In reference to the posting by Mike Rodgers: The Howard Theatre changed names to the Paramount on Sept 1, 1929. The announcement was made in the Atlanta newspapers on August 28, 1929 The first film under the Paramount name was “The Dance of Life” By Nov. of 1928 the Howard had already installed sound equipment opening with Al Jolsons, “The Singing Fool” at the beginning of November followed by the film “Wings” “King of Kings” originally opened at the Atlanta Theatre in 1927. Subsequent showings where at the Rialto and the
“colored” Paramount Theatre on Auburn Avenue. THis Paramount opened in 1924 THis theatre retained its name even after the Howard changed names.
Just came across and story dated Jan.20, 1944 in the Atlanta Journal, where the owners for the Henry Grady Hotel announced plans to build a 30 story addition to the hotel. According to the article, all the financing was approved and they would be ready to begin construction at the end of the War and when men and materials would become available. The new addition would mean that the auditorium of the Roxy would be torn down so that the new 30 story addition could be built. The lobby of the Roxy would then become the new lobby for the hotel addition.
For what ever reasons these plans were never carried out, so the Roxy almost shared the fate of the Capitol Theatre next door.
In an earlier posting about some articles I did on the Howard/Paramount for the Atlanta Chapter ATOS newsetters, it was stated that they would only be on that site for a year. Since then these newsletters are available by going to the ATlanta Chapter ATOS and going to previous newsletters. The articles on the Paramount are Oct 2006, and MAy 2007. INcluded are many interior shots of the theatre, and a photo of the facade as it appears in Moultrie Ga.
Enjoy.
I have just posted in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS Dec. 2010 newsletter a brief story about some of the theatre’s in Valdosta, mainly the Ritz. Including then and now photo’s. Just google up the Atlanta Chapter ATOS and go to that newsletter. Hope you enjoy.
the aerial view posted on drive-ins.com posted above is of Chamblee Plaza, the Peachtree Drive in was located further north on Peachtree and on the right side of the road.
Actualy the Rivoli opened as the Elite Theatre on Nov, 9,1911.
In 1925 the Elite was completely remodeled and re-opened as the Rivoli on Oct. 5, 1925. In July of 1928 the Kilgen organ was installed and a new facade and marquee where placed on the front of the building. The Rivoli closed in 1955 and became a shoe store, it has been several retail establishments over the years and is currently a pet store. The upper portions of the 1928 facade are still there.
The Reproduco was installed in the 1925 re-model.
“American Theatres of Today” is available through the Theatre Historical Society as a new reprint. Also you might find the reprint that theVestal Press did back in the 70’s thru Amazon.com. or some online book sellers,the originals are hard to find.
The photo posted on 1/13/2010 is the photo of the the theatre published in “American Theatres of Today” which also features an interior shot of the theatre shortly after it opened.
On a note about the Alamo/Strand, on a recent visit to Valdosta it was discovered that the building is still standing, although there are retail spaces in the lower section of the building, it could be posssible that some remnants of the theatre remains in the upper sections of the building. Also there was for a time The Rex Theatre next door to the Alamo.
In reference to the comment by Lost Memory, The Alamo had become the Strand Theater by 1927. The Ritz theater is about two blocks to the right of the Alamo in the photograph and located on the same street. Hopeful in 2010 I will have an article on the Ritz to be published in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS newsletter.
For a historical article on the Imperial go to the Atlanta Chapter ATOS website and go to the newsletter section and click on the October 2009 newsletter.
Several theaters come to mind:
Tennessee Theater in Knoxville
Tivoli theater in Chattanooga
Malco or Orphium in Memphis
Paramount in Bristol
These should all have web sites about the theater
I have just finished an article in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS July 2009 newsletter in which I have a photo of the Tenth Street theater after it opened, The article also has information on the Madison, Empire, West End, and the Buckhead.
The photo posted by Lost Memory is after the removal of all the Spanish decorations.
Just google in Atlanta Chapter ATOS and go to the JUly 2009 newsletter.
Charles Benton the architect of the Riviera, may have also designed the Strand theater in MArietta GA which opened in 1935, in looking at photographs of both theaters there a numerous details that are basically the same in both theaters, The Strand looks to be an earlier and less costly version of the Riviera.
The Strand has been reopened but it was not a restoration back to the original.
To get an idea of what the Garden looked like, go to the Rylander Theater Americus, Georgia. C.K.Howell also designed the Rylander which opened a couple of years after the Garden. He used many of the same decorative elements in both theaters, The plaster work around the stage, the organ chambers and the grills in the ceilings. In the Garden, he has the dancing maidens above the organ grills, At the Rylander they are above the stage opening. Fortunately the Rylander has been restored(1999) and is in operation.
The Forsyth Theater open April 11, 1910 and was designed by Ten Ecyk Brown, The theater building was built by Asa Chandler Inc. as a Vaudeville House and was the home of Keith’s Vaudeville. The theater seated 1200. From 1910 to 1917 the theater was strictly as Vaudeville house. However is October of 1917 Manager Jake Wells started showing movies which brought on a law suit from Asa Candler, Inc. that maintained that films did not consitute high class entertainment. Mr Wells won the suit and the Forsyth included films in there presentations. During the period of 1917 to 1924 the Forsyth was one of Atlanta’s leading theaters, However when the much larger Georgia Theater open and Keith’s Vaudeville moved up Peachtree the Forsyth became a second run house. During the 20’s theater groups used the theater to present plays, by 1929 the theater portion of the building was gutted and turned into a parking garage (Ten Eyck Brown doing the remodeling) The Forsyth building was torn down in the 1970’s and remains a parking lot
For a more indepth story oon the Forsyth Theater go to the Atlanta Chapter ATOS and in the newsletters go to archived newsletter to July 2006
Dear David: The Cameo closed as a theater then Rodes Opticans opened a store in the building, What you see in the photo is the signs for the opticans shop. However I will say they do look right theatrical.
Mr. Degive replied. “That’s hard to say. When I build I am not going to build for a few years, but I am going to build an opera house which will stay there until it is burned down.”
I have not seen any final report on the cause of the fire, even without the fire I doubt if the theater could have been saved. Atlanta Landmarks had just raised the 1.8 million to secure the FOX and it seems unlikely that Atlanta could come up with the money to do the Grand also. At least the FOX structure was in much better shape and had not been significantly altered over the years, The Grand on the other hand had been radically altered with the 1932 ART DECO redo, which even by the late 50’s had already had many of the fixtures removed or painted over. Except for the GWTW connection the Grand would have been a difficult preservation project to sell. Before construction started on the Grand in 1891, a reported from the Atlanta Constitution asked Mr. Degive when construction would begin
In reference to the appearance of Elvis Presley at the Paramount.
He appeared June 22-24 in 1956 for 10 shows that weekend. 3 shows on Friday, 4 on Saturday, and 3 on Sunday. All seats where $1.25! The ads do not say who is appearing with him except that it is a All New Variety Show. the movie between the shows was “Fury at Gunsight Pass"
He also appeared earlier that year at the Fox Theater, March 14 and 15, for a total of six shows. Appearing with him at the Fox where the Blue Moon Boys, Rod Brasfield, Uncle Cyp, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, and the Jordanaires. The movie between the shows was "The Square Jungle” starring Tony Curtis and Pat Crowley.
The Strand Theater opened Feb.21, 1918 with the film “The Foundling” starring Mary Pickford. and was a local creation.
the architect was a Col. J.W. Barnett. The Kilgen organ was installed in 1919, and was not really a theatre organ. The only unit stop was the vox humana. Ranks where 8' open diapason, stopped flute, harmonic flute, oboe gamba, dulciana, vox humana,16' Bourdon/melodia. The organ was later removed from the theatre and went to 1st Baptist Church Elberton, Georgia. where is was used until just a few years ago when a new organ was built for the chapel. The theater was a type of “old store becomes theatre”, long and narrow.
On a recent visit to the Atlanta History Center, I found a later photograph of the the 10th Street Theater. The shot was taken what looks like in the late 40’s. The theater exterior had been remodeled somewhat along more modern lines. The Spanish sytle was now gone, so to was the tower on the corner of the building.
“Gone With the Wind” was not the only “world premier” at Loew’s Grand
In 1956 Walt Disney’s “The Great Locomotive Chase” starring Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter had its premier. The film told the story of Andrews Raiders which occurred just north of Atlanta during the Civil War. The film was also shot in Rabun County on the Old Tallulah Falls Railroad which is just northeast of Atlanta.
In reference to the posting by Mike Rodgers: The Howard Theatre changed names to the Paramount on Sept 1, 1929. The announcement was made in the Atlanta newspapers on August 28, 1929 The first film under the Paramount name was “The Dance of Life” By Nov. of 1928 the Howard had already installed sound equipment opening with Al Jolsons, “The Singing Fool” at the beginning of November followed by the film “Wings” “King of Kings” originally opened at the Atlanta Theatre in 1927. Subsequent showings where at the Rialto and the
“colored” Paramount Theatre on Auburn Avenue. THis Paramount opened in 1924 THis theatre retained its name even after the Howard changed names.
Just came across and story dated Jan.20, 1944 in the Atlanta Journal, where the owners for the Henry Grady Hotel announced plans to build a 30 story addition to the hotel. According to the article, all the financing was approved and they would be ready to begin construction at the end of the War and when men and materials would become available. The new addition would mean that the auditorium of the Roxy would be torn down so that the new 30 story addition could be built. The lobby of the Roxy would then become the new lobby for the hotel addition.
For what ever reasons these plans were never carried out, so the Roxy almost shared the fate of the Capitol Theatre next door.
In an earlier posting about some articles I did on the Howard/Paramount for the Atlanta Chapter ATOS newsetters, it was stated that they would only be on that site for a year. Since then these newsletters are available by going to the ATlanta Chapter ATOS and going to previous newsletters. The articles on the Paramount are Oct 2006, and MAy 2007. INcluded are many interior shots of the theatre, and a photo of the facade as it appears in Moultrie Ga.
Enjoy.
I have just posted in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS Dec. 2010 newsletter a brief story about some of the theatre’s in Valdosta, mainly the Ritz. Including then and now photo’s. Just google up the Atlanta Chapter ATOS and go to that newsletter. Hope you enjoy.
the aerial view posted on drive-ins.com posted above is of Chamblee Plaza, the Peachtree Drive in was located further north on Peachtree and on the right side of the road.
Actualy the Rivoli opened as the Elite Theatre on Nov, 9,1911.
In 1925 the Elite was completely remodeled and re-opened as the Rivoli on Oct. 5, 1925. In July of 1928 the Kilgen organ was installed and a new facade and marquee where placed on the front of the building. The Rivoli closed in 1955 and became a shoe store, it has been several retail establishments over the years and is currently a pet store. The upper portions of the 1928 facade are still there.
The Reproduco was installed in the 1925 re-model.
“American Theatres of Today” is available through the Theatre Historical Society as a new reprint. Also you might find the reprint that theVestal Press did back in the 70’s thru Amazon.com. or some online book sellers,the originals are hard to find.
The photo posted on 1/13/2010 is the photo of the the theatre published in “American Theatres of Today” which also features an interior shot of the theatre shortly after it opened.
On a note about the Alamo/Strand, on a recent visit to Valdosta it was discovered that the building is still standing, although there are retail spaces in the lower section of the building, it could be posssible that some remnants of the theatre remains in the upper sections of the building. Also there was for a time The Rex Theatre next door to the Alamo.
In reference to the comment by Lost Memory, The Alamo had become the Strand Theater by 1927. The Ritz theater is about two blocks to the right of the Alamo in the photograph and located on the same street. Hopeful in 2010 I will have an article on the Ritz to be published in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS newsletter.
Just finished an article on the Rivoli published in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS November 2009 newsletter. Go to their website and go to that newsletter.
For a historical article on the Imperial go to the Atlanta Chapter ATOS website and go to the newsletter section and click on the October 2009 newsletter.
Several theaters come to mind:
Tennessee Theater in Knoxville
Tivoli theater in Chattanooga
Malco or Orphium in Memphis
Paramount in Bristol
These should all have web sites about the theater
I have just finished an article in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS July 2009 newsletter in which I have a photo of the Tenth Street theater after it opened, The article also has information on the Madison, Empire, West End, and the Buckhead.
The photo posted by Lost Memory is after the removal of all the Spanish decorations.
Just google in Atlanta Chapter ATOS and go to the JUly 2009 newsletter.
Charles Benton the architect of the Riviera, may have also designed the Strand theater in MArietta GA which opened in 1935, in looking at photographs of both theaters there a numerous details that are basically the same in both theaters, The Strand looks to be an earlier and less costly version of the Riviera.
The Strand has been reopened but it was not a restoration back to the original.
To get an idea of what the Garden looked like, go to the Rylander Theater Americus, Georgia. C.K.Howell also designed the Rylander which opened a couple of years after the Garden. He used many of the same decorative elements in both theaters, The plaster work around the stage, the organ chambers and the grills in the ceilings. In the Garden, he has the dancing maidens above the organ grills, At the Rylander they are above the stage opening. Fortunately the Rylander has been restored(1999) and is in operation.
The Forsyth Theater open April 11, 1910 and was designed by Ten Ecyk Brown, The theater building was built by Asa Chandler Inc. as a Vaudeville House and was the home of Keith’s Vaudeville. The theater seated 1200. From 1910 to 1917 the theater was strictly as Vaudeville house. However is October of 1917 Manager Jake Wells started showing movies which brought on a law suit from Asa Candler, Inc. that maintained that films did not consitute high class entertainment. Mr Wells won the suit and the Forsyth included films in there presentations. During the period of 1917 to 1924 the Forsyth was one of Atlanta’s leading theaters, However when the much larger Georgia Theater open and Keith’s Vaudeville moved up Peachtree the Forsyth became a second run house. During the 20’s theater groups used the theater to present plays, by 1929 the theater portion of the building was gutted and turned into a parking garage (Ten Eyck Brown doing the remodeling) The Forsyth building was torn down in the 1970’s and remains a parking lot
For a more indepth story oon the Forsyth Theater go to the Atlanta Chapter ATOS and in the newsletters go to archived newsletter to July 2006
Dear David: The Cameo closed as a theater then Rodes Opticans opened a store in the building, What you see in the photo is the signs for the opticans shop. However I will say they do look right theatrical.
Mr. Degive replied. “That’s hard to say. When I build I am not going to build for a few years, but I am going to build an opera house which will stay there until it is burned down.”
I have not seen any final report on the cause of the fire, even without the fire I doubt if the theater could have been saved. Atlanta Landmarks had just raised the 1.8 million to secure the FOX and it seems unlikely that Atlanta could come up with the money to do the Grand also. At least the FOX structure was in much better shape and had not been significantly altered over the years, The Grand on the other hand had been radically altered with the 1932 ART DECO redo, which even by the late 50’s had already had many of the fixtures removed or painted over. Except for the GWTW connection the Grand would have been a difficult preservation project to sell. Before construction started on the Grand in 1891, a reported from the Atlanta Constitution asked Mr. Degive when construction would begin
In reference to the appearance of Elvis Presley at the Paramount.
He appeared June 22-24 in 1956 for 10 shows that weekend. 3 shows on Friday, 4 on Saturday, and 3 on Sunday. All seats where $1.25! The ads do not say who is appearing with him except that it is a All New Variety Show. the movie between the shows was “Fury at Gunsight Pass"
He also appeared earlier that year at the Fox Theater, March 14 and 15, for a total of six shows. Appearing with him at the Fox where the Blue Moon Boys, Rod Brasfield, Uncle Cyp, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, and the Jordanaires. The movie between the shows was "The Square Jungle” starring Tony Curtis and Pat Crowley.
The Strand Theater opened Feb.21, 1918 with the film “The Foundling” starring Mary Pickford. and was a local creation.
the architect was a Col. J.W. Barnett. The Kilgen organ was installed in 1919, and was not really a theatre organ. The only unit stop was the vox humana. Ranks where 8' open diapason, stopped flute, harmonic flute, oboe gamba, dulciana, vox humana,16' Bourdon/melodia. The organ was later removed from the theatre and went to 1st Baptist Church Elberton, Georgia. where is was used until just a few years ago when a new organ was built for the chapel. The theater was a type of “old store becomes theatre”, long and narrow.
J.B. you are correct that is the Atlanta Theatre. There are several postcards of the Hurt Building that show the Atlanta Theatre in it.
The building was torn down sometime in late 80’s or early 90's
The buildings on either side were still remaining the last time I was in Gainsville.
On a recent visit to the Atlanta History Center, I found a later photograph of the the 10th Street Theater. The shot was taken what looks like in the late 40’s. The theater exterior had been remodeled somewhat along more modern lines. The Spanish sytle was now gone, so to was the tower on the corner of the building.
“Gone With the Wind” was not the only “world premier” at Loew’s Grand
In 1956 Walt Disney’s “The Great Locomotive Chase” starring Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter had its premier. The film told the story of Andrews Raiders which occurred just north of Atlanta during the Civil War. The film was also shot in Rabun County on the Old Tallulah Falls Railroad which is just northeast of Atlanta.