Princess Theatre
112 2nd Avenue NE,
Decatur,
AL
35601
112 2nd Avenue NE,
Decatur,
AL
35601
3 people
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Princess Theatre - Decatur (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Crescent Amusement Co.
Firms: Albert R. Frahn & Associates
Functions: Live Performances, Movies (Classic), Performing Arts
Styles: Art Deco
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
256.350.1745
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Aug 10, 2013 — Looking back at Alabama movie palaces
Built in 1887 as a livery stable, it was converted into the Princess Theatre in 1919, opening on December 30, 1919 as a playhouse and road show theatre. When the Princess Theatre opened, it seated 1,500 in cushioned seats.
The Princess Theatre was a large theatre for the city of Decatur, it had 12 exits for a speedy evacuation if needed.
The theatre was renovated in 1940 to the plans of local Decatur architectural firm Albert R. Frahn & Associates, reopening on August 6, 1941 with Ginger Rogers in “Tom, Dick and Harry”. It had another renovation in 1949, in an Art Deco style, with seating reduced to 989 with all new seats and more leg room. The Princess Theatre closed as a movie theatre in 1987.
It became a performing arts center in 1988 and then went through a complete renovation in 2001 and officially reopened in February of 2001.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Here is a night photo.
View link
Here is another great shot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaylaterry/377985679/
What an awesome job they did retoring the Princess! Saw many movies there in the 60s and 70s and would love to see it again. Most of the hot movies were shown at the Gateway Theatre during that time period, and the Princess showed a lot of family fare movies and more obscure new releases.
The Princess management is looking at showing a few classic movies sometime later this year, according to their Facebook page.
The Crescent Amusment Co. of Nashville also built the 2nd Nashville Princess Theatre at 415 Church Street later renamed the Crescent Latter known as Loews Crescent.They built many theatres in Tennessee.First I have heard of this theatre,looks great in the photos.
Thanks Tlsloews,Nice pictures.
Princess Theatre in 1930 : View link
Princess Theatre appeared in an episode of American Pickers(Superhero Heaven).
Reopened on August 7th, 1940 after an remodeling job.
Princess theatre reopening 06 Aug 1941, Wed The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Alabama) Newspapers.com
Repeat image from an unknown book added, offers a different timeline on renovations and re-openings. It claims renovated in 1978, but didn’t reopen until 1983. Closed again in 1999. Renovated again to restore it’s art deco look, some of which was lost in the previous renovation.