Earl Smith Strand Theatre

The Strand Theatre opened its doors on September 21, 1935 with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in “Top Hat” (unknown if extras added). Martin Theatres took over the Strand in 1947, followed by the Georgia Theatre Company during the late-1950s. Construction of the Strand lasted seven months with an estimated $150,000, and the theater was built on the site of a former dry goods store and a grocery store that was destroyed by a massive fire on October 31, 1930, that ravaged the northeast corner of the Marietta Square.

The main reason why the Strand Theatre closed as a movie theater in 1976 is because of the theater being purchased by Herbert Goldstein, who converted the inside of the theater into an expansion of Goldstein’s Men & Boys Shop, retaining the original auditorium and other equipment inside. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the original stage, rigging, and severely damaged the original ceiling in 1984. His business would cease after extensive repairs in 1985. The Strand was saved from death when no developer came forward to accept the contract for wrecking in 1986 and a big renovation project was planned by Marietta residents, community activists, and preservationists led by the Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society to reuse the theater as a community civic center. Unfortunately, the renovation project and idea failed unsuccessfully and the Strand became a church under the Liberty Church name throughout the remainder of the 1980s and into the early-1990s.

Between 1993 and 2002, the Strand housed a number of live music ventures. During that time, it housed a Christian music venue, a rock club and bar called The Hangar, and was eventually rechristened as simply “The Strand” in 1997 as it continued to be the primary home for live music in Marietta. A massive renovation project happened in 2002 after being placed on sale for a brief time, led by a group formally organized as Friends of The Strand Inc.

On January 7, 2009, the Strand Theatre reopened its doors as the Earl Smith Strand Theatre after seven years of restoration, renovation, and perfection. Later that same year, Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies selected the Strand Theatre for the World Re-Premiere of “Gone With The Wind” as part of Marietta’s 175th anniversary.

The Earl Smith Strand Theatre can be seen in the Christmas Hallmark movie “Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses” (2019) starring Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis. Also some of the Marietta Square and shops can be seen in the movie.

The Strand has now been opened 2 and ½ years. We have had over 300 events each in 2009 and 2010. This includes our event space and the auditorium. Eve Grey, a local decorator has completely redone our lobby in Tuscan plaster, to include new door finishes, new counter fronts, and a copper paint on the main lobby ceiling. She is a gem and has really brought back a 30s look from the industrial grade work done by the contractor we hired. We now have a wonderful George Wright four manual theatre organ that was a gift to the Atlanta Chapter of ATOS from Tom Hamilton of Columbus, Ohio. This digital theatre organ replica has 24, 90 lb speaker cabinets placed strategically in the four pipe organ chambers that were constructed during our adaptive restortation. Our efforts to restore the pipe organ have fallen aside but this Allen sounds like a million dollars and the console sits on its own scissors lift that rises from the bottom of the orchesta pit 10ft to concert level. We will have had four silent feature length films and a silent comedy complilation (on July 17)plus the organ is used for private events and parties, weddings and for pre-shows of 17 films for our classic film series in 2011. We attempt to screen all of our films like a delux movie theatre would have done with an organ preshow to include sing-a-long, film introduction, raising the grand curtain as the film begins etc. etc. We are struggling to make ends meet during this economy and still owe 1.5 on our construction loan. Earl Reece the Executive Director is a tremendous person and works tirelessly for the theatre. Rentals are down so he is directing and producing several shows himself. Thanks-Ron Carter-Secretary to the Strand Board, Chairman of the Facilities Committee and House Organist.

tislowes and MikeRogers: I see that both of you have provided your email addresses on your profile pages so you both have each others personal email address away from this site. Therefore, please chat about scanners, etc. via your emails rather than here on CT where members are asked to stay on the subject of theatres. Thanks my CT friends.

I have several atricles on this theatre with pictures from the Atlanta papers.

It’s The All Night Strut…sorry.

Chuck: Absolutely awesome photos!

This theatre has undergone a remarkable art deco renovation and I hope to see it this winter along with the Gone With the Wind Museum in Marietta GA.

YES, There was a FAIR OAKS DRIVE IN in Marietta it parked 300 cars not making it real big BANKHEAD DRIVE IN in Atlanta still a nice drive in. The FAIR OAKS was operated by Martin theatres . Marietta also had the MARIETTA DRIVE IN which was larger with room for 425 cars. It was owned by R.E. MARTIN CIR. no info on a Smyrna Drive in. Maybe someone might know about it.

I attended a showing of “The Creature From the Black Lagoon” in 3-D last night(10/22). It was my first time inside the Strand since about 1974. I think the last movie I saw there was “Chinatown”. The theater at this time was definitely showing its age.

The lobby is very different, reminding me of an upscale hotel lobby(very nice). Entering the auditorium, it was as though I had traveled back in time. Although updated, it was essentially the same as I remembered it as a kid going to all those Saturday matinees back in the 1960s.

One of my first impressions, after getting used to big multiplexes with stadium seating, was how small the Strand seemed to be, especially the screen. It didn’t take away from an enjoyable experience at all, and this won’t be the last time I see a movie here.

Here is a 2009 photo.
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If all goes as planned The Strand will re-open in 2008.
Lets keep our fingers crossed.
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That’s great news.