This just in. Went by to look at Osaka Bistro today. No trace of the interior of the Plaza remains but the restaurant is very elaborate and beautiful. Haven’t eaten there yet. The canopy and front window remain intact with the “Osaka” letters where the vertical letters always have been. See the new exterior photos.
This photo is from “Memphis Greets You” a promotional photo book of Memphis dated 1916. One is in the possession of the Memphis Shelby County Room of the Memphis Public Library and one is also in the Library of Congress collection.
Jimmie Tashie of Malco Theatres and the theatre manager on duty were very kind to me about taking these photos yesterday. The theatre is indeed very handsome, I would only want the older woodwork exposed and better light fixtures in the lobby. The theatre now caters to an adult—as in mature, want some substance to their movies—crowd. It is prospering and has become a “bistro” cinema serving wine and extra goodies. It is completely redone, converted to digital and I saw “Hugo,” “Marigold Hotel,” and “The Artist” there. The auditoria are remodeled almost out of recognition—for the better—except for the final demise of the curtains over the screen. The old square boxoffice has been removed and the outer foyer area furnished with bistro tables and chairs. Malco can now be really proud of it again as they were in 1977 when in opened. Was looking to see if there was any big spread in Boxoffice Magazine about the Highland Quartet when it opened. There was just a notice. The Ridgeway, I guess being the new home offices, was the one that got the glory. It also is free-standing where the Highland Quartet was in a four-sided…well they called it a mall in 1971…but everything faced outward with just an arcade around the outside. The Highland Quartet was a prime example of the “mimimalist” cinema style of the 70s—it didn’t even have any sort of eye-catching display, just a sign on Poplar Avenue and changeable letter boxes by the front entrance. Thank heaven things are different now.
New photos have been uploaded of the remodeled theatre. A collage of famous Hollywood faces by House of Cruthirds is the focal point of the Ridgeway lobby and has been since its opening on June 17, 1977. It also inspired similar decoration in many later Malco theatre lobbies although this is the finest example. Many of the others were airbrushed.
There is a beautiful old photo of the Idlewild at this link. http://www.memphisheritage.org/cms/index.php?q=node/109. The first two buildings seen at the top are in use still and the third is on the edge of being renovated.
Just returned from a trip to Nashville and was interested in M A Lightman’s first big venture into the motion picture business in Tennessee. MALCO is still going strong in Memphis and elsewhere in the region. Executive Director Stephanie Silverman was very kind to me and took me into the side hallways and upstairs to get the glimpses of the 1925 plasterwork. It was fascinating and they are very proud of the theatre and its history. However, there is really no chance of any of this being brought to light since there is so much mechanical and other between the newer walls and ceiling and the old and it is an operating and prospering theatre. But at least we can see it. And the 1925 proscenium has been recently refurbished. I posted several new photos. The theatre still offers occasional stage fare. I understand there was never any grand street display at either the original Hillsboro entrance or on the Belcourt side. Old photos have not surfaced. The competing theatre, I believe the Belmont was its name, down the block (which forced the Lightmans out of the Hillsboro) is gone without a trace.
Kemmons Wilson built this theatre in 1941. Ads from the period call it the “Airway” though locals always knew it by the name of the nearby street, which is “Airways” because it was laid out to go to the airport. In its later years as an adult theatre the ads show the name “Airways.” When this happened is still being researched. Though demolished now, it lasted longer because of the adult trade.
The Orpheum was purchased by M A Lightman in 1940 and was renamed the Malco (M A Lightman CO). It was renamed the Orpheum in 1976 after being taken over by Memphis Development Foundation.
A 2012 photo of the restored building facade has been posted.
This just in. Went by to look at Osaka Bistro today. No trace of the interior of the Plaza remains but the restaurant is very elaborate and beautiful. Haven’t eaten there yet. The canopy and front window remain intact with the “Osaka” letters where the vertical letters always have been. See the new exterior photos.
This photo is from “Memphis Greets You” a promotional photo book of Memphis dated 1916. One is in the possession of the Memphis Shelby County Room of the Memphis Public Library and one is also in the Library of Congress collection.
The book “Night in Memphis” is available at the Memphis Shelby County Room of the Memphis Public Library.
Where did the photos come from?
Jimmie Tashie of Malco Theatres and the theatre manager on duty were very kind to me about taking these photos yesterday. The theatre is indeed very handsome, I would only want the older woodwork exposed and better light fixtures in the lobby. The theatre now caters to an adult—as in mature, want some substance to their movies—crowd. It is prospering and has become a “bistro” cinema serving wine and extra goodies. It is completely redone, converted to digital and I saw “Hugo,” “Marigold Hotel,” and “The Artist” there. The auditoria are remodeled almost out of recognition—for the better—except for the final demise of the curtains over the screen. The old square boxoffice has been removed and the outer foyer area furnished with bistro tables and chairs. Malco can now be really proud of it again as they were in 1977 when in opened. Was looking to see if there was any big spread in Boxoffice Magazine about the Highland Quartet when it opened. There was just a notice. The Ridgeway, I guess being the new home offices, was the one that got the glory. It also is free-standing where the Highland Quartet was in a four-sided…well they called it a mall in 1971…but everything faced outward with just an arcade around the outside. The Highland Quartet was a prime example of the “mimimalist” cinema style of the 70s—it didn’t even have any sort of eye-catching display, just a sign on Poplar Avenue and changeable letter boxes by the front entrance. Thank heaven things are different now.
New photos have been uploaded of the remodeled theatre. A collage of famous Hollywood faces by House of Cruthirds is the focal point of the Ridgeway lobby and has been since its opening on June 17, 1977. It also inspired similar decoration in many later Malco theatre lobbies although this is the finest example. Many of the others were airbrushed.
There is a beautiful old photo of the Idlewild at this link. http://www.memphisheritage.org/cms/index.php?q=node/109. The first two buildings seen at the top are in use still and the third is on the edge of being renovated.
Interesting note, the second auditorium looks very much like many of the Malco multiplex auditoriums in the 1970s.
See other photo for an even earlier theatre at this location.
Just returned from a trip to Nashville and was interested in M A Lightman’s first big venture into the motion picture business in Tennessee. MALCO is still going strong in Memphis and elsewhere in the region. Executive Director Stephanie Silverman was very kind to me and took me into the side hallways and upstairs to get the glimpses of the 1925 plasterwork. It was fascinating and they are very proud of the theatre and its history. However, there is really no chance of any of this being brought to light since there is so much mechanical and other between the newer walls and ceiling and the old and it is an operating and prospering theatre. But at least we can see it. And the 1925 proscenium has been recently refurbished. I posted several new photos. The theatre still offers occasional stage fare. I understand there was never any grand street display at either the original Hillsboro entrance or on the Belcourt side. Old photos have not surfaced. The competing theatre, I believe the Belmont was its name, down the block (which forced the Lightmans out of the Hillsboro) is gone without a trace.
August 2012.
The main cinematic claim to fame for this Bijou is that the Cinematograph was demonstrated in this theatre in 1896.
Kemmons Wilson built this theatre in 1941. Ads from the period call it the “Airway” though locals always knew it by the name of the nearby street, which is “Airways” because it was laid out to go to the airport. In its later years as an adult theatre the ads show the name “Airways.” When this happened is still being researched. Though demolished now, it lasted longer because of the adult trade.
1943, Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
1943, Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
1943, Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
1943, Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
This is the oldest known photo of the Princess. Later photos show more display cases, later a canopy, later a marquee, etc.
The Orpheum was purchased by M A Lightman in 1940 and was renamed the Malco (M A Lightman CO). It was renamed the Orpheum in 1976 after being taken over by Memphis Development Foundation.
Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center
Memphis and Shelby County Room Memphis Public Library and Information Center