THE SAFE STORY: One morning I got a call from our clean up man Orlando who told me when he came in the clean that day he found the theatres safe on the back of the lobby,it had been prided open and all the money was bank money was gone,not the deposits just the money used for the boxoffice and concessions.I of course called of city manager to let him know.The police were there when I arrived and the office door had been kicked in and the closet where the safe was had been broke open too, tickets were scatter everywhere but after checking them none were missing. The police thought it was an inside job because they knew where the safe was.Of course many people had worked in the theatre over the years so many knew where the safe was. The funny thing is this safe was pretty small about 3ft x 3ft.I had to borrow money from the Crescent to have funds to open with that night until they replaced the money. About 2 days later I came to work and Loews had another safe shipped in from an old theatre that was about the size of a refrigrator, I thougth that was strange because we only had a small metal box to keep the bank money in in the huge safe.
Another thought several times due to a manager being sick or on vacation I would have to open one of the suburb houses and then go downtown and close the Crescent.Of course my great salary made up for this.I will say though that Loews was very good about their salaried persons,I had to have an operation in the late 70’s and could not work for 6 weeks, I got paid my full salary for those weeks and after returning to work for two weeks was able to take my scheduled vacation.Not many companies would do that nowadays.
This theatre in my years with Loews ran matinees 7 days a week.Most of the movies started at 12:30 to 1:00 P.M. the last movie always started at 9:00p.m. or later. Most nights we would get out around 11:30.The other Loews houses in Nashville only had matinees on the weekends and during the summer school break.Some Days at the Melrose or Madison I would have to work open to close at least one day a week sometimes more,the good thing was during school days these theatres would only show two screenings a night so you only had to work about 4 to 5 hours a day.And in some cases no one would show up for the last show and we all got to go home early.I can only remember getting to go home early from the Crescent due to no customers about 2 or 3 times.It was good for everyone but the Manager who would have to hang around til after 11:00 P.M. to call Dallas with our daily receipts, after the long distance rates went down at that time.Oh the theatre business!
By the way, the photo I have is circa 1930 the year they opened. The Vertical Sign was huge,just by looking at the photo if you took the vertical off the building and set it on the sidewalk it would be just a little taller than the 2 story building.Also the storefronts of the building were white washed and hand draw pitcures were drawn on the windows showing what could be there,and done very nice.Also the original marquee was much larger than the photos posted above.I also have a photo of the booth. I will post as soon as possible.
Maybe it was at the State Line?
You loved it!!
Only one C.T. member? Ramblin’s O.K.
It was a good story till the end.
What I meant to ask was this theatre called Loews Crest?Or something else?
Any one know the name of this theatre when it was a Loews house?
Thanks Tinseltoes.
You said it Terry!!
THE SAFE STORY: One morning I got a call from our clean up man Orlando who told me when he came in the clean that day he found the theatres safe on the back of the lobby,it had been prided open and all the money was bank money was gone,not the deposits just the money used for the boxoffice and concessions.I of course called of city manager to let him know.The police were there when I arrived and the office door had been kicked in and the closet where the safe was had been broke open too, tickets were scatter everywhere but after checking them none were missing. The police thought it was an inside job because they knew where the safe was.Of course many people had worked in the theatre over the years so many knew where the safe was. The funny thing is this safe was pretty small about 3ft x 3ft.I had to borrow money from the Crescent to have funds to open with that night until they replaced the money. About 2 days later I came to work and Loews had another safe shipped in from an old theatre that was about the size of a refrigrator, I thougth that was strange because we only had a small metal box to keep the bank money in in the huge safe.
Another thought several times due to a manager being sick or on vacation I would have to open one of the suburb houses and then go downtown and close the Crescent.Of course my great salary made up for this.I will say though that Loews was very good about their salaried persons,I had to have an operation in the late 70’s and could not work for 6 weeks, I got paid my full salary for those weeks and after returning to work for two weeks was able to take my scheduled vacation.Not many companies would do that nowadays.
This theatre in my years with Loews ran matinees 7 days a week.Most of the movies started at 12:30 to 1:00 P.M. the last movie always started at 9:00p.m. or later. Most nights we would get out around 11:30.The other Loews houses in Nashville only had matinees on the weekends and during the summer school break.Some Days at the Melrose or Madison I would have to work open to close at least one day a week sometimes more,the good thing was during school days these theatres would only show two screenings a night so you only had to work about 4 to 5 hours a day.And in some cases no one would show up for the last show and we all got to go home early.I can only remember getting to go home early from the Crescent due to no customers about 2 or 3 times.It was good for everyone but the Manager who would have to hang around til after 11:00 P.M. to call Dallas with our daily receipts, after the long distance rates went down at that time.Oh the theatre business!
Thanks again Don.
Interesting reading.
Is it still closed?
Thanks.
Thanks Dave and TheatreOrgan, The Nashville guys are on tonight,and the Titans are winning at half-time 17-0.
By the way, the photo I have is circa 1930 the year they opened. The Vertical Sign was huge,just by looking at the photo if you took the vertical off the building and set it on the sidewalk it would be just a little taller than the 2 story building.Also the storefronts of the building were white washed and hand draw pitcures were drawn on the windows showing what could be there,and done very nice.Also the original marquee was much larger than the photos posted above.I also have a photo of the booth. I will post as soon as possible.
Good luck to them.Thanks Chris.
The video shows that they enjoyed their jobs,can many people say that now.
Dave I believe I have seen a postcard of the Knickerbocker with the Orpheum across the street.
Reopening after 35 years,that amazing.
Yes it is.
Nice Marquee on this one.
Yes it is Mike.
I have around 300 one sheets,had more but gave some Disney ones to some kids in the neighborhood.