Imperial Theatre
745 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
745 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
8 people
favorited this theater
The Imperial Theatre was built 1917-1918 and opened in February 1918 for vaudeville. It was originally very briefly known as the Wells Theatre. The Imperial Theatre was designed by two architects, C.K. Howell and G. Lloyd Preacher. In 1936, it was partially remodeled in Art Deco style by Roy A. Benjamin. It was used for silent films following the decline of vaudeville. The Imperial Theatre was used as a film theater until it closed in 1981.
It reopened in 1985 to be used as a performing arts venue and serves as the performing arts home for the Augusta Ballet, Augusta Opera, Augusta Players, and the Augusta Jazz Project.
Contributed by
Greg Goodwin
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Recent comments (view all 348 comments)
Mike, Thanks for the great listing of films that played the Imperial. Somehow I missed seeing “The Oblong Box” when it played at the indoors & drive-ins in my area. I remember “Klute” being pretty controversial at the time. “The Exorcist” made tons of money wherever it played as did “Jaws.” “The Heretic” did pretty good b/o the first weekend but word quickly spread and I doubt it played much more than a couple weeks anywhere. Same goes for “The Swarm” which I found boring. “Up in Smoke” seemed to do good business everywhere but I can’t recall now anything about it. I doubt it even had a plot!
Hi Tlsloews…great you’re back on!
I was thinking about watching “OBLONG BOX” tohight.but settled on “TRUE CRIMES” with Clint.I had parents that would take me to movies as a kid,but they were never like yours and alot the good movies played downtown some 17 miles away from home,now i am right in the city,sadly.I loved the ad in the Paper on “OBLONG BOX” much like the dvd cover.I guess if I had a printer I would run out of paper just printing ads from Augusta theatres.and just think At one time i had saved hundreds of ads clipped from the paper.Guess you did too.wasn’t Friday’s paper the best no matter if it was Nashville,Tampa or Augusta in the good old days of Theatres.Hi Nick and Tis.
Got to shoot Spotlight last night on a horrible play,but that is show business,Hadn’t been in there in a couple of years and while it is far different from my days there the memories flooded back.Glad Augusta Saved Her!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the update Mike.
I am sure Big for the little lady played sometime in late summer or early fall of 1965. I am sure I saw this film for the first time at the Imperial. I saw the film again overseas some time in early summer 1966
Yes, it played there riausche,ANYONE interested,“REMEMBERING PLITT THEATRES” is now on Facebook for Plitt Theatre folks.ENJOY.
The Imperial is on the web at http://www.imperialtheatre.com/
on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/imperialaugusta
& on Twitter at @AugustaImperial
Still going strong and in the process of a capital fund raising campaign to update/restore the building and facilities.
Glad this theatre was saved and is being used.
Thanks for the comments on a Great Theatre I was able to help Manage back in good old days of movies and going to the movies was an event.not like a visit to the bus stop like it is today..
Hey gang, how come when I enter “imperial, GA” in the search window on this site, it comes up with—-nothing?! Site moderators, please note! Thanks.