Ritz Theatre
Commerce Street,
Natchez,
MS
39120
Commerce Street,
Natchez,
MS
39120
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Address still needs to be updated in the header.
I agree with FredSliman on the closing date. I worked for Gulf States Theatres in the 70’s, which operated the Clarke Theatre. During the early 70’s only the Clarke and Trace Town Twin (Why is that theatre not listed) were operating in the town. The Ritz was gone by 1971.
Address on the Ritz needs to be updated in the header. Address listed on 05/31/11 comment.
I was able to enter through the back a little way in this past April and waynebeau23 is correct: the floor had apparently fallen through to the basement area and the roof is long gone. Though some have stated that the theatre operated into the 70s or even 80s, the last trace of it in papers or phone books are 1968, closing shortly before the Baker Grand in downtown Natchez and leaving the Clarke the only downtowner til its 1980 closing.
Wayne, when they update the header with the address it should show up on the Google Street View.
To Chuck 1231. It is still there at this location you mention. Well, the front and the shell of the building
is, anyway!
The Ritz was located on N. Commerce the Second Building on the odd side of the street at Franklin Ave.
The address for the Ritz:
117 N. Commerce St.
Natchez, MS. 39120
I went around to the back of the Ritz building awhile back and am sad to report that there is no roof on it and nothing is left between the walls. (There is not even a floor as best I could see when looking through the cracks in the fence surrounding the building.) I understand that the location will never be a theatre again but that it’s possible that a restaurant could be build there from the ground up while keeping what’s left of the restored facade intact. Here’s hoping for at least that with help & thanks donations and the assistance of The Historic Natchez Foundation.
The Ritz was operated by Paramount Theatres until sometime in the 1960’s and then by Gulf States Theatres.
In watching for blogs about Natchez I came across your bit about the Ritz Theatre. The theatre is being renovated, and the facade is looking quite a bit better now. I took some shots of it today, one of which is on our NatchezMS.com website at http://www.natchezms.com/img/ritztheatre.jpg
The damage to the roof actually started quite a while before the ‘98 tornado (sorry, the “weather service” called it a “straight-line wind.”)
Here is a photo that shows a little more of the former Ritz Theater.
If you would like me to start linking to Fastcase and the UCLA library photos, let me know.
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/333alw
I was rewatching “The Ladykillers” (w/Tom Hanks) and noticed this theatre all in disrepair as the leading lady walked through town twice. Saw the location at the end as being Natchez, MS and lo and behold, found it on CT.
From a 2004 article in The Natchez Democrat:
“The Ritz, once a commercial building dating from 1869, was rebuilt as an Art Deco-style theater in 1935. Foundation officials have said it is important both for its architecture and its place in Natchez history and the memories of locals
It closed as a theater about 20 years ago, although part was later used as a jewelry store. The roof of the building, which had fallen into disrepair, was damaged by severe weather in February 1998, and the back part of the roof caved in three years later.
Natchez businessman David Paradise and real estate investor and native Burk Baker bought the Commerce Street building and donated it to the foundation for renovation".
A 1998 photograph of the abandonded Ritz Theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/gilesbooth/85773313/
A recent (2005) picture of the Ritz:
http://rushcreekeditions.com/lfop/