A friend of ours was in the Palace this past spring for his daughter’s graduation from Albany Law School and said this about the theatre……..“IT REMINDED ME OF A DOWN SIZED RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, VERY MUCH THE SAME DESIGN AND PROBABLY BUILT DURING THE SAME ERA.”
The restoration photos provided on the theatre website doesn’t seem to show the ceiling so can’t be sure if it is atmospheric unless someone confirms that it. Thanks.
The marquee photo at the top of this page isn’t how it looks now. I found a photo gallery on the official website and reviewed how it has looked through the years to the present day. Now it looks very similar to its original design.
“The Shea’s was later acquired by the Dipson Theatres chain, which operated it into the late 50s when it was sold to the Bradford Parking Authority and razed in 1961 to make way for a parking lot.” And today I saw with my own eyes while in Bradford PA this very unattractive parking lot! The interior photo posted by ‘lostmemory’ shows the beauty of this theatre that is now lost forever! Such a shame!
I visited Bradford today and the McKean is now a bank parking lot with drive-through windows..such a shame as the interior was beautiful and it hasn’t been that long since it was demolished….late 90’s! Another theatre on South Street, the Shea’s is gone to make way for another PARKING LOT!
I am the Saenger Theatre
I am not built merely of Marble, Mortar and Steel;
but born with a Heart and Soul and a Purpose, like yourself.
I am the creation and the result of a master mind; the disciple of a dreamer
with whom to dream was to do;
I am a reality loved into life.
I receive you with the hospitality of a hostess in her home as I realize my
responsibility to make you comfortable, to refresh you, to throw about you
the mantle of protection, and to entertain you.
Courtesy is ever my creed; hospitality my religion.
I will render every service to my people and in the future that is
stretching
away from us in a vanishing line,
I will stand steadfast upon the principles that endow me.
I accept the responsibility of giving Mobile the utmost in entertainment.
I hope you will take me to your heart and homes, as a friend for good,
to live among you to the end.
I am a Mobile Institution.
I am the Saenger Theatre.
The above quote came from the opening program on January 19, 1927.
“When Mobile’s Saenger Theatre opened on January 19, 1927, it was the 61st in the Saenger Theatre chain founded by JH and AD Saenger of New Orleans, and located throughout the South, as well in Cuba and Puerto Rico.”
Chuck1231: The above photo site shows an exterior roof design that is similar to the Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio which I will be visiting this coming weekend.
I hope that in time we will know the status of this theatre in Biloxi as I haven’t heard much about any theatres on TV though I do realize this is NOT a priority right now.
This is a college town so glad to read that this MS Saenger Theatre has been restored and today operates as a venue ofr live performances (and movies?)though I wonder what the current status is due to Katrina?
A sidenote……I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but the times printed along with our names and dates are not correct as my above post was not posted at 5:47am, but rather at 8:46am.
It’s good to see several CT posts in regards to theatres in N.O. and surrounding areas as the folks and devastation of that region are in our thoughts along with their historical theatres. “The Saenger in New Orleans was the flagship of several Saenger theaters throughout the South.”
Closed? And it’s President Clinton’s hometown…give us ‘hope’ for that theatre! It seems there were many theatres with the name Saenger throughout the Gulf Coast region.
I believe the Penn Theatre and the Butler Theatre were different theatres. If that is the case, I still hope to see a photo of the Butler Theatre.
Sam: It saddens me to think that the orchestra pit no longer exists!
More information about the former theatres of Bradford and other buildings can be found at www.bradfordlandmark.org
Ziggy: I felt that way too when my friend wrote the above quote so thought I’d see what others thought…thanks.
A friend of ours was in the Palace this past spring for his daughter’s graduation from Albany Law School and said this about the theatre……..“IT REMINDED ME OF A DOWN SIZED RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, VERY MUCH THE SAME DESIGN AND PROBABLY BUILT DURING THE SAME ERA.”
Ziggy: Thanks and I look forward to seeing this lovely theatre despite it not being an atmospheric!
After reading the history of the theatre I did see the word, atmospheric!
lostmemory: Some great theatre AND drive-in photos when clicking on “This”…thanks again!
The restoration photos provided on the theatre website doesn’t seem to show the ceiling so can’t be sure if it is atmospheric unless someone confirms that it. Thanks.
Any interior photos of this Eberson atmospheric?
The marquee photo at the top of this page isn’t how it looks now. I found a photo gallery on the official website and reviewed how it has looked through the years to the present day. Now it looks very similar to its original design.
lostmemory: You have a point, but it was so sad to stand before those parking lots and realize what HAD been there!
“The Shea’s was later acquired by the Dipson Theatres chain, which operated it into the late 50s when it was sold to the Bradford Parking Authority and razed in 1961 to make way for a parking lot.” And today I saw with my own eyes while in Bradford PA this very unattractive parking lot! The interior photo posted by ‘lostmemory’ shows the beauty of this theatre that is now lost forever! Such a shame!
I visited Bradford today and the McKean is now a bank parking lot with drive-through windows..such a shame as the interior was beautiful and it hasn’t been that long since it was demolished….late 90’s! Another theatre on South Street, the Shea’s is gone to make way for another PARKING LOT!
OK, Thanks for that Sunday a.m. clarification!
I am the Saenger Theatre
I am not built merely of Marble, Mortar and Steel;
but born with a Heart and Soul and a Purpose, like yourself.
I am the creation and the result of a master mind; the disciple of a dreamer
with whom to dream was to do;
I am a reality loved into life.
I receive you with the hospitality of a hostess in her home as I realize my
responsibility to make you comfortable, to refresh you, to throw about you
the mantle of protection, and to entertain you.
Courtesy is ever my creed; hospitality my religion.
I will render every service to my people and in the future that is
stretching
away from us in a vanishing line,
I will stand steadfast upon the principles that endow me.
I accept the responsibility of giving Mobile the utmost in entertainment.
I hope you will take me to your heart and homes, as a friend for good,
to live among you to the end.
I am a Mobile Institution.
I am the Saenger Theatre.
The above quote came from the opening program on January 19, 1927.
“When Mobile’s Saenger Theatre opened on January 19, 1927, it was the 61st in the Saenger Theatre chain founded by JH and AD Saenger of New Orleans, and located throughout the South, as well in Cuba and Puerto Rico.”
Chuck1231: The above photo site shows an exterior roof design that is similar to the Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio which I will be visiting this coming weekend.
I hope that in time we will know the status of this theatre in Biloxi as I haven’t heard much about any theatres on TV though I do realize this is NOT a priority right now.
This is a college town so glad to read that this MS Saenger Theatre has been restored and today operates as a venue ofr live performances (and movies?)though I wonder what the current status is due to Katrina?
A sidenote……I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but the times printed along with our names and dates are not correct as my above post was not posted at 5:47am, but rather at 8:46am.
It’s good to see several CT posts in regards to theatres in N.O. and surrounding areas as the folks and devastation of that region are in our thoughts along with their historical theatres. “The Saenger in New Orleans was the flagship of several Saenger theaters throughout the South.”
Closed? And it’s President Clinton’s hometown…give us ‘hope’ for that theatre! It seems there were many theatres with the name Saenger throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Would like to see a photo of this art deco theatre.
Cinema Tours lists this theatre as atmospheric, too!?!
The exterior dome on this theatre is really quite an architectural masterpiece!