Loew's Grand Theatre
157 Peachtree Street NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30303
157 Peachtree Street NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30303
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Here is a 1958 photo from the collection that Don K. mentioned last year. The films showing were “Rodan” and “Hell in Korea”:
http://tinyurl.com/g8gzy
Here is an day by day account of the GWTW premiere in 1939:
http://tinyurl.com/f7g4c
I REALLY doubt Davis Cone would want one of his paintings to be displayed in a cropped, artifacted grayscale format like that… it’s really quite a painting.
Wartime photo:
View link
Patsy – The Georgia Pacific Tower stands on the site that the Loew’s Grand once occupied. It’s a forty story plus office tower. If memory serves, it is, or was, the tallest building in downtown Atlanta. Whenever I see it, I am reminded of the Loew’s Grand and it’s neighbor, the Paramount Theatre (demolished in 1960).
Considering the value of prime real estate on Peachtree Street, it’s hard to see how the Loew’s Grand could have been saved. The City of Atlanta (the government, that is) wanted the tax revenues that a new office tower would bring. When you consider the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the right of local government to condemn private property by eminent domain for the benefit of private investors, it doesn’t bode well for vintage movie theaters.
Friends in Atlanta have told me that the fire that damaged the lobby (circa 1978) of the Loew’s Grand was highly suspicious, to say the least. As I understand it, that fire was the determining factor that led to the building being condemned once and for all.
Ron – Yes, the 1967 re-release of GWTW was a mutilation. Seeing it at the Loew’s Grand didn’t really help much. The technicians responsible for that dubious distinction actually won an technical Academy Award! The most recent DVD release is infinitely better!
However, I did see the 1961 re-release at the Loew’s Grand. That memory has stood out for over forty years!
The 1967 annual report of Loew’s Theatres has two photos of Loew’s Grand, both showing Gone with the Wind.
One photo is from the premiere in 1939, the other from the October 1967 “28th Anniversary Premiere of the film, recreated in 70mm and stereophonic sound."
(Of course, the report doesn’t mention what a mutilation of a classic film this was.)
For images of the Loew’s Grand go to this site:
View link
This is the web site of the Pullen Library of Georgia State University. It features a search engine where you can search the files of the collection of the Lane Brothers photographs. There are a number of good shots of the Loew’s Grand.
They are certainly nostalgic for me, since I grew up in Atlanta and attended the Loew’s Grand many times. And yes, I saw GONE WITH THE WIND there several times when it was rereleased.
Unforgettable!
While in Charleston I spoke to a lady who owned a gift shop and next door was a former theatre. It seems that Charleston had 4 theatres on King at one time! The auditorium still exists, but is being used by the University of Charleston especially during their Spoleto Festival. The marquee is still there, too and is used when the university has a production planned in the former theatre. I told the gift shop owner about the Fabulous Fox since she was originally from Atlanta. She then asked about the Loews and I had to tell her that it doesn’t exist anymore which surprised her very much!
Hi everyone, I am also sadden by the loss of the Loews Grand theatre. I did not have the pleasure of knowing about this place but am finding out a great deal. We have an employee is about to retire and Gone With The Wind is her all time favorite movie. She is a gentle southern bell herself and we wanted to do a special poster for her as MISS Scarlett with her face imposed on a picture wearing one of scarlett’s dresses. Do anyone know where I can find a jpg or gif file so that we can honor her in this way? Thanks Roslyn
BTW, what was built on the former Loew’s site since this was such “prime property”? :–((
Hard to believe that THE theatre that premiered Gone with the Wind is now….‘gone’! :–((
McGee: “the desire for the property’s prime site led to it’s demolition”…interesting quote! And does anyone know the whereabouts of the former Loew’s Wurlitzer today?
I now have a copy of Popcorn Palaces and the former Loew’s Grand Theatre is in there! But so sad that it was demolished as I feel there was room in Atlanta for BOTH the Loew’s and the Fox!
McGee: Found it interesting to read that a resident of S.W. Atlanta HAD possession of the Wurlitzer! I wonder if Larry, organist in residence, at the Fox knows this fact? Also, where is the organ today?
I hope to locate a copy of Popcorn Palaces to see the Loew’s Grand Theatre. Thanks to those who have offered photos of this Atlanta theatre.
And here is another, closer one. Both from the Charles Cushman collection.
Here is a Dec 3, 1951 photo of the Grand and Paramount marquees at night
The Loew’s Grand Theatre was located at 157 Peachtree Street and it seated 2044 people.
This facility was re-decorated in an Art Deco style when Loew’s took over operation. The theatre was reportedly heavily damaged by fire, although the fire was in an adjacent structure. Most likely, smoke damage and the desire for the property’s prime site led to it’s demolition. A resident of S.W. Atlanta had possession of the Wurlitzer (a Style E 2-manual / 7-rank instrument.)