Ritz Theatre

A recent (2005) picture of the Ritz:
http://rushcreekeditions.com/lfop/

A 1998 photograph of the abandonded Ritz Theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/gilesbooth/85773313/

From a 2004 article in The Natchez Democrat:

"The Ritz, once a commercial building dating from 1869, was rebuilt as an Art Deco-style theater in 1935. Foundation officials have said it is important both for its architecture and its place in Natchez history and the memories of locals

It closed as a theater about 20 years ago, although part was later used as a jewelry store. The roof of the building, which had fallen into disrepair, was damaged by severe weather in February 1998, and the back part of the roof caved in three years later.

Natchez businessman David Paradise and real estate investor and native Burk Baker bought the Commerce Street building and donated it to the foundation for renovation".

I was rewatching "The Ladykillers" (w/Tom Hanks) and noticed this theatre all in disrepair as the leading lady walked through town twice. Saw the location at the end as being Natchez, MS and lo and behold, found it on CT.

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/333alw

Here is a photo that shows a little more of the former Ritz Theater.

If you would like me to start linking to Fastcase and the UCLA library photos, let me know.

In watching for blogs about Natchez I came across your bit about the Ritz Theatre. The theatre is being renovated, and the facade is looking quite a bit better now. I took some shots of it today, one of which is on our NatchezMS.com website at http://www.natchezms.com/img/ritztheatre.jpg
The damage to the roof actually started quite a while before the '98 tornado (sorry, the "weather service" called it a "straight-line wind.")

The Ritz was operated by Paramount Theatres until sometime in the 1960's and then by Gulf States Theatres.