Madison Theatre

Hello,
Looks like a few others have had the same thought I have on this old theater. My mom and her siblings grew up in this area and she has fond memories of spending Saturdays at this theater watching movie after movie and sometimes “even coming home with some candy”. I have recently moved into the neighborhood and whole heartedly agree that it is a shame the state the place is in. It is centrally located in a great neighborhood that, in my opinion, would embrace it as a venue for live music and art house movies. Has someone started a preservation effort? And if so, how can I participate? $$ is not an option at the moment but I have plenty of time to put in. It’s the sort of project I would love to be a part of for the long term. If anyone is active on this please contact me at
Thanks!

I’d love to talk to her. Had the same idea myself. Don’t think it’s for sale right now but money talks they say. Might be a way to set up a foundation with a long-term lease. Thanks for the info and please forward my e to her ().

I’ve heard that the property is under lease by a former tenant but they want to sublet. Real estate folks say it’d take about $500k to get building up to code. I think it’d be a terrific asset to the area as an arthouse/public theater showing films and hosting events. Wondering if there are other souls who agree?

Thank you, Don! I am slowly but surely trying to add to the body of knowledge, especially in the area of Georgia theatres. My last contact with someone knowledgeable about the Madison indicated that the restoration effort has come to naught.

I even went to a revival meeting there under the guise of writing a paper for my graduate class, “The Sociology of Religion” (at GSU), so that I could see the auditorium. I was amazed at its good condition (this was around 1978-79), and the lovely detail and ornamentation that still existed!

The Madison Theatre was designed by Daniell and Beutell, Architects, who had their offices in the Healey Building in downtown Atlanta. They were also architects for the Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, and the Grand, in nearby Cartersville, GA. Joe A. Fernandez served as painter/decorator.

The opening of the theatre, on July 2, 1927, featured Hoot Gibson on the screen in “The Buckaroo Kid” and a personal appearance by silent film star Ethlyne Claire Williamson. A small reproduco organ was installed in the theatre. Whether it utilized the two organ chambers to the left and right of the proscenium is unknown to this author.

The architecture of the Madison demonstrates how even smaller houses in the twenties could wow patrons. It is of the “Spanish Drip Castle” variety and features a multi-colored half tile roof, pierced by two large arched balconettes at the second level. A series of five connected arched windows appear on this same level above the marquee. Many of these design devices appeared in similar form on the Buckhead Theatre which was the first purpose-built theatre for sound films in Atlanta. The Buckhead opened after the Madison, on June 2, 1930.

The seating I quoted was from an article on the restoration of the theatre and what the projected seating would be once the project was complete. I’ll go with the FDY on this one.