The Garden Oaks was still in operation through the 1990s. The theatre has grown old gracefully and dispite years of neglect, she is still a beauty. The theatre was never split, but a second auditorium was added right off the lobby in a space that was previously used for retail.
I do not know if the building still exist, but the address is still good and I think it was north of the high school. Will check it out next time I’m in Marthasville and let ya’ll know my findings.
I believe that the Sandy Springs was in the former Hammond Square location. I faintly recall there being a Burger King and something akin to a Home Depot in the same complex. Both the building and marquee were still there in the 1990s, but all indicators that a cinema resided there had long since gone. Much of the general structure of the theatre was retained in its conversion to a racquetball centre.
I think the mini cinema was near the Johnson Ferry/Mt. Vernon intersection, but some of the locals insist that the Comedy Spot is the original cinema site. If my memory serves me right, it was built as a twin, similar to the one on Candler Road across from the South Dekalb Mall.
My concern is with the independent exhibitors who are usually more amp to risk booking films that corporate muptiplexs wouldn’t touch. Will the independents continue to have this autonomy or will they be limited to what’s on-line (think of that dreadful offerings on pay per view)?
My concern is with the independent exhibitors who are usually more amp to risk booking films that corporate muptiplexs wouldn’t touch. Will the independents continue to have this autonomy or will they be limited to what’s on-line (think of that dreadful offerings on pay per view)?
The entrances and marquees reflect the changes in the operation of the theatre. During the period it was called the Woodbine (est. 1955-1960), the entrance was on Meridian Street. When it was called the Roxy (est. 1940-1955), the entrance was on Wilburn Street. I believe that the Tenesseean (Nashville’s daily) has at least one photo of the theatre made when it was in operation, but the copyright charge to have it posted on the web is a bit costly.
This broadcast digital format you speak of appears to be right around the corner. The way I understand it is that the studios are going to provide existing exhibitors with the hook ups and projection devices for free and recoup their cost by eliminating celluloid and the processes that go along with it. Cinemas, which come on line after this gratis period, will be responsible for purchasing this equipment on their own. There are a lot of pros and cons to this new form of technology, but it appears inevitable. I doubt that it will ever replace the cinema theatre. Although both television and the proliferation of home video and DVD impacted the cinema theatre it did not eliminate it. The cinema theatre it is an environment that cannot be replicated in a residential structure.
The College Park data came from an archive directory and the posting was to see if anyone had any additional information on the theatre. Although I don’t reside in Georgia, I do make a couple of visits to the state each year. I too had friends who resided in the tri city area during the 60s and 70s as well and the theatres were the East Point (aka Russell) and the Roosevelt Drive In. Since the College Park closed in the 50s, it was “out of sight, out of mind†and without cause for discussion at the time. To date I have learned that the closing of the college in College Park was a serious blow to the city and its economic base and might have contributed to the demise of the theatre. I will update the site as more information comes available.
I agree, but I wanted to get confirmation. I came across a thread that seemed to imply that the Glen and Decatur were one of the same, but upon reviewing the photo of the Decatur, I figured that unless the Decatur went through some major renovations, it was not the Glen. Thanks for your help. How much of the Glen is still in tact and is/was there anything distinctive about it? All that I can recall is the giant neon lettering on the facade. I never patronized the Glen because by the time I discovered it, it had degenerated into a very sleazy porno shop.
The Garden Oaks was still in operation through the 1990s. The theatre has grown old gracefully and dispite years of neglect, she is still a beauty. The theatre was never split, but a second auditorium was added right off the lobby in a space that was previously used for retail.
Was this that Excelsior mill place that popped up during the 70s?
I do not know if the building still exist, but the address is still good and I think it was north of the high school. Will check it out next time I’m in Marthasville and let ya’ll know my findings.
A couple of 2005 photos of this theatre can be viewed at: View link
A couple of 2005 photos of this theatre can be viewed at: View link
I believe that the Sandy Springs was in the former Hammond Square location. I faintly recall there being a Burger King and something akin to a Home Depot in the same complex. Both the building and marquee were still there in the 1990s, but all indicators that a cinema resided there had long since gone. Much of the general structure of the theatre was retained in its conversion to a racquetball centre.
I think the mini cinema was near the Johnson Ferry/Mt. Vernon intersection, but some of the locals insist that the Comedy Spot is the original cinema site. If my memory serves me right, it was built as a twin, similar to the one on Candler Road across from the South Dekalb Mall.
Here’s a recent photo of the Franklin: View link
Here are a couple of photos made during the demolishion of the Paramount: View link
My concern is with the independent exhibitors who are usually more amp to risk booking films that corporate muptiplexs wouldn’t touch. Will the independents continue to have this autonomy or will they be limited to what’s on-line (think of that dreadful offerings on pay per view)?
My concern is with the independent exhibitors who are usually more amp to risk booking films that corporate muptiplexs wouldn’t touch. Will the independents continue to have this autonomy or will they be limited to what’s on-line (think of that dreadful offerings on pay per view)?
The entrances and marquees reflect the changes in the operation of the theatre. During the period it was called the Woodbine (est. 1955-1960), the entrance was on Meridian Street. When it was called the Roxy (est. 1940-1955), the entrance was on Wilburn Street. I believe that the Tenesseean (Nashville’s daily) has at least one photo of the theatre made when it was in operation, but the copyright charge to have it posted on the web is a bit costly.
This broadcast digital format you speak of appears to be right around the corner. The way I understand it is that the studios are going to provide existing exhibitors with the hook ups and projection devices for free and recoup their cost by eliminating celluloid and the processes that go along with it. Cinemas, which come on line after this gratis period, will be responsible for purchasing this equipment on their own. There are a lot of pros and cons to this new form of technology, but it appears inevitable. I doubt that it will ever replace the cinema theatre. Although both television and the proliferation of home video and DVD impacted the cinema theatre it did not eliminate it. The cinema theatre it is an environment that cannot be replicated in a residential structure.
The College Park data came from an archive directory and the posting was to see if anyone had any additional information on the theatre. Although I don’t reside in Georgia, I do make a couple of visits to the state each year. I too had friends who resided in the tri city area during the 60s and 70s as well and the theatres were the East Point (aka Russell) and the Roosevelt Drive In. Since the College Park closed in the 50s, it was “out of sight, out of mind†and without cause for discussion at the time. To date I have learned that the closing of the college in College Park was a serious blow to the city and its economic base and might have contributed to the demise of the theatre. I will update the site as more information comes available.
Here’s a shot from spring 2005. Does anyone have any interior photos available for posting? View link
Here is a current photo of the former Roxy: View link
Here is a current photo of the Madison Art Centre: View link
Here is a current photo of the former Melrose. Note its striking resemblance to the Belle Meade: View link
Here is a current photo of the former Roxy/Woodbine. Note the street names on the corner sign: View link
I agree, but I wanted to get confirmation. I came across a thread that seemed to imply that the Glen and Decatur were one of the same, but upon reviewing the photo of the Decatur, I figured that unless the Decatur went through some major renovations, it was not the Glen. Thanks for your help. How much of the Glen is still in tact and is/was there anything distinctive about it? All that I can recall is the giant neon lettering on the facade. I never patronized the Glen because by the time I discovered it, it had degenerated into a very sleazy porno shop.
Was this ever know as the Glenn or Glennwood?
A 2005 photo of this theatre can be viewed at:
View link
A 2005 photo of this theatre can be viewed at:
View link
A 2005 photo of this theatre can be viewed at View link
Here’s a recent shot of the 7 Stages with the Variety Theatre in the background: View link
Belle Meade is incorperated into Metropolitan Nashville/Davidson County. Try View link