Tennessee Theatre

Historic Tennessee Theatre Shines Again in Knoxville
http://www.nationaltrust.org/community_partners/tntheatre.html

I was in the beautiful Tennessee Theatre last week. The renovation is progressing at full speed. The old stage house and dressing rooms are gone, the new under construction. Broken and missing terazzo, plaster, crystal, marble are all being replaced with exacting skill. Whoever thought we'd see brand new book matched verde antique marble going in? The auditorium is scaffolded so that you can "pet the horsey" (the manager is having a ball with that one) that stands at the top of the proscenium. Evergreen Studios has replicated and installed endless moldings and medallions with uncanny sharpness and attention to detail. Axminster carpets has recreated the original patterns. Broken and missing light fixtures, removed decades ago are repaired and going in.

The entire building has been retro-fitted with fire sprinklers. Even standing in the (relatively low-ceilinged) orchestra foyer, with bright work lights on and looking for the sprinkler heads I couldn't find them until they were pointed out. Evergreen Studios to rescue again!

The current mangement and three major benefactors have been uncompromising in their attention to detail and their dedication to quality.

Reopening is scheduled for January 2005.

If I ever get to Knoxville during one of the Corvette Expo events, I will definitely check this theater out!

Visited the newly restored Tennessee Theater today at their open house event, they'e done an absolutely outstanding and thorough job on this deserving palace. It's been well-outfitted now for live stage performances, with an expanded stage, dressing rooms, etc. and the auditorium is simply jaw-dropping. Having visited for years, still could never have imagined the hidden gem waiting within. Back to her full glory and absoutely worth your time!

Official website is http://www.tennesseetheatre.com/

Just re-opened 01.14.2005, expanded to accommodate for the latest technology and fully restored to its historic grandeur. Magnificent! Stop by to appreaciate its rich design and catch a good show.

Congratulations to the City of Knoxville for restoring their special historic theatre.

Where can I find a photo of the gentleman that plays the wurlitzer at The Tennessee Theater? I know he's a retired UT professor but I can't remember what he looks like. Thanks.

Right here
http://pr.utk.edu/torch/spring97/chanc.html

I guess I should fill out the information. That's retired univeristy of Tennessee chancellor Bill Snyder. He and Paul Swyderski (formerly organist at the Elm Skating Rink in Chicago) have provided live music for many events at the Tennessee Theatre over the last 20+ years. The organ was recently renovated by Ken Crome whose work is respected by many.

Thanks Will. I thought I recognized Dr. Snyder while out to dinner recently. My husband kept telling me he had been up close observing Dr. Snyder at the re-opening of the Tennessee Theater and he was certain I was incorrect. Alas, I was, thanks to your link. (Good thing I didn't go over there and speak to that guy, whoever he was!) Appreciate the info and your prompt response.

kyc, if you will send me an email address, I will send you a photograph of me at the console of the Tennessee Theatre Wurlitzer. The guy who played the organ at the reopening of the Tennessee Theatre on January 14, 2005 was me. I look different depending on whether one is viewing the front or back of my head. The audience normally sees only the back. Your husband owes you a dinner out for talking you out of your instinctively correct statement.

All best.

Bill Snyder

Bill Snyder

Dr. Snyder, I am completely honored to get your response. I bragged to my husband that, although I might not be able to correctly identify you in a lineup, I got a personal response from THE Dr. Snyder, himself! I look forward to attending a performance at The Tennessee Theater and seeing the real you soon. And, thank you for the photo in advance! It will be a treasure. karencaldwell@gmail.com

Along with the Tennessee Theater - Bill Snyder is another municipal jewel. His enthusiasm for the theater, love of music and deft touch on the keyboard has been crucial to the rebirth of this wonderful concert hall, movie theater, bragging right!!!!

Article about the reopening:
here

TC: Thanks so very much for posting the reopening article. I hope to see this restored theatre whenever I find myself in Knoxville TN!

Here is a website with an old photo of the Tennessee Theater. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Color Photo of the Tennesses Theatre

My husband was one of the guys who remodeled the Tennessee Theatre and I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any good pictures of the front of the building, foyer included. There was once a concrete bench in the front, we were able to save it from destruction and it now lives with us. We would love to have a photo of this bench in its origional home.

jodigrl: How nice to read that your husband was one of the guys who remodeled the Tennessee Theatre. I'm sure a CT member will, in time, be able to answer your questions. The story of the concrete bench was most interesting and are there plans to return it to the front of the theatre? I'd love to see an old photo of this bench in its original home, too. How were you able to save it from destruction and how big is it?

jodigirl: You can call the theatre and ask for either Becky (the manager) or Tim (the technical director). Both have access to extensive photos of the theatre before, during and after the renovation. Who knows, might even have a photo of your husband there. I've sat on that bench many times but I don't think it's historic - betting it was brought to the theatre in the 1960's. My opinion only, Tim or Becky will know for sure.

Chuck's photos (above) are quite nice - shows the theatre just before the recent renovation. This marqee was removed and a duplicate of the original installed along with a new vertical sign.

Will: This is great information to pass along to jodigirl...finding folks who have access to extensive photos of a theatre before, during and after a renovation is like finding a gold mine!

TC: I wasn't able to bring up the reopening article that you posted on May 5.

Vince: I just viewed the official Tennessee Theatre site and found the pictures of the lobby with its $150,000 chandeliers breathtaking! I hope to see this theatre, in person, sometime.

Here is a photo of the marquee at night.

lostmemory: Thanks for the night photo and if you come across one that shows the vertical TENNESSEE sign and/or the entire front entrance, please post!

Also great to read about the theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer made in N. Tonawanda NY! This restored theatre sounds and looks like a must-see theatre!

Jodigirl:

The bench to which you refer is in good condition and is located on the sidewalk at the back of the theatre on State Street. It is a convenient place to park one's tired body when waiting to be picked up. I have sat on the bench many time waiting to be picked up by my wife.

I am sorry that I do not have a photograph of the bench.

All best.

Bill Snyder

To All With An Interest In The Tennessee Theatre:

I jokingly tell my friends that when I retired from the University of Tennessee after a 40 year career, I had two job opportunities; be a greeter at Wall Mart or become a tour guide at the Tennessee Theatre.I chose the latter so to speak.

I am now a full time employee at the Tennessee Theatre with the title Community Relations and Development Director. I also continue as House Organist. This translates into the responsibility to raise friends prior to raising money. Even though we have reached our capital campaign goal of $25 million, we will need to raise money on an annual basis to help cover the substabtial increase in operating costs.

One of the things I do in my position is conduct tours of the theatre. I have done over 125 tours since we reopend on January 14, 2005. If anyone would like to have a tour, please contact me at 865-684-1149 or bsnyder@tennesseetheatre.com I often play a few tunes on the Mighty Wurlitzer as part of the tour if the organ can be made accessible on the orchestra lift.

Our guiding philosophy in operating the "new" Tennessee Theatre is "
Building the Future and Preserving the Past."

I hope to see many of you at the theatre in the futuree.

All best.

Bill Snyder

Bill Snyder: I believe I recognize your name as you are the current Tennessee organist! If you ever get a chance to visit the Riviera Theatre in N. Tonawanda NY you will see and hear the original Wurlitzer that was used as a demonstrator organ to prospective customers. Last December 26th I was at the 75th anniversary of the Fox Theatre/Atlanta. I also had the pleasure and honor of meeting the Fox organist, Larry Embury. I have his email if you would like to write him to compare 'musical' notes! The website for the Riviera Theatre is www.rivieratheatre.org

When visiting the Riviera Theatre site click on photo tour and you'll see their Mighty Wurlitzer!

Is vertical the same as up and down. :) I found a vertical sign that reads "Tennessee". It is supposed to be from this theater. This is the photo. Let me know if its the right one.

lostmemory: That's it...up and down. Think of vertical as up and down as horizontal is across like the horizon. Thanks for the great photo as you have provided CT with many great photos and continue to do so which is especially nice since the photo feature has not been a CT feature ever since I became a member last November.

I'm glad that its the right photo and thanks for the vertical and horizontal lesson. :) Here is some trivia I found for this theater:

"Tennessee Theatre historian Wallace Bauman says the theater was almost named the Tivoli. The name had been chosen, but the district manager for the Publix theater chain convinced the head office to change the name to the Tennessee, citing the success of the company's Alabama Theatre in Birmingham, which had opened the year before. "I've said so often I'm glad it was named Tennessee," Bauman says. "I'm not sure we could have named it the state theater if it were (called) something else".

Yes, the decision to name the theatre TENNESSEE was the right choice!

This is a photo of the Wurlitzer theater organ in the Tennessee Theater.

lostmemory: Once again you come through with another great photo and this time its of a great surviving Mighty Wurlitzer! Thanks....again! My hat goes off to the fine folks of Knoxville who restored this theatre and made it a vital part of the downtown area.....again!

Here is a cool website Patsy. If you haven't been to this site before, you can view panaromas of the theater's interior during restoration. There is also a slideshow with interior views. Just click on whatever is highlighted.

lostmemory: "The historical Web site cinematreasures.org lists 18 other movie palaces that share the Spanish-Moorish architecture of the Tennessee. Of those, five have been demolished and seven are closed." This is a sad statistic, but there is hope for the seven that are closed and not demolished! The website lists the sister theatres that have the Moorish interior so will check to see if they are CT listed!

I wish they had included the ceiling in the 360 degree photo!

I have viewed the slide show and it was wonderful as it did include the beautiful ceiling and the restored chandeliers! This theatre is now on my must-see theatre list!

Glad to see so much discussion of the lovely Tennessee Theatre. The photo that "lostmemory" has posted is an excellent image of the marquee that was removed in the recent renovation. It was a handsome 1950's era sign. The current one is much more baroque - recreating the original 1928 design with only a few modern touches. Best to all.

How exciting to see all of this discussion about the beautiful Tennessee Theatre. If anyone gets to Knoxville and wants a personalized tour of the theatre, please contact me at

bsnyder@tennesseetheatre.com

865-684-1149 (My number at the theatre.I am there every day.)
865-633-6023 (Home phone)
865-599-2211 (Cell phone)

Bill Snyder
Community Relations and Development Director

This is a 1999 daytime photo of the Tennessee Theater and this one is at night.

Great photos. I recently met a man whose daughter lives in Knoxville so I told him to be sure and check out the Tennessee when in that southern city! I was particularly pleased to see the restored ticket kios as that element was and is an important part to any historical theatre.

Another photo of the Tennessee.
http://www.exithere.net/theaters/c88_tennessee.html

Patsy:

Several months ago you offered to send me the email address of Larry Embury, and I am just now responding. I would appreciate very much getting his e mail address.

Thanks

Bill Snyder

snyderbs@utk.edu

Will do via private email. Larry will love hearing from a fellow theatre organist! And if you haven't been to the Fox I sincerely hope that in '06 you see it in person, as it is one fine theatre from the 20's! God bless the folks of Atlanta for standing tall and saving this one! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanks, Patsy. I look forward to getting your email.

All best.

Bill

This is a very interesting link to the Kirkegaard website describing their work on the Tennessee Theatre. Their work in acoustics (both natural and electronically enhanced) over the last couple of decades has been widely regarded as among the best work in the field.

http://www.kirkegaard.com/press/2072/2072.htm

Thanks for the Kirkegaard website with photos as you certainly have a beauty in the Tennessee especially that in-house organ.

Where is Kirkegaard based? And perhaps after the first of the year I'll be able to visit Knoxville enroute to Nashville. If so, seeing the Tennessee will be at the top of the 'must-see' list.

I wish the folks who restored the Tennessee would come to Charlotte and help with efforts to restore the Carolina! www.mtos.org and
http://www.theatreorgans.com/nc/metrolina/carolina/Article.TheCarolinaTheaterAwaitsHerFate.1998.html

Friends, a friend of mine who is a long time member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra read the link to Kirkegaard Associates and wrote back to me with this comment. Thought you might like to see it. (And he is right, no one would ever purposefully design a concert hall in the shape of a wide oval with the stage on the long side, but that's what we've got. It is, however, a stunningly beautiful hall inwhich to hear the very talented members of the KSO perform.) Will

"As might be expected, this piece is self promotion for Kirkegaard and probably exaggerates somewhat. However, I think I speak for most orchestra members when I say that there has been noticible improvement. When the KSO moved from the Civic Auditorium to the Tennessee Theatre in about 1985 I told anyone who asked, and probably some that didn't, that I thought the acoustics had improved from a D at the Auditorium to a C at the Theatre. I would now rate the Theatre at a B. The new shell is a huge improvement in that the orchestra hears itself so much better so our ensemble playing is much better and that is a major plus in making the orchestra better. I'm not sure that since the shape of the room is all wrong for a concert hall that much more could have been done.

"So, Kirkegaard pats itself on the back perhaps a bit too strenuously but they are the firm that was chosen for the restoration of Orchestra Hall in Chicago and Severence Hall in Cleveland as well as the brand new hall in Tel Aviv so they do have a proven, positive record."

The cable network GAC with broadcast “Christmas at the Tennessee” on December 16th at 9PM EST. There will be some awesome shots of the theatre both in the auditorium and interviews in the grand lobby. This show will be worth watching for all historic theatre lovers weather you like country music or not. For more information go to gac.com

tntim: Thanks...will check it out!

Can anyone get this cable channel as I'm not familiar with it?

This link has some recent photos of the Tennessee Theater including many interior photos. Click each photo to expand it.

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1982

Burwell Building Tennessee Theater ** (added 1982 - Building - #82003979)
Also known as Knoxville Banking and Trust Co. Building
600 S. Gay St., Knoxville
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Graven & Mayger, Richards,McCarty & Bulford
Architectural Style: Other, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Business, Financial Institution, Specialty Store, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Business, Specialty Store, Theater

Following are a few updates about the Tennessee Theatre.

1. In addition to the titles Director of Development and Community Relations and House Organist, I now have the title Managing Director of the Tennessee Theatre.
2. In October 2006, Jelani Eddington gave a marvelous concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer. He stayed a week after the concert and recorded the instrument. The CD should be available for distribution in early 2007. If you would like to order a copy at $15.00, please send me an email at snyderbs@utk.edu[/email]
3. We have launched a strategic fund raising plan for the Tennessee Theatre. The two components that have been implemented are an annual giving solicitation and a gift shop that will be accessible on line shortly after the first of the year.
4. I continue to do a free noon time organ concert the first Monday of each month, and I have been including other performers to participate in the program. For example, the December 4, 2006 program included a 30 minute program by the chorus of Central High School in Knoxville. This is one of the finest high school choral groups in the country, and we had over 1,000 persons in attendance. Does anyone "out there" know of a theatre organ concert in recent times that has had such an attendance?
5. On January 14, 2007, we will have Bill Cosby doing two shows, at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM as the second annual fund raising gala. Both shows will be a sell out, and we anticipate clearing a minimum of $125,000 for the theatre. Tony Bennett gave a very successful concert last year as our innaugural fund raising gala.
6. All readers of Cinema Treasures have a standing invitation for a tour of the theatre and a mini-concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer if you are in Knoxville. To make arrengements, please contect me at:

Bill Snyder
865-684-1149 (number at the theatre)
865-599-2211 (cell)
snyderbs@utk.edu

Best wishes to all for a wonderful year in 2007.

Bill Snyder
Director of Development and
Community Relations
House Organist
Managing Director
The Historic Tennessee Theatre

Bill Snyder: I certainly have enjoyed looking at the many photos of your beautiful and grand lady, the Tennessee. Thank you for the Cinema Treasures open invitation as I, as a member, hope to take you up on that invite someday.

tntim or Bill Snyder: Is there any way that one can purchase a video of the December 16th "Christmas at the Tennessee?

Patsy:

Two comments.

1. I look forward to giving you a tour of the Tennessee Theatre as well as a mini concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer when your schedule permits.

2. There is not a video of the December 16, 2006 event at the Tennessee Theatre. This was a showing of the classic movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. We had two showings, and both were sold out. We had to regretfully turn people away.

There is no greater thrill as far as I am concerned than having a full house seeing a movie in a movie palace!!!!

All best.

Bill

This is a 1/14/2005 article about the re-opening of the Tennessee Theater.

"Love of history brings Knoxville, Tenn., movie theater back to life of grandeur.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Byline: AMY MCRARY

an. 14--Wallace Baumann's love affair with the Tennessee Theatre began in 1931 when he was 6 and the Tennessee was 3.

Through the decades, Baumann has loved, researched and worried over the theater, now restored to movie palace grandeur.

The Tennessee reopens tonight after a $23.5 million, 1 1/2-year restoration has returned it to its 1928 glamour and made it a modern performing arts center. Two new portraits hang in the theater at 604 S. Gay St. One is of James A. Dick, whose Dick Broadcasting Co. bought the building in 1981 and preserved it. The other is of Baumann, the theater's historian.

Baumann's time, money, expertise and research helped transform what he calls "my favorite building in all the world." Photos of and information about the theater that he collected over half a century, along with his memories, helped recreate its beauty and style. Part of the Tennessee's interior allure comes in coordinating details of lush patterns, colors and styles. Baumann, 79, was instrumental in creating that look.

"It would not have been done the way it was without Wallace," said Bill Snyder, the theater's organist and chair of the Tennessee Theatre Historic Foundation's capital campaign. "His knowledge and details made a tremendous difference.

"He has a tremendous collection of material about the theater, from the day it opened, which was helpful. And he also has a wonderful memory of how things were, He's the only person alive I'm sure that knows what he knows," Snyder said.

Baumann's love of the Tennessee began when Lucy Woodruff Baumann took her 6-year-old son to a movie in '31. He doesn't recall what was playing. He does remember the building, the red-and-gold organ console rising from the orchestra pit, the ornate stage curtain that seemed to float as it opened.

As a child, Wallace Baumann dreamed of being the Tennessee stage manager. As a teen, he took dates to see first-run films for 88 cents. Once, he told his father, architect A.B. Baumann Jr., he'd like to grow up to design theaters. "He told me, 'You'll never make a living doing that.' "

As a Tyson Junior High student, he'd drop by the Tennessee to try to sell an ad in the school paper. The manager didn't want to buy an ad; Baumann would be escorted to the auditorium to wait. The joke was on the theater. Happy to see what was playing, the teen would move to sit where he couldn't be found.

On every visit, he studied the theater's architecture, lights, curtains and colors. When no one could tell him how many seats the auditorium held, he brought a notepad and stayed after a show. "I counted all the seats, section by section, row by row: 1,996."

His research about the building began in earnest when he was a University of Tennessee freshman in 1946. He searched Lawson McGhee Library files, hoping to find photos of his favorite theater. His work expanded to other historic theaters; Baumann is a founding member of the Theatre Historical Society of America. It also led him to Thompson Photo Company. There, he found 1928 photos of the Tennessee he had copied and put in a scrapbook.

"If Wallace didn't have the pictures and memories, we would not have been able to replicate this as truly as we have," said Darlene Smolik, project coordinator for the theater foundation. "You can have parts that are correct. But if they are not put together in a proper manner, you end up with a structure rather than a piece of art. Wallace could sit there and say, 'No, that doesn't feel right, that doesn't look right. Here's what we need." "

He had kept an eye on the building for 42 years while working downtown. Baumann began working at Woodruff's at 424 S. Gay St. after graduating from UT. He later became president of the store started by his great-grandfather, Capt. W.W. Woodruff, shortly after the Civil War. Woodruff's closed in 1992.

Work gave him a good seat to watch the Tennessee's changing fortunes. The theater closed as a first-run movie house on Nov. 3, 1977. The next day, Baumann walked in.

"The little lanterns on the walls were lighted but nothing else. I sat on the orchestra pit rail and said, 'Oh please dear Lord, don't let this building be torn down." "

Four years later, Dick Broadcasting brought the structure. In 1996, the foundation was created to manage and preserve the theater. Dick deeded the Tennessee to the foundation in 1997.

Baumann is an active foundation board member and hands-on member of the building committee chaired by Dr. William Campbell. He kept a hard hat in his car and visited the theater weekly after restoration began. He climbed scaffolding to check paint and ensured that the exterior vertical sign was replicated. His favorite single item may be the stage curtain, so like the one he marveled at as a child.

All in all, the new Tennessee answers that prayer Baumann made in '77 at the orchestra pit rail.

"I never dreamed I would live to see it renovated and certainly not to this extent, to the peak of absolute perfection".

Quick question. I'm considering purchasing Orchestra pit tickets (3rd row, center) for an upcoming concert. Are these good tickets or will I develop a neck ache from looking straight up all evening?

Dear D30678
Only the nouveau riche sit closer than Orchestra Center, row C. Which has had me resting my chin on the foot lights at many shows. I'll take row B balcony any day. Avoid row A balcony if you're over four feet tall. The stage is 50+ feet wide and you just can't see it all if you're right up on it.

Cheers!

Unless you want to be close enough to feel the spray off the entertainer, you do not want these seats. Theatres are not designed for audiences to sit in the pit. The sound and sightlines from this location is the pits (ha ha). Will is correct; the best sound in the Tennessee is in the balcony.

If you want to sit on the main floor, the center section, rows G through L are just about perfect. You are back far enough that you don't have to sit in anybody on stage's lap and you can see the whole stage.
If you are attending one of Bill's monthly organ extravaganzas, I prefer to sit in the balcony. Even though the organ pipes are located on either side of the stage, in the balcony it seems like you are surrounded by the sounds due to the curvature of the theatre
And Patsy, if you will send me and email at richsaff@aol.com I might be able to mail you something special.

This is a 2007 photo of the Tennessee Theater.

Lost Memory: Thanks for the wonderful photo and I just found out that dear friends will be moving to Knoxville later this summer so next winter I'll be making a trip to this southern city to see this theatre gem!

Patsy,
I do have a copy of the GAC channels "Christmas At The Tennessee" show that was broadcast in December 2006. I had to work that night and set the vcr to copy it. I would be happy to make you a copy and send it to you no charge. I also copied the live local broadcast of the fund raiser and last night the theatre was open before the renovation was started. I was in the theatre that night for the fund raiser but wanted to see what the whole thing looked like on TV too.
Bill Snyder,
The first Monday of the month shows are better that ever, if possible, with the addition of guest MC's and special artists. Bravo!

Thank you so very much.

Here is a nice photo of the Tennessee Theater.

Lost Memory: Thanks so very much as I just sent it to friends who recently moved to Knoxville!

Dr. Snyder,

I doubt you remember me but many years ago (5 or 6) I served as Dean of the Knoxville AGO chapter and we had a couple of concerts at the Tennessee on the Wurlitzer prior to its restoration. Hector Olivera was one of the concerts we presented. Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful musical extravaganza on Monday, Sept 3. I couldn't believe the attendance and it was actually my first time in the theatre since it has been restored. I travel so much now ( you might remember I was the Gen Mgr at Knoxville Area Transit) that I don't get to many organ events in Knoxville anymore, although I am currently the organist at Central UMC.

Also, FYI, I understand my great friend and handbell mentor from 25 years ago in Abilene Texas is practicing on the Wurlitzer. So glad you found Charles Parham. A tremendous organist. He, like you are true treasures.

Thanks again for the concert.

This is another recent view of the Tennessee Theater.

The vertical sign for the new Regal Riviera can also be seen on the right hand side of the above photo.

Happened to be driving through Knoxville New Years Day and got off I-40 to check out the exterior of the Tennessee. Highlight of the brief visit was the vertical...what a delight to see that the letters were lamped with incandescent bulbs. Now, that is what I call class!

I recently visited the Tennessee and received a lovely full tour by resident organist, Dr. Bill Snyder. He even treated my husband and I to a private lovely 4 tune concert ending with, of course, the Tennessee Waltz. I also stepped into the Regal Cinema to check it out as they are headquartered in Knoxville along with Martha White Flour and HGTV, by the way! On the walls of the Regal are large b/w vintage photos of Knoxville so be sure to look up when you enter! And by the entrance doors is a vintage projector!

Lost Memory: Your Aug. 14, 2007 posted photo of the ticket kios is very nice. During my visit to Knoxville over the holidays that ticket kios had a very familiar person inside...Santa Claus! At night the marquees were lighted and it was a joy to see them shining brightly as I drove down Gay Street in Knoxville TN.

JAlex, it does look good, but those are LEDs inside a decorative, bulb-shaped cover, not incandescents. tntim will have to tell us more about them.

Will Dunkin: Sorry I missed you while in Knoxville. Sure enjoyed the theatre tour by Dr. Snyder...such a nice man!

This is a b/w photo before restoration.

Interesting "before restoration" b/w photo!

Here is a 2008 photo of the Tennessee Theater.

The TENNESSEE marquee is nice to see in photos, but the full impact occurs when seeing it IN PERSON as I did this past December. And a tour by Dr. Snyder, resident organist was "the icing on the cake"!

This is another recent photo.

Great outside pic 'Lost Memory' ~ Thanks! I last played the organ there in 1978, pre-restoration. Even then, it was a great Wurlitzer to play.

Here is a May 2008 photo.

Here are some great interior photos.

Photo#1.

Photo#2.

Photo#3.

Photo#4.

Photo#5.

Beautiful photos Lost Memory! Thanks for posting!! These photos make the theatre appear even more beautiful than opening day.

A 1986 view of the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville here and here and a larger view here and here.

After comparing marquee photos they sure made a nice improvement from what was seen in the 80's!

My late husband and I were members of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra between the years 1969-1971. I'd like to obtain a photo of the orchestra from that time period to add to my memory book. My husband and I met while students at Maryville College. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I'm also trying to locate concert programs as well.
Thanks
Poodles

A recent marquee photo is here.

Poodles, Click on my name below and send me an email. Will

Tennessee Theater photo

Lost: As you know I have toured this theatre and Dr. Snyder played the theatre organ during my visit to Knoxville in Dec. '07.

That must have been a great experience. Is the organ the original Wurlitzer opus 1930 organ?

I believe it is though not 100% sure. If I hadn't had friends in Knoxville, I probably wouldn't have made the trip in '07. Knoxville is a pretty southern town with a quaint downtown area and sprawling new suburbs and traffic to the West along Kingston Pike which runs parallel to I-40.

If you locate a site that talks about the Tennessee Theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer, let me know as I couldn't find any detailed information about this organ on the official theatre website nor through the many posts. In the meantime, I have emailed Will Dunklin who might have some answers and organ history to share with us.

The original organ listed for this theater is a Wurlitzer opus 1930 style BAL2 installed in 1928. That's all the information I could find. The status given is "OK" so it probably is the same organ.

Lost: I would agree!

It is the original Wurlitzer organ installation 'Patsy' and 'Lost Memory'.

Thank you for confirming the Wurlitzer information Patsy and TheatreOrgan.

Yes, thank you TheatreOrgan.

Some photos of the Wurlitzer can be seen here.

Lost: Great site, but I think I recall that the organ was white when I saw it.

Was it always white?

I don't think so after looking at the photos you recently posted.

It's hard to tell from those photos what the actual color is. It looks orange in the photos. Maybe the lighting makes it appear that way.

Perhaps...just not sure. I do know that it was white when I saw it in person in December of 2007.

Hi Patsy,

Are you sure about the organ being white? I saw the organ in October of 2008 and it looked as it does in the photos, crimson with gold details. Very flashy and appropriate for the theatre it was in. Maybe they were doing a repaint and you saw it with the primer? I'm just trying to figure how it could go from crimson in October to white in December, and back to crimson again.

I think an email to Dr. Snyder would probably resolve this organ dilemma.

I think the color depends on when you saw the organ.

July 2007 photo

June 2008 photo

The organ looks the same, to me, in both photos. If I saw it in December 2007 and the photo shows the organ to be non-white in June 2008 then it wasn't white, I guess afterall.

I just asked my husband who helped Dr. Snyder push the organ into its storage area with doors which is under the stage via hydraulics and without putting any shared thought into his head I asked him what color he remembers it being and he said....white with gold trim.

It looks gold, red and white in the July 2007 photo. This could be a rare "chameleon organ". LOL

I just sent Dr. Snyder an email with a copy to you so we shall see what the good Doctor tells us. And yes, it does look "gold, red and white", but the organ I recall seeing was just white with gold trim.

Patsy, I have another possible explanation, and I wouldn't bring this up except for the fact that I've done it myself. After my first visit to the Landmark in Syracuse (it was still the "Loew's State") I very distinctly remembered the dome in the lobby being gold leafed. I mean I was 100% positive that the main dome in the lobby ceiling was absolutely gold leafed. When I went back for a 2nd visit, imagine my surprise to fine that the dome was painted in various colors and in oriental patterns! Maybe your memory is playing tricks on you?

At the risk of releasing another avalanche of posts, please see the virtual tour of the auditorium here and the June 2008 photo LM posted at 10:47 this morning.

http://www.tennesseetheatre.com/about-us/take-a-virtual-tour/

The console is red. RED. R E D! It has gold trim. The keys are white and black and the stop tabs in black, ivory, red and mottled yellow. The toe studs are nickle plated and the black swell shoes outlined in chrome. The music rack lamp is gold-toned. The natural pedal keys are clear-finished maple with ebony sharps. The undersides of all the pedal keys are lightly coated with dust and cobwebs which at first glance appear to be white, but upon closer examination are actually light gray. Dr. Snyder's hair is a charming shade of white and he usually wears a black dinner jacket or occassionally black tails, there being, thank the gods, no sequins in his wardrobe.

Thanks Will. The next question is, where is the white organ kept? LOL

Seriously, was the organ console always it's current color or was it changed at some point?

The Wurlitzer at the Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, (3 manuals) has always been thought of by me as being the smaller sister to the Wurlizter at the Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Ala.(4 manuals), known to those fans as 'Big Bertha'. www.theatreorgans.com/alabama/bham/

The Tennessee's console was always red with gold trim.

Here's a photo of another moorish Wurlitzer console, this one quite similar to the Tennessee's, though this one appears to be monochrome gold, rather than the If the link doesn't work, search for Bob Castle on YouTube.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvhJ_JBZFo

Will, I always thought the cobwebs were more of an ash color than simply gray. Please explain? ;-)

Nice video. Obviously the guy playing the organ doesn't have claustrophobia. Any ideas which theater the mysterious white organ console could be located in?

Lost: I'm sure many theatres have white organs...the key is locating them as it must be a rare sight. LOL! I know many churches have white organs as I have seen many of them.

Ha! The ghostly, white, mystery organ played by a spectral Jesse Crawford? Could it be cradled in a clandestinly created climate controlled crypt? Or does it reside only in the memories of organ interludes past? Where or when should we find the cadaverous claviers again? The sepulcural stops? The phantom pipes? The reaper's ranks? Quote the Raven: "How the hell should I know?"

Patsy, I have worked at the Tennessee Theatre since November 2004, and I assure that since that time the organ has always been RED with gold trim. Perhaps when you saw it Dr. Snyder was playing? Sometimes when he does the Mighty Musical Monday concerts he does use lighting which may reflect a different color?

Oh and to Will:
You must have missed Dr. Snyder dressed as a female character from Rocky Horror Picture Show when we showed the film this past October! No dinner jackets in sight!

I can just hear Bill playing "The Time Warp" on the Wurlitzer.

In today's Arts Section of the New York Times, this theatre as well as the nearby Bijou were mentioned as part of the Big Ears Festival.

"Mr. Capps’s company, AC Entertainment, manages and operates the Bijou, a 700-seat theater downtown on Gay Street, opened in 1909 and recently renovated into one of the best-sounding rooms I’ve experienced in this country. It also runs the Tennessee, a 1,500-seat theater with lavish, Moorish-style interiors a few blocks away."

1983 photo of the Tennessee Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=33615
1983 night photo of the Tennessee Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=4&catpagesize=25&ProductID=33616
1983 photo of Tennessee Theatre lobby.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=4&catpagesize=25&ProductID=33617

NOW PLAYING AT THE TENNESSEE THEATRE SUNDAY SEPT,24 1967 ROBERT REDFORD AND JANE FONDA IN BARE FOOT IN THE PARK, WITH A WOODY WOODPECKER CARTOON TICKETS WENT ON SALE AT 1;20 PM. LAST SHOW WAS AT 9;30. TWO FOR THE ROAD WAS THE NEXT FEATURE TO PLAY AT THAT SHOWPALACE.

I Saw in the Knoxville paper a write-up on the Tennessee Theatre. Saw those 35mm projectors. WOW, YOU GUYS must use real projectionists that know a cue mark from a splice!

Hey Mike I have tried to show my wife cue marks on old movies on T.V. I will point them out but she never sees them. Check out the Tennessee Theatre in Nashville site if you havent already.

yeah,I never knew what cue mark was until i worked in a theatre and i wasn't even in the booth.I don't think the public even notices them. I guess since no one hardy makes a change over who needs them today. I am going to Nashville right now.

Cool come on up.

Cool come on up.

Sept.18 1967 NOW SHOWING Sandy Dennis in " UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE"