Alabama Theatre
2922 S. Shepherd Drive,
Houston,
TX
77098
2922 S. Shepherd Drive,
Houston,
TX
77098
20 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Interstate Theatres Corporation
Architects: H. F. Pettigrew, John A. Worley
Firms: Pettigrew & Worley
Functions: Retail
Styles: Art Deco
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News About This Theater
- Dec 9, 2012 — Happy 50th, “Lawrence of Arabia”
- May 21, 2010 — Happy 30th, "Empire"
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
- Aug 21, 2009 — "Alien" 30th Anniversary
- Mar 6, 2007 — Small-town theaters added to Texas' Most Endangered List
- Aug 25, 2006 — Houston interstate theaters
- Jul 27, 2006 — Houston Theaters in Danger
The Alabama Theatre opened on November 2, 1939 with the feature “Man About Town” starring Jack Benny and Dorothy Lamour. After the Alabama Theatre closed in 1983 it became a bookstore. In this use it was meticulously maintained, and resembled a theatre inside, though one with bookshelves and no seats. The screen was still present.
The bookstore closed on September 15, 2009, relocating to another unit in the mall. Preservationists are worried that the beloved Alabama Theatre is at risk of demolition. In 2012, it was operating as a Trader Joe’s.
Contributed by
Mina
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Recent comments (view all 74 comments)
Stan. That link didnt work. You are probably right that is not the interior of the Alabama.
The Alabama ran some of the big 70mm road shows. Sound of Music ran for over a year. Lawrence of Arabia played there. It was magnificant. The Tower was the first 70mm house. Mike Todd was there for the opening of Oklahoma. He made them take out the pop corn machine to add some dignity to the occasion. They replaced it when he left. There was a push to equip theaters with 70mm. The Delmon, Village, The Uptown, and some others made the expensive switch.
westawesta, don’t let your guard down. Fight as hard as you can. Weingarten’s only care about what hits their pocketbook. There’s been mention of Trader Joe’s moving into the Alabama. Most recently, though, the report is that murals have been removed & the floor filled in with sand & no mention of Trader Joe’s whatsoever.
Cement going into floor thttp://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2011/10/readying-for-trader-joes/o level it for Trader Joes,
Proscenium arch & murals destroyed! http://www.ghpa.org/news/?m=20111129
http://www.ghpa.org/news/?p=104
Remember seeing “The Poseidon Adventure” here, among other films. Great theater.
According to The September 2012 issue of Signs of the Times, the Alabama Theater tower sign is being restored by Coast Graphics and Signs of Stafford, Texas.
Alabama Theater is now a Trader Joe’s grocery store. The facade and marquee are still in place, but there is almost nothing left of the theater decoration inside.
This link has several photos of the building: http://www.houstondeco.org/1930s/alabama.html
What year did the Alabama Theather close and stop showing movies?
The Alabama Theatre opened on November 2nd, 1939, and closed in 1983. Grand opening ad posted.
Bookstop was the name of the bookstore.