Suzore Theater
869 Jackson Avenue,
Memphis,
TN
38107
869 Jackson Avenue,
Memphis,
TN
38107
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One of two Suzore Theaters built in Memphis during the 1930’s. No description is currently available on the either of the Suzores. Please update if you have any additional information this theatre.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
This was the one known as the Suzore No. 2. Albert Goldman’s highly uncomplimentary and controversial biography of Elvis Presley (which I neither endorse nor condemn personally) states that while living in the Lauderdale Court projects nearby, Elvis went often to the Suzore No. 2. There, supposedly, he saw several early 1950s Tony Curtis movies that had a major role in shaping his image. In the late 1970s I occasionaly went biking down Jackson Avenue and would go right past the remains—or ruins—of the Suzore No. 2. It had obviously been closed a long time and was literally collapsing in slow motion. The large once-vertical sign was lying on its side in the grass beside the building, rusting away.
According to Film Daily Yearbook; 1950 edition this is the Sozore Theater No. 1, 869 Jackson Avenue, Memphis TN. Seats: 950
The F.D.Y. 1950 edition lists the Suzore Theater No. 2, 279 North Main Street, Memphis. TN. Seats: 1,000
That’s probably right then; my information was relayed from others, and maybe they or I (and Mr. Goldman, too) remembered it wrong. The building and sign were so far gone when I saw them that there was no way to tell. Thanks.
Re: Elvis' boyhood favorite (see comments above and also for the other Suzore theater).
Careful study of the maps indicates that the Suzore No. 2 on North Main St. was only a few blocks from the Lauderdale Courts projects. This theater, The Suzore No. 1 on Jackson Avenue was farther away, although still within walking distance. This supports the idea that it was the Suzore No. 2 that Elvis attended as a child, so the old-timers who told me it was the other way round were probably mistaken and Mr. Goldman was probably correct.
I was told that the Suzores lived in an apartment above this theatre into the 1960’s and that there was a photoplayer still sitting at the front of the hall at that late date. That would imply the theatre dated from the silent era. When I saw the site it was a weedy lot: the building completely gone.
Here is an archive photo of the theatre.
According to the link above, the Suzore was built in 1930 and razed in 1981.
11983 photo of the Suzore Theatre. I believe it is the right Suzore for this page since it matches Jack’s archive photo.
View link
Jack Coursey’s photo is the #2 on N Main. Chuck’s photo is the one on Jackson, the #1. You may barely be able to see the shape of the floor and boxoffice. The tile floor is on Jackson, “in situ” as it were.
Found an old photo of the Suzore #1 on Jackson. I actually shouted at Fred Suzore in his apartment from down on the sidewalk.