February 25, 1984 photo credit Billy Easley / The Tennessean.

Ritz Cinema

Nashville, TN

Image description: This boarded-up and empty Ritz Theater, here at 2019 Jefferson Street on Feb. 25, 1984, replaced the original Ritz in the 1700 block of Jefferson that was torn down in the mid-70s. The original was the premiere cinema for blacks beginning in the mid-30s through mid-60s. Meharry Medical College, which owns the Ritz now, is conducting a federally-funded study to identify ways in which the Ritz could be used to revitalize the area’s economy.