Princess Theatre

421 N. Roane Street,
Harriman, TN 37748

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Related Websites

Princess Theatre, Harriman (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Crescent Amusement Co., Martin Theatres

Architects: Joseph W. Holman, Thomas Marr

Firms: Marr & Holman

Functions: Live Theater, Performing Arts

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 865.354.3000

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Fans of the Princess hope for a January opening!

Opened November 16, 1939, replacing an earlier Princess Theatre which was destroyed by fire. This theater, the last of four in Harriman, closed in 1999. However, a restoration was planned by actor Muse Watson (the guy with the hook in “I Know What You Did Last Summer”), who lives in the area. Renovation and restoration work began in 2003. Renovations were completed for a March 22, 2012 reopening as a live theatre.

Contributed by Richard Saffles

Recent comments (view all 41 comments)

Paul Mashburn
Paul Mashburn on November 7, 2014 at 2:15 am

Simple answer, no, there is no inner shell…it was completely destroyed in ‘39 and rebuilt that same year.

Here are a couple of links: http://princesstheater.blogspot.com/2009/02/princess-theatre-temple-of-arts.html

http://princesstheater.blogspot.com/2012/02/our-princess-is-fourth-coming.html

Paul Mashburn
Paul Mashburn on November 7, 2014 at 2:20 am

As for Crescent Amusement, I think you are correct, however I’m not sure of the owner name. Here are two more links concerning the memories of Dub Harmon:

http://princesstheater.blogspot.com/2011/10/past-meets-future-of-princess.html

http://princesstheater.blogspot.com/2012/03/family-and-mid-town-drive-ins.html

Paul Mashburn
Paul Mashburn on November 7, 2014 at 2:21 am

Patsy…if you are involved in the restoration, please don’t hesitate to contact the Princess Foundation for lessons learned.

Patsy
Patsy on November 7, 2014 at 1:31 pm

No I am not involved in the restoration though I do wish them well.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 21, 2015 at 10:39 pm

A short film made when the Princess reopened in 1939 can be seen at YouTube (I believe this film was previously linked, but the comment with the link has been removed.) The film consists mostly of scenes in Harriman, including schools, churches, factories, and shots of various worthies such as civic officials and members of the Rotary Club. A few scenes, mostly in the last couple of minutes, show the Princess Theatre.

One significant scene shows Crescent Amusement Company head Tony Sudekum greeting architect Joe Holman, so the Princess, like most Crescent houses of the period, was designed by the Nashville architectural firm Marr & Holman.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 6, 2020 at 4:44 pm

Late `40s postcard added courtey Tennessee Collector on Pinterest.

Patsy
Patsy on September 7, 2020 at 5:09 pm

Where is Harriman TN?

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 7, 2020 at 5:29 pm

It appears to be about 40 miles West of Knoxville, and 80 miles North of Chattanooga.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriman,_Tennessee

Paul Mashburn
Paul Mashburn on September 7, 2020 at 9:28 pm

This is correct, just off I40 in Roane County.

Patsy
Patsy on September 7, 2020 at 9:48 pm

So nice to know it has been restored as my hometown is forever gone. Neglected for 10 years and nobody at the time tried to save it. Felt it was an eyesore .. debateable issue still to this day.

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