There is a listing in the 1968 edition of the IMPA for a Hiwa Theatre on Tallahassee Rd in Thompsonville, GA. Have been unable to locate a city within Georgia by this name and am wondering if it is Thomasville. To the point: Do you happen to know if there ever way a Hiwa Theatre in the Thomasville area and if so, could you provide some information on it? Thanks
About the only live performance theatres I can think of right off hand that were in operation during the 1970s were the Alliance (at the Memorial Arts Centre), the Fox, the Civic Centre, Chastain Park, Theatre Atlanta and possibly the Atlanta (later the Columbia) theatre. I don’t think the Peachtree Art was equipped for live performance.
The 1968 edition of the IMPA list a Star Theater in Quitman which was also managed by Interstate Enterprises. Do you have any information on this theatre?
With all due respect, Nashville’s loss is proportional with most other metropolitan areas particularly when you consider how many theatres have shuttered in Manhattan over the past few years. There are still quite a few fantastic theatres still in operation just outside of Nashville including the Franklin, the Lincoln in Fayetteville and the Roxy in Clarksville. Also, there remains a glimmer of hope that maybe a circuit like Landmark or Lefont could revive either or both the Belle Meade and Melrose. Fortunately we still have the Belcourt and according to a recent posting on the Madison Theatre site, there are plans underway to restore part of the building for use as a theatre.
Here are a couple of recent photos of theatres in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. The Belcourt (circa 1925) on Belcourt Ave is the only theatre built before 1960 still in operation. The Fifth Ave (1909-60) and the Donelson (1950-73) are still standing although neither resembles a theatre anymore. The Peafowl (1915-29) on 4th Ave N, the Woodland (1924-55) on Woodland St, the Melrose (1940-83) on Franklin Rd, the Belle Meade (1940-90) on Harding Rd, Roxy (1940-55) on Wilburn St, the Gem (1945-55) on 1st Ave S and the Woodbine (1950-60) still retain some of their exterior charm although none have operated as theatre in over a decade.
Thanks for the update. I haven’t had any luck locating any photos of the Inglewood either via the WEB or at the main library in downtown Nashville. Please let us know if you happen across a photo of the Inglewood.
Thanks! I went through masses of newspaper clippings at the Shelby County library and while I encountered articles on each of these cinemas, the only addresses I could find were either 619 Chelsea Ave or “…theatre on the corner of Chelsea and Thomasâ€, which appear to be one and the same. Still can’t get a current listing for the 619 Chelsea, so I assume this theater is no more. The Hollywood site is currently a furniture store.
Avon, Chelsea and Roxy! Augh!!! Something is amiss here. If there is a native Memphian out there with some knowledge of this cinema, please drop a line. I am thinking that either a larger cinema was built on the site of the Avon or that there were two cinemas on Chelsea.
The Plaza opened on April 25, 1952 as a 1200 seat single screen theatre. I don’t know if the theatre was split down the middle or if the balcony was enclosed when it was converted into a “twin” cinema in 1972. It is still a treat to visit and am grateful to the Bookstar folks for the work they put into restoring it. You can view a couple of recent shots of the Plaza at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Daisy. It currently appears to be in good shape and is being used as a rental facility for meetings, banquets and other events.
Great to hear from you again Mr. Roe! I am still working on this. This is the first time that I have encountered cinemas with distinct names with numeric suffixes that aren’t multiplexs. Weird… Do know that this Suzore was leveled in 1967.
UPDATE: United Artist opened the 1130 seat Southbrook Four in 1972. The theatre was later expand to seven screens and taken over by Regal Theaters. The Southbrook was shuttered in 1998.
General Cinema premiered the 500 seat Whitehaven on November 2, 1966. From the clippings, it appeared to be one of GC’s top of the line models. Unfortunately, the auditorium was split down the middle in 1973 resulting in two long narrow cinemas. The Whitehaven was mercifully demolished in 1983.
Was this theatre at one time called the Center?
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Central/Elite Theater.
There is a listing in the 1968 edition of the IMPA for a Hiwa Theatre on Tallahassee Rd in Thompsonville, GA. Have been unable to locate a city within Georgia by this name and am wondering if it is Thomasville. To the point: Do you happen to know if there ever way a Hiwa Theatre in the Thomasville area and if so, could you provide some information on it? Thanks
About the only live performance theatres I can think of right off hand that were in operation during the 1970s were the Alliance (at the Memorial Arts Centre), the Fox, the Civic Centre, Chastain Park, Theatre Atlanta and possibly the Atlanta (later the Columbia) theatre. I don’t think the Peachtree Art was equipped for live performance.
The 1968 edition of the IMPA list a Star Theater in Quitman which was also managed by Interstate Enterprises. Do you have any information on this theatre?
With all due respect, Nashville’s loss is proportional with most other metropolitan areas particularly when you consider how many theatres have shuttered in Manhattan over the past few years. There are still quite a few fantastic theatres still in operation just outside of Nashville including the Franklin, the Lincoln in Fayetteville and the Roxy in Clarksville. Also, there remains a glimmer of hope that maybe a circuit like Landmark or Lefont could revive either or both the Belle Meade and Melrose. Fortunately we still have the Belcourt and according to a recent posting on the Madison Theatre site, there are plans underway to restore part of the building for use as a theatre.
What was the Pasadena theatre that premiered Urban Cowboy?
Here are a couple of recent photos of theatres in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. The Belcourt (circa 1925) on Belcourt Ave is the only theatre built before 1960 still in operation. The Fifth Ave (1909-60) and the Donelson (1950-73) are still standing although neither resembles a theatre anymore. The Peafowl (1915-29) on 4th Ave N, the Woodland (1924-55) on Woodland St, the Melrose (1940-83) on Franklin Rd, the Belle Meade (1940-90) on Harding Rd, Roxy (1940-55) on Wilburn St, the Gem (1945-55) on 1st Ave S and the Woodbine (1950-60) still retain some of their exterior charm although none have operated as theatre in over a decade.
Thanks for the update. I haven’t had any luck locating any photos of the Inglewood either via the WEB or at the main library in downtown Nashville. Please let us know if you happen across a photo of the Inglewood.
This is great! Please keep us posted on how this project is going.
The Luciann opened November 7, 1940. It was the designed by Claude Northern, the same architect who designed the Airways on Lamar Ave.
I have a listing for a Handy Theatre on 2353 Park Ave. Think these two are one of the same?
Thanks! I went through masses of newspaper clippings at the Shelby County library and while I encountered articles on each of these cinemas, the only addresses I could find were either 619 Chelsea Ave or “…theatre on the corner of Chelsea and Thomasâ€, which appear to be one and the same. Still can’t get a current listing for the 619 Chelsea, so I assume this theater is no more. The Hollywood site is currently a furniture store.
Avon, Chelsea and Roxy! Augh!!! Something is amiss here. If there is a native Memphian out there with some knowledge of this cinema, please drop a line. I am thinking that either a larger cinema was built on the site of the Avon or that there were two cinemas on Chelsea.
Here is a 1999 photo of the Cole.
Here are a couple of recent photos of the New Daisy Theater in Memphis.
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Playhouse on the Square/Memphian Theater in Memphis.
Here is a photo from 1999 flickr.com/photos/maincourse
Even more current night shots of this gem: flickr.com/photos/maincourse/52589047/
The Plaza opened on April 25, 1952 as a 1200 seat single screen theatre. I don’t know if the theatre was split down the middle or if the balcony was enclosed when it was converted into a “twin” cinema in 1972. It is still a treat to visit and am grateful to the Bookstar folks for the work they put into restoring it. You can view a couple of recent shots of the Plaza at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Daisy. It currently appears to be in good shape and is being used as a rental facility for meetings, banquets and other events.
Noted in clipping from an old Memphis newspaper that Martin opened the Crosstown on May 15, 1951. With 1400 seats, the Crosstown had the distinction of being the largest and most luxurious suburban theatre in the metropolitan Memphis area. Curious to know how much, if any of the décor of the original auditorium remains intact. It supposedly was quite ornate.
Great to hear from you again Mr. Roe! I am still working on this. This is the first time that I have encountered cinemas with distinct names with numeric suffixes that aren’t multiplexs. Weird… Do know that this Suzore was leveled in 1967.
UPDATE: United Artist opened the 1130 seat Southbrook Four in 1972. The theatre was later expand to seven screens and taken over by Regal Theaters. The Southbrook was shuttered in 1998.
General Cinema premiered the 500 seat Whitehaven on November 2, 1966. From the clippings, it appeared to be one of GC’s top of the line models. Unfortunately, the auditorium was split down the middle in 1973 resulting in two long narrow cinemas. The Whitehaven was mercifully demolished in 1983.