The Hollywood ended its career as a church. It was very plain on the outside and probably a typical plain neighborhood theatre inside. The neighborhood at Hollywood St and Chelsea Ave (where the theatre stood) was once a thriving middle class neighborhood. It has since become very low income and somewhat depressed.
I have been in contact with American Classic Images about use of their photos in a new project of mine. I purchased the photo of the Suzore #1 to post. The links to their site are very appropriate and welcome and I have been allowed to leave this posting with their credit. www.americanclassicimages.com
The present remodeling of the auditoria, one by one, is very up-to-date, stadium-style and with some nice light fixtures. It is more decorative than the upholstered shoeboxes with which it began. It is a hallmark of Malco’s continued fine presentation. The lobby, I believe, is next.
This message refers to the photo with the curved marquee and the “Bijou” sign to its left.
The film on the Loew’s State marquee is “The Price of Redemption” released in September of 1920. It was a drama set in India, released by Metro Pictures (not Metro Goldwyn Mayer, too old), six reels.
Above the film title is “Twenty Movie Stars.” It is possible that this film did not play in Memphis when released; the State opened October 7, 1920, so it could have played in 1921 when the Bijou was open. No Christmas decorations so this wasn’t a Christmas Parade.
Cast
Cecil, Edward as [Govind Singh, the Rajah]
Higby, Wilbur as [Colonel Dering]
Lytell, Bert as [Leigh Dering]
Moore, Michael D. (I) as (as Mickey Moore) [Billy]
Morrison, Arthur (I) as [Colonel Desmond]
Stevens, Landers as [Richard Willoughby]
de Courelle, Rose Marie as [Ayah]
Madison, Cleo (I) as [Anne Steel]
Owen, Seena as [Jean Dering]
The second Bijou may be seen next to the curved marquee photo on the Loew’s State page of CT. There is a large crowd on the street but it may not have anything to do with the theatre. 146 S. Main was just north of the State’s boxoffice.
The first Lyceum theatre was in the lower level of the Memphis Athletic Association on the northwest corner of Third and Union. There is a drawing of this building in the library’s collection that references the theatre. This is the building that burned in 1893. The second Lyceum, in the photos here, opened in 1894 and was demolished in 1935. This second was used by Loew’s from 1916 to 1920, the year Loew’s State opened.
The 60s modern front shown in the color photo was also multi-purpose. The entrances, with escalators, were re-aligned to the corners of each hall (with marquees) and had a multi purpose large room between. It also made the building look modern from the street as was the case in several other downtown buildings. Existing photos of the WPA mural in the South Hall foyer (covered in this renovation) showed it to be of dubious artistic merit especially after a section of it was uncovered for fresh eyes to see it. It was covered again before the building was demolished.
The new photos are after 1920, first marquee; after 1929, first marquee and vertical; 1956, second marquee; 1968 (Memphis Riots) altered marquee and second vertical (altered).
Joe: where did that beautiful photo of the Pantages come from? It is much better than the one the Theatre Historical Society owns (and I have that print from them). There weren’t any more, were there? BTW, in the THS collection from Terry Helgesen is where the 1916 date came up. Maybe, B Marcus Priteca was given the contract that year and there were construction delays. There also exist beautiful photos of the block with and without the theatre.
Good news and bad news. The building is going to become a spa for Gould’s, a beauty parlor which has been at Poplar Plaza for many years. The bad news is that all the remaining decor has been gutted. Couldn’t see the restrooms but the curved lobby which Bookstar retained is gone. The interior was much handsomer after Bookstar moved in than it ever was before (it was pretty plain as were most neighborhood theatres) but all of that is also gone.
Photo has been posted on this page as well.
From Wikimedia Commons.
The Hollywood ended its career as a church. It was very plain on the outside and probably a typical plain neighborhood theatre inside. The neighborhood at Hollywood St and Chelsea Ave (where the theatre stood) was once a thriving middle class neighborhood. It has since become very low income and somewhat depressed.
Library of Congress photo. From Memphis Greets You 1916.
There is a local Rocky Horror troupe that has one night a month at the Evergreen. So, movies are regular there again.
I have been in contact with American Classic Images about use of their photos in a new project of mine. I purchased the photo of the Suzore #1 to post. The links to their site are very appropriate and welcome and I have been allowed to leave this posting with their credit. www.americanclassicimages.com
Used with permission from www.americanclassicimages.com.
The present remodeling of the auditoria, one by one, is very up-to-date, stadium-style and with some nice light fixtures. It is more decorative than the upholstered shoeboxes with which it began. It is a hallmark of Malco’s continued fine presentation. The lobby, I believe, is next.
Library records date this photo 1900.
The interior photo has a date of 1900 (library record).
The rest of the 1943 photos have been posted. Two more views of the auditorium from Memphis Room of the Memphis Public Library. Used with permission.
New photo of Luciann marquee has been added.
This message refers to the photo with the curved marquee and the “Bijou” sign to its left.
The film on the Loew’s State marquee is “The Price of Redemption” released in September of 1920. It was a drama set in India, released by Metro Pictures (not Metro Goldwyn Mayer, too old), six reels. Above the film title is “Twenty Movie Stars.” It is possible that this film did not play in Memphis when released; the State opened October 7, 1920, so it could have played in 1921 when the Bijou was open. No Christmas decorations so this wasn’t a Christmas Parade.
Cast Cecil, Edward as [Govind Singh, the Rajah] Higby, Wilbur as [Colonel Dering] Lytell, Bert as [Leigh Dering] Moore, Michael D. (I) as (as Mickey Moore) [Billy] Morrison, Arthur (I) as [Colonel Desmond] Stevens, Landers as [Richard Willoughby] de Courelle, Rose Marie as [Ayah] Madison, Cleo (I) as [Anne Steel] Owen, Seena as [Jean Dering]
Vincent
Southbrook Mall still exists but I wasn’t able to go inside the day I was nearby. I took a photo of the exterior which hasn’t changed much.
The architect’s rendering has been posted to this page.
The “Wonderland” photo is at the incorrect address.
The second Bijou may be seen next to the curved marquee photo on the Loew’s State page of CT. There is a large crowd on the street but it may not have anything to do with the theatre. 146 S. Main was just north of the State’s boxoffice.
The first Lyceum theatre was in the lower level of the Memphis Athletic Association on the northwest corner of Third and Union. There is a drawing of this building in the library’s collection that references the theatre. This is the building that burned in 1893. The second Lyceum, in the photos here, opened in 1894 and was demolished in 1935. This second was used by Loew’s from 1916 to 1920, the year Loew’s State opened.
The 60s modern front shown in the color photo was also multi-purpose. The entrances, with escalators, were re-aligned to the corners of each hall (with marquees) and had a multi purpose large room between. It also made the building look modern from the street as was the case in several other downtown buildings. Existing photos of the WPA mural in the South Hall foyer (covered in this renovation) showed it to be of dubious artistic merit especially after a section of it was uncovered for fresh eyes to see it. It was covered again before the building was demolished.
The new photos are after 1920, first marquee; after 1929, first marquee and vertical; 1956, second marquee; 1968 (Memphis Riots) altered marquee and second vertical (altered).
Thanks so much.
Joe: where did that beautiful photo of the Pantages come from? It is much better than the one the Theatre Historical Society owns (and I have that print from them). There weren’t any more, were there? BTW, in the THS collection from Terry Helgesen is where the 1916 date came up. Maybe, B Marcus Priteca was given the contract that year and there were construction delays. There also exist beautiful photos of the block with and without the theatre.
Raleigh Springs Cinema closed Monday, December 5.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/dec/07/curtain-falls-at-malco-raleigh-springs-cinema/
Good news and bad news. The building is going to become a spa for Gould’s, a beauty parlor which has been at Poplar Plaza for many years. The bad news is that all the remaining decor has been gutted. Couldn’t see the restrooms but the curved lobby which Bookstar retained is gone. The interior was much handsomer after Bookstar moved in than it ever was before (it was pretty plain as were most neighborhood theatres) but all of that is also gone.
No trace of the Bellevue remains. For directional purposes, the address would now be 2350 Elvis Presley Blvd.