The Princess was torn down about 1972 to make way for a parking lot. It was razed during the same urban renewal sweep that destroyed the Strand and the Lowe’s State: a dark time when about 10 blocks of historic buildings, mom & pop businesses and several churches were lost to “progress.” The empty wasteland remained for 20 years. Only in the 1990’s did redevelopment take hold on the south side of downtown.
Spent many many happy evenings at the Fare Four and later the Fare Eight. It was built as a four plex as part of a larger entertainment and dining complex. There was a sort of food-court-sans-mall next door called “The World’s Fare” which didn’t fare well at went out of business fairly quick. The Fare Four showed art-house films in the 1980s and 1990s. The auditoriums kept getting smaller as they were cut down to make more screens. It was something of a mess when I last saw the hall in 1992. The original decor was completely forgettable.
Old newspaper ads refer to the Majestic #1 and #2 and also the OLD Majestic #1 and #2. I infer there were actually 4 theatres operating simultaneously with the same name! In the book “Nickelodeon Theatres and Their Music” there is a photo of a Majestic Theatre in Memphis, but the theatre in the photo is most definately not the building that survives on South Main Street.
Across the street was the Strand Theatre (razed) and the Loew’s State (razed). In the next block north was the Pantages (a.k.a. Warner, razed). In the next block south was the Princess (razed) and the Orpheum (still operating).
I was in the Linden Circle during the mid-1980’s when it was a short-lived, low-end antique-junk store. The seats had been unbolted and piled at the small stage end. There were vestiges of older decor visible behind art-deco era remodling.
The auditorium was broad with no balcony. The lobby sloped upward and lead past the adjacent store fronts.
The Linden Circle at one time had a 3 manual theatre organ originally at the Loew’s Buffalo. Last I heard, that organ was in a Baptist church in Jackson Tennessee minus its toys and percussions.
About 1990 the art-deco marquee and the vaguely Spanish front were covered in vinyl siding (!) in a mis-guided attempt to dress up the block.
I was told that the Suzores lived in an apartment above this theatre into the 1960’s and that there was a photoplayer still sitting at the front of the hall at that late date. That would imply the theatre dated from the silent era. When I saw the site it was a weedy lot: the building completely gone.
Everything I’ve heard about the Strand was exactly as you describe. The “era-of-four-Majestics” would have been around World War One, which made me think that the Strand MIGHT have been one of the later Majestics, renamed in the 1920’s.
By the time I was in Memphis, the Strand’s site had been a parking lot for years. It was interesting (and a little heartbreaking) to be able to see the scars the old theatre had left on the adjacent building: you could clearly see where the stairs and balcony had been.
WHW excellent description! Thanks. In my (limited) research on Memphis theatres I’ve come across several references to the Majestic #1 and #2 and also the NEW Majestic #1 and #2. I infer there were actually 4 theatres called Majestic at one time. I’ve wondered if the building last known as the Strand was one of these. There is a Majestic theatre still standing nearly across from where the Strand stood. It is now a brew-pub. It was adjacent to the Hotel Gayoso and Goldsmiths.
Sad news: the Crosstown’s finest exterior feature, the grand vertical sign (with its miles of neon) has been taken down by the church that has owned the building since about 1977. That sign first spelled C-R-O-S-S-T-O-W-N, and then in another color it would say CROSS-TOWN and then in a third color it would say CROSSTOWN. It hasn’t run in decades, but it was visible for blocks and blocks. Happily, the building still stands and word is that the interior is well cared for.
I didn’t think that sounded right. First, symphony musicians don’t leave their instruments in the theatre (even for just over night) and second, the symphony’s season hadn’t opened when the storm hit. The musicians were not working in the theatre at that time.
The link to the NPR archives and their excellent report on the musicians of the Louisiana Philharmonic is:
The report only states that the timpani were left in the Orpheum’s basement. Maybe it was Fox News reporting that “hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of precious peices were lost in the bowls of the theatre.” It certainly wasn’t in this report from the * ahem* treacherous, liberal media.
I agree, as a musician I can’t imagine anyone leaving his/her instrument in the performance hall: most don’t really like leaving their instruments out of sight during intermission! The theatre’s music library was in the basement and no doubt those “pieces” were lost. Leaving musical instruments in the Orpheum’s basement doesn’t ring true at all.
WHW, I realize it’s been a long time, but I’d really like to hear you describe the theatre. I only saw it after it had closed. Anything at all you can remember would be welcome.
Yes, best wishes.
Oops, wait, this is confusing. It’s the Summer Drive-In (closed in 1966) that was owned by Kemmons Wilson. Sorry about the confusion. Haven’t had my coffee yet.
lostmemory, thanks for a VERY interesting link. I’d never heard of the Summer Avenue Drive-In. You’ll notice on the link (above) that it was partly owned by Kemmons Wilson. He’s much more famous as the creator and owner of the Holiday Inn chain. If I’m not mistaken, one of the first Holiday Inns (if not the very first) was on Summer Avenue not too far from the Drive-In.
WHW: ahh, what’s in a name? Southwestern or Rhodes, it’s still a jewel architecturally and a fine fine academic institution. I lived right behind the campus when I worked at the Orpheum (formerly the Malco). Memphis may have many problems, but your old Alma Mater is one of the brighter spots.
Joe, thanks for the grin. A subscription to Variety is so expensive I’ve never taken it regularly: only pick up an occassional issue. On the subject of “Slanguage” I bow to your greater knowledge and will follow the link you provided. Jack, I don’t know if AIA keeps an “opus list” for its members but suspect not. The Cinema Treasures lists can be sorted by architect though and provides a wonderful starting point for research. The webmaster here and the support team have done a wonderful job with this site. Can’t compliment them enough!
Jack, tisk, tisk, tisk: “hard top” as opposed to “atmospheric.” Patsy, John Eberson developed a style of movie palace architecture inwhich the plaster ceiling was a dark blue dome representing the sky, the side walls were designed with highly orate “exterior” details to create the impression that the audience was sitting in an open courtyard. The sky would have twinkling stars and clouds floating past, the court yard would have trees, shubs, birds and vines (all fake of course). Eberson’s name became synonomous (sp?) with what he called the “atmospheric style.” He did design more traditional theatres, the Nashville Paramount for example. When talking about one of his non-atmospheric theatres one describes them, with tongue firmly in cheek, as a hard-top. Eberson’s career was long and fruitful. He was designing theatres at least into the 1950’s. He may have even designed drive-ins (don’t know).
The Cinema Treasures lists can be sorted by architect. Give it a try and look up some of Eberson’s halls. There will be lots of examples. He really was one of the best.
Talked with 2 members of the Louisiana Philharmonic this weekend. The Orpheum is the orchestra’s home. What they’ve heard about the Orpheum is that water got just over the top of the stage. The lobby is slightly higher than the stage so it may have been mostly spared. The basement including the mechanical areas, electrical meters and switch gear, the 1950’s era Westinghouse chillers for the ac and the heat exchangers are likely ruined and will require replacement. It was all old and needing replacement anyway. The smoke vents in the stagehouse roof were blown off so the curtains and lights were all soaked. Otherwise, wind damage to the theatre appears to be minimal.
The good news is that all members of the orchestra are safe and with friends and family. They will travel from the 4-corners of the country to play a benefit concert in Nashville in the coming weeks.
Glad to see so much discussion of the lovely Tennessee Theatre. The photo that “lostmemory” has posted is an excellent image of the marquee that was removed in the recent renovation. It was a handsome 1950’s era sign. The current one is much more baroque – recreating the original 1928 design with only a few modern touches. Best to all.
jodigirl: You can call the theatre and ask for either Becky (the manager) or Tim (the technical director). Both have access to extensive photos of the theatre before, during and after the renovation. Who knows, might even have a photo of your husband there. I’ve sat on that bench many times but I don’t think it’s historic – betting it was brought to the theatre in the 1960’s. My opinion only, Tim or Becky will know for sure.
Chuck’s photos (above) are quite nice – shows the theatre just before the recent renovation. This marqee was removed and a duplicate of the original installed along with a new vertical sign.
If memory serves, the Saenger’s stage is below sidewalk level. Sad to think that even with the console fully raised, it might still be completely submerged.
Fondly remember movies seen here during the ‘70’s – Jaws and the Rocky Horror Picture Show (some 50 times) among others – but couldn’t recall a single detail of the building. Always liked this one better than the Cinema North for some reason, but again, don’t remember why.
This hall operated as the Loew’s Melrose during the 1960’s. Gone is the tall pylon which stood on top of the marquee. Wasn’t there was a bowling alley at the other end of the shopping center. I particularly remember a donut shop next door. Went to see “The AristoCats” here with mom as a little kid. When I was old enough to go to the movies on my own, it was closed.
Let me add a couple of other memories of this magnificent building. As I noted above, the building had been built without airconditioning. Air was pulled through the auditorium ceiling grills, through the attic and exhausted by a pair of enormous fans standing above the projection booth. If I had to guess, I’d say the fans were 10 feet in diameter. These were not squirrel cage fans, but fans reminscent of farm windmills. There was a single 100 hp motor on a concrete pedistal belted to the two fans. The controller was mounted right there at the motor. I can’t imagine what it must have been like, standing there, adjusting the fan speed, with those giant blades spinning only 3 feet away.
Back at the sidewalk, there was a neo-classical/Adam-esque frieze around the recessed entry: a greek procession with girls in diaphanous gowns and men in togas – you know the type. Though it had been subsequently painted over in white, it was obvious that it had originally been vividly polychormed.
The box office was a free-standing kiosk with a stained glass dome roof. It was supposedly removed and sent to a mall somewhere as an information booth. It was removed intact before the wrecking ball went to work at least.
The last marquee was of the Loew’s streamlined/neon variety but the original had been a arched-top design, something like the Times Square Paramount’s.
The orchestra pit had been floored over, probably when the balcony boxes were cut away for Cinerama.
Rumor was that the building sat on a 99 year ground lease and that the rent was a fixed $660.00 a month.
The architect was B. Marcus Priteca. The Pantages opened in 1920 or 1921 to compete with Loew’s two new Thomas Lamb theatres – both within a block of this hall. The newspaper reviews of the opening were glowing in their review of the decor and the fine acoustics.
The Princess was torn down about 1972 to make way for a parking lot. It was razed during the same urban renewal sweep that destroyed the Strand and the Lowe’s State: a dark time when about 10 blocks of historic buildings, mom & pop businesses and several churches were lost to “progress.” The empty wasteland remained for 20 years. Only in the 1990’s did redevelopment take hold on the south side of downtown.
Spent many many happy evenings at the Fare Four and later the Fare Eight. It was built as a four plex as part of a larger entertainment and dining complex. There was a sort of food-court-sans-mall next door called “The World’s Fare” which didn’t fare well at went out of business fairly quick. The Fare Four showed art-house films in the 1980s and 1990s. The auditoriums kept getting smaller as they were cut down to make more screens. It was something of a mess when I last saw the hall in 1992. The original decor was completely forgettable.
Old newspaper ads refer to the Majestic #1 and #2 and also the OLD Majestic #1 and #2. I infer there were actually 4 theatres operating simultaneously with the same name! In the book “Nickelodeon Theatres and Their Music” there is a photo of a Majestic Theatre in Memphis, but the theatre in the photo is most definately not the building that survives on South Main Street.
Across the street was the Strand Theatre (razed) and the Loew’s State (razed). In the next block north was the Pantages (a.k.a. Warner, razed). In the next block south was the Princess (razed) and the Orpheum (still operating).
I was in the Linden Circle during the mid-1980’s when it was a short-lived, low-end antique-junk store. The seats had been unbolted and piled at the small stage end. There were vestiges of older decor visible behind art-deco era remodling.
The auditorium was broad with no balcony. The lobby sloped upward and lead past the adjacent store fronts.
The Linden Circle at one time had a 3 manual theatre organ originally at the Loew’s Buffalo. Last I heard, that organ was in a Baptist church in Jackson Tennessee minus its toys and percussions.
About 1990 the art-deco marquee and the vaguely Spanish front were covered in vinyl siding (!) in a mis-guided attempt to dress up the block.
I was told that the Suzores lived in an apartment above this theatre into the 1960’s and that there was a photoplayer still sitting at the front of the hall at that late date. That would imply the theatre dated from the silent era. When I saw the site it was a weedy lot: the building completely gone.
Everything I’ve heard about the Strand was exactly as you describe. The “era-of-four-Majestics” would have been around World War One, which made me think that the Strand MIGHT have been one of the later Majestics, renamed in the 1920’s.
By the time I was in Memphis, the Strand’s site had been a parking lot for years. It was interesting (and a little heartbreaking) to be able to see the scars the old theatre had left on the adjacent building: you could clearly see where the stairs and balcony had been.
WHW excellent description! Thanks. In my (limited) research on Memphis theatres I’ve come across several references to the Majestic #1 and #2 and also the NEW Majestic #1 and #2. I infer there were actually 4 theatres called Majestic at one time. I’ve wondered if the building last known as the Strand was one of these. There is a Majestic theatre still standing nearly across from where the Strand stood. It is now a brew-pub. It was adjacent to the Hotel Gayoso and Goldsmiths.
Sad news: the Crosstown’s finest exterior feature, the grand vertical sign (with its miles of neon) has been taken down by the church that has owned the building since about 1977. That sign first spelled C-R-O-S-S-T-O-W-N, and then in another color it would say CROSS-TOWN and then in a third color it would say CROSSTOWN. It hasn’t run in decades, but it was visible for blocks and blocks. Happily, the building still stands and word is that the interior is well cared for.
Amen brother!
I didn’t think that sounded right. First, symphony musicians don’t leave their instruments in the theatre (even for just over night) and second, the symphony’s season hadn’t opened when the storm hit. The musicians were not working in the theatre at that time.
The link to the NPR archives and their excellent report on the musicians of the Louisiana Philharmonic is:
View link
The report only states that the timpani were left in the Orpheum’s basement. Maybe it was Fox News reporting that “hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of precious peices were lost in the bowls of the theatre.” It certainly wasn’t in this report from the * ahem* treacherous, liberal media.
I agree, as a musician I can’t imagine anyone leaving his/her instrument in the performance hall: most don’t really like leaving their instruments out of sight during intermission! The theatre’s music library was in the basement and no doubt those “pieces” were lost. Leaving musical instruments in the Orpheum’s basement doesn’t ring true at all.
WHW, I realize it’s been a long time, but I’d really like to hear you describe the theatre. I only saw it after it had closed. Anything at all you can remember would be welcome.
Yes, best wishes.
Oops, wait, this is confusing. It’s the Summer Drive-In (closed in 1966) that was owned by Kemmons Wilson. Sorry about the confusion. Haven’t had my coffee yet.
lostmemory, thanks for a VERY interesting link. I’d never heard of the Summer Avenue Drive-In. You’ll notice on the link (above) that it was partly owned by Kemmons Wilson. He’s much more famous as the creator and owner of the Holiday Inn chain. If I’m not mistaken, one of the first Holiday Inns (if not the very first) was on Summer Avenue not too far from the Drive-In.
WHW: ahh, what’s in a name? Southwestern or Rhodes, it’s still a jewel architecturally and a fine fine academic institution. I lived right behind the campus when I worked at the Orpheum (formerly the Malco). Memphis may have many problems, but your old Alma Mater is one of the brighter spots.
Joe, thanks for the grin. A subscription to Variety is so expensive I’ve never taken it regularly: only pick up an occassional issue. On the subject of “Slanguage” I bow to your greater knowledge and will follow the link you provided. Jack, I don’t know if AIA keeps an “opus list” for its members but suspect not. The Cinema Treasures lists can be sorted by architect though and provides a wonderful starting point for research. The webmaster here and the support team have done a wonderful job with this site. Can’t compliment them enough!
Jack, tisk, tisk, tisk: “hard top” as opposed to “atmospheric.” Patsy, John Eberson developed a style of movie palace architecture inwhich the plaster ceiling was a dark blue dome representing the sky, the side walls were designed with highly orate “exterior” details to create the impression that the audience was sitting in an open courtyard. The sky would have twinkling stars and clouds floating past, the court yard would have trees, shubs, birds and vines (all fake of course). Eberson’s name became synonomous (sp?) with what he called the “atmospheric style.” He did design more traditional theatres, the Nashville Paramount for example. When talking about one of his non-atmospheric theatres one describes them, with tongue firmly in cheek, as a hard-top. Eberson’s career was long and fruitful. He was designing theatres at least into the 1950’s. He may have even designed drive-ins (don’t know).
The Cinema Treasures lists can be sorted by architect. Give it a try and look up some of Eberson’s halls. There will be lots of examples. He really was one of the best.
Talked with 2 members of the Louisiana Philharmonic this weekend. The Orpheum is the orchestra’s home. What they’ve heard about the Orpheum is that water got just over the top of the stage. The lobby is slightly higher than the stage so it may have been mostly spared. The basement including the mechanical areas, electrical meters and switch gear, the 1950’s era Westinghouse chillers for the ac and the heat exchangers are likely ruined and will require replacement. It was all old and needing replacement anyway. The smoke vents in the stagehouse roof were blown off so the curtains and lights were all soaked. Otherwise, wind damage to the theatre appears to be minimal.
The good news is that all members of the orchestra are safe and with friends and family. They will travel from the 4-corners of the country to play a benefit concert in Nashville in the coming weeks.
Glad to see so much discussion of the lovely Tennessee Theatre. The photo that “lostmemory” has posted is an excellent image of the marquee that was removed in the recent renovation. It was a handsome 1950’s era sign. The current one is much more baroque – recreating the original 1928 design with only a few modern touches. Best to all.
jodigirl: You can call the theatre and ask for either Becky (the manager) or Tim (the technical director). Both have access to extensive photos of the theatre before, during and after the renovation. Who knows, might even have a photo of your husband there. I’ve sat on that bench many times but I don’t think it’s historic – betting it was brought to the theatre in the 1960’s. My opinion only, Tim or Becky will know for sure.
Chuck’s photos (above) are quite nice – shows the theatre just before the recent renovation. This marqee was removed and a duplicate of the original installed along with a new vertical sign.
If memory serves, the Saenger’s stage is below sidewalk level. Sad to think that even with the console fully raised, it might still be completely submerged.
Fondly remember movies seen here during the ‘70’s – Jaws and the Rocky Horror Picture Show (some 50 times) among others – but couldn’t recall a single detail of the building. Always liked this one better than the Cinema North for some reason, but again, don’t remember why.
This hall operated as the Loew’s Melrose during the 1960’s. Gone is the tall pylon which stood on top of the marquee. Wasn’t there was a bowling alley at the other end of the shopping center. I particularly remember a donut shop next door. Went to see “The AristoCats” here with mom as a little kid. When I was old enough to go to the movies on my own, it was closed.
Let me add a couple of other memories of this magnificent building. As I noted above, the building had been built without airconditioning. Air was pulled through the auditorium ceiling grills, through the attic and exhausted by a pair of enormous fans standing above the projection booth. If I had to guess, I’d say the fans were 10 feet in diameter. These were not squirrel cage fans, but fans reminscent of farm windmills. There was a single 100 hp motor on a concrete pedistal belted to the two fans. The controller was mounted right there at the motor. I can’t imagine what it must have been like, standing there, adjusting the fan speed, with those giant blades spinning only 3 feet away.
Back at the sidewalk, there was a neo-classical/Adam-esque frieze around the recessed entry: a greek procession with girls in diaphanous gowns and men in togas – you know the type. Though it had been subsequently painted over in white, it was obvious that it had originally been vividly polychormed.
The box office was a free-standing kiosk with a stained glass dome roof. It was supposedly removed and sent to a mall somewhere as an information booth. It was removed intact before the wrecking ball went to work at least.
The last marquee was of the Loew’s streamlined/neon variety but the original had been a arched-top design, something like the Times Square Paramount’s.
The orchestra pit had been floored over, probably when the balcony boxes were cut away for Cinerama.
Rumor was that the building sat on a 99 year ground lease and that the rent was a fixed $660.00 a month.
The architect was B. Marcus Priteca. The Pantages opened in 1920 or 1921 to compete with Loew’s two new Thomas Lamb theatres – both within a block of this hall. The newspaper reviews of the opening were glowing in their review of the decor and the fine acoustics.