Gem Theatre

Winter Garden, FL

31 South Main Street

, Winter Garden, FL 34787 United States

(map)

407.656.3244

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Art Deco

Function:	Housing, Retail
Seats:	250
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

Adapted to a former department store building in Winter Garden, Florida, the Gem Theatre was opened on September 27, 1941, as a movie house. At this date, Winter Garden had a U. S. Army searchlight batallion, and this theatre was added to downtown Winter Garden (in addition to the 1935 Winter Garden Theatre) to accommodate the movie going crowds.

The Gem Theatre was Art Deco to the hilt with an indoor box office located in a sweeping colorful partition that also kept outside light from hitting the screen. Concession products were brought in on demand from the other downtown theatre. The Gem Theatre gave up the ghost in 1949. Today, the marque, built of concrete, still stands. The projection booth is still intact, but the auditorium section of the building has had many uses since the theatre closed.

In 2002, Jim Henson Productions used the Gem's facade in its production of "Kermit's Swamp Years".

Related Websites

Winter Garden Heritage Foundation (Official)

Contributed by Irv Lipscomb

YOUR COMMENTS

What is the status of this theatre? Anyone have photos of then and now?

posted by Patsy on Oct 8, 2006 at 2:58am

The Gem has been divided into two separate rental properties, Patsy. One one side is West Orange Photo and Digital Services. The other half is a private residence. The former theatre is easy to spot since the art deco marquee still is installed, and probably will be there forever since it's built of concrete.

posted by Irv Lipscomb on Dec 3, 2006 at 4:36pm

From 1954 to 1956, the Gem Theatre became the Gem Super Market, an independently operated enterprise.

posted by Irv Lipscomb on Jan 15, 2009 at 8:02am

Why is it that when you click on the official website the Garden Theatre comes up and nothing with the word....Gem?

posted by Patsy on Jan 15, 2009 at 8:32am

The Gem Theatre was a separate theatre, Patsy, and has been closed since 1949. I can't think of a reason that it would be mentioned on the Garden Theatre's website. If you would like it, I've written a history of Winter Garden's theatres,"Flickers, Fires and Flames," and it's published for free distribution by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. If you will send me your address, I'll be glad to mail you a copy. You can write me at ilipscomb@cfl.rr.com Aren't you scheduled for a visit to Florida this winter?

posted by Irv Lipscomb on Jan 15, 2009 at 8:52am

Irv: Yes, I am scheduled for a visit to FL this winter! I will be in Ocala late March to hopefully see and tour the art deco Marion Theatre. Do you have any current status information for that theatre? I was told by a friend who was in downtown Ocala last winter that the theatre was "boarded up" which has caused me to inquire about this theatre and my theatre visit to Ocala. I will send you a personal email with my mailing address as I would love to receive a copy of "Flickers, Fires and Flames". Thank you so much!

posted by Patsy on Jan 15, 2009 at 9:04am

Click here for a 2001 photo of the Gem Theatre.

posted by Irv Lipscomb on May 5, 2009 at 7:28pm

1988 photo of the Gem Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c9%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=25662

posted by Chuck1231 on May 8, 2009 at 2:06pm

Per the 1944 edition of the FILM DAILY YEARBOOK, the Gem had 250 seats. Please correct. Thank you.

posted by Irv Lipscomb on Jul 10, 2009 at 8:55am

Note: Please read our comment policy before posting. Comments which are off-topic, obscene, spam, or personal attacks will be removed. Help us keep the discussion productive!

Search

Theater Guide

Add Your Cinema Treasure!

Newest Theaters

Recent Comments

Updated Theaters

Gem Theatre

Related Websites

YOUR COMMENTS

Notify me when someone replies to my comment?