Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30365
660 Peachtree Street NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30365
48 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
The Fox Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Circuit
Architects: Ollivier Vinour
Firms: Marye, Alger & Vinour
Functions: Movies (Classic), Performing Arts
Styles: Oriental
Previous Names: Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
404.881.2100
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- May 10, 2014 — Summer Film Series at the Fox
- Jun 21, 2011 — 'Phantom' allowed to stay in Fox Theatre
- Nov 3, 2010 — 'Phantom of the Fox' fights to remain in upstairs apartment
- Jun 25, 2007 — Largest active theater
- Feb 14, 2005 — Free Tours of the Atlanta Fox Theatre
- Dec 22, 2004 — Atlanta's Fox Theatre Celebrating Its 75th Year!
Originally constructed as the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque to be used as the headquarters for the Shriner’s organization from 1925. The site was taken over by Fox Theatres chain and turned into the magnificent Fox Theatre which opened on December 25, 1929 with George O'Brien & Helen Chandler in “Salute”. On the stage was a Fanchon & Marco ‘Idea’ named “Beach Nights”. Female organist Iris Wilkins opened the Moller wonder organ. Today, it is one of the best kept, best loved and luxurious of the world’s movie palaces. Its legendary status has been born from initial hardship.
The inauguration of the building as The Fox met with the commencement of the Depression. The Fox Theatre, it seemed, was doomed to fail. After a few short years of delighting Atlanta crowds with films and shows, the Fox Theatre declared bankruptcy and closed.
The city gained brief ownership of the Fox Theatre and the theater regained its footing during the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s. The 1960’s hit the theatre hard like many others around the country. The proliferation of television, suburban attractions/distractions and other economic forces began to take a toll on the viability of the Fox Theatre as a movie palace. The Fox’s glory days lasted until 1973.
A non-profit group saved the Fox Theatre from demolition and in 1975, the group began the lengthy process of restoring the theatre. Reopening the theatre as a peforming arts center, the Fox’s financial situation is now much more sound.
Constant restoration and upkeep have kept the Fox Theatre looking new and have helped retain its status as a truly unique and magnificent theatre. The Fox Theatre is reportedly the only major theatre in the country to have a full-time restoration staff. They are also the only major theatre to have 2 ballrooms attached in the orginal building (this is as it was on opening day in 1929).
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Recent comments (view all 128 comments)
A recent visit a few weeks ago was not a good time for me at the Fox Atlanta. We saw ‘The Shining’ The Fox run some ads in the local art/entertainment free newspapers and tell about the Coke Film Festival Night. They show the time starting at 7:30PM. What they don’t tell you about all the wonderfull things going on during the pre show at 6 45PM. The pipe organ, cartoons, news, plus trailers all in 35mm film. Most of the main features are DCP video. Not the best look with such a long throw from the back high up balcony projection booth. They did not close the curtains like they did in the past after the organ or between the main feature. So many ads cover the above the screen section and projected on the walls. This gave the place a junkie look, not like a first class classic movie theatre. What was so sad many people came in at 7:30PM or later and blocked screen view looking for their seats and talking. Most had no idea about coming early I think or looking for a place to park. They ran so many screen ads before the video main feature started I thought I was at a Regal Theatre. The lady at the boxoffice told me they open at 6 PM. She was wrong I had to wait in the hot heat till 6 30PM. I did talk to some sort of manager lady in the lobby and told her how important the curtains are with some color lights on them like they did in the past. She did listen to me so let’s see If they can get a stage person backstage to open and close them at the correct time (slowly) as they do adjust the screen masking by hand for flat or scope. The screen they use is way smaller then the huge CinemaScope® screen they had in the 50’s. The Fox need’s to change the name to Coke Video Festival as they don’t show 35mm or 70mm film on the main features they book. Glad the place is still open and let’s wish they bring some showmanship back on these great movie/video nights and change the newspaper ads to show what is going on before the main feature plus mention COME EARLY and open at 6 PM. They now have metal detectors out side the front doors so you will be checked to enter just like at the airports. This adds some time also to get in. Watching a movie is not like going to a rock show.
I was there in the summer of 1976 and watched Lynard Skynard perform live. And when you listen to Freebird live that’s when he say’s “Play it pretty for Atlanta”.Forrest Gump moment moment of my life, everytime I hear that song I think of the red velvet chairs and the white brick walls and the huge stage and Lynard Skynard playing Freebird and Sweet Home Alabama.
The Fox’s webpage has their technical specifications manual which has a lot of tech details about the theatre and stage facilities, as well as partial floor plans. It can be accessed here:
https://foxtheatre.org/general-information/technical-package/
Proscenium opening is 79 feet wide and stage depth from fire curtain to back wall is 34 feet 7 inches.
Grand opening ad in the photo section and below:
New article out on Atlanta’s large format and roadshow history. The Fox’s numerous Summer Film Festival screenings get plenty of coverage in the piece.
Any news of the new 70mm print of 2001:A Space Odyssey appearing at the Fox this summer?
1929 image in below Atlanta History Center link.
http://atlantahistorycenter.tumblr.com/post/28907821763/1929-view-of-atlantas-fox-theatre-browse-and
90th anniversary and highest grossing venue of it’s size worldwide for a decade.
https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/fox-theatre-earns-recognition-top-venue-its-size-for-the-decade-worldwide/7EwbMXNKp2LemKxmnU6rWN/?fbclid=IwAR0R4ZxT-AgleRI-N5cueCcadXJpR6y5RA8iXoM3gEz5Nmsja4XzdD0l_YY
Take a look at this long, detailed and generously illustrated article from CNN
Disney’s “Song of the South” had its world premiere here 75 years ago today.