Tennessee Theatre
535 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
535 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 91 comments
After the Tennessee Theater stopped showing movies they had some concerts there, Bonnie Raitt,Ricky Nelson,and others, I used to get in free, I knew some people that worked these shows and some of the Police that were used for security.I was the Asst. Manager at the Loews Crescent just down the street, the cops would let me in because we used to let them in our shows if they showed their badges.This was a great theater. Too bad it only lasted about 27 years.T>V> Vcrs, and suburb houses put all the downtown theaters out of business.
I grew up going to this theater and I still miss it. Who was the developer who demolished this theater? Who had the final say in this theater’s demise? Is the developer still in Nashville?
Patsy,
And yet another informative reply from Ms. Rogoski. Thanks Shelley!
Thanks! I am not versed on all the details as to why the theatre was not saved. My education on the matter would be limited to the press reports and the original developer no longer has any interest in the building.
Feel free to phone or stop by on your next visit to Nashville! While I realize the building pales in comparison to the historic Tennessee Theatre, it truly is a lovely place to live and work.
And now this email came to me so if anyone can lend a hand with this request in memory of the Tennessee Theatre in Nashville, please advise. Thanks so much!
Good Morning Patsy,
Your most welcome and I have no issue with the posting of my comments. In regards to the photo(s), do you have a source where we could obtain them with permission to display?
As a native of Tennessee, I treasure ALL of our historic landmarks and hope to meet Mr. Snyder one day as I journey to Knoxville.
Have a wonderful day,
Shelley Rogoski, CAM
Property Manager
The Cumberland Apartments & Penthouses
Phone: 615-248-8555
Fax: 615-248-8602
Good Afternoon Patsy,
And then this came from the property manager of the Cumberland:
Thank you for your email requesting a photo of the Tennessee Theatre to be posted on our website. I am uncertain as to the relevance of posting such a photo on a residential website where the audience seeking housing but should these photos be made available to us, we would certainly consider displaying photos of the Tennessee Theatre on the Lobby level of the building . It would serve as a tribute to the historical landmark for years to come!
This was the one line answer from Cumberland……
“I am sorry but we do not have photos.”
Before I sent the above comment I included the CT website address so they can come by for a visit and read what so many have posted in regards to the FORMER Tennessee Theatre!
Below is what I wrote to the nashvillebusinesspage site so we’ll see what their response is to me! Should be interesting!
“I was told about this site on a theatre website that talked about the Tennessee Theatre that USED to be on the Cumberland site. Could you possibly include a photo of the Tennessee Theatre on your site so everyone could see what USED to be there! Thank you!”
Danny: Unfortunately, this type of theatre story is played out in more than a few cities though was surprised that Nashville had that kind of theatre mentality being Music City USA!
Here’s a link with a photo. It’s interesting that the website for rental info doesn’t even show a photo. Then again, it’s not worth seeing in comparison to the glorious marble and chrome structure it replaced.
View link
At the time of the demolition, I heard a rumor that the lobby of the office entrance was dismantled and numbered like a jigsaw puzzle so that it could be reassembled. Probably too good to be true and it’s never been mentioned again. This is Nashville’s way … rather than face the challenge of saving something beautiful and historic â€" the 1973 Grammy Awards were broadcast live from the stage of the Tennessee Theatreâ€" the city always allows the economic factors to win out.
Especially this one which had so much of a Nashville ‘feel’ and decor! To have brought this one down was truly a misguided mistake!
Tony: Thanks for the update and it is sad that the young professionals who are choosing to move downtown (which is being done in many metro areas now)can’t go see a movie in at least one movie palace from another era.
A high rise apartment building replaced the Tennessee at the corner of 6th and Church. The same developer put a high rise condominium building near 4th and Church where the Crescent Theater stood. Too bad all the folks moving back downtown can’t go to the movies there anymore. The Paramount site is a parking lot and I believe a new federal building is going to be built there.
Has it been posted as to what is at 527 Church Street today? I just reviewed the many photos and just can’t believe that this theatre and building that housed this theatre was demolished! What was the City of Nashville thinking?
Almost had an usher job at the Tenessee but the manager scared me. It was a nice old house. I remember mostly Tennessee Williams movies: Sweet Bird of Youth. I think its where Valley of the Dolls played. People were sitting in the aisle that opening night. Also, I saw a live production of Hair there around 1970 or 1971. Whenever we’d go shopping downtown seems we’d always pop into one of the big three (Loew’s, Paramount, or Tennessee – the Crescent was too inconvenient). The Tennessee was across from Harvey’s.
As Mr. Dunklin so eloquently stated in his posting on December 27, 2006 and as confirmed from reviewing articles on efforts to save the Tennessee, it would have been an extremely expensive and arduous task to convert the theatre to a live performance venue. Even if this conversion could have been made, I doubt that it would have ever been able to recoup the cost. Nashville, population size, is much smaller than most other state capitols and its surrounding area is largely rural. That said, it doesn’t draw many major touring companies or acts and when such events come to the state, they usually perform in Memphis. Although I was not a resident of the Nashville area during the twentieth century, from what I have gathered a lot of effort had been made to try to save both the Paramount and the Tennessee. Despite its lack of movie palaces, Nashville is a great city in a very, very beautiful state.
To allow this theatre to be leveled is just beyond my level of comprehension after looking through all of the December 26, 2006 photos! Such a shame Nashville as the decor is so much “Nashville” in its design motif.
Again, I and many other CT members are reminded of the beauty of this theatre. One only has to look at the Jack Coursey post of December 26, 2006 to see that a major theatre demolition occurred in the late 70’s.
Paul K: I, too, would like these inquiries answered as it’s a shame that the City of Nashville lost this special theatre to a highrise building. I would have thought that it being Nashville, Music City USA they would be more mindful of a great concert venue like this one WAS.
Jack – Many thanks for posting the pics of the old Tennessee Theatre in Nashville. I saw my first rock concert there on Sep 19, 1979… similar to a previous poster above. I’m curious to know exactly when the theatre closed down as a movie house… or if they had music shows there before closing down in 78/79. Also, wondering how long they continued to book bands into the venue after that… all the way up to 87 when they raised it, or had it fallen into total disuse sometime prior to that? Any info along these lines would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Will: I see that you have already answered the marquee inquiry…sorry.
Will: Tony asked about the Tennessee marquee…do you know what happened? Perhaps it went to Knoxville as I recall for their restored Tennessee Theatre.
Will: Thanks so very much for this information! I will now visit the Paramount site to see if there are any photos. If not, I hope someone posts them…are you listening Lost Memory?
Jack, excellent photos! What’s even more amazing is that not only the theatre was torn down, but the 11 story ArtDeco office building was taken down too. Just before it was demolished (1987), I talked with the developer (long story) who was planning to take down the theatre and the Warner Building. I then walked the theatre with the maintenance man who had worked at the theatre for almost its entire existance. Both of them were absolutely convenced that neither could be economically renovated. The main reason they gave for demolishing the Warner Building was that it couldn’t be air conditioned because the floor to floor height was too close: not enough room for ductwork. I now know for certain that THAT was drivel. The Tennessee Theatre, of course hadn’t been used for about 8 years at that point. It was looking pretty dusty and time worn, but was still completely intact. When I saw it last, the seats and light fixtures were still in place.
Two big strikes against the Tennessee were its stage and its stage. The proscenium was only about 40 feet wide, narrow for concerts or touring shows. Not TOO narrow, but pushing it. Likewise, the stage depth was shallow, if it was 25 feet from the foot lights to the back wall I’d be surprized. Again, workable, but not good for trying to use the hall in a modern setting. Also, due to the fall of the land, the stage’s loading doors were about two stories above the sidewalk. (Interestingly exactly the same as the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville). It can be made to work, but it takes dedication and committment, neither of which anyone in Nashville was willing to apply to this handsome hall.
The auditorium was indeed interesting. The arches that crossed the auditorium from side to side had 3 different colored lighting circuits- blue, red and white. The murals on the auditorium’s side walls had black lights on the to make them glow in the dark. The main curtain and valance were reddish orange and “warmed” by the stage’s foot lights.
The Tennessee’s 2-story tall lobby walls were veneered in an almost-orange marble. All this orange obviously chosen by a University of Tennessee sports fan.
The auditorium was exceptionally long and narrow though. If I remember correctly, the last orchestra row was HH, making 32 rows (figuring omitting rows I and O as usual). Likewise, the balcony was very deep. While that was acceptible for movies, it is far from ideal for use in a modern stage-oriented theatre.
NOT that I’m defending the Tennessee’s destruction, only pointing out that had it been saved, we’d still have a hall that faced serious challenges for contemporary use. The greater loss by far was Nashville’s Paramount.
The building that stands on the Tennessee’s site now is fairly forgetable. It is taller than the Warner was, has air conditioning and is mostly residential (I believe). At least it isn’t a parking lot as is the case with the Paramount site.
I just reviewed the 5 photos and still can’t believe that THIS theatre was razed! Nashville should hang their heads in shame to allow this travesty to occur in their southern city.