Fox Theatre

Originally constructed as the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque to be used as the headquarters for the Shriner’s organization from 1925. The site was taken over by Fox Theatres chain and turned into the magnificent Fox Theatre which opened on December 25, 1929 with George O'Brien & Helen Chandler in “Salute”. On the stage was a Fanchon & Marco ‘Idea’ named “Beach Nights”. Female organist Iris Wilkins opened the Moller wonder organ. Today, it is one of the best kept, best loved and luxurious of the world’s movie palaces. Its legendary status has been born from initial hardship.

The inauguration of the building as The Fox met with the commencement of the Depression. The Fox Theatre, it seemed, was doomed to fail. After a few short years of delighting Atlanta crowds with films and shows, the Fox Theatre declared bankruptcy and closed.

The city gained brief ownership of the Fox Theatre and the theatre regained its footing. By 1936 it was operated by Lucas & Jenkins Inc., an affiliate of Publix. By the early-1940’s it was operated by Paramount-Wilby-Kincey-Theater Circuit. The 1960’s hit the theatre hard like many others around the country. The proliferation of television, suburban attractions/distractions and other economic forces began to take a toll on the viability of the Fox Theatre as a movie palace. The Fox’s glory days lasted until 1973. It screened its last movie, Lee Marvin in “The Klansman” on January 2, 1975.

A non-profit group saved the Fox Theatre from demolition and in 1975, the group began the lengthy process of restoring the theatre. In 1976 the theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was named a National Historic Landmark. Reopening the theatre as a performing arts center, the Fox’s financial situation is now much more sound. Its first movie since closing was in June 1978 when Charlton Heston in “Ben Hur” was screened in 70mm. The projection equipment was transferred from the Loew’s Grand Theatre.

Constant restoration and upkeep have kept the Fox Theatre looking new and have helped retain its status as a truly unique and magnificent theatre. The Fox Theatre is reportedly the only major theatre in the country to have a full-time restoration staff. They are also the only major theatre to have 2 ballrooms attached in the original building (this is as it was on opening day in 1929).

Recent comments (view all 129 comments)

bobbymagee41 on August 8, 2016 at 8:25 pm

I was there in the summer of 1976 and watched Lynard Skynard perform live. And when you listen to Freebird live that’s when he say’s “Play it pretty for Atlanta”.Forrest Gump moment moment of my life, everytime I hear that song I think of the red velvet chairs and the white brick walls and the huge stage and Lynard Skynard playing Freebird and Sweet Home Alabama.

spectrum on December 4, 2017 at 1:29 pm

The Fox’s webpage has their technical specifications manual which has a lot of tech details about the theatre and stage facilities, as well as partial floor plans. It can be accessed here:

https://foxtheatre.org/general-information/technical-package/

Proscenium opening is 79 feet wide and stage depth from fire curtain to back wall is 34 feet 7 inches.

rivest266 on April 2, 2018 at 4:51 pm

Grand opening ad in the photo section and below:

Fox theatre opening · Sun, Dec 22, 1929 – 47 · The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Newspapers.com

MSC77 on May 9, 2018 at 6:06 pm

New article out on Atlanta’s large format and roadshow history. The Fox’s numerous Summer Film Festival screenings get plenty of coverage in the piece.

MarkDHite on May 19, 2018 at 5:03 pm

Any news of the new 70mm print of 2001:A Space Odyssey appearing at the Fox this summer?

DavidZornig on September 10, 2018 at 11:15 pm

1929 image in below Atlanta History Center link.

http://atlantahistorycenter.tumblr.com/post/28907821763/1929-view-of-atlantas-fox-theatre-browse-and

DavidZornig on December 12, 2019 at 9:15 pm

90th anniversary and highest grossing venue of it’s size worldwide for a decade.

https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/fox-theatre-earns-recognition-top-venue-its-size-for-the-decade-worldwide/7EwbMXNKp2LemKxmnU6rWN/?fbclid=IwAR0R4ZxT-AgleRI-N5cueCcadXJpR6y5RA8iXoM3gEz5Nmsja4XzdD0l_YY

Mike (saps) on April 25, 2020 at 10:19 am

Take a look at this long, detailed and generously illustrated article from CNN

MSC77 on November 12, 2021 at 8:24 pm

Disney’s “Song of the South” had its world premiere here 75 years ago today.

bvanwinkle on May 24, 2025 at 12:52 pm

In 1976, it was named a National Historic Landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Saved and restored, it hosted former president Jimmy Carter’s 2024 one-hundredth birthday event, seating 4,665.