Muhammad Ali Theater
380 Beale Street,
Memphis,
TN
38103
380 Beale Street,
Memphis,
TN
38103
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Originally opened in 1975 as the Towne II, although a second screen was never added. Later renamed Muhammad Ali Theatre. I’m not sure of the exact location, but think it was on the corner of Fifth and Beale Streets.
I remember walking down Beale Street in 1976 or 1977, before Beale Street was "renovated", and though the street was otherwise almost deserted, there were two open movie theaters, the Muhammad Ali, and the New Daisy Theatre. The old Daisy Theatre was closed at the time. The Muhammad Ali Theatre was by far the newest building on Beale Street at the time.
I don’t know how much involvement Muhammad Ali had in the theater other than the use of his name. It has been a nightclub for many years.
Contributed by
Bob Brown
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
I recall from reading Thomas Hauser’s 1990 biography that Ali signed deals for restaurants, clothing lines, even a Muhammad Ali car. This might have been one of those deals.
Opened June 20, 1975. It was the first black owned movie theater to open in Tennessee in 30 years. The location given is Fifth and Beale, but Google won’t map that location.
If this is the right photo of the Muhamad Ali Theatre the address is 380 Beale St., it does map properly also. This is a 1980 photo of the Muhamad Ali Theatre.
View link
The architect’s rendering has been posted to this page.
Considered “Tops” in this nation in this 1977 article: Boxoffice
George Miller, who is still owner of the property (Commercial Appeal, 12/27/12) has been involved in two different nightclubs—the Plush Club and its successor Crave-which have been notorious for shootings and disturbances. The newspaper reported today, 12/27/12, that Crave has been closed down as a public nuisance. Whether it will reopen under a different management this time is unknown.