Thanks for the update. The structure that I saw could have easily accommodated 550. AMC built an 18-screen multiplex here in 1998 also called the Colonial with a seating capacity at lease four times greater than the original theatre.
The Sylvan was listed under the heading of Community Theatres in the July 29, 1945 edition of the Atlanta Constitution. I do not know if this was the name of a circuit or just a label stating the Sylvan was a community theatre.
Located film listing for the Bankhead in the 1935 through 1940 editions of the Atlanta Constitution, but no street address. A film titled “Espionage Agent†was playing there on July 8, 1935.
The Bankhead, along with the College Park, the Temple, Sylvan, etc. are vestiges of a generation that is gone with the wind. Unless there has been some major development along what was once known as the (Tallulah) Bankhead Hwy, the remains of the Bankhead should still be as it was a decade or so ago. Next time I am in Atlanta, I hope to have the time to visit the archives of the main library and get some more details on these sites (and possibly photos as well}. I have received one unconfirmed report on the College Park that might have some merit. It allegedly was a recording studio during the 60s and 70s where budding talent such as Lynerd Skynerd supposedly cut a few tracks there prior to their achieving stardom. Possibly someone involved in the Atlanta music scene during this period could offer some insight regarding the validity of this claim.
I’ve got a listing from a 1952 directory showing a Pike Theatre at 4200 Kingston Pike. Is this the same as mentioned above? This Kingston Pike area appears to have the most growth in theatre construction in Knox County since the late 1960s.
Thank you for the update and correction. Although I’ve been able reference some IMPAs in the main libraries of most major cities, I haven’t had much luck in getting hold of criss cross and other such directories for out of state cities. Didn’t get a chance to hit the Atlanta library during my last visit in the area. Greatly appreciate you effort in checking this out and getting it straight. Were the screens at either of these Sandy Springs theatres comparable to the main screens in any of the newer megaplexs?
A 2005 photo of the original entrance to the theatre from Woodland Street can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/22960067/ There is a photograph on file at the main branch of the Nashville Public Library of the Woodland when it was still a theatre and before these unsightly additions were made to the façade.
There is a theatre in Madison, TN that Loews opened about this same time. The lobby of the Madison is smaller than the Tara, but it appears to have about the same seating capacity. There is a 2005 photo of the Loew’s Madison at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/22960058/
Great article! I vaguely recall a cinema on Dale Mabry that might be the one in the photo beneath the Tara. Although I cannot recall the name of the theatre, I distinctly remember that it had been acquired by General Cinema and converted into a twin. When I visited it Saturday Night Fever was playing in one auditorium and Looking for Mr. Goodbar was screening in the second.
Curious as to why the other Loews Atlanta theatre, the 12 Oaks, wasn’t mentioned in this article.
The Garden Oaks was still in operation through the 1990s. The theatre has grown old gracefully and dispite years of neglect, she is still a beauty. The theatre was never split, but a second auditorium was added right off the lobby in a space that was previously used for retail.
I do not know if the building still exist, but the address is still good and I think it was north of the high school. Will check it out next time I’m in Marthasville and let ya’ll know my findings.
I believe that the Sandy Springs was in the former Hammond Square location. I faintly recall there being a Burger King and something akin to a Home Depot in the same complex. Both the building and marquee were still there in the 1990s, but all indicators that a cinema resided there had long since gone. Much of the general structure of the theatre was retained in its conversion to a racquetball centre.
I think the mini cinema was near the Johnson Ferry/Mt. Vernon intersection, but some of the locals insist that the Comedy Spot is the original cinema site. If my memory serves me right, it was built as a twin, similar to the one on Candler Road across from the South Dekalb Mall.
Photos of the Hollywood 27 can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/
It is simply the “Tara” to those who inhabited the land at the time of its inception.
Thanks for the update. The structure that I saw could have easily accommodated 550. AMC built an 18-screen multiplex here in 1998 also called the Colonial with a seating capacity at lease four times greater than the original theatre.
The College Park was also known as the Park Theatre between 1935 and 1946.
The Sylvan was listed under the heading of Community Theatres in the July 29, 1945 edition of the Atlanta Constitution. I do not know if this was the name of a circuit or just a label stating the Sylvan was a community theatre.
The Suburban Plaza opened as a Martin theatre in the early 1960s and was initially called the Eastgate.
Located film listing for the Bankhead in the 1935 through 1940 editions of the Atlanta Constitution, but no street address. A film titled “Espionage Agent†was playing there on July 8, 1935.
Information on the renovation of the Fulton theatre can is available at View link and http://www.hapeville.org/ecodev/Projects.htm
The Bankhead, along with the College Park, the Temple, Sylvan, etc. are vestiges of a generation that is gone with the wind. Unless there has been some major development along what was once known as the (Tallulah) Bankhead Hwy, the remains of the Bankhead should still be as it was a decade or so ago. Next time I am in Atlanta, I hope to have the time to visit the archives of the main library and get some more details on these sites (and possibly photos as well}. I have received one unconfirmed report on the College Park that might have some merit. It allegedly was a recording studio during the 60s and 70s where budding talent such as Lynerd Skynerd supposedly cut a few tracks there prior to their achieving stardom. Possibly someone involved in the Atlanta music scene during this period could offer some insight regarding the validity of this claim.
Wasn’t the Centre razed a while back and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art built on this site?
I’ve got a listing from a 1952 directory showing a Pike Theatre at 4200 Kingston Pike. Is this the same as mentioned above? This Kingston Pike area appears to have the most growth in theatre construction in Knox County since the late 1960s.
Thank you for the update and correction. Although I’ve been able reference some IMPAs in the main libraries of most major cities, I haven’t had much luck in getting hold of criss cross and other such directories for out of state cities. Didn’t get a chance to hit the Atlanta library during my last visit in the area. Greatly appreciate you effort in checking this out and getting it straight. Were the screens at either of these Sandy Springs theatres comparable to the main screens in any of the newer megaplexs?
You can view a 2005 photo of the Mecca at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/23521206/
A 2005 photo of the original entrance to the theatre from Woodland Street can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/22960067/ There is a photograph on file at the main branch of the Nashville Public Library of the Woodland when it was still a theatre and before these unsightly additions were made to the façade.
Here are a couple of photos from spring 2005 of the Madison Square: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/22960058/
There is a theatre in Madison, TN that Loews opened about this same time. The lobby of the Madison is smaller than the Tara, but it appears to have about the same seating capacity. There is a 2005 photo of the Loew’s Madison at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/22960058/
Great article! I vaguely recall a cinema on Dale Mabry that might be the one in the photo beneath the Tara. Although I cannot recall the name of the theatre, I distinctly remember that it had been acquired by General Cinema and converted into a twin. When I visited it Saturday Night Fever was playing in one auditorium and Looking for Mr. Goodbar was screening in the second.
Curious as to why the other Loews Atlanta theatre, the 12 Oaks, wasn’t mentioned in this article.
Was unable to locate the Bluebonnet a couple of years ago when I was in the Houston area. It appears to have been demolished some years ago.
The Garden Oaks was still in operation through the 1990s. The theatre has grown old gracefully and dispite years of neglect, she is still a beauty. The theatre was never split, but a second auditorium was added right off the lobby in a space that was previously used for retail.
Was this that Excelsior mill place that popped up during the 70s?
I do not know if the building still exist, but the address is still good and I think it was north of the high school. Will check it out next time I’m in Marthasville and let ya’ll know my findings.
A couple of 2005 photos of this theatre can be viewed at: View link
A couple of 2005 photos of this theatre can be viewed at: View link
I believe that the Sandy Springs was in the former Hammond Square location. I faintly recall there being a Burger King and something akin to a Home Depot in the same complex. Both the building and marquee were still there in the 1990s, but all indicators that a cinema resided there had long since gone. Much of the general structure of the theatre was retained in its conversion to a racquetball centre.
I think the mini cinema was near the Johnson Ferry/Mt. Vernon intersection, but some of the locals insist that the Comedy Spot is the original cinema site. If my memory serves me right, it was built as a twin, similar to the one on Candler Road across from the South Dekalb Mall.
Here’s a recent photo of the Franklin: View link