Sylvan Theatre
898 Dill Avenue SW,
Atlanta,
GA
30310
898 Dill Avenue SW,
Atlanta,
GA
30310
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The Sylvan Theatre was one of the off base theatres built in the area of Ft McPherson and opened March 14, 1939 with Wallace Beery in “Treasure Island”. Between 1935 and 1950 the other theatres in the area included the Fairfax Theatre, the Russell Theatre and the Gordon Theatre).
The Sylvan Theatre was still open in 1956, but had closed by 1957.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
Do you know if the building that housed this theater is still standing? Although I remember the movie theater that was actually on the Fort McPherson Base, I don’t believe that I ever knew this theater. Was it in the vicinity of Sylvan High School?
Do you have any idea of the years of operation?
There seems to have been a group of Atlanta movie theaters that closed before I had a conscious memory. Learning about them almost amounts to archaeology!
I do not know if the building still exist, but the address is still good and I think it was north of the high school. Will check it out next time I’m in Marthasville and let ya’ll know my findings.
The Sylvan was listed under the heading of Community Theatres in the July 29, 1945 edition of the Atlanta Constitution. I do not know if this was the name of a circuit or just a label stating the Sylvan was a community theatre.
Sounds like it was literally a community theater at one time. That means it might have served as a venue for amateur theatricals put on my members of the community and possibly as a meeting hall for social groups. Of course, it still might have fucntioned as a movie theater at one time. Hopefully, someone who actually remembers it can fill us in.
It’s worth remembering that theaters go through transitions. The Loew’s Grand and the Erlanger Theatre on Peachtree Street were built as opera houses. Atlanta even had burlesque theaters back in the 1930’s!
Here is a photo from April 2007 of what remains of the Sylvan Theatre.
Sylvan Theatre. Located at Slyvan Road and Dill Avenue. Opened the week of March 12, 1939, Built for George F. Longino, a College Park Banker, operated by East Point Amusement Company an interest of Lucus and Jenkins. Seating for 500.
After the Sylvan opened, my brother and I quit patronizing the West End Theater and went to the Sylvan, where for 9 cents for one under 12 years, you got a Saturday matinee with 2 features, 4 cartoons, newsreel and a serial. Before the movie, the sound system played “South”, “Tuxedo Junction” or other popular records. On the way to the Sylvan, we often stopped at nearby Gordon Foods and for 5 cents bought a large bag of either damaged iced cakes or potato chips to eat at the movie.
I would love to have a photo of the Sylvan if anyone has one.
Is this it?
This opened on March 14th, 1939. Grand opening article and ad in the photo section and below.