Alabama Theatre

1817 3rd Avenue N,
Birmingham, AL 35203

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Related Websites

The Alabama Theatre - Showplace of the South (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: ABC Southeastern Theatres, Paramount Pictures Inc., Paramount-Publix, Plitt Theatres

Architects: Anker Sverre Graven, Arthur Guy Mayger

Firms: Graven & Mayger

Functions: Movies, Performing Arts

Styles: Moorish, Spanish Baroque

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 205.251.0418
Manager: 205.252.2262

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News About This Theater

Aug 10, 2013 — Looking back at Alabama movie palaces

Opened on December 25, 1927 by Paramount-Publix, with Esther Ralston in “Spotlight” on the screen, a stage show and featured a 4 manual Wurlitzer organ played by organist Joe Alexander. The 2,250-seat Alabama Theatre was a first-rate movie palace for nearly 55 years. Like so many of the great movie palaces, this classic theatre needed repair and could no longer afford its overhead.

In 1987, the owners declared bankruptcy and the theatre was purchased by a non-profit corporation which has turned the classic theatre into a performing arts center. The Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts now showcases live shows and even a few films.

In 1998, the Alabama Theatre underwent an extensive restoration and has been returned to its former glory.

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Recent comments (view all 48 comments)

CSWalczak on August 23, 2010 at 5:40 am

Cecil Whitmire, a former organist at this theater and the man credited with leading the efforts to get it restored, passed away recently; story here: View link

wally 75 on December 12, 2010 at 7:58 am

I was watching GAC 12/11/10…The Gaithers had a show that was taped in 2000….What a theatre!

davidfhale on November 10, 2011 at 10:16 pm

The Birmingham Rewound link has changed, this should work for now.

Lots of info and photos on the Alabama and other Bham theatres. Seems like the Melba was demolished.

http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/bham_theaters.htm

DavidZornig on September 26, 2017 at 4:55 pm

Sign update.

http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/09/alabama_theatre_launches_campa.html

DavidZornig on November 15, 2017 at 10:09 pm

6 images added.

DavidZornig on December 30, 2017 at 4:27 am

Current article about sign replacement with multiple photos.

http://www.alabamanewscenter.com/2017/12/28/119293/

DavidZornig on January 31, 2019 at 2:47 pm

3rd Avenue vertical sign now to be refurbished.

https://www.al.com/life/2019/01/alabama-theatre-sign-to-be-taken-down-and-refurbished.html?fbclid=IwAR2hKsYKMFUgsLkVZRo_ue2YP3TFc323cS8MvAOowA_iH6ewq5e_G15fBAI