Loew's Vendome

Photos imply that the Vendome saw few changes over its 80 year life. The high victorian decor - wooden fretwork, heavy curtains with elaborate tie-backs and oversize fringe, fully enclosed balcony boxes are clearly visible in the August 9, 1967 newspaper photos along with the destruction caused by the fire.

The local pronounciation was VAHN-dohm.

The site is now Nashville's astonishingly wonderful public library: surely the best brand-new neo-classical buildings I've seen.

A Wurlitzer organ Opus 1268 Style H SP was installed in the Loew's Vendome Theater on 2/8/1926.

During the last years of the Vendome existence it was just simply referred to as the Loews.

Jack and Lost Memory, I've found an old image of the Vendome and have it in JPEG format. If you'd like a copy for your files I'd be happy to e-mail it to you. Feel free to contact me through my personal link below.

I recall seeing the remains of this theater after the fire (but before demolition). It was as if someone sliced it in half down the center. I can stil see the two balconies with seats intact on the left side of the theater, as well as main floor & stage. I knew this had to have been a very grand dame in its heyday.
bobmarshall

I remember this theater well..especially the balconies on each side.

The Vendome burned in the late 60s...I think shortly after or maybe about the time I finished high school(1967).

I do recall the marquee advertising "THE DIRTY DOZEN...Hottest Picture in Town!" at time of the fire.

The August 1967 fire was not the first fire to damage and eventually destroy the Loew's Vendome. The Tennessean reported that the first fire occurred on January 2, 1902, when faulty electrical wiring in the upper boxes created a fire causing between $35,000-$50,000.00 in damages.

The theatre was repaired, remodeled, and reopened on September 12th, 1902. The boxes were ivory and gold, the walls were shaded with a red tint varying from a pale rose to terra cotta. The new ceiling mural, entitled "Love's Awakening", replaced "Aurora", which had fallen in the flames (Banner).

The theatre closed as a playhouse and reopened as a movie theatre on April 14th, 1915 (Banner).

The theatre was once more remodeled and opened on March 22, 1920 (Tennessean) after $100,000.00 was spent towards upgrades. Vaudeville was still performed and motion pictures were shown. The organ was added at a cost of $20,000.00.

After the Loews Vendome burned in 1967, Loews took over the lease of the Crescent down the street. We still had the weekly reports from the Vendome stored there as they were not distroyed in the fire.

MORE HISTORY

The site of the auditorium of LOWES VENDOME ,Between 7th ave north and an alleyway off Church Street has been bought by NELSON ELAM , president of the White Way Laundry Co. The price was $50.000 and the transaction was listed as between LOWES THEATRES and Realty Corp of New York and Elam. Most of the theatre was destroyed in a fire in August 1967.

BOXOFFICE April 26 1970

Church street Center was built on this site it was going to be the next big thing it was a bust.It only lasted about 20 years and was torn down. Our main Nashville Library is there now, it faces up Capitol Blvd. looking at the State Capitol Building. Just like the Loews Vendome did.

That must have been a great place to see a movie.