Martin Theatre

409 Harrison Avenue,
Panama City, FL 32401

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Showing 19 comments

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 29, 2017 at 10:56 am

1943 image added via Joe Agnew.
“Hitler’s Children” showing at the Ritz.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on August 25, 2017 at 9:37 am

Website: http://www.martintheatre.com/ Functions should include: Movies, classic

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on August 24, 2017 at 11:45 pm

Photo added of Military Jeeps parading in front of the Ritz.

TooBadCathy
TooBadCathy on January 21, 2017 at 7:07 pm

I live here in Panama City, I research History and I have joined a team that will be leading a paranormal investigation at the Martin Theater here in Panama City. I am VERY interested in any stories AT ALL of the events and people that frequented this establishment whether paranormal or not, that can shed some light on the rich history of this beautiful theater.

Foxeylady
Foxeylady on February 26, 2016 at 10:51 am

My brother worked as “doorman” – “ticket-taker” at this theater back in the 50’s. They use to have Saturday morning matinees for about fifty cents. I think the entire school would attend these shows. You would see not only the movie, but newsreels, cartoon, a serial (Tarzan, Superman, Flash Gordon, etc), along with previews of upcoming events. Nothing could be more fun when they had stage shows and turned out the lights and let monsters loose in the audience. I’m interested if anyone has any pictures when they had the movie “Underwater” with Jane Russell. A display was set up and my brother furnished his large goldfish for the exhibit while the movie was playing. I also have fond memories of all the other movie theaters in town. Bud Davis Drive-in was located where K-mart is on 15th Street. What fun!

rivest266
rivest266 on October 9, 2011 at 5:15 am

This opened on November 21st, 1936. 10 out of 12 pages in that’s day newspaper had something about the Ritz.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on September 26, 2010 at 10:03 pm

All nice pictures of what a movie theatre should look like.

AndyCallahanMajorMajor
AndyCallahanMajorMajor on September 26, 2010 at 9:36 pm

Here are some pictures I took in September 2010.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on June 17, 2010 at 11:55 pm

Nice vintage photo Don.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on June 17, 2010 at 11:52 pm

From 1954 a picture postcard view of the Ritz Theatre in Panama City which was later renamed the Martin.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 31, 2010 at 1:38 pm

Nice shot Chuck, we used to have quite a few MARTIN theatres in Tennessee as I am sure you know.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on March 27, 2010 at 12:40 pm

Here is a January 1951 ad from the Panama City News-Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/ydwv6y7

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on July 7, 2008 at 10:01 pm

A 1986 view of the Martin Theater in Panama City.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 28, 2006 at 1:22 pm

Other theaters in Panama City as of 8/56 were the Bud Davis Drive-In, Gulf Drive-in, Isle of View Drive-In, Wayside Drive-In, Panama Theater and Bay Theater.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 24, 2006 at 11:39 am

Here is a 1956 ad for the Ritz. Note the racist campaign ad on the left – an unfortunate sign of the times.
http://tinyurl.com/ylpjge

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on August 19, 2005 at 8:00 am

Listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s;1941 and 1943 editions as the Ritz Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,270. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity of the Ritz is given as 1,220 and the address is 415 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL.

RJS
RJS on August 19, 2005 at 7:18 am

The offical website for the Martin is
http://www.martintheatre.com/
Also includes several photos.

teecee
teecee on February 15, 2005 at 5:09 pm

Newer color picture (or painting):

http://interoz.com/martin.htm