Earl Smith Strand Theatre

Here is a link for an article in "The Cobb Times" publication regarding the current happenings with the Strand Theatre, Marietta, GA.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/1103/13strand.html

Sorry, the above link is for an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article.

The Strand Theatre seated 976 people.

Friends of the Strand sign 50 year lease with the Goldstein Family.
On May 28th after 2 years of negotiation and research a group of community leaders and business people will begin a fund raising effort to raise 5 million dollars to renovate and restore the Art Deco 875 seat movie house. The Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society is donating its 18 rank Robert Morton Theatre Organ to Friends of the Strand Inc. for installation in the theatre.

A new Proscenium arch, Organ chambers and stage will be constructed. The seating capacity will be reduced to around 700 to compensate for the new enlarged stage and organ chambers. The organ Console with rise from the basement on its on elevator-center stage.

The theatre will boost state of the art sound and projection equipment. Extensive research was performed by Erica Taylor of the Savannah COllege of Art and Design on the history of the Strand.

Marietta Ga. is the county seat of Cobb County a northwest suburb of Atlanta, Ga, with a population of over 700,000 persons. The Strand sits on a thriving town square of resturants and businesses. It will be used for concerts, movie screenings, and corporate events.

Grand Opening sometime in early 2006

Submitted by Ron Carter Secretary to Friends of the Strand

Hi Ron

My name is Alan Thompson. I've been reading about the plans for renovating the Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square and may be of some help.
My company handles all the promotional material for the Canton Theatre on the square in Canton. They/we have been successful in raising awareness as well as increasing sponsorship in the Theatre. I was hoping to be able to get in touch with either Mr. Earl Smith or Chery Moultrie, both affiliated with Friends of the Strand and offer our services.

Can you help me get in touch with either person.

My sincere thanks!

Alan Thompson


MOJO Productions, Inc.
151 E. Marietta Street, Suite D
Canton, GA 30114
ph: 770 479 3461
fx: 770 479 4899
mojomen@alltel.net

The following appeared in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS August 2004 Newsletter:

STRAND THEATRE RECEIVES FIRST LEAD GIFT...
John Williams of Post Properties has given the Friends of the Strand its first challenge gift of $300,000! This, along with several smaller gifts from local financial institutions and individuals, brings our contributions to just over $333,000/ The first gift, of course, was from Cooper Music. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have also given a gift of $10,000. The building is now in the possession of the Friends with appropriate insurance purchased. A time table has been established for the theatre’s renovation and a construction management company has been hired. De’Oplossing, Inc., which has offices in Texas and Marietta, was chosen. They just completed a $1-million conversion of the old Coca-Cola bottling plan on Roswell Street, across from the National Cemetery, to office condos. This is their main headquarters. De’Oplossing has completed an extensive one-week building assessment and survey and has developed the following schedule:

From August, 2004 to January, 2005 will be the demolition and design stage. This will include the removal of all electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, particularly the rood duct-work and HVAC machinery, so that major roof repairs and a new roof can be installed. RFPs for Architect services will be solicited during August, and a plan an cost-estimate for the ATOS Atlanta Chapter-owned Robert Morton organ will be developed. I have asked Pipe Organ Sales and Service’ Mr. John Tanner to develop the renovation and installation plan and cost-estimate for the organ. It is the intent of the Friends of the Strand to completely fund the organ renovation, installation, and construction of chambers and organ elevator (lift.) Also during this time, in-depth research on the interior design, color scheme, interior decoration and furnishings - to include a new stage and proscenium arch (to include stacked organ chambers on both sides) will be completed. It is our desire to restore the “look and feel” of the theatre to its original 1935 appearance, but with state-of-the-art projection, sound, lighting and to meet all current code requirements and handicapped access. Depending on cost, we may raise the roof area above the stage to “fly” the movie sheet and some lighting racks and curtains. Depending on space and budget, the Robert Morton could be enlarged to around 19 ranks with a second Tibia and Vox. Clark Wilson has given the chapter information concerning an original Robert Morton three manual console very similar to what controlled our Robert Morton when it was in the Capitol Theatre in Atlanta. It is the Paul VanDerMolen console and it ran 19 ranks. It is currently being housed in the Ohio Theatre and is for sale. It would also be completely redone.

The entire project is to be completed by early 2006.

This project will bring new life to the Marietta Square and to our cherished Robert Morton Theatre Organ.”
(Ron Carter, Secretary to Friends of the Strand and Chairman of the Removation Committee.)

R. McGee
Atlanta, GA
08/10/2004

Friends of the Strand have new web site full of photos and information about the Strand Theatre. Please go to www.friendsofthestrand.com for additional information. New information will soon be on the site about the Robert Morton Theatre Organ that will be installed in this Art Deco house.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand

The address for the Strand Theatre is 117 North Park Square NE, Marietta, Ga.

I was in Marietta in December and took a photo of a former theatre on the square, but it was in the middle of the block and not on the corner as depicted in some of the photos on this link....so did Marietta have 2 theatres?

Just viewed the photos on the Friends of the Strand site and during my visit to Marietta do not recall seeing any facade with marquee,ticket booth, etc. while in town so perhaps this has all been changed yet the auditorium still exists?

Ron: Great to read this sentence in regards to the Strand....."New information will soon be on the site about the Robert Morton Theatre Organ that will be installed in this Art Deco house." Congratulations and I have emailed a lady named Cheryl who is with Friends of the Strand to receive further information.

R. McGee: In your recent post you spoke of the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Atlanta. I'm in the Charlotte area and recently found a former Coca-Cola bottling plant on West Morehead Street that has ornamental exterior cement coca-cola bottles along the top facade! Very unique and so thankful it still exists in a town that demolished many wonderful old buildings over the many years! The building is now office space. I thought I would be able to provide a link to see this former plant, but at the moment have not been able to locate the photo that was provided on the www.cmhpf.org site. "cmhpf" stands for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Preservation Foundation. When I mentioned Charlotte demolishing many old buildings that I viewed in a book entitled Remembering Charlotte I came to realize that one that hasn't been demolished, but is in dire need of a MAJOR restoration is the Carolina Theatre. I thought it best to also interject a theatre note with my non-theatre related comments.

I am a sixth generation Marietta alum and grew up on the Marietta Square. My grandfather and uncles (John McCollum and Johnny/Davis Walker) ran a mens clothing store there for 60 years. We are in conversations with Cheryl Moultrie and ESarl Smith to provide a 3D visual computer graphic (virtual reality) model/presentation to assist in the fund raising effort. Anyone needing similar services, please see www.rcmsgroup.com/casestudies and contact me in Atlanta, GA

Davis McCollum
(404)435-6015

Patsy

I believe that you were looking at the Theatre in the Square which is on the opposite side of the Square and is a black box theatre in a remodled store front. They have about 200 seats and do great productions. The STRAND is across the square on the NE Corner. We will be returing the box office and Marquee to its original 1935 design. We have also recieved additional gifts and our fundraising now tops the $600,000 level which is mostly corporate gifts. We hope to start grass roots fundraising toward the end of the year where a person can by a seat in the theatre etc. Preliminary interior demo work is to start sometime in late March. This is sheet rock walls, a kitchen that was installed under the balcony when it was a Pew and Brew. An architect and historical consulant have also been retained. We cannot find the plans for this building so the Architect is going to have to measure and draw up new ones. We have got to get all of the modernization that was done in the 60's, 70's and 80's out of the theatre.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand

Good morning Ron. Whom is the architect on record for the project..?Thanks,
Davis McCollum
www.rcmsgroup.com

The Friends of the Strand have recently completed a soft demo of the theatre interior. This included removing all of the modifications made during the 1960's remodling and the additions made for the beer draft house. This opened up a larger area under the lobby and stage. The sheet rock lobby restrooms, 1960's offices etc are now gone. Rick Sibly of Sibly and Associates is currently preparing drawings and research for the adaptive restoration of the theater to include a new Prosenium Arch (destroyed in a 1980's fire), theatre pipe organ chambers, a lobby elevator etc. The Theatre roof, HVAC, Electrical and plumbing will be completely replaced. The 1935 Art Deco Look will be restored to as close as the original as possible based on photographs, newspaper articles, and personal recollections. Our fund raising efforts now exceed $600,000. Seating will be reduced from its original 875 to between 600 and 700 seats depending on ADA and code requirements. We are excited about the progress of this theatre's coming to new life.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand

This website has some history on the Strand Theater. At the bottom of the page, be sure to click on [click to see full article] for additional info.

Here are some photos from December 2005 of the Strand.

Restoration on the Strand appears to be stalled and there is some discussion that the theatre might be demolished. Does anybody have any word as to the fate of the Strand?

Was in Marietta recently and the headline on the MDJ was "STRAND SAVED".

For the full text of the above article, go to
http://www.mdjonline.com/articles/2007/03/01/268/10249695.txt

STRAND THEATRE FLYER WITH ELVIS PRESLEY.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24391992@N00/626538892/

STRAND THEATRE UPDATE

Everyone- We have recently reached our 2nd capital campaign goal of 2.3 million and have started on the last phase of our fundraising while also beginning our renovations. The Theatre is now scheduled to be open in the summer of 2008. It will have approximately 600 seats and Class A conference and meeting areas. We have also hired our first paid employee-Christy Rosell who is Director of Business Development and Marketing. This will be an adaptive restoration bringing the theatre back to its 1935 Art Deco feel and look while using the latest technology in projection and sound. The total project will be in the neighborhood of 3.8 million. Included will be the building preparation for a 1920's theatre pipe organ of 20+ ranks that will have double stacked chambers on each side of the Proscenium. New Dressing rooms, blower room for the organ and a console elevator are also be prepared for. This is an exciting project that I have been involved with now for over 4 years. The theatre will have an elevator going to all four levels, an outdoor terrace overlooking the Marietta square and a electronic marquee designed to look like the orginal art deco of 1935. Please go to our website at www.friendsofthestrand.org for more detailed information.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand Board

That's great news.

This article is dated 11/19/07.

STRAND REACHES 3.1 Million fund raising mark and renovations BEGIN:

Everyone-We are on track for completing the renovations by the end of 2008. The inside of the theatre is completely scaffolded with demo of the old acoustical tile ceiling and roof repairs ongoing. The stage floor and under stage dressing rooms are are framed in and the organ blower room has been constructed AND 14" air-tight metal windline has been run to the lower level of the organ chambers. The final architectural drawings are complete and let me tell you this is going to be the ART DECO showplace of Georgia. The administrative offices and upper level reception room is under construction. This will require that a portion of the roof at the front of the theatre be moved up several week to accomodate these changes. The old 1935 HVAC 30" air supply lines on top of the roof have been removed. This portion will insure that the theatre is completely dryed in for the winter with a brand new roof, replacement of bad roof joists etc. Along with the Marietta Fire Department I climbed the scaffolding to the top of the auditorium to inspect the HUGE steel orginal beams. This building was built to last. It was fun to actually touch the top of the auditorium next to the roof and look at the art deco bolsters still in place that will be restored. A decision was made to enlarge the STrand stage by moving the Proscenium forward about 8'. This will give us a depth of 25' to the back wall, with a 28' wide proscenium. Outside the Proscenium will be a curved stage appron adding an additional 5' of stage. The organ lift was been moved to in front of the stage appron in its own pit. Talking about the organist being in the best seat of the house!

We have also hired an Executive Director, MR. Earl Reese who has been in performing arts in our school system for over 25 years as director the Pebblebrook Performing Arts Center. He knows and is known by everyone in the arts in our area which is going to be a real plus for theatre bookings. He also is very supportive of the installation of the theatre pipe organ.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Strand Board

If all goes as planned The Strand will re-open in 2008.
Lets keep our fingers crossed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24391992@N00/2140344044/

This is a recent photo of the Strand.

Do you know if they have chosen a firm to perform the design/installation of the Audio, Video, and Lighting? Any idea what gear will be used? Will it be a full surround for recent movies or just a mono system for old movies?? I'm a bit of a gear nut and love to know about these things.

The year given for this photo of the Strand is 1964.

Thats the wrong photo. This is the 1964 photo of the Strand in Marietta. Click on the photo to expand it.

Here is a new link for the 1964 photo.

This is a December 2008 photo of the Strand.

2009 photo

According to their website, the Strand is open. Function....you have the opportunity to see musical productions by the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, classic movies, concerts, and more!

Here is a circa 1949 photo.

1987 photo of the Strand Theatre. The photo depicts when it was the home of Liberty Church.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c10%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=25791

This is a nice recent photo of the Strand.

For comparison, here is a 2006 photo before the renovation. Big difference.

Here is a 2009 photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24391992@N00/3753119475/

Worked at Strand, Cobb, Bell, Martin DriveIn and Fair Oaks DriveIn.
1954-1955. City Manager was James Zimmerman. Nice booth in Strand.

I attended a showing of "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" in 3-D last night(10/22). It was my first time inside the Strand since about 1974. I think the last movie I saw there was "Chinatown". The theater at this time was definitely showing its age.

The lobby is very different, reminding me of an upscale hotel lobby(very nice). Entering the auditorium, it was as though I had traveled back in time. Although updated, it was essentially the same as I remembered it as a kid going to all those Saturday matinees back in the 1960s.

One of my first impressions, after getting used to big multiplexes with stadium seating, was how small the Strand seemed to be, especially the screen. It didn't take away from an enjoyable experience at all, and this won't be the last time I see a movie here.

Where was the Fair Oaks Drive-In located. My family and I have lived in Cobb County for over fifty years, and none of us can remember a drive-in by that name.

Was it renamed as the Smyrna Drive-In in later years?

YES, There was a FAIR OAKS DRIVE IN in Marietta it parked 300 cars not making it real big BANKHEAD DRIVE IN in Atlanta still a nice drive in. The FAIR OAKS was operated by Martin theatres . Marietta also had the MARIETTA DRIVE IN which was larger with room for 425 cars. It was owned by R.E. MARTIN CIR. no info on a Smyrna Drive in. Maybe someone might know about it.

Drive-Ins.com lists the Smyrna Drive-In but with no AKA's or time line. Car capacity is listed at 400. They also list a Georgia Drive-In on Cobb Parkway at Clay St., now the home of the Southern Polytechnical Collese. Closed in 1957 and the screen was torn down in 2003. Car capacity was listed at 700. No known AKA's. They don't list anything for the Fair Oaks or the Marietta Drive-Ins, could these have been also known as the Fair Oaks or the Marietta?

The 1975 IMPA lists four drive-ins for Marietta. The Fair Oaks, Georgia, Marbro and Marietta. Car capacity for the Fair Oaks Drive-In was 300 that year. In 1980 three drive-ins are listed for Marietta. The Georgia, Marbro and the Smyrna.

Thanks Mike and Chuck.

The Marietta Drive-In must be the Martin Drive-In that was located on Roswell Road about 1/2 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 41.

The Georgia Drive-In did not close in 1957. The last film I ever saw at a drive-in (to date), was The French Connection, at the Georgia Drive-In in late 1971.

I think that the Fair Oaks and the Smyrna Drive-Ins may be one in the same, as there is an unincorporated part of Cobb County called Fair Oaks, and the Smyrna Drive-In would have been only one or two miles further south on Atlanta Road.

If you check the Smyrna Drive-In page on Cinema Treasures, someone posted a comment stating that the Smyrna Drive-In was also called the Fair Oaks.