Martin Theatre
85 Ocoee Street,
Cleveland,
TN
37311
85 Ocoee Street,
Cleveland,
TN
37311
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From the Nashville morning newspaper “The Tennessean,” September 6, 1927 page 3
NEW PRINCESS THEATER AT CLEVELAND OPENED
Special Musical Program is given by Cole
Cleveland, Tenn., Sept. 5 - The new Princess theater was officially opened today. The picture presented is “Convoy” and there was a special musical program by Leon Cole of Nashville on the fine, golden voice Kimball pipe organ.
This addition to Cleveland’s business houses is bing made by the Crescent Amusements Company of Nashville of which Tony Sudekum is president.
Attention to the theatre is commanded by the attritive front of the building with its electric sign of 600 lights. The sign includes three in one, the largest across the front of the marquisa (sic!) and one across each end. In the lobbies an artistic effect has been introduced by the decorators. The outside lobby with tiled floor has walls decorated in harmonies colors.
The inside lobby harmonizes with the outer lobby in decorative scheme and is lighted by chandeliers of bronze design. The motif of the interior decorations is similar to those used in the leading theatres of America carrying out the ideas of the Crescent Amusement Company’s own decor * -ator. Mural decorations are in * panel effect with the outstanding color being blue. The ceiling is *(word indecipherable, possibly ‘festooned’) in brown and the lighting is both from ceiling and candle effects for the walls, making a most artistic arrangement.
The wings are hung with heavy blue drapes, trimmed with dull gold fringe. Similar drapes are used for the stage curtain. The seats are the latest improved theatre chairs with cushions and backs of leather and are the last word in comfort. An orchestra pit provides space for both the organ and an orchestra.
The Princess was erected by the Summer Construction Company for the Crescent Amusement Company at a cost of $100,000.
From Nashville’s morning newspaper “The Tennessean” August 7, 1927 page 7:
New Sudekum Playhouse Nears Completion
Cleveland, Tenn., Aug. 6 - With the arrival here of the $10,000 pipe organ for the new theater being built by the Crescent Amusement Company of Nashville the handsome show house being erected takes a forward step towards its completion for a formal opening on Labor Day September 5.
Tony and Harry Sudekum, president and secretary by the company, were in Cleveland Wednesday being accompanied by the company’s interior decorator, who started work on the interior of the building immediately. As soon as the interior is completed the organ will be installed by R. J, Hatch, expert organ builder, who manages all work of this kind for the Crescent company.
The organ is a two manuel with electric action and has, in addition to the regular stops chimes, xylophone, orchestral bells, and harp attachment.
Robert L. George and Mitchell T. Kinder’s book Cleveland says that the Princess Theatre opened on September 3, 1927. The Martin closed on October 14, 1972.
This theatre stands today….houses the United Way offices directly behind the Cleveland Summit.
I recently acquired the ledger book from 1954 that shows the accounting for all movies shown at the Princess Theater that year. Shows employees, income, expenses, how many pounds of popcorn sold…. etc. Neat find. Calvin Harvey was the owner.
Cool photo.
Trouble in May 1958:
Manager Arrested
CLEVELAND, Tenn (UPI) – Calvin Harvey, manager of the Princess Theater, will go on trial May 26 on charges the movie “And God Created Women” shown at his theater was obscene. Police arrested Harvey Friday at the end of the film’s five-day run.
By chance were either the Princess or the Bohemia part of Craigmile Hall? Craigmile was at one time a live theatre and am curious to know if it ever was a cinema?