Loew's Vendome Theatre
615 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
615 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 72 comments
Will Dunklin, thank you for posting the information on the Wurlitzer! I enjoyed the update.
Transcribed from The Nashville Banner, Sunday, March 7, 1926, page 31.
New Pipe Organ at Loew’s Makes Debut Monday
The Wurlitzer pipe organ which has been installed at Loew’s Vendome theater in the record time of nine days will make its debut to Nashville’s motion picture fans Monday. Featuring the first week’s life of the instrument will be a prelude with the orchestra “Prelude in C Sharp Minor” by Sergi (sic) Rachmaninoff. In this prelude the entire organ will be used to give a greater effect. Miss Colyar and Mrs. B. T. Sheetz will be the organists.
While in no way detracting from the orchestra the new instrument at Loew’s will be able to give orchestral effects which are found in few organs. From the ripple of a brook breaking over pebbles in its bed to the thunder and crash of a storm or the roar of guns and cannon the new organ will be capable of playing to a picture—not being content to just “play music” during the run.
The same type organ as has been installed at Loew’s is playing to the crowds at large Eastern and Western houses and the local theater is to be congratulated on this step of increased efficiency.
Thanks for reminding me- hard to believe the fire was fifty years ago. Wait a minute! That must mean I was fifty years younger! Where did all those years go?
The Nashville Tennessean ran a slideshow to commemorate the anniversary of the fire on August 9, 1967. Link
An advertisement for Nashville’s new Theatre Vendome, then under construction, appeared in a December, 1886, issue of The New York Mirror and listed the architects as J. D. McElfatrick & Sons.
September 12th, 1902 grand reopening ad also in photo section.
October 3, 1887 grand opening ad in photo section.
This is slightly off topic, but just across the street. There was a man who had a newsstand at the side of Armstrong’s at Church and Capitol Blvd for years. Some time in the fifties he was run off the streets by a bunch of old ladies who were offended that he sold girlie magazines. For a while he moved to a store on Commerce Street but without the foot traffic didn’t last long. Can anyone tell me his name or what became of him?
Joe: You may be a year off. The Vendome burned Jan 2, 1902 and reopened Sept 12, 1902.
The Vendome Theatre was substantially rebuilt in 1901 to the plans of architect Tignal Franklin Cox, who had recently moved his office from New Orleans to Chicago. A photo of the Vendome’s original facade can be seen on page 10 of this PDF file, a short biography of Frank Cox by his great-granddaughter, Robin Yonish.
The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol.1, page 410, by David Junchen, published 1985, lists a Moller Theatre Pipe Organ, Opus 2812, as orignally being installed in 1919. Three manuals/sixteen ranks costing approximately $6,000.00.
The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol.4, known more as the ‘Wurlitzer Illustrated History’ volume, page 660, completed and published in 2005 after organman David Junchen’s death, lists a Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, Opus 1268, as being installed February 8, 1926, and being a Style H Special, which I believe to have been a three manual organ with probably more ranks than were on the Moller it replaced.
I remember when Loew’s burned. Even though it’s been a long time ago I can’t forget the marquee proclaiming “The Dirty Dozen..Hottest Picture in Town.”
Nice photo of this theatre was posted by Tinseltoes on the photo page today.I have that same photo but it from a newspaper and not as clear.
From what i have read Loews bought this theatre in 1920 and ran it till it burned in August 1967.
@Tinseltoes: That could be possible. Thanks.
Thats a good story Dave.
There’s an old Nashville story of which several versions have been told. Put simply it has been said that when Emma Abbott (mentioned above) was here to open the new Vendome, she went to Sunday service at McKendree Methodist in the next block and was shocked to hear the minister attack the opening of the new theater and the acting profession in general. The story goes that Miss Abbott rose to her feet and defended her profession and the people in it. Varying reactions from the congregation have been reported. Some claim that when the closing hymn was sung, everyone else remained silent so they could hear Miss Abbott’s voice.
Hello, maybe someone is able to help me: I have an old booklet from “Phantom of The Opera” (the silent movie). On the back there is stated: “Loew’s Vendome, Feb. 1st”. So I guess, this booklet is from the Loew’s Vendome, showing the movie. Does someone know the year ? I tried to find this information in the net, but sadly was not able to.
Thanks for any help!
Dragon013
Interesting bookman. I think a number of theatres, and information from the former site, are not here > which is unfortunate.
DavePrice….I agree with you! I was searching for a page devoted to the Orpheum & was shocked that I could not find it here!! Maybe they would let you make that contribution! BTW…..I have a “Quarterly Pass” that was issued to my grandfather, Nashville Tennessean writer T.H. Alexander (1891-1941). This pass states that the Orpheum was the place for Photo-Plays. This one expired July 1, 1915 and was signed by the Manager at the Orpheum: Ray Shelton! If I had your email, I would send you a scan of this pass. I enjoy reading your comments, Dave!
Hudson Alexander
Franklin, Tennessee
email:
Marcus Loew was born on this date in 1870.
Oh God, tisloews, don’t tell me you follow football.
Thanks Dave and TheatreOrgan, The Nashville guys are on tonight,and the Titans are winning at half-time 17-0.
That was the stage door of the Orpheum facing the Capitol Blvd side of the Knickerbocker. The front of the Orpheum faced 7th Avenue and there’s the rub. The Orph was opened as a vaudeville theater and vaude depended on foot traffic out front. No one ever walked up or down 7th Ave except to get uphill to the YMCA or downhill to Church Street. There was no crowd of people as there was on Church Street and so they failed as a venue for vaude.
It was then decided to make it a playhouse, in other words they booked roadshows of various kinds and in that role they prospered for a number of years. Stock companies presenting several plays, minstrel shows, magic shows, light opera companies and the occasional cinematic production were booked into the old Orpheum. Older Nashvillians know that during the Great Depression the Edward Bellamy Players went broke at the Orpheum and Mrs. Inez Bassett Alder bought the props and wardrobe for the Hume-Fogg dramatic department.
You are correct tisloews, as I have that postcard.