Imperial Theatre
745 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
745 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
10 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 335 comments
Sounds Good Greg.Keep the stories coming!
I will look up my stories on the raid – also in boxes – may take a while – and will look for my box of negatives – likely had some prints made.
Just saw them while going thru boxes last fall – will god back to find.
I will get some copies to you and will look for the obit.I know i have down in the Basement with my thousands of Theatre items and A couple hundred papers.It would be great if they could be put on a site like this related to newspapers.Any Photos on the raid put them on,story too.
Was reading some of the above comments – I actually went along on the Last Tango raid with vice squad and took photos – think I still have them.
Wrote about it in AJC.
Will check out this site and the photos.
Thank you.
I would love anything you are willing to send me – they are valuable to me.
Plus would treasure a copy of his obit if you can find it.
Did not realize the Metro Spirit went out of business – that very sad and bad for a healthy community.
Even wrote a thing for Metro Spirit about Mr. Brown when he died.
Must be getting old when I refer to everyone dying.
The Augusta Chronicle has long held a strangle hold on up and coming newspapers – even threatening advertisers.
A truly free and thriving community needs more than once source of print news – otherwise viewpoints get muffled and there runs a risk of a limitation on what gets covered because often the daily papers (in cities Augusta’s size and smaller) do not do investigative reporting – and get too close to the power structure – or in the Morris case is the power structure.
I remember doing several investigative things in Jay’s paper like one story about Augusta Vice Squad member taking bribes.
Sorry for asking for so much – but I miss Jay greatly and when I think back on our times it seems like a unbelievable dream – almost unreal.
When it was happening – it seemed like every day stuff – now it seems like an adventure.
If Jay had lived – I probably would have returned to Augusta.
Speaking of National Hills,the sister to the IMPERIAL it is on CT Greg,Plenty of Pictures if you have the time to scroll down,in fact ALL of Augusta’s Theatres from the Silent days and even that monster 20 plex is on are on CT.
we forget Bob Young.I think he told me he was a Doorman at National Hills Theatre!
Greg,Do want one the First editions or a later edition.I didn’t know Jay was even sick until I saw his obit.I saved it.I wish he was still around,The Metro Sprit went out of Business our free newsweekly.Jay was so ahead of his time; they did print a story I wrote on Augusta’s Drive-ins years and years ago,time flies.I can send you the Story I have about Thirty copies.
Hi Mike,
I remember Jay’s effort to save a theatre but I could not remember for sure which one till now.
Jay was a great teacher – when I started doing news in my teens at WGAC – I could not believe the stories of payoffs, corruption, back door political deals and much more – till I witnessed myself.
My WGAC News Director Diane Tannen recommended me to replace her as the East Georgia correspondent at AJC – got my first byline in Atlanta paper when I was still in high school at Westside and it was a pretty cool moment – ended up working as correspondent off and on for about 10 years.
I was especially thankful to get tutored by Keller Mccartney (The Jay Mann of Atlanta papers) and Frank Wells (another AJC dean old time state of GA journalism)– when they both took on jobs with the state desk at AJC.
Yes – Jill also helped out at the paper – she eventually moved to DC – married an investment banker – had 3 kids but filed for divorce a year ago after 15 years or more of marriage after they lost everything ($20 million) in a bad investment – they both blame each other.
Still doing news thing- and doing lots of volunteer environment media stuff for various projects (search yooperneswsman – my usual username for examples).
Also still as broke – but as Jay mann said – they can’t hurt you if you have no money to lose – and if you are poor its proof you are honest.
I would LOVE to get whatever you are willing to send me.
Jay and I remained close friends till I moved in 1988 – returned two years later to see him because he was sick with luekemia. Died a few weeks later but I could not afford to return for funeral.
My other good friend – another Westsider – is Terence Dicks – and we remain in touch.
Strange thing ref. your comment about Fleming – after I left you message – read story in Augusta Chronicle about Fleming comment today and wrote comment about him being biased – weird coincidence.
My address:
307 N. Brown Ave.
Apt. 1
Negaunee, MI
49866-1500
ph: 906-401-0109
Thank you Mike – and keep fighting the good fight.
Just imagine if all the old-time theatres could return to the look and popularity of their past years – really the first version of television – tho far more majestic and romantic.
Nice to hear from someone who remembers Jay so well.
Greg,i have plenty of copies of his newspaper and would be glad to send you a couple.i remember your by-line in the Atlanta papers,a dream I had.4595 Silver Lake Drive,evans 30809.I learned so much about Augusta Politics and Newspapers than any thing taught at Augusta College.Jay made one of the early attempts to Save the Modjeska if you remember that.I think you sister Jill helped out with the NEWS. I just wish more locals would get on CT. thanks.
This is a message to Mike Rogers.
Not sure if you remember me Mike – but I remember you.
My mentor was Jay Mann – investigative reporter extraordinaire – and worked on all his publications and rode with him while he worked the street for WJBF.
This as I was starting into the news business in Augusta – moving to Michigan in 1988.
I remember the article you mentioned – Jay had a true respect for the historic places in Augusta and knew they would be targets for disrepair and even destruction in the future.
Wish I had a copy of all of Jay’s newspapers – tho I have a few of them.
Just wanted to say hello Mike – and say I love your respect for “Cinema Treasures.”
Yeah, I ate a lot of Snappy’s Hamburgers there,but don’t sell the Imperial short,she ran some great First Run Films.
The space on the lower right of the Imperial façade housed Snappy’s, a hamburger joint. The burgers were small thin patties topped with fried onion, served on a small bun or roll. I remember them as being delicious; I ate them without any toppings, and they cost a dime! This was later raised to 15¢. In my memory, Snappy’s interior featured a lot of white tile accented with some black tile. You sat on the classic rotating stool at the counter and enjoyed your burger in anticipation of, or remembering, the current movie. The Imperial was well maintained and by no means run down or shabby in those days (the late ‘40s through '50s), but I didn’t go there too often because the Miller seemed to have more of the first run, quality movies. The photo link posted by Chuck1231 on April 12, 2009 shows the scene: http://tinyurl.com/45zg6qy
And Nick,AS Lt.Columbo would have noticed the Firemen were in Short sleves since “MIDWAY” was a SUMMER movie and “EARTHQUAKE” a Christmas movie.LOL,I am sending down more pictures for our friends at CT.
Thanks Tlsloews but I mistook “Midway” for “Earthquake” on the marquee. Mike, I can’t believe I had forgotten Heston was also in “Midway.” Good thing I didn’t bet on it cause I would’ve easily put up my full paycheck that “Earthquake” was the advertised coming attraction and I would’ve lost big time!
Nick, It also Spells “MIDWAY” which played there in Sensurround in 1976.LOL.Thanks Buddy.
Thanks for posting the photo and story Nick.
Hot Potato! The Fire Department is called to the Imperial to investigate smoke reported by employees. Photo is not dated but it’s easy to guess by the coming attraction. Charlton Heston
and Sensurround spells “Earthquake!” which dates this in 1974:
View link
yeah, it’s the only Theatre left from my Theatre working Days,All the Rest CLOSED.Time really went by fast just seems like yesterday i was getting ready to put a new movie up on a cold Winter Night.
Derek Trucks is the son of Butch Trucks a drummer in the Allman Brothers Band,he is one great guitar player and looks like the late great Daune Allman.Now to get back on-topic it is great that the Imperial still up and running.
Yeah, they just finished a independent Film fest.I don’t know how well it was attended.
Thanks,our stagehandsUnion does the Imperial,Think I will go down for a free show.
Received an e-mail from the Imperial stating the Derek Trucks and the Susan Tedesdi Band will play a concert there on Feburary,10,2011 at 7:00 P.M.This should be a good show.
Golly , how did I forget “THE DIRTY DOZEN” playing on June 7 1967, being held over,007 across the street at the MILLER, “YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE”.
Many,Many Great films played here I was able to work quite a few.saw quite a few as a customer here are a FEW:
June 13 1980,we were excited,but “THE ISLAND"did not turn out to be the Summer film we thought it would.
Dec.25 1979 “AMITYVILLE HORROR”
Nov.21 1980 “THE CREEPER” seats 99 cents.
October 31 1980 Charlton Heston usually did good in Augusta his “THE AWAKENING” does poor.
June 4 1976 “ODE TO BILLY JOE”
March 26 1976 “DRAGON DIES HARD” “THREE THE HARD WAY”
April 30 1976 “TAXI DRIVER” opens to huge crowds.
Dec.19 1975 “LAST SUMMER” Richard Thomas film made much earlier,they were selling it on the WALTONS on TV.An R rated film for the WALTONS crowd.I can’t explain it,couldn’t then.
June 22 1979. “ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ” Clint Does great.Sat with James Brown in the Balcony on the last show after paper work was done and had a shared a BUD.I think the IMPERIAL was his favorite Theatre in Augusta.
April 6 1979 “HAIR” is playing.
Jan 26 1979 “SUPERMAN” is still doing good business,This would be one of the last epics to play here first run.
Nov 18 1977 Rudy Ray Moore GEORGIA PREMIERE of “PETEY WHEATSTRAW” Moore performs on Stage before the movie LIVE. Rated R.
June 17 1977 “HERETIC” opens Dies fast.
Sept 15 1978 DIRTY HARRY TRIPLE FEATURE, “DIRTY HARRY”,“MAGNUM FORCE” And “THE ENFORCER”.
Sept 21 1979 and Sammy Davis Jr. in “SAMMY STOPS THE WORLD” plays.Was Augusta the only town to play this?Rated G.
Feb.3 1977 “SUPERFLY” and “SPARKLE”
Much earlier these films played, “HOW THE WEST WAS WON” on June 6 1970
June 13 1971 “ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES”
June 2 1961 like most cities with TV stations often the local TV show aimed at kids would host a theatre party.Augusta had Trooper Terry and a couple of others at TV6,Channel 12 had STEAMBOAT BILL on Stage for prizes and Cartoons plus a feature.
Nov.28 1969 “GYPSY MOTHS” one of Burt Lancaster’s R rated movies.
June 14 1968 Don’t trust anyone over thirty,,,“WILD IN THE STREETS” opens.
Dec 25 1970 What a Christmas gift,THE DUKE in “RIO LOBO”
MGM DOUBLE FEATURE,rather odd,“KELLY’s HEROES” and “HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS"on Dec 18 1970
June 27 1969 “TRUE GRIT” [the real one}
August 7 1970 sees the last seven days of “PATTON”
June 26 1970 “Z” plays
July 15 1970 “PATTON”
Sept 20 1970 Gregory Peck in a pretty good movie,“MAROONED” Gene Hackman co-stars.
Sept 11 1970 “CRY OF THE BANSHEE”
August 9 1968 “DEVIL’S BRIGADE”
Just a few of the many films.