Thanks Dave, I have a photo of the Paramount with the original marquee and a photo if the projection booth,but I do not have a scanner to post them.I will post them as soon as possible.If you ever pick up a copy of the Nashville Retropect which is published once a month,they have a write up on Nashville Theatres in most issues.
Another thought of the W.W. Movie,although the L&C Tower was used in the movie, they covered their sign with a fake sign for the movie, maybe they did not want their name used.I looked this movie up on the internet and it is interesting that this film has never been released on VHS or disk.It does show up on T.V. sometimes,I wanted to tape it but never knew when is was showing till too late. A very brief shot the the Vertical sign of this theatre, looking from 4th Ave North to the West up Church Street is seen in this film if anyone has it on tape,or sees it on T.V.Another thing about our booking as Mike commented on,most of the time we showed first run films., but as it happened we where showing a Kung Fu Movie that week and this was early 1975, we did show it for 6 days and did not show it at all the night of the premier,we never did much business with the Kung Fu films in the Nashville market, however I have read were they did well for Loews in other cities.They may have been just trying out these films in Nashville or in this cause just booked it that week because of the Premier and would have time to really clean up the place for the big night. The other times we book Kung Fu flicks they never played over a week. One time we showed a film with 2 reels out of place all week 5 shows a day and no one noticed or no one said anything about it.The funny thing I was saying that we may have a Kung Fu for a week which did hardly any business and Friday we would open with a New Rocky or 007 movie and be packed for week.Those were the days.
Another thought of the Tennessee Theatre. While working at the Loews Crescent down the street sometimes when it was slow I would wander down the block to the Tennessee to see some of the concerts playing there as posted above. One night Ricky Nelson was playing there and I came down just to see some of the show before I went back to work.I got in free,there was only about 300 people in attendance,and Ricky seemed pissed, sorry to say and only played for about 35 minutes and left,so I got to see the whole show after all.It was his last Nashville apperance before his death.His backing band was the Stone Canyon Band.Concerts only lasted a few years before the theatre and office building was razed.
The two Statues mentioned in the Sept 9,2010 post, I believe that they were Angels with their wings out.Looked pretty spooky in the dark in the theatre as a kid.
MORE HISTORY OF THE NASHVILLE PARAMOUNT.From an artical written by Stanley E. Hime a former projectionist there. Charles “Charlie” Amos was the first manager,later his assistant Ben Garrett would become Manager.The theatre had a sign shop where the displays were crafted.Sometimes a display was glued to the lobby floor and patrons walked over them.Three projectionists who worked there were Isaac B. Hime,Roy M Martin,and William Brown,,The original projectors were 35 mm Simplex Machines,The theatre open with “Fast and Loose” starring Miriam Hopkins, Frank Morgan, and Carol Lombard.In the early years the ladies room had a maid and the mens room had a valet.The projection booth was also equipted with an EFFECTS MACHINE for projecting designs on the screen or curtains.
An interesting fact thatI have never read on C.T. that many theatres like this one,the building was just not a theatre but an office building too.Even in those days Loews and many other theatre companys knew that a theatre was not a good way to make money.The rent on the offices and storefronts paid for the buildings.When I worked for Loews it was called Loews Theatres and Realty Co.The Real Estate was where the money really came in.
More Info on the World Premier of W.W. and the Dixiedance Kings,as posted 11/30/09.This Burt Renolds movie had it premier at this theatre in early 1975 I have a program from that night but cannot find it at this time so I am not sure of the exact date.I got to open the limo doors as the actors from the movie arrived at the theatre.Church Street was blocked off to traffic between 4th and 5th Ave.that night and a Keg Light was located on the street.The cast was Burt as W.W. Bright,Connie Van Dyke played Dixie,Jerry Reed was Wayne in his first movie apperance,Ned Betty played Country Bill, Don Willams was Leroy, and The great Art Carney played Decon John Westley Gore.All these actors where they that night plus many Nashville music and civil leaders, I remember Chet Adkins and Bobby Goldsboro also where in attendance.Most of the movie was shot in Nashville and the surounding area.The L&C Tower was next door to the theatre and many scenes from the film where shot outside and inside there,you can also see a quick shot of the theatre in the movie. It was strange to watch the movie and see the theatre you are watching it in on the screen.Also this movie was directed by John Avildsen of Rocky and other movie fame.It was a great night as I got paid to see the movie and meet many Stars,plus I got to change the marquee the night before the premier and after the show was over I got to change it again, back to the Kung Fu movie that we were showing that week.
If they never showed movies may be why the Orpheum is not listed.If they did show movies, you may know, you could list it here with any info you may have.
Thanks for the update Dave, I have seen photos of the 5th Avenue theatre so I knew about where it was but I did not know,about the others. What is confusing that when some of the theatres are listed they are put on with the wrong address to begin with.
Yeah Mike our guys were “Union Guys” too.Their Business Agent worked out of our building.I will say that they were like the Managers we only drank when we were almost done for the night.They would not let many people in the booth anyway,so who knows whatever else they did up there.
I think its cool, not the real thing,but interesting.
Thanks Dave, hope you both are doing better now.
Thanks Dave, I have a photo of the Paramount with the original marquee and a photo if the projection booth,but I do not have a scanner to post them.I will post them as soon as possible.If you ever pick up a copy of the Nashville Retropect which is published once a month,they have a write up on Nashville Theatres in most issues.
Great photos as always Don.
Great Story Dave,great that you still have the baton.
Sorry last comment should be packed for weeks not week.
Another thought of the W.W. Movie,although the L&C Tower was used in the movie, they covered their sign with a fake sign for the movie, maybe they did not want their name used.I looked this movie up on the internet and it is interesting that this film has never been released on VHS or disk.It does show up on T.V. sometimes,I wanted to tape it but never knew when is was showing till too late. A very brief shot the the Vertical sign of this theatre, looking from 4th Ave North to the West up Church Street is seen in this film if anyone has it on tape,or sees it on T.V.Another thing about our booking as Mike commented on,most of the time we showed first run films., but as it happened we where showing a Kung Fu Movie that week and this was early 1975, we did show it for 6 days and did not show it at all the night of the premier,we never did much business with the Kung Fu films in the Nashville market, however I have read were they did well for Loews in other cities.They may have been just trying out these films in Nashville or in this cause just booked it that week because of the Premier and would have time to really clean up the place for the big night. The other times we book Kung Fu flicks they never played over a week. One time we showed a film with 2 reels out of place all week 5 shows a day and no one noticed or no one said anything about it.The funny thing I was saying that we may have a Kung Fu for a week which did hardly any business and Friday we would open with a New Rocky or 007 movie and be packed for week.Those were the days.
Another thought of the Tennessee Theatre. While working at the Loews Crescent down the street sometimes when it was slow I would wander down the block to the Tennessee to see some of the concerts playing there as posted above. One night Ricky Nelson was playing there and I came down just to see some of the show before I went back to work.I got in free,there was only about 300 people in attendance,and Ricky seemed pissed, sorry to say and only played for about 35 minutes and left,so I got to see the whole show after all.It was his last Nashville apperance before his death.His backing band was the Stone Canyon Band.Concerts only lasted a few years before the theatre and office building was razed.
The two Statues mentioned in the Sept 9,2010 post, I believe that they were Angels with their wings out.Looked pretty spooky in the dark in the theatre as a kid.
MORE HISTORY OF THE NASHVILLE PARAMOUNT.From an artical written by Stanley E. Hime a former projectionist there. Charles “Charlie” Amos was the first manager,later his assistant Ben Garrett would become Manager.The theatre had a sign shop where the displays were crafted.Sometimes a display was glued to the lobby floor and patrons walked over them.Three projectionists who worked there were Isaac B. Hime,Roy M Martin,and William Brown,,The original projectors were 35 mm Simplex Machines,The theatre open with “Fast and Loose” starring Miriam Hopkins, Frank Morgan, and Carol Lombard.In the early years the ladies room had a maid and the mens room had a valet.The projection booth was also equipted with an EFFECTS MACHINE for projecting designs on the screen or curtains.
What a great name for a drive-in.Only reason I looked it up too.
Thanks,Chris.
They most likely bought a lot of those colors paint and had to use them somewhere.Just a joke!Maybe.“MOD MOTIF”.
An interesting fact thatI have never read on C.T. that many theatres like this one,the building was just not a theatre but an office building too.Even in those days Loews and many other theatre companys knew that a theatre was not a good way to make money.The rent on the offices and storefronts paid for the buildings.When I worked for Loews it was called Loews Theatres and Realty Co.The Real Estate was where the money really came in.
Consolidated Theatres had two theatres that opened in Nashville,Tennessee in 1976 the Cinema North and Cinema South both are closed now.
Still no e-mail to contact you.
More Info on the World Premier of W.W. and the Dixiedance Kings,as posted 11/30/09.This Burt Renolds movie had it premier at this theatre in early 1975 I have a program from that night but cannot find it at this time so I am not sure of the exact date.I got to open the limo doors as the actors from the movie arrived at the theatre.Church Street was blocked off to traffic between 4th and 5th Ave.that night and a Keg Light was located on the street.The cast was Burt as W.W. Bright,Connie Van Dyke played Dixie,Jerry Reed was Wayne in his first movie apperance,Ned Betty played Country Bill, Don Willams was Leroy, and The great Art Carney played Decon John Westley Gore.All these actors where they that night plus many Nashville music and civil leaders, I remember Chet Adkins and Bobby Goldsboro also where in attendance.Most of the movie was shot in Nashville and the surounding area.The L&C Tower was next door to the theatre and many scenes from the film where shot outside and inside there,you can also see a quick shot of the theatre in the movie. It was strange to watch the movie and see the theatre you are watching it in on the screen.Also this movie was directed by John Avildsen of Rocky and other movie fame.It was a great night as I got paid to see the movie and meet many Stars,plus I got to change the marquee the night before the premier and after the show was over I got to change it again, back to the Kung Fu movie that we were showing that week.
If they never showed movies may be why the Orpheum is not listed.If they did show movies, you may know, you could list it here with any info you may have.
Thats the one Dave. The Tennessee Theatre has its own page on C.T.
Thanks for the update Dave, I have seen photos of the 5th Avenue theatre so I knew about where it was but I did not know,about the others. What is confusing that when some of the theatres are listed they are put on with the wrong address to begin with.
Thanks Dave.
You are probaly right Dave,that is just some info I read somewhere it could be wrong or there were 2 Captitol theatres.
Great Theatre Story roolem,good to hear that from someone who lived it.Welcome to Cinema Treasures.
Great name for a Drive-in.
Yeah Mike our guys were “Union Guys” too.Their Business Agent worked out of our building.I will say that they were like the Managers we only drank when we were almost done for the night.They would not let many people in the booth anyway,so who knows whatever else they did up there.