I found a listing for a Varsity Theatre on Oxford St (no street number on file) in Martin. The theatre was built around 1949 and was part of the Ruffin Amusement Company of Covington, TN. Ruffin also managed the Halls Theatre in Halls, TN and the Ritz in Covington, TN.
Got ya. Cinema Treasures was having problems with their main frame during the time I was initially entering this information. Thanks for making the correction on the heading.
Still would appreciate any additional information on the Lafayette.
By chance were either the Princess or the Bohemia part of Craigmile Hall? Craigmile was at one time a live theatre and am curious to know if it ever was a cinema?
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Donelson Theatre. Danny52 is right on the mark in his comment that a casual passerby would never dream it was once a theatre.
Although I never had the opportunity to visit the Paramount, I have toured a few of Mr. Eberson’s works of art and have no doubt the Paramount was superior to the stark and unremarkable TPAC. But to dispel the notion that Nashville lacks a flair for fashion, take a peek at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This new home for the Nashville Symphony looks to be a spectacular venue.
Russell High School was also across the street from the East Point. Just to the west of the East Point Theatre and across the railroad tracks was Main Street (you probably recall there was a Krystal Hamburger restaurant at this junction). Just a couple of blocks south, Main St splits off onto Church St and East Point St. Is it possible that the Russell was on Church St?
As to whether the Theatre Bristol is an actual theatre and a performing group, I do not know. I came across an old listing of properties on State Street and happen to notice that the only building noted as a theatre was the Bristol. I have yet to travel to the area and haven’t had much luck to date locating anyone with an exacting knowledge of this theatre.
There is a Bristol Theatre (currently the Theatre Bristol) which was built in 1900 in the 506-510 block of State St. Are the Bristol and Paramount one of the same?
There is a listing in the 1968 edition of the IMPA for a Hiwa Theatre on Tallahassee Rd in Thompsonville, GA. Have been unable to locate a city within Georgia by this name and am wondering if it is Thomasville. To the point: Do you happen to know if there ever way a Hiwa Theatre in the Thomasville area and if so, could you provide some information on it? Thanks
About the only live performance theatres I can think of right off hand that were in operation during the 1970s were the Alliance (at the Memorial Arts Centre), the Fox, the Civic Centre, Chastain Park, Theatre Atlanta and possibly the Atlanta (later the Columbia) theatre. I don’t think the Peachtree Art was equipped for live performance.
The 1968 edition of the IMPA list a Star Theater in Quitman which was also managed by Interstate Enterprises. Do you have any information on this theatre?
With all due respect, Nashville’s loss is proportional with most other metropolitan areas particularly when you consider how many theatres have shuttered in Manhattan over the past few years. There are still quite a few fantastic theatres still in operation just outside of Nashville including the Franklin, the Lincoln in Fayetteville and the Roxy in Clarksville. Also, there remains a glimmer of hope that maybe a circuit like Landmark or Lefont could revive either or both the Belle Meade and Melrose. Fortunately we still have the Belcourt and according to a recent posting on the Madison Theatre site, there are plans underway to restore part of the building for use as a theatre.
Here are a couple of recent photos of theatres in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. The Belcourt (circa 1925) on Belcourt Ave is the only theatre built before 1960 still in operation. The Fifth Ave (1909-60) and the Donelson (1950-73) are still standing although neither resembles a theatre anymore. The Peafowl (1915-29) on 4th Ave N, the Woodland (1924-55) on Woodland St, the Melrose (1940-83) on Franklin Rd, the Belle Meade (1940-90) on Harding Rd, Roxy (1940-55) on Wilburn St, the Gem (1945-55) on 1st Ave S and the Woodbine (1950-60) still retain some of their exterior charm although none have operated as theatre in over a decade.
Thanks for the update. I haven’t had any luck locating any photos of the Inglewood either via the WEB or at the main library in downtown Nashville. Please let us know if you happen across a photo of the Inglewood.
Thanks! I went through masses of newspaper clippings at the Shelby County library and while I encountered articles on each of these cinemas, the only addresses I could find were either 619 Chelsea Ave or “…theatre on the corner of Chelsea and Thomasâ€, which appear to be one and the same. Still can’t get a current listing for the 619 Chelsea, so I assume this theater is no more. The Hollywood site is currently a furniture store.
Avon, Chelsea and Roxy! Augh!!! Something is amiss here. If there is a native Memphian out there with some knowledge of this cinema, please drop a line. I am thinking that either a larger cinema was built on the site of the Avon or that there were two cinemas on Chelsea.
I’m game. My forte is data mining and management, and my composition skills are OK. Drop me a line and letta me know how I can help.
I found a listing for a Varsity Theatre on Oxford St (no street number on file) in Martin. The theatre was built around 1949 and was part of the Ruffin Amusement Company of Covington, TN. Ruffin also managed the Halls Theatre in Halls, TN and the Ritz in Covington, TN.
Got ya. Cinema Treasures was having problems with their main frame during the time I was initially entering this information. Thanks for making the correction on the heading.
Still would appreciate any additional information on the Lafayette.
What’s the story? It is listed in the Macon County registry as a commercial theater.
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Rivergate.
By chance were either the Princess or the Bohemia part of Craigmile Hall? Craigmile was at one time a live theatre and am curious to know if it ever was a cinema?
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Donelson Theatre. Danny52 is right on the mark in his comment that a casual passerby would never dream it was once a theatre.
Although I never had the opportunity to visit the Paramount, I have toured a few of Mr. Eberson’s works of art and have no doubt the Paramount was superior to the stark and unremarkable TPAC. But to dispel the notion that Nashville lacks a flair for fashion, take a peek at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This new home for the Nashville Symphony looks to be a spectacular venue.
Russell High School was also across the street from the East Point. Just to the west of the East Point Theatre and across the railroad tracks was Main Street (you probably recall there was a Krystal Hamburger restaurant at this junction). Just a couple of blocks south, Main St splits off onto Church St and East Point St. Is it possible that the Russell was on Church St?
As to whether the Theatre Bristol is an actual theatre and a performing group, I do not know. I came across an old listing of properties on State Street and happen to notice that the only building noted as a theatre was the Bristol. I have yet to travel to the area and haven’t had much luck to date locating anyone with an exacting knowledge of this theatre.
There is a Bristol Theatre (currently the Theatre Bristol) which was built in 1900 in the 506-510 block of State St. Are the Bristol and Paramount one of the same?
Was this theatre at one time called the Center?
Here are a couple of recent photos of the Central/Elite Theater.
There is a listing in the 1968 edition of the IMPA for a Hiwa Theatre on Tallahassee Rd in Thompsonville, GA. Have been unable to locate a city within Georgia by this name and am wondering if it is Thomasville. To the point: Do you happen to know if there ever way a Hiwa Theatre in the Thomasville area and if so, could you provide some information on it? Thanks
About the only live performance theatres I can think of right off hand that were in operation during the 1970s were the Alliance (at the Memorial Arts Centre), the Fox, the Civic Centre, Chastain Park, Theatre Atlanta and possibly the Atlanta (later the Columbia) theatre. I don’t think the Peachtree Art was equipped for live performance.
The 1968 edition of the IMPA list a Star Theater in Quitman which was also managed by Interstate Enterprises. Do you have any information on this theatre?
With all due respect, Nashville’s loss is proportional with most other metropolitan areas particularly when you consider how many theatres have shuttered in Manhattan over the past few years. There are still quite a few fantastic theatres still in operation just outside of Nashville including the Franklin, the Lincoln in Fayetteville and the Roxy in Clarksville. Also, there remains a glimmer of hope that maybe a circuit like Landmark or Lefont could revive either or both the Belle Meade and Melrose. Fortunately we still have the Belcourt and according to a recent posting on the Madison Theatre site, there are plans underway to restore part of the building for use as a theatre.
What was the Pasadena theatre that premiered Urban Cowboy?
Here are a couple of recent photos of theatres in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. The Belcourt (circa 1925) on Belcourt Ave is the only theatre built before 1960 still in operation. The Fifth Ave (1909-60) and the Donelson (1950-73) are still standing although neither resembles a theatre anymore. The Peafowl (1915-29) on 4th Ave N, the Woodland (1924-55) on Woodland St, the Melrose (1940-83) on Franklin Rd, the Belle Meade (1940-90) on Harding Rd, Roxy (1940-55) on Wilburn St, the Gem (1945-55) on 1st Ave S and the Woodbine (1950-60) still retain some of their exterior charm although none have operated as theatre in over a decade.
Thanks for the update. I haven’t had any luck locating any photos of the Inglewood either via the WEB or at the main library in downtown Nashville. Please let us know if you happen across a photo of the Inglewood.
This is great! Please keep us posted on how this project is going.
The Luciann opened November 7, 1940. It was the designed by Claude Northern, the same architect who designed the Airways on Lamar Ave.
I have a listing for a Handy Theatre on 2353 Park Ave. Think these two are one of the same?
Thanks! I went through masses of newspaper clippings at the Shelby County library and while I encountered articles on each of these cinemas, the only addresses I could find were either 619 Chelsea Ave or “…theatre on the corner of Chelsea and Thomasâ€, which appear to be one and the same. Still can’t get a current listing for the 619 Chelsea, so I assume this theater is no more. The Hollywood site is currently a furniture store.
Avon, Chelsea and Roxy! Augh!!! Something is amiss here. If there is a native Memphian out there with some knowledge of this cinema, please drop a line. I am thinking that either a larger cinema was built on the site of the Avon or that there were two cinemas on Chelsea.