photo of the entrance.
The building in which it was housed was constructed in 1947. After several different tenants it opened in the 1980s. Closed in 2009. Then became an ice rink.
Uploaded a photo of the Lyric from an online walking tour site. However the site says the opening was 1905.
Although the theatre was at 114 the free standing box office can be seen next door.