I do not think we ran an ad on this movie,because we just had the premier and it was a private invitation event.I do not even remember where this movie played afterwards.
Decor of the Crescent.The box office was enclosed on the left hand side of the theatre the entrance had brown marble on the walls. Of course we had three attraction cases on the right side, the first for Now Showing the second for Next Attraction and the third held the one sheet advertising the Now Showing at Loews Melrose and Madison. At times in the comming attractions case we would have a 1-sheet promoting a Loews Hotel,I still have some of those 1-sheets.The entrance had 3 sets of glass double door.The lobby had Red and Black patterned carpet. There were two attraction cases that were on the right side of the lobby which mirrors had been installed.They still opened and locked like an attraction case but had hooks mounted on the wall inside which we would hang out old ticket stubs.We would string up our tickets,as Loews tickets had holes in them that would slide on a rod in the doormans stand a latter could be threaded to string them.We were to string the tickets dailey,but this hardly ever happened.We could audit these tickets to make sure all tickets sold had been torn.The concession stand was on the left side of the lobby and the popcorn machine and warmer were right near the front doors. On nice days we would pop the corn and leave one of the front doors open to let the smell out,folks would come in just to buy popcorn.The restrooms were at the back of the small lobby the Womens next to the concessions and the Mens on the right.I small closet in the Mens room was used as a doormans usher room.3 Double wood finished door lead to the theatre itself,which had door closers on top that could be locked open between movies.After entering the theatre there was about 15 feet of open space which a half wall behind the seats with a short curtain hanging on it.The walls were draped with red drapes as was the screen,which opened and closed between shows ran by a motor controled from the booth.The seats were also red 415 on each side.Two exit doors were to the left and one on the right which lead to the back of the theatre to the alley.You could not get to the booth or other offices from the theatre,they had there own entrance to the right of the theatre by the bookstore.The floor sloped down of course but first few rows sloped upward toward the screen.
ANOTHER GHOST STORY. Its seems many old theatres are haunted,this one included.It even had a name “Mr. Bowen” Story has it the he was an old time manager there who had a drinking problem,and one night after closing he killed himself in the theatre.Several older employees told me of strange sites and noises when they in in the theatre after hours, I was there many times alone after of before hours but never saw anything myself,but several of the cleaning folks who worked there over the years would swear the the house was haunted.One of these guys even played me an audio tape of strange sounds he said he recorded in the theatre while cleaning up one night, I admit it was a strange tape,but knowing this guy I think the he was just pulling my leg,but you never know.
The audiotorium had blue drapes on the walls and had blue seats also.Blue carpet covered the lobby and ailses.The box office was at the front or course but was not enclosed from the lobby.It ony had about a 4 foot wall around the area the cashier sat in.The manager was to stand behind the box office during peak ticket sales to make sure no one could get to the cashier,the entrance was right left of the boxoffice with the doormans stand.The office was to the left of the entrance and has a glass wall in front that you could see the boxoffice and doormans stand from.Of course there were drapes in front of the glass wall of the office that we would close while counting the money and checking out.The concessions stand was at the back of the looby and the movie house itself was to the left of the lobby with a hallway that had the restrooms and of course the projection booth.This was the only theatre I worked which had Xenon lamps in the booth.We always ran one hour reels there. The booth also had a roof hatch and ladder mounted on the wall.Johnny Cash would bring his kids to the movies most every Saturday when he was in town and no one noticed of bothered him.
Thanks Dave, I have a photo of the Paramount with the original marquee and a photo if the projection booth,but I do not have a scanner to post them.I will post them as soon as possible.If you ever pick up a copy of the Nashville Retropect which is published once a month,they have a write up on Nashville Theatres in most issues.
Another thought of the W.W. Movie,although the L&C Tower was used in the movie, they covered their sign with a fake sign for the movie, maybe they did not want their name used.I looked this movie up on the internet and it is interesting that this film has never been released on VHS or disk.It does show up on T.V. sometimes,I wanted to tape it but never knew when is was showing till too late. A very brief shot the the Vertical sign of this theatre, looking from 4th Ave North to the West up Church Street is seen in this film if anyone has it on tape,or sees it on T.V.Another thing about our booking as Mike commented on,most of the time we showed first run films., but as it happened we where showing a Kung Fu Movie that week and this was early 1975, we did show it for 6 days and did not show it at all the night of the premier,we never did much business with the Kung Fu films in the Nashville market, however I have read were they did well for Loews in other cities.They may have been just trying out these films in Nashville or in this cause just booked it that week because of the Premier and would have time to really clean up the place for the big night. The other times we book Kung Fu flicks they never played over a week. One time we showed a film with 2 reels out of place all week 5 shows a day and no one noticed or no one said anything about it.The funny thing I was saying that we may have a Kung Fu for a week which did hardly any business and Friday we would open with a New Rocky or 007 movie and be packed for week.Those were the days.
Another thought of the Tennessee Theatre. While working at the Loews Crescent down the street sometimes when it was slow I would wander down the block to the Tennessee to see some of the concerts playing there as posted above. One night Ricky Nelson was playing there and I came down just to see some of the show before I went back to work.I got in free,there was only about 300 people in attendance,and Ricky seemed pissed, sorry to say and only played for about 35 minutes and left,so I got to see the whole show after all.It was his last Nashville apperance before his death.His backing band was the Stone Canyon Band.Concerts only lasted a few years before the theatre and office building was razed.
The two Statues mentioned in the Sept 9,2010 post, I believe that they were Angels with their wings out.Looked pretty spooky in the dark in the theatre as a kid.
MORE HISTORY OF THE NASHVILLE PARAMOUNT.From an artical written by Stanley E. Hime a former projectionist there. Charles “Charlie” Amos was the first manager,later his assistant Ben Garrett would become Manager.The theatre had a sign shop where the displays were crafted.Sometimes a display was glued to the lobby floor and patrons walked over them.Three projectionists who worked there were Isaac B. Hime,Roy M Martin,and William Brown,,The original projectors were 35 mm Simplex Machines,The theatre open with “Fast and Loose” starring Miriam Hopkins, Frank Morgan, and Carol Lombard.In the early years the ladies room had a maid and the mens room had a valet.The projection booth was also equipted with an EFFECTS MACHINE for projecting designs on the screen or curtains.
An interesting fact thatI have never read on C.T. that many theatres like this one,the building was just not a theatre but an office building too.Even in those days Loews and many other theatre companys knew that a theatre was not a good way to make money.The rent on the offices and storefronts paid for the buildings.When I worked for Loews it was called Loews Theatres and Realty Co.The Real Estate was where the money really came in.
More Info on the World Premier of W.W. and the Dixiedance Kings,as posted 11/30/09.This Burt Renolds movie had it premier at this theatre in early 1975 I have a program from that night but cannot find it at this time so I am not sure of the exact date.I got to open the limo doors as the actors from the movie arrived at the theatre.Church Street was blocked off to traffic between 4th and 5th Ave.that night and a Keg Light was located on the street.The cast was Burt as W.W. Bright,Connie Van Dyke played Dixie,Jerry Reed was Wayne in his first movie apperance,Ned Betty played Country Bill, Don Willams was Leroy, and The great Art Carney played Decon John Westley Gore.All these actors where they that night plus many Nashville music and civil leaders, I remember Chet Adkins and Bobby Goldsboro also where in attendance.Most of the movie was shot in Nashville and the surounding area.The L&C Tower was next door to the theatre and many scenes from the film where shot outside and inside there,you can also see a quick shot of the theatre in the movie. It was strange to watch the movie and see the theatre you are watching it in on the screen.Also this movie was directed by John Avildsen of Rocky and other movie fame.It was a great night as I got paid to see the movie and meet many Stars,plus I got to change the marquee the night before the premier and after the show was over I got to change it again, back to the Kung Fu movie that we were showing that week.
If they never showed movies may be why the Orpheum is not listed.If they did show movies, you may know, you could list it here with any info you may have.
Thanks for the update Dave, I have seen photos of the 5th Avenue theatre so I knew about where it was but I did not know,about the others. What is confusing that when some of the theatres are listed they are put on with the wrong address to begin with.
I do not think we ran an ad on this movie,because we just had the premier and it was a private invitation event.I do not even remember where this movie played afterwards.
Decor of the Crescent.The box office was enclosed on the left hand side of the theatre the entrance had brown marble on the walls. Of course we had three attraction cases on the right side, the first for Now Showing the second for Next Attraction and the third held the one sheet advertising the Now Showing at Loews Melrose and Madison. At times in the comming attractions case we would have a 1-sheet promoting a Loews Hotel,I still have some of those 1-sheets.The entrance had 3 sets of glass double door.The lobby had Red and Black patterned carpet. There were two attraction cases that were on the right side of the lobby which mirrors had been installed.They still opened and locked like an attraction case but had hooks mounted on the wall inside which we would hang out old ticket stubs.We would string up our tickets,as Loews tickets had holes in them that would slide on a rod in the doormans stand a latter could be threaded to string them.We were to string the tickets dailey,but this hardly ever happened.We could audit these tickets to make sure all tickets sold had been torn.The concession stand was on the left side of the lobby and the popcorn machine and warmer were right near the front doors. On nice days we would pop the corn and leave one of the front doors open to let the smell out,folks would come in just to buy popcorn.The restrooms were at the back of the small lobby the Womens next to the concessions and the Mens on the right.I small closet in the Mens room was used as a doormans usher room.3 Double wood finished door lead to the theatre itself,which had door closers on top that could be locked open between movies.After entering the theatre there was about 15 feet of open space which a half wall behind the seats with a short curtain hanging on it.The walls were draped with red drapes as was the screen,which opened and closed between shows ran by a motor controled from the booth.The seats were also red 415 on each side.Two exit doors were to the left and one on the right which lead to the back of the theatre to the alley.You could not get to the booth or other offices from the theatre,they had there own entrance to the right of the theatre by the bookstore.The floor sloped down of course but first few rows sloped upward toward the screen.
ANOTHER GHOST STORY. Its seems many old theatres are haunted,this one included.It even had a name “Mr. Bowen” Story has it the he was an old time manager there who had a drinking problem,and one night after closing he killed himself in the theatre.Several older employees told me of strange sites and noises when they in in the theatre after hours, I was there many times alone after of before hours but never saw anything myself,but several of the cleaning folks who worked there over the years would swear the the house was haunted.One of these guys even played me an audio tape of strange sounds he said he recorded in the theatre while cleaning up one night, I admit it was a strange tape,but knowing this guy I think the he was just pulling my leg,but you never know.
The audiotorium had blue drapes on the walls and had blue seats also.Blue carpet covered the lobby and ailses.The box office was at the front or course but was not enclosed from the lobby.It ony had about a 4 foot wall around the area the cashier sat in.The manager was to stand behind the box office during peak ticket sales to make sure no one could get to the cashier,the entrance was right left of the boxoffice with the doormans stand.The office was to the left of the entrance and has a glass wall in front that you could see the boxoffice and doormans stand from.Of course there were drapes in front of the glass wall of the office that we would close while counting the money and checking out.The concessions stand was at the back of the looby and the movie house itself was to the left of the lobby with a hallway that had the restrooms and of course the projection booth.This was the only theatre I worked which had Xenon lamps in the booth.We always ran one hour reels there. The booth also had a roof hatch and ladder mounted on the wall.Johnny Cash would bring his kids to the movies most every Saturday when he was in town and no one noticed of bothered him.
R.I.P. Dave.
I think its cool, not the real thing,but interesting.
Thanks Dave, hope you both are doing better now.
Thanks Dave, I have a photo of the Paramount with the original marquee and a photo if the projection booth,but I do not have a scanner to post them.I will post them as soon as possible.If you ever pick up a copy of the Nashville Retropect which is published once a month,they have a write up on Nashville Theatres in most issues.
Great photos as always Don.
Great Story Dave,great that you still have the baton.
Sorry last comment should be packed for weeks not week.
Another thought of the W.W. Movie,although the L&C Tower was used in the movie, they covered their sign with a fake sign for the movie, maybe they did not want their name used.I looked this movie up on the internet and it is interesting that this film has never been released on VHS or disk.It does show up on T.V. sometimes,I wanted to tape it but never knew when is was showing till too late. A very brief shot the the Vertical sign of this theatre, looking from 4th Ave North to the West up Church Street is seen in this film if anyone has it on tape,or sees it on T.V.Another thing about our booking as Mike commented on,most of the time we showed first run films., but as it happened we where showing a Kung Fu Movie that week and this was early 1975, we did show it for 6 days and did not show it at all the night of the premier,we never did much business with the Kung Fu films in the Nashville market, however I have read were they did well for Loews in other cities.They may have been just trying out these films in Nashville or in this cause just booked it that week because of the Premier and would have time to really clean up the place for the big night. The other times we book Kung Fu flicks they never played over a week. One time we showed a film with 2 reels out of place all week 5 shows a day and no one noticed or no one said anything about it.The funny thing I was saying that we may have a Kung Fu for a week which did hardly any business and Friday we would open with a New Rocky or 007 movie and be packed for week.Those were the days.
Another thought of the Tennessee Theatre. While working at the Loews Crescent down the street sometimes when it was slow I would wander down the block to the Tennessee to see some of the concerts playing there as posted above. One night Ricky Nelson was playing there and I came down just to see some of the show before I went back to work.I got in free,there was only about 300 people in attendance,and Ricky seemed pissed, sorry to say and only played for about 35 minutes and left,so I got to see the whole show after all.It was his last Nashville apperance before his death.His backing band was the Stone Canyon Band.Concerts only lasted a few years before the theatre and office building was razed.
The two Statues mentioned in the Sept 9,2010 post, I believe that they were Angels with their wings out.Looked pretty spooky in the dark in the theatre as a kid.
MORE HISTORY OF THE NASHVILLE PARAMOUNT.From an artical written by Stanley E. Hime a former projectionist there. Charles “Charlie” Amos was the first manager,later his assistant Ben Garrett would become Manager.The theatre had a sign shop where the displays were crafted.Sometimes a display was glued to the lobby floor and patrons walked over them.Three projectionists who worked there were Isaac B. Hime,Roy M Martin,and William Brown,,The original projectors were 35 mm Simplex Machines,The theatre open with “Fast and Loose” starring Miriam Hopkins, Frank Morgan, and Carol Lombard.In the early years the ladies room had a maid and the mens room had a valet.The projection booth was also equipted with an EFFECTS MACHINE for projecting designs on the screen or curtains.
What a great name for a drive-in.Only reason I looked it up too.
Thanks,Chris.
They most likely bought a lot of those colors paint and had to use them somewhere.Just a joke!Maybe.“MOD MOTIF”.
An interesting fact thatI have never read on C.T. that many theatres like this one,the building was just not a theatre but an office building too.Even in those days Loews and many other theatre companys knew that a theatre was not a good way to make money.The rent on the offices and storefronts paid for the buildings.When I worked for Loews it was called Loews Theatres and Realty Co.The Real Estate was where the money really came in.
Consolidated Theatres had two theatres that opened in Nashville,Tennessee in 1976 the Cinema North and Cinema South both are closed now.
Still no e-mail to contact you.
More Info on the World Premier of W.W. and the Dixiedance Kings,as posted 11/30/09.This Burt Renolds movie had it premier at this theatre in early 1975 I have a program from that night but cannot find it at this time so I am not sure of the exact date.I got to open the limo doors as the actors from the movie arrived at the theatre.Church Street was blocked off to traffic between 4th and 5th Ave.that night and a Keg Light was located on the street.The cast was Burt as W.W. Bright,Connie Van Dyke played Dixie,Jerry Reed was Wayne in his first movie apperance,Ned Betty played Country Bill, Don Willams was Leroy, and The great Art Carney played Decon John Westley Gore.All these actors where they that night plus many Nashville music and civil leaders, I remember Chet Adkins and Bobby Goldsboro also where in attendance.Most of the movie was shot in Nashville and the surounding area.The L&C Tower was next door to the theatre and many scenes from the film where shot outside and inside there,you can also see a quick shot of the theatre in the movie. It was strange to watch the movie and see the theatre you are watching it in on the screen.Also this movie was directed by John Avildsen of Rocky and other movie fame.It was a great night as I got paid to see the movie and meet many Stars,plus I got to change the marquee the night before the premier and after the show was over I got to change it again, back to the Kung Fu movie that we were showing that week.
If they never showed movies may be why the Orpheum is not listed.If they did show movies, you may know, you could list it here with any info you may have.
Thats the one Dave. The Tennessee Theatre has its own page on C.T.
Thanks for the update Dave, I have seen photos of the 5th Avenue theatre so I knew about where it was but I did not know,about the others. What is confusing that when some of the theatres are listed they are put on with the wrong address to begin with.