East Point Theatre
1493 Jefferson Avenue,
East Point,
GA
30344
1493 Jefferson Avenue,
East Point,
GA
30344
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Russell Theatre
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Listed as being located at 116 Jefferson Avenue (since re-numbered?). The Russell Theatre was opened on October 1, 1940 with Tyrone Power in “Johnny Apollo”. Part of either the Georgia or Story Theatre chain, the Russell Theatre was a charming little neighborhood theatre where moms would drop their kids off for the Saturday matinee, assured that whatever was being screened would meet with their approval. The Russell Theatre was still operating in 1952. It was later renamed East Point Theatre (not to be confused with the East Point Theatre located at 314 N. Church Street). After the theatre closed, a pipe organ was installed in auditorium and the site was used for private screenings and events. Both the theatre and the entire block it resided on were demolished in sometime during the late-1970’s and early-1980’s.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey
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Recent comments (view all 37 comments)
Here is another one.
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Newspaper ad from August 1964 along with a write up about the feature opening that day:
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Here is a vintage movie ad
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Is this a photo taken after the fire that destroyed the adjacent buildings?
Brings back a lot of great memories. I worked at the East Point Theater in 1969 and 1970 while attending Russell High. Ms King was the manager at the time. I changed that marquee many times every Wednesday.
RIP Joe Patton who once owned the East Point in the early 70’s was trying to restore it and install a theatre organ passed away yesterday April 7th 2016. He stopped restoration to save the Fox Atlanta in 1974
RIP Joe “Phantom of The Fox”
Famous music producer/recording engineer Eddy Offord purchased and set up a studio in an Atlanta theater; the address I found was 1493 Jefferson Ave. Of particular note, he recorded The Dregs' album “Industry Standard” there from Nov. of 1981 to January of 1982. Are there any photos of the theater from this time period? Would this have been the Russell Theater? Are there property records that would show his purchase? Thanks for any answers.
This would have been the place! Sometime after the theatre closed, someone, maybe Joe Patton, did some major upgrades to the interior. The site was supposedly used for private functions and screenings. I am not sure as to when Mr. Offord took over the property or what further modifications he made to the place but, as with you, would love to see some interior shots. The Russell was the original name of the East Point Theatre.
This opened on October 1st, 1940 as Russell. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
It seems funny but the East Point Theater held more people than the original auditorium at Lenox Square. Also the auditorium of the East Point was nicer.