Loew's Crescent Theatre
415 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
415 Church Street,
Nashville,
TN
37219
2 people favorited this theater
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1966 article: 18 Jul 1966, Mon The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) Newspapers.com
Photos album credit The Tennessean, courtesy of Nashville Then: Controversy at the Crescent Cinerama in 1966.
https://www.tennessean.com/media/cinematic/gallery/87957330/nashville-then-controversy-at-the-cresent-cinerama-in-1966/
New Showcase Presentations in Nashville article includes mention of the numerous Cinerama, 70mm and roadshow presentations here and at other Nashville area cinemas.
7/20/66 photo added credit The Tennessean Newspaper.
Loew’s didn’t close the Crescent Theater. It was part of the Martin Theatre Circuit from 1981 until Martin closed it on August 26, 1982 as a sub-run discount double-feature house with the awesome “Kung Fu Zombie” playing with “Chinese Connection.” It remained vacant until demolished in 1994 and was demo’d. Also, for what it’s worth, the Princess didn’t move in 1949. It closed on January 2, 1950 in it its old location. It reopened the Princess with its grand opening on March 22, 1951 with “When You’re Smiling” and “Snow Dog. (Of course, the guessy dates and incorrect info is probably fine, too, if it makes for a better story.)
Ads for all the movies that played at the theatre from 01/23/62 to 11/02/67 – http://incinerama.com/crescent.htm
December 25th, 1959 grand opening ad as well as the Loew’s ad from November 15th, 1967 in photo secton.
Thanks for the link CSWalczac.
This webpage has some details about Cinerama exhibition at the Loew’s Crescent.
Just read on Historic Nashville that the Princess reopened as the Crescent Cinerama on Christmas Day 1959 with a new 45 foot screen.
Thanks to whoever put the photo on this correct page.
Jack Coursey has posted 2 photos of this theatre on Cinema Treasures,but they are posted on the wrong Crescent Theatre page.
Got me.
There a several photos of this theatre posted on this page I wonder how one of them could be posted at the top of the page,with the story of the theatre?
Have you thought of getting on the Nashville Newspaper Archieve just to look at the old ads.I spent two days doing it,Had I had a printer I would have run out of paper,I enjoy writing lists of the Features and putting them on CT.
Good News,Other theatre stuff you have on is great.
I have heard so many Theatre stories like this be it “THE EXORCIST” or “JAWS” but never witnessed it.
We had a midnight showing of the movie “Carrie” first time it was shown in Nashville,of course no one had seen the movie.We had about 400 folks for this screening.At the end of the movie when Amy Irving is putting the flowers on the grave and the arm comes out of the grave about 20 people ran out of the theatre nearly tearing the doors off the hinges and ran out into Church Street.Good this it was about 1:30 A.M. and no traffic.I had never seen such a reaction to a film like that.We ran this show for about 7 weeks.
Still it is a pity Nashville of all places with the Music World someone didn’t think to save one theatre,Guess Aususta is lucky we have Three,Four if you count the ART/Cinema One on lower Broad St.Glad Nick got YOUR great pictures on.
You are right Mike this theatre was also the last Downtown house razed, it was a single level parking lot for many years till the Condo’s were built on the site.The city gets a lot of tax money on a high rise,lots more than a theatre or other building.Thats just the way of the world.Also parking lots make a lot of money for the investment till they sell the land to a developer.
So Nashville,like Charlotte decided it was more important to tear down these classic buildings for parking or office space,what a shame.
So Nashville is like Charlotte in that you guys tore down all the downtown theatres,are is one still open.the Tennessee?
This theatre was that last operating Downtown house in Nashville.
THANKS.
tis,Nick has great Article on the TAMPA THEATRE site.