Thanks Jack and a post from norelco! Where have you been? And if this theatre ever gets restored the original marquee that is shown on their Save the Franklin website needs to be reinstated!
“The enduring romance with the Franklin Theatre began in the summer of 1937. The marquee spilled brilliantly onto Main Street inviting citizens countywide to see "Night Must Fall,” starring Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. And they came — young and old, black and white, rich and poor. They laughed, they cried, they dreamed. And, together, within the illuminated walls of the Franklin Theatre, unforgettable moments occurred and memories were made."
Are there any interior photos of this art deco theatre? The Save the Franklin site shows the original art deco marquee that needs to be returned to this theatre exterior, imo. As a sidenote, I think there is a recording studio near Franklin called Dark Horse?
A friend of mine has told me that friends of his bought the Victoria Theatre in Blossburg last spring and are restoring it and hope to have it open for next spring. It used to be a feed store.
Then why hasn’t someone or some preservation/arts group restored at least one of them on “Theater Row”? BTW, if you are in Texas have you ever been to the newly restored Palace in Georgetown TX (suburb of Austin)?
The National Register of Historic Places nomination form was most interesting to read….did the Ambassador receive that honor before it was demolished? The written description of this theatre was very complete and gave one a sense of actually seeing it with their own eyes. And to read the words of one reporter was a sad commentary about the demise of a great theatre….“theaters don’t die in St. Louis, they become parking lots”.
After reading the May 7, 2009 post about the Fox I do hope that the residents of Tucson and the surrounding areas continue to support this theatre as they are lucky to have this restored theatre in their downtown area after many years of it being closed. It’s a true AZ cinema gem and needs to be respected, not neglected ever again! As I recall the City of Phoenix lost their Fox, but Tucson did the right thing by restoring and preserving their Fox!
I recently met a couple from Tucson and they told me about the Fox Theatre in their city. Thank goodness it was saved from the wrecking ball and was restored and reopened after many years plus it is on the National Registry of Historic Places. I applaud the City of Tucson for saving this Fox as they did the Fox in Atlanta. Also nice to read that the ticket kios is being used as a will-call booth and that it wasn’t removed as is the case more often than not.
After viewing photos, I see that it was a very large and impressive art deco/moderne movie palace! Such a shame to lose this one to many years of…….neglect!
Mark from Davidson: Suppose you are aware pf the theatre plans for Davidson though I wish it were going to be a single screen rather than 4 screen..more like a “restaurant that shows movies” type of venue. Did you know that Davidson had a movie theatre years ago where the old gas station used to stand?
spectrum: Music to my ears when reading “complete restoration was completed”. Congratulations!!!
Nice to read that an organ is being installed in this small town movie house.
Thanks Jack and a post from norelco! Where have you been? And if this theatre ever gets restored the original marquee that is shown on their Save the Franklin website needs to be reinstated!
“The enduring romance with the Franklin Theatre began in the summer of 1937. The marquee spilled brilliantly onto Main Street inviting citizens countywide to see "Night Must Fall,” starring Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. And they came — young and old, black and white, rich and poor. They laughed, they cried, they dreamed. And, together, within the illuminated walls of the Franklin Theatre, unforgettable moments occurred and memories were made."
Are there any interior photos of this art deco theatre? The Save the Franklin site shows the original art deco marquee that needs to be returned to this theatre exterior, imo. As a sidenote, I think there is a recording studio near Franklin called Dark Horse?
panhandle: Thanks for the updated information concerning Texas preservation groups though a sad scenario.
A friend of mine has told me that friends of his bought the Victoria Theatre in Blossburg last spring and are restoring it and hope to have it open for next spring. It used to be a feed store.
Best of luck to the folks of Blossburg in bringing back an historical theatre. When finished it will be another “cinema treasure”.
Then why hasn’t someone or some preservation/arts group restored at least one of them on “Theater Row”? BTW, if you are in Texas have you ever been to the newly restored Palace in Georgetown TX (suburb of Austin)?
/theaters/10269/
Is this theatre still standing? My husband was stationed at Shepard AFB.
Is this theatre still standing?
After viewing an 1988 exterior photo this theatre has come a long way! Congratulations.
There was a theatre in Corry PA, too.
Nice to learn that St. Louis has the Fox!
The National Register of Historic Places nomination form was most interesting to read….did the Ambassador receive that honor before it was demolished? The written description of this theatre was very complete and gave one a sense of actually seeing it with their own eyes. And to read the words of one reporter was a sad commentary about the demise of a great theatre….“theaters don’t die in St. Louis, they become parking lots”.
What a beautiful Eberson built theatre in the heart of Indiana. The website with photos is excellent.
Thanks goes to a lady photographer by the name of Toby Weiss who took photos that can be viewed @ http://www.builtstlouis.net/ambassador01.html
“The area the Ambassador once stood on is now a plaza for a large bank that was next door.” Such a shame!
Interesting to read about the signature wall of fame. Was it saved during demolition?
After reading the May 7, 2009 post about the Fox I do hope that the residents of Tucson and the surrounding areas continue to support this theatre as they are lucky to have this restored theatre in their downtown area after many years of it being closed. It’s a true AZ cinema gem and needs to be respected, not neglected ever again! As I recall the City of Phoenix lost their Fox, but Tucson did the right thing by restoring and preserving their Fox!
I recently met a couple from Tucson and they told me about the Fox Theatre in their city. Thank goodness it was saved from the wrecking ball and was restored and reopened after many years plus it is on the National Registry of Historic Places. I applaud the City of Tucson for saving this Fox as they did the Fox in Atlanta. Also nice to read that the ticket kios is being used as a will-call booth and that it wasn’t removed as is the case more often than not.
Another theatre torn down for more parking? Stop the madness!
After viewing photos, I see that it was a very large and impressive art deco/moderne movie palace! Such a shame to lose this one to many years of…….neglect!
Inexcusable and shameful!
Mark from Davidson: Suppose you are aware pf the theatre plans for Davidson though I wish it were going to be a single screen rather than 4 screen..more like a “restaurant that shows movies” type of venue. Did you know that Davidson had a movie theatre years ago where the old gas station used to stand?