Was just over at the University of Memphis yesterday wondering what happened to the acroterion (spire). It never moved at all, it is in a protected niche in a courtyard with the new FedEx Institute building in front. It once faced a yard which was used for the new building and created the courtyard. It is approximately 10 feet high and in very good condition. A new photo when I get it. An image that I will always have in my mind is the contour outlined with a single stroke of white neon which looked like it was hanging in the dark.
The Bristol Theatre entry building exists but the auditorium is no longer standing, sorry. The scooter shop has the incorrect address, I checked. A photo in the Newman Collection at Memphis Heritage and another one in the Memphis Room shows the Bristol marquee on the building pictured above. You can see the marks where the marquee was hung in the above photo. I will obtain the photo from the library and post it. The auditorium was far back from the entrance and has been demolished. You can find the Newman photo on the Memphis Heritage website under the Newman Collection.
This new photo (from the Muvico files) also shows one of the charming model trains which traveled all over the theatre. It was always a treat to catch it going by.
The Muvico Peabody Place 22 had a railway station theme. The box office was on the ground level, the entry on the second story (to allow for a passage to the hotel on the ground floor) and the theatre itself on the third floor. The large-format auditorium took up two stories. It was the building of the FedEx Forum that did the worst damage to the theatre’s business. Parking is impossible, despite the arena’s garage, during peak evening times when the arena is open. Business basically dwindles to nothing in the surrounding area until the arena lets out. Got this from the former manager.
I finally have seen, but could not copy, a beautiful, clear photo of the Lincoln Theatre at 297 N. Main. It became the Suzore #2. It was opened in 1927, the same year the Suzore on Jackson opened. It is curious. I have now seen newspaper ads reading “Suzore Theatres” “Suzore’s Theatres” and “Suzore’s #1 and #2.” Both signs must have been repainted at the same time to read “Suzore’s” but the floor tile of the Jackson theatre reads “Suzore Theatre” to this day. Of course, Fred Suzore was somewhat eccentric. Also the vertical on Jackson appears to have a marquee.
I finally have seen, but could not copy, a beautiful, clear photo of the Lincoln Theatre at 297 N. Main. It is this theatre. An interesting banner over the entrance reads “7pm White Entry.” Proof of this is an “L” visible in the keystone of the arched window behind the vertical sign—which was repainted when Fred Suzore purchased the building and reopened it in 1932. This “L” is visible in the photos posted for this theatre. It was opened in 1927, the same year the Suzore on Jackson opened.
It is curious. I have now seen newspaper ads reading “Suzore Theatres” and “Suzore’s #1 and #2.” Both signs must have been repainted at the same time to read “Suzore’s” but the floor tile of the Jackson theatre reads “Suzore Theatre” to this day. Of course, Fred Suzore was somewhat eccentric. Also the vertical on Jackson appears to have a marquee.
I meant to say “brick” not stone. The building is constructed of what appears to be either small cinderblock or large terra-cotta bricks. The front sections are overlaid with stucco.
It is interesting to note the decorative bands on the front and projection booth—identical to some of those on the Paris Adult/Luciann building. The church signs in another photo are also interesting. Photos taken in 2013.
Original minimalist sign of Malco’s Quartet Cinema, later known as the Highland Quartet. The first multiplex in Memphis opened in 1971. From the Malco archives, used with permission.
The small building that once housed the Balmoral is at the back of the complex running parallel to the street. The entrance was at the back of the courtyard and this retains the 6080 Quince street address. A faded sign for a store matching the description in one of the commentaries is over this entrance. All commercial now but a pleasant looking building for its era.
George Miller, who is still owner of the property (Commercial Appeal, 12/27/12) has been involved in two different nightclubs—the Plush Club and its successor Crave-which have been notorious for shootings and disturbances. The newspaper reported today, 12/27/12, that Crave has been closed down as a public nuisance. Whether it will reopen under a different management this time is unknown.
Just posted is the building currently at 619 Chelsea. It could have been an entrance to the theatre. A photo exists of the Avon’s marquee. When I get to it that will show what the entry looked like. There are some marks on the front that could be evidence of a neon display. 12/15/2012
I am perplexed about this theatre. No trace of an older building remains at the site which matches the address. It is in the neighborhood where Mississippi dog-legs around Havana St. This is NOT the Ace/Ritz address it has a page of its own and a photo at American Classic Images. This area may have had a theatre but I haven’t seen it in any other place at this address. Did the info come from City Directory listings? It is not listed elsewhere at this address that I can find. Only the Ace/Ritz at 997 Mississippi and the Ritz (now the Evergreen)at 1705 Poplar which has been mistakenly listed as “negro” which it never exclusively was. The Ace/Ritz was “negro” as it was in a predominantly “colored” neighborhood.
Got tired of that inaccurate Google view so I posted a photo of the actual site. You can see a section of the remaining building’s wall in the American Classic Images photo of the Ritz. The entry faced Mississippi and the theatre was in the larger building to the left. All is demolished.
New photo has been posted of the Capitol Theatre with an early canopy and sign. Picture playing is “One Last Fling” released in 1949. Taken from the photomural inside the entrance to Soulsville USA on the site of the Capitol Theatre/Stax recording studio. The large gray square is a speaker mounted on the wall. 12/15/2012
This theatre stood at 49 S. Main in a still existing building. It was open from about 1911 until 1919 according to city directory listings. The Majestic #1 which replaced it is elsewhere on this site and also still exists as the Majestic Grille. The Savoy is listed at the same address until 1922.
This is a closeup of a street scene of Chelsea Ave at Hollywood St.
Was just over at the University of Memphis yesterday wondering what happened to the acroterion (spire). It never moved at all, it is in a protected niche in a courtyard with the new FedEx Institute building in front. It once faced a yard which was used for the new building and created the courtyard. It is approximately 10 feet high and in very good condition. A new photo when I get it. An image that I will always have in my mind is the contour outlined with a single stroke of white neon which looked like it was hanging in the dark.
The Bristol Theatre entry building exists but the auditorium is no longer standing, sorry. The scooter shop has the incorrect address, I checked. A photo in the Newman Collection at Memphis Heritage and another one in the Memphis Room shows the Bristol marquee on the building pictured above. You can see the marks where the marquee was hung in the above photo. I will obtain the photo from the library and post it. The auditorium was far back from the entrance and has been demolished. You can find the Newman photo on the Memphis Heritage website under the Newman Collection.
This new photo (from the Muvico files) also shows one of the charming model trains which traveled all over the theatre. It was always a treat to catch it going by.
The Muvico Peabody Place 22 had a railway station theme. The box office was on the ground level, the entry on the second story (to allow for a passage to the hotel on the ground floor) and the theatre itself on the third floor. The large-format auditorium took up two stories. It was the building of the FedEx Forum that did the worst damage to the theatre’s business. Parking is impossible, despite the arena’s garage, during peak evening times when the arena is open. Business basically dwindles to nothing in the surrounding area until the arena lets out. Got this from the former manager.
The format is country music and Bill Gaither style gospel.
2013 photos have been posted. The word “Theatre” has been dropped from the signs.
I finally have seen, but could not copy, a beautiful, clear photo of the Lincoln Theatre at 297 N. Main. It became the Suzore #2. It was opened in 1927, the same year the Suzore on Jackson opened. It is curious. I have now seen newspaper ads reading “Suzore Theatres” “Suzore’s Theatres” and “Suzore’s #1 and #2.” Both signs must have been repainted at the same time to read “Suzore’s” but the floor tile of the Jackson theatre reads “Suzore Theatre” to this day. Of course, Fred Suzore was somewhat eccentric. Also the vertical on Jackson appears to have a marquee.
I finally have seen, but could not copy, a beautiful, clear photo of the Lincoln Theatre at 297 N. Main. It is this theatre. An interesting banner over the entrance reads “7pm White Entry.” Proof of this is an “L” visible in the keystone of the arched window behind the vertical sign—which was repainted when Fred Suzore purchased the building and reopened it in 1932. This “L” is visible in the photos posted for this theatre. It was opened in 1927, the same year the Suzore on Jackson opened. It is curious. I have now seen newspaper ads reading “Suzore Theatres” and “Suzore’s #1 and #2.” Both signs must have been repainted at the same time to read “Suzore’s” but the floor tile of the Jackson theatre reads “Suzore Theatre” to this day. Of course, Fred Suzore was somewhat eccentric. Also the vertical on Jackson appears to have a marquee.
Newest photos are of the present exterior and are courtesy of the museum.
Has no marquee with list of features. Only a street sign.
Currently, on the Malco website, this is named the Cordova Towne Cinema.
I meant to say “brick” not stone. The building is constructed of what appears to be either small cinderblock or large terra-cotta bricks. The front sections are overlaid with stucco.
It is interesting to note the decorative bands on the front and projection booth—identical to some of those on the Paris Adult/Luciann building. The church signs in another photo are also interesting. Photos taken in 2013.
Original minimalist sign of Malco’s Quartet Cinema, later known as the Highland Quartet. The first multiplex in Memphis opened in 1971. From the Malco archives, used with permission.
The small building that once housed the Balmoral is at the back of the complex running parallel to the street. The entrance was at the back of the courtyard and this retains the 6080 Quince street address. A faded sign for a store matching the description in one of the commentaries is over this entrance. All commercial now but a pleasant looking building for its era.
George Miller, who is still owner of the property (Commercial Appeal, 12/27/12) has been involved in two different nightclubs—the Plush Club and its successor Crave-which have been notorious for shootings and disturbances. The newspaper reported today, 12/27/12, that Crave has been closed down as a public nuisance. Whether it will reopen under a different management this time is unknown.
Just posted is the building currently at 619 Chelsea. It could have been an entrance to the theatre. A photo exists of the Avon’s marquee. When I get to it that will show what the entry looked like. There are some marks on the front that could be evidence of a neon display. 12/15/2012
I am perplexed about this theatre. No trace of an older building remains at the site which matches the address. It is in the neighborhood where Mississippi dog-legs around Havana St. This is NOT the Ace/Ritz address it has a page of its own and a photo at American Classic Images. This area may have had a theatre but I haven’t seen it in any other place at this address. Did the info come from City Directory listings? It is not listed elsewhere at this address that I can find. Only the Ace/Ritz at 997 Mississippi and the Ritz (now the Evergreen)at 1705 Poplar which has been mistakenly listed as “negro” which it never exclusively was. The Ace/Ritz was “negro” as it was in a predominantly “colored” neighborhood.
Got tired of that inaccurate Google view so I posted a photo of the actual site. You can see a section of the remaining building’s wall in the American Classic Images photo of the Ritz. The entry faced Mississippi and the theatre was in the larger building to the left. All is demolished.
Have also posted photos of the entire photomural.
New photo has been posted of the Capitol Theatre with an early canopy and sign. Picture playing is “One Last Fling” released in 1949. Taken from the photomural inside the entrance to Soulsville USA on the site of the Capitol Theatre/Stax recording studio. The large gray square is a speaker mounted on the wall. 12/15/2012
Yes, that is the Southbrook. I have also seen a photo of the entry somewhere else on the web.
This theatre stood at 49 S. Main in a still existing building. It was open from about 1911 until 1919 according to city directory listings. The Majestic #1 which replaced it is elsewhere on this site and also still exists as the Majestic Grille. The Savoy is listed at the same address until 1922.
A photo has been posted taken 12/8/12