Loew's Vendome Theatre
615 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
615 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 64 comments found
The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol.1, page 410, by David Junchen, published 1985, lists a Moller Theatre Pipe Organ, Opus 2812, as orignally being installed in 1919. Three manuals/sixteen ranks costing approximately $6,000.00.
The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol.4, known more as the ‘Wurlitzer Illustrated History’ volume, page 660, completed and published in 2005 after organman David Junchen’s death, lists a Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, Opus 1268, as being installed February 8, 1926, and being a Style H Special, which I believe to have been a three manual organ with probably more ranks than were on the Moller it replaced.
I remember when Loew’s burned. Even though it’s been a long time ago I can’t forget the marquee proclaiming “The Dirty Dozen..Hottest Picture in Town.”
Nice photo of this theatre was posted by Tinseltoes on the photo page today.I have that same photo but it from a newspaper and not as clear.
From what i have read Loews bought this theatre in 1920 and ran it till it burned in August 1967.
@Tinseltoes: That could be possible. Thanks.
Thats a good story Dave.
There’s an old Nashville story of which several versions have been told. Put simply it has been said that when Emma Abbott (mentioned above) was here to open the new Vendome, she went to Sunday service at McKendree Methodist in the next block and was shocked to hear the minister attack the opening of the new theater and the acting profession in general. The story goes that Miss Abbott rose to her feet and defended her profession and the people in it. Varying reactions from the congregation have been reported. Some claim that when the closing hymn was sung, everyone else remained silent so they could hear Miss Abbott’s voice.
“Phantom of the Opera” was first reviewed in the trade press in September, 1925, so the ad might have beeen on February 1st, 1926.
Hello, maybe someone is able to help me: I have an old booklet from “Phantom of The Opera” (the silent movie). On the back there is stated: “Loew’s Vendome, Feb. 1st”. So I guess, this booklet is from the Loew’s Vendome, showing the movie. Does someone know the year ? I tried to find this information in the net, but sadly was not able to.
Thanks for any help!
Dragon013
Interesting bookman. I think a number of theatres, and information from the former site, are not here > which is unfortunate.
DavePrice….I agree with you! I was searching for a page devoted to the Orpheum & was shocked that I could not find it here!! Maybe they would let you make that contribution! BTW…..I have a “Quarterly Pass” that was issued to my grandfather, Nashville Tennessean writer T.H. Alexander (1891-1941). This pass states that the Orpheum was the place for Photo-Plays. This one expired July 1, 1915 and was signed by the Manager at the Orpheum: Ray Shelton! If I had your email, I would send you a scan of this pass. I enjoy reading your comments, Dave!
Hudson Alexander
Franklin, Tennessee
email:
Marcus Loew was born on this date in 1870.
Oh God, tisloews, don’t tell me you follow football.
Thanks Dave and TheatreOrgan, The Nashville guys are on tonight,and the Titans are winning at half-time 17-0.
That was the stage door of the Orpheum facing the Capitol Blvd side of the Knickerbocker. The front of the Orpheum faced 7th Avenue and there’s the rub. The Orph was opened as a vaudeville theater and vaude depended on foot traffic out front. No one ever walked up or down 7th Ave except to get uphill to the YMCA or downhill to Church Street. There was no crowd of people as there was on Church Street and so they failed as a venue for vaude.
It was then decided to make it a playhouse, in other words they booked roadshows of various kinds and in that role they prospered for a number of years. Stock companies presenting several plays, minstrel shows, magic shows, light opera companies and the occasional cinematic production were booked into the old Orpheum. Older Nashvillians know that during the Great Depression the Edward Bellamy Players went broke at the Orpheum and Mrs. Inez Bassett Alder bought the props and wardrobe for the Hume-Fogg dramatic department.
You are correct tisloews, as I have that postcard.
Dave I believe I have seen a postcard of the Knickerbocker with the Orpheum across the street.
Well, they did occasionally show movies as a special event but normally they had stage shows, originally vaudeville and then road shows of the type that had formerly played the Vendome.
Jack Coursey listed them in the paper he did for Mike Slate showing the various movie theaters here and I tried to write him at the e-mail address shown with the list but my e-mail came back undelivered. Must have changed addresses.
Jack, if you read this chime in and I’ll just paste the letter here.
If they never showed movies may be why the Orpheum is not listed.If they did show movies, you may know, you could list it here with any info you may have.
Can someone please tell me why there is no page for Nashville’s Orpheum? I wanted to ask some questions and of course share some wisdom with the younger set.
Thanks again Dave for this information, I do not remember the plaque in the Loews Vendome,I went there many times but I was just 10 years old when it burned so I do not remember much about it. I wonder who ended up with this Nashville plaque? The man who I wanted to by one of these plaques from had 2 of them, one from the Loews Richmond and one from another old Loews which had also burned and was latter stored in New York till he bought it.I do have a photo of one of these plaques, not quite the same as having one but at least I know what they looked like.By the way he said he bought the one stored in New York for $35.00 and got the other one free.What a deal!
Yes, I well remember the very nice plaque of Marcus Loew in the lobby. You may be aware that for many years Loew’s did not have a concession stand and that was considered a plus by many patrons who did not like to have to hear the rattle of popcorn sacks. But eventually management gave way to the bottom line reasons for selling popcorn etc etc.
I bring this up because the plaque was near the concessions as I recall. Of course as a child I had no idea who Mr Loew was but I still admired the plaque, which was kept bright and shiny.
Just looked at my photo if the Loews Vendome posted on April 15, 2010 I can see the cables but not the Lions Heads. They would be nice to have though.I had a chance to by a plaque of Marcus Loew but the man who had it wanted $500.00, I wonder if the Loews Vendome ever had one of these plaques? I have read that there were around 144 of them made after Marcus died in 1927 and were installed in most Loews theatres at that time.Like you Dave I wish I had bought it now, but my banker, (my wife) thought it was too much to pay.
Although you may not have noticed it, the marquee at Loew’s was supported by two strong cables coming down from the building. At the top of these cables were decorative fixtures in the shape of Lions' heads.
When the Church Street entrance was finally being demolished so that Church Street Center could be built, I approached the wrecker and asked what he wanted for the two lions heads.
I can’t recall now what he asked for them but I do remember that I thought it too much and I didn’t take them. If I had it to do over, I might have gone for the deal.
Under Nashville TN in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn Official Theatrical Guide is a “Theatre Vendome”. T.J. Boyle, who was also the manager of the Grand Opera House in Nashville, was the Mgr. The seating is shown as 1,841 but the breakdown does not quite add up to that: Orchestra 575,Balcony 425, Gallery 800, Boxes 64. There was both gas and electric illumination. Admissions ranged from 25 cents to $1.50. The theater was on the first floor and there were 9 members of the house orchestra. The proscenium opening was 35 feet wide X 40 feet high, and the stage was 45 feet deep. Other Nashville theaters listed were the Grand Opera House with 1,650 seats and the New Masonic Theatre with 1,200 seats. The population of Nashville in 1897 was 100,000.