Comments from LeeAnders

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LeeAnders
LeeAnders commented about Suzore's # 2 Theatre on Feb 17, 2007 at 10:14 am

Will, as you requested, in the Princess theatre section, I’ll add a little more information about the Suzzore theatre on north main street, in Memphis, as I knew it from the early 1950’s. As a teenager, in north Memphis, at that time, the Suzzore (#2), was the gathering place, for the neighborhood, on the weekends. Most of us teenagers attended Humes High School, on Jackson, AV, nearer to the Suzzores #1, but we didn’t care for that one, preferring instead #2. Across the alley, adjacent to the theatre was a fire station, and firemen, on duty, usually kept the alleyway fire escape door cracked open – and one or more would stand just inside the door – and watch movies, while keeping an ear out for alarms within the station. Sometimes, when they were gone, perhaps on a fire run, some of us would use that as an opportunity to sneak into the theatre, through the fire door. Just across the street, directly across from the fire station, was a neighborhood record shop,(name not remembered), that was as popular as the theatre. As someone mentioned earlier, these businesses were near to Lauderdale Courts, where many of us lived, and where, Elvis and his family lived. Elvis was just getting started in 1954, and would often come by the record shop and visit and play/sing for his friends. He also frequented the Suzzores. The Suzzores had a balcony, with a separate outside front entry, that was popular for some of the guys and gals to ‘watch’ movies from – though not much watching was done. Late 1954 or early 1955, Mr Suzzores closed the balcony to white patrons, and opened it to blacks. Previously blacks had not been allowed access to the theatre. In those days, blacks pretty much used the Beale street area, in south Memphis, for their downtown shopping, and they had one or more movie theatres in that district. Mainstreet theatres were not integrated. When he began allowing blacks into the balcony, from the separate front street entrance, it created problems. Whites, below, would get upset at the blacks for throwing things, such as candy wrappers, and such, down over the edge into the lower section below. Often times theatre management would have to intercede to quieten verbal confrontations having developed over things like that. Unsubstantiated rumor, was that Mr Suzzores had been involved in a vehicle accident involving one or more blacks, and had been sued, somehow resulting in blacks gaining interest in the #2 Suzzores theatre. It’s all gone now, the theatre, the fire department, the record store – the neighborhood, as we knew it. Even Lauderdale Courts were closed, for some years, and were nearly demolished – saved just within the last few years – by being revamped and turned into a gated community of low income condo type homes. I left Memphis in the summer of 1955 – and upon return (visiting) in year 2000, found little of the downtown Memphis that I remembered from the 1950’s. I missed seeing the mom and pop restaurants, the little Jewish clothing stores, the little neighborhood grocery stores, the corner drug store…….in their places are large government type buildings and complexes….sterile and cold. Main street is closed to vehicle traffic, and for the tourists, they have re-layed old trolley rails, from early last century, and have a bunch of trolly cars running up and down Main Street. Kind of sad.

LeeAnders
LeeAnders commented about Princess Theater on Feb 17, 2007 at 7:58 am

Hi, Will, Yes I was in Memphis in the early 50’s – in fact, lived in apartment complexes near Main street – on the north end of town. Memphis was such a different place in those days. A much nicer place. What did the Princess look like – as I remember, much smaller front than the others on main street. The ticket window was on the left front, and I believe the concession stand was actually to the outside left, just behind the ticket window. It may have been just inside the doors – to the left. I don’t remember a balcony level to the theatre, as most of the larger ones had – just the one level. It had the standard size screen – and most, if not all, movies, were in black and white. Cartoons, however were in color. Yes, I remember also the Strand, and the Malco. They were more upscale, and therefore more expensive – never having much money, I frequented the Princess, when downtown. The Suzzore, did have a balcony, and before I left Memphis, in 1955, the theatre began serving blacks – in the balcony. (Before that time, blacks had their own movie theatres in the Beale street area) Rumor had it, that Mr Suzzores had been involved in an automobile accident, apparently injuring a black individual or family, and they sued, eventually gaining part ownership in the north main street theatre – I don’t know if that’s factual or not – but as a kid, I remember the problems it caused, as the black kids began throwing items, from the balcony, down on the white patrons below. In retirement, I eventually moved to NE AR, near Memphis, and sometimes visit Memphis, and stroll along the main street areas. Nothing is the same (nor should it be, I guess) but it is depressing to me – and sad – to see what Memphis has become.

LeeAnders
LeeAnders commented about Princess Theater on Feb 16, 2007 at 4:52 am

From 1950 through 1955, as a child, I enjoyed many an afternoon at the Princess theatre. Usually always showing was a double feature cowboy movie, several cartoons, movie previews, and of course, the latest ‘News Reel’. The news reel was kind of like watching the afternoon news on TV – except most of us didn’t own TVs in those days. Child admission was a dime, adult was 25 cents, popcorn, a dime, candy and coke was 5 cents each. Back down Main Street, on the north end, was another neighborhood movie theatre favorite – named ‘Suzzore Theatre’. Very similiar to the Princess. While urban renewal and redevelopment, most times are good, it’s difficult to return to a ‘Main Street’ that is no longer as we remember. In the 50’s, Main Street, Memphis, was a nice place to visit and spend time – no more – it’s really sad.

LeeAnders
LeeAnders commented about Princess Theater on Feb 16, 2007 at 4:50 am

From 1950 through 1955, as a child, I enjoyed many an afternoon at the Princess theatre. Usually always showing was a double feature cowboy movie, several cartoons, movie previews, and of course, the latest ‘News Reel’. The news reel was kind of like watching the afternoon news on TV – except most of us didn’t own TVs in those days. Child admission was a dime, adult was 25 cents, popcorn, a dime, candy and coke was 5 cents each. Back down Main Street, on the north end, was another neighborhood movie theatre favorite – named ‘Suzzore Theatre’. Very similiar to the Princess. While urban renewal and redevelopment, most times are good, it’s difficult to return to a ‘Main Street’ that is no longer as we remember. In the 50’s, Main Street, Memphis, was a nice place to visit and spend time – no more – it’s really sad.