Empire Theatre
129 Orange Avenue,
Daytona Beach,
FL
32114
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: E.J. Sparks Theatres, Florida State Theaters Inc., Paramount Pictures Inc.
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Vivian Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The 1,200-seat Vivian Theatre was opened on September 11, 1922 with Jackie Coogan in “Trouble”. It was equipped with a Robert-Morton 2 manual organ. It was renamed Empire Theatre on November 26, 1931 with seating still listed at 1,200. The theatre was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary E.J. Sparks and later by Florida State Theatres.
The Empire Theatre was destroyed by a fire on the evening of April 2, 1956 and the remains have since been demolished.
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Apparently it was destroyed by fire in 1956 as evidenced by this photo.
Address in header is incorrect. Please change to 129 Orange Ave. Verified correct location with theatre ad in Daytona Beach Morning Journal.
See front page for article on fire that destroyed theatre on April 2, 1956: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=OWslULmvb_UC&dat=19560403&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Multiple fire photos here.
https://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/27492.html
I am finding several references to this originally being the Vivian Theatre at the same address and opening prior to 1929. Maybe the Empire name began in 1935?
1929 photo as Vivian Theatre added courtesy Harry Smith. Promotion for “Street Girl”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Girl
The Vivian theatre opened on September 11th, 1922 and reopened as Empire on November 26th, 1931. Closed 1956. The theatre was named after the daughter of owner H. T. Titus, Vivian. Grand opening ads posted.