Lincoln Theatre

The Lincoln opened in 1936. As a movie theatre it was operated by Wometco (1940’s), Florida State (1950’s), Brandt (1960’s) and Southland (1970’s). Up until the Southland discount cinema days it was mostly a first class Roadshow house.

I remember going to the movies at the Lincoln as a boy visiting my grandparents on the Beach in the 1960s and ‘70s. Miami Beach was a fading resort back then, whose glory days were well in the past—and the Lincoln was no different. You fellow lovers of old cinema houses will, no doubt, have known a similar elderly lady: somewhat seedy, worn out, with a slight musty smell about the old girl.
The last time that I was in the Lincoln was in 1972, when I went there with my sister and a cousin visiting from New York to see “Harold & Maude,” as either a first or second run feature—I can’t remember. But how appropriate: a film about love for the elderly. On a return visit a few years ago I was strolling down Lincoln Road with my wife to view all the changes that have taken place in this restored gem of an Art Deco city and was delighted to see that the New World Symphony had given the old girl new life by making her their home. Although the interior has, apparently, been extensively modernized, at least she survives as a thrater, restored nearly to her former appearance. The Colony, just down the street, has also been restored as a performance space as well.

Interesting historical note: The Lincoln Theatre’s marquee originally contained over a thousand pounds of satin finished aluminum, but it was removed in 1942 and sent to Uncle Sam for the War effort. It was replaced with baked enamel.

There’s at least one photo around that shows the original aluminum marquee —I think it was taken at the premier of “Stage Coach” in 1939.

I would argue for closed status as it no longer shows films. I’m not sure if that’s what you referring to immediately above. My understanding is closed would pertain to an auditorium that once showed films but is now exclusively used for live theater or music.

I took some pictures of this theater yesterday. It’s certainly in fine shape. I think status should be closed, however.

There is a nice glimpse of the Lincoln Theatre at the 1948 premiere of the FOX film SITTING PRETTY in a short featurette on film processes on the FOX DVD release of MARILYN MONROE: THE FINAL DAYS. This same featurette has a nice glimpse of another Lincoln Road theatre the Carib circa 1953 which was showing CALL ME MADAM.

When the Lincoln Theatre was a movie theatre it seated 1021 people.