Earl Smith Strand Theatre
117 North Park Square NE,
Marietta,
GA
30060
117 North Park Square NE,
Marietta,
GA
30060
7 people
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Seven photos added.
The Earl Smith Strand Theatre can be seen in the Christmas Hallmark movie “Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses” (2019) starring Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis. Also some of the Marietta Square and shops can be seen in the movie.
The Friends of the Strand are engaged in a fund-raising drive to retire the theater’s renovation debt. Here is a related article that includes a video that shows the exterior and much of the interior.
The Strand has now been opened 2 and ½ years. We have had over 300 events each in 2009 and 2010. This includes our event space and the auditorium. Eve Grey, a local decorator has completely redone our lobby in Tuscan plaster, to include new door finishes, new counter fronts, and a copper paint on the main lobby ceiling. She is a gem and has really brought back a 30s look from the industrial grade work done by the contractor we hired. We now have a wonderful George Wright four manual theatre organ that was a gift to the Atlanta Chapter of ATOS from Tom Hamilton of Columbus, Ohio. This digital theatre organ replica has 24, 90 lb speaker cabinets placed strategically in the four pipe organ chambers that were constructed during our adaptive restortation. Our efforts to restore the pipe organ have fallen aside but this Allen sounds like a million dollars and the console sits on its own scissors lift that rises from the bottom of the orchesta pit 10ft to concert level. We will have had four silent feature length films and a silent comedy complilation (on July 17)plus the organ is used for private events and parties, weddings and for pre-shows of 17 films for our classic film series in 2011. We attempt to screen all of our films like a delux movie theatre would have done with an organ preshow to include sing-a-long, film introduction, raising the grand curtain as the film begins etc. etc. We are struggling to make ends meet during this economy and still owe 1.5 on our construction loan. Earl Reece the Executive Director is a tremendous person and works tirelessly for the theatre. Rentals are down so he is directing and producing several shows himself. Thanks-Ron Carter-Secretary to the Strand Board, Chairman of the Facilities Committee and House Organist.
O.K. Chuck and Patsy,I hope you send this message to Everyone who gets off topic on these pages,you will be very busy.Have a good day.
tislowes and MikeRogers: I see that both of you have provided your email addresses on your profile pages so you both have each others personal email address away from this site. Therefore, please chat about scanners, etc. via your emails rather than here on CT where members are asked to stay on the subject of theatres. Thanks my CT friends.
Speaking of Atlanta I saw that there is a new LOEWS HOTEL there open or about to open have you heard of it.Now back on topic send those articals to Nick to post if he has time,or if you have a scanner you could do them,my scanner does not work any more.
I have several atricles on this theatre with pictures from the Atlanta papers.
Very nice rehab job.
It’s The All Night Strut…sorry.
A Year in Revue….A Strand Theatre Spectacular January 8-10..visit the website for more details! www.earlsmithstrand.org
The Strand is also home to Atlanta’s Lyric Theatre with great live productions in 2010 such as Cinderella, The All Night Stut, Little Shop of Horrors, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Hairspray!
Chuck: Absolutely awesome photos!
After viewing the July 24, 2009 posted photo it looks like the building was pressure cleaned in the renovation process and it looks like the building next door needs it next!
This theatre has undergone a remarkable art deco renovation and I hope to see it this winter along with the Gone With the Wind Museum in Marietta GA.
Thanks Mike and Chuck.
The Marietta Drive-In must be the Martin Drive-In that was located on Roswell Road about ½ mile east of the intersection with US Highway 41.
The Georgia Drive-In did not close in 1957. The last film I ever saw at a drive-in (to date), was The French Connection, at the Georgia Drive-In in late 1971.
I think that the Fair Oaks and the Smyrna Drive-Ins may be one in the same, as there is an unincorporated part of Cobb County called Fair Oaks, and the Smyrna Drive-In would have been only one or two miles further south on Atlanta Road.
YES, There was a FAIR OAKS DRIVE IN in Marietta it parked 300 cars not making it real big BANKHEAD DRIVE IN in Atlanta still a nice drive in. The FAIR OAKS was operated by Martin theatres . Marietta also had the MARIETTA DRIVE IN which was larger with room for 425 cars. It was owned by R.E. MARTIN CIR. no info on a Smyrna Drive in. Maybe someone might know about it.
Where was the Fair Oaks Drive-In located. My family and I have lived in Cobb County for over fifty years, and none of us can remember a drive-in by that name.
Was it renamed as the Smyrna Drive-In in later years?
I attended a showing of “The Creature From the Black Lagoon” in 3-D last night(10/22). It was my first time inside the Strand since about 1974. I think the last movie I saw there was “Chinatown”. The theater at this time was definitely showing its age.
The lobby is very different, reminding me of an upscale hotel lobby(very nice). Entering the auditorium, it was as though I had traveled back in time. Although updated, it was essentially the same as I remembered it as a kid going to all those Saturday matinees back in the 1960s.
One of my first impressions, after getting used to big multiplexes with stadium seating, was how small the Strand seemed to be, especially the screen. It didn’t take away from an enjoyable experience at all, and this won’t be the last time I see a movie here.
Worked at Strand, Cobb, Bell, Martin DriveIn and Fair Oaks DriveIn.
1954-1955. City Manager was James Zimmerman. Nice booth in Strand.
Here is a 2009 photo.
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Do you know if they have chosen a firm to perform the design/installation of the Audio, Video, and Lighting? Any idea what gear will be used? Will it be a full surround for recent movies or just a mono system for old movies?? I’m a bit of a gear nut and love to know about these things.
If all goes as planned The Strand will re-open in 2008.
Lets keep our fingers crossed.
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STRAND REACHES 3.1 Million fund raising mark and renovations BEGIN:
Everyone-We are on track for completing the renovations by the end of 2008. The inside of the theatre is completely scaffolded with demo of the old acoustical tile ceiling and roof repairs ongoing. The stage floor and under stage dressing rooms are are framed in and the organ blower room has been constructed AND 14" air-tight metal windline has been run to the lower level of the organ chambers. The final architectural drawings are complete and let me tell you this is going to be the ART DECO showplace of Georgia. The administrative offices and upper level reception room is under construction. This will require that a portion of the roof at the front of the theatre be moved up several week to accomodate these changes. The old 1935 HVAC 30" air supply lines on top of the roof have been removed. This portion will insure that the theatre is completely dryed in for the winter with a brand new roof, replacement of bad roof joists etc. Along with the Marietta Fire Department I climbed the scaffolding to the top of the auditorium to inspect the HUGE steel orginal beams. This building was built to last. It was fun to actually touch the top of the auditorium next to the roof and look at the art deco bolsters still in place that will be restored. A decision was made to enlarge the STrand stage by moving the Proscenium forward about 8'. This will give us a depth of 25' to the back wall, with a 28' wide proscenium. Outside the Proscenium will be a curved stage appron adding an additional 5' of stage. The organ lift was been moved to in front of the stage appron in its own pit. Talking about the organist being in the best seat of the house!
We have also hired an Executive Director, MR. Earl Reese who has been in performing arts in our school system for over 25 years as director the Pebblebrook Performing Arts Center. He knows and is known by everyone in the arts in our area which is going to be a real plus for theatre bookings. He also is very supportive of the installation of the theatre pipe organ.
Ron Carter
Secretary to the Strand Board
That’s great news.
STRAND THEATRE UPDATE
Everyone- We have recently reached our 2nd capital campaign goal of 2.3 million and have started on the last phase of our fundraising while also beginning our renovations. The Theatre is now scheduled to be open in the summer of 2008. It will have approximately 600 seats and Class A conference and meeting areas. We have also hired our first paid employee-Christy Rosell who is Director of Business Development and Marketing. This will be an adaptive restoration bringing the theatre back to its 1935 Art Deco feel and look while using the latest technology in projection and sound. The total project will be in the neighborhood of 3.8 million. Included will be the building preparation for a 1920’s theatre pipe organ of 20+ ranks that will have double stacked chambers on each side of the Proscenium. New Dressing rooms, blower room for the organ and a console elevator are also be prepared for. This is an exciting project that I have been involved with now for over 4 years. The theatre will have an elevator going to all four levels, an outdoor terrace overlooking the Marietta square and a electronic marquee designed to look like the orginal art deco of 1935. Please go to our website at www.friendsofthestrand.org for more detailed information.
Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand Board