Loew's Crescent Theatre

The Crescent also was the Cinerama theatre for Nashville, it played 3 stip cienrama from 2/27/62 thru 10/19/62. It remained a roadshow/hard ticket house from 10/20/62 thru 12/22/65 when it switched back to Cinerama only this time it was presented in 70MM on a 75ft by 32ft curved screen installed in front of the original 45 foot flat screen. After the Loew's closed the Crescent in 1972 it was reopened by Martin and remained open as a first run venue playing 70mm when availabe and closed for good in 1982. It was demolished in 1994 to make way for a parking lot.

Here is a 1930's ad for the Princess Theater:
http://www.nashvillewebreview.com/automat/nashville/theaters/princess/Princess_1.html

Is this the Crescent?
http://www.wnpt.net/memories/popups/downtown3.html

Robert I believe that is a picture of the Loew's Vendome before it burned down.

Someone needs to pull a copy of the Tennessean for Thanksgiving, 1965. I've yet to get a consensus as the whether this is the Loews Crescent or the Loews Vendome. Although the Vendome was razed in 1968, it continued to be a first run house up until the day of its closure.

The photo posted by RobertR on Jul 19 does not show the marquee that I remember of the Loew's Cresent. The last time I was in the theatre was about 1990 (and we won't talk about how I got in, okay?) The entire interior was gone: auditorium, stage, lobby, restrooms, walls, everything. The space was a large empty shell with a back-hoe sitting in the middle of the dark, sad room. However, the marquee was still hanging over the sidewalk. It no longer said Lowe's Cresent, but the sign boards were still there, as were the border lights.

The photo posted by RobertR on Jul 19, 2005 shows on the marquee that "The Cincinnati Kid" was playing. That film was released in 1965 so that would make that photo of the Loew's Vendome. Loew's did not move into the Crescent until after the fire at the Vendome in 1967. If I am not mistaken the Crescent had a much larger entrance and larger marquee.

Picture is not the Loew's Crescent. We called this theatre just the Loew's. It was across from Harvey's. The Loew's Crescent was down by the L&C Tower.

It was a Loews theatre before it was a Martin Theatre. This was Nashville's only Cinerama Theater, but Cinerama didn't last very long because of expense of production and lack of commercial appeal. Mary Poppins played there as did Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And an off-duty cop shut the movie down and arrested the owner during the movie's first night. The Baptists picketed outside. All because of the use of the word, "Goddamn."

It was a Loews theatre before it was a Martin Theatre. This was Nashville's only Cinerama Theater, but Cinerama didn't last very long because of expense of production and lack of commercial appeal. Mary Poppins played there as did Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And an off-duty cop shut the movie down and arrested the owner during the movie's first night. The Baptists picketed outside. All because of the use of the word, "Goddamn."

It was a Loews theatre before it was a Martin Theatre. This was Nashville's only Cinerama Theater, but Cinerama didn't last very long because of expense of production and lack of commercial appeal. Mary Poppins played there as did Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And an off-duty cop shut the movie down and arrested the owner during the movie's first night. The Baptists picketed outside. All because of the use of the word, "Goddamn."

According to Bowers' "Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments" page 551, the Princess Theatre was equipped with a Reproduco organ made by the Operators Piano Co.

Also, the "American" and "Cameo" theatres in Memphis apparently had Reproduco organs as well. I could not find dedicated pages for them, so I am putting this info here for the time being.

I worked in this theater Loews Crescent in the late 70,s.We had the World Premier of W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings there, a Burt Renolds movie. It had lots of Nashville people in the movie and a shot of the theater is seen in the movie.It had 830 seats 415 on each side, it was a rather plain movie house but I had lots of fun there. I also worked at the Loews Melrose and Loews Madison.

1979 picture of the Crescent:
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=Crescent&catpagesize=25&ProductID=33731

CWalczak,s pitcure of the Crescent you might not be able to see it in the picture but when Loews took over the Theater it had a neon Loews sign in stalled over the west side only if the Crescents vertical it would flash on and off. Church street was one way at that time running east I guess thats why the only put the LOEWS on that one side.Loews ussally had their mane many places on their movie houses.

Here's a page about the Reproduco organ:
http://www.arcade-museum.com/presto/PRESTO-1924-1956/PRESTO-1924-1956-10.pdf
Apparently it was especially marketed to undertakers.

In the opening statement about this theater it needs to be corrected that Loews did not shut down the Crescent in 1972 it was more like 1980-1981, and Martin Theaters took it over for just a short time.Martin Theaters used to run several houses in Tennessee including the Tennessee Theater also on Church Street this was their Flagship house.

Also the seating numbers are wrong the Loews Crescent had 830 seats, 415 a side. I know I used to work there.

Thanks Cinematreasures for the update for seating.It may have had more seating before it was updated for cinerama but it could not had had over 1000 seats.It wasn't big enough.Love you site!

Sorry I was wrong the Old Princess could have had 1602 seats I don't know.I was too young to know. My dad told me about it.

The Chain this house was built by the Crescent Amusement Co.Any ifo on them would be great!

I am also looking for any information on Robert Sokol he was our city manager in Nashville, his office was upstairs in the Loews Crescent building, he had worked for the Loews chain many years.

tisloews: I just noticed that you have posted on the Louisville Palace Theatre and now learn that you are in Nashville so by all means do drive up to see the Palace in Louisville. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

tisloews: From what I've read about Nashville that city has lost many theatres especially the Tennessee, but at least Knoxville saved and restored their Tennessee. If you haven't seen it, I urge you to go. I've seen it and heard the organ played by Dr. Bill Snyder.

Why did Nashville lose so many of its theatres?

Sad commentary when reading....."The theatre was torn down in 1994 and replaced by a parking lot."

How close were the Crescent and Tennessee Theatres? I've looked at photos of these theatres and they appear to be almost the same except for the marquee design though both were vertical.

Patsy same as all the other cities T.V. V.C.R.s suburb theaters.Not having to pay to park. A 31 story condo is built at the Loews Crescent site now next to the L&C tower Nashvilles first real skyscraper,also 31 stories. It was built in 1955. The Tennessees site is also a high rise condo.Also the Loews Crescent was by no means a movie palace,it had red drapes on the walls and over the screen,it did open and close though.I had a great time working there but that was 30 years or more ago.

Thanks for refreshing my memory in regards to the Tennessee as I do recall now that it is a high rise condo though not pleased. At least the land isn't a parking lot!

Patsy by the way the Tennessee and the Loews Crescent were 2 blocks from each other on the same side of Church street, The Tennessee was much larger inside and much nicer. Also the Loews Vendome was at 615 Church Street but it burned in 1967, And Loews took over the lease on the Crescent a little later.WE used to borrow ice from the Tennesee sometimes when we were real busy and they would buy change from us.All the managers new each other and helped each other even though they were our rivals.

tisloews: It certainly sounds like you have wonderful Nashville theatre memories! Thank you for sharing them! Is the Loews Vendome listed on CT? If not, please add it.

Would love to see a photo of the Loews Vendome.

Yes it is but it is hard to find. Near the top of this page there is a post the says is this the Crescent? if the picture will come up It is a view of the marquee of the Vendome. It also has its on page on C.T. not much info though.

Patsy I tried to pull up the picture of the Vendome but it is not there any more.You may be able to find its site by looking under locations,"U.S.A.Tennessee" list. There are about 510 in this list I have found it there before.It is not listed under the Loews Chain link for some reason. Also the Melrose and Madsion Square Theaters are not listed on the Loews chain but can be found by location Under their names.I used to work at both of them too!That needs to be updated.

Patsy click on to my personal link tlsloews and look at my list of comment theaters you can click on LOEWS VENDOME and pull up its C.T. site that way if you cannot find it.

tisloews: Thanks...I have found it.

These two American Cloassic photo links were posted to the wrong Crescent.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=8&catpagesize=25&ProductID=33731

http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=8&catpagesize=25&ProductID=33732

They are for this Crescent Theatre

Thanks, Chuck 1231 those pictures were taken on Christmas Day 1979.The White building to the right of the theater and the Church next door are still there.Roller Boogie with Linda Blair yea ha!!!!!

"The White building to the right of the theater and the Church next door are still there." You answered my question though I'd love to see a photo of the high rise condo that sits on the former theatre site.

I do not know if this is some kind of record but I remember that we showed "One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest" for 26 weeks,half a year,them it moved to the Loews Melrose and Loews Madison for 3 more weeks.I must have seen the end of this movie at least a hundred times.We were still doing good business when we finally changed movies.

Patsy, if you do the Google map it shows the building. Not impresive at all.