Grady Theatre
166 S. Broad Street,
Cairo,
GA
39828
166 S. Broad Street,
Cairo,
GA
39828
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The Grady Theatre was the first regular movie theatre in Cairo, Georgia. The building was originally a bank, but was added on to and the front redone. It opened in the silent era. The last owner was Dunn Family Theatres. It closed in 1956 and the building remained vacant and unchanged until the early-1960’s when it was gutted and made into a retail store. The marquee was used a the sign for the store but was removed when a semi truck hit it. The building is now used for a lawyers office.
When the building was being renovated for use an an office, the original tile floor the foyer was uncovered in perfect condition, but was again covered with carpet. Tearing down of fake walls revealed the original showcases. Above the suspended ceiling was the original ceiling of the lobby. Timbers that held up the balcony were still in place as well as the ceiling of the projection booth with the asbestos ceiling in place. Sockets for wall sconces were still in place.
The wall sconces, exit signs and other light fixtures were removed by the Dunn family when they closed the theatre. These fixtures are now in my possession.
Contributed by
Larry Bearden
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
I’d like to add that Uncle Ellison Dunn’s wife, Aunt Olive, played the piano (organ?) during the showing of the silent movies. Are there no pictures?
Back in the early 1950’s, my dad would give me 50 cents on Saturday & I would pay 15 cents to go to the Zebulon Theatre and watch a movie, cartoon and serial. I would purchase a popcorn for 5 cents and a soda for 5 cents. After that, I would walk across the railroad track and pay 10 cents for a ticket to the Grady Theatre and watch another movie, cartoon and serial. I would buy a snow cone for 5 cents, another popcorn for 5 cents and a candy bar. That’s what 50 cents would get a young kid for a fun Saturday afternoon.