Richards Theatre, circa 1958
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Fayette, AL
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Uploaded on: February 1, 2015
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Picture of Richards Theatre probably taken around 1958 since that’s when both of the movies on the marquee were playing. Also possibly taken on a Monday since it says “Gift Night $925”. According to a comment by theatrehistorian, “When the larger, more-modern Richard’s Theatre opened everyone went there – especially on Monday Jackpot nights. If you were there and your ticket stub number was called, you won whatever amount the weekly prize was. If no winner, the dollar amount increased for the next week.”
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I may be wrong about this, but, I recall the Richards closing in December 1970. I spent many Saturday afternoons and nights in it. Even saw it full a few times. The last film that I remember playing there was “The Battle of Britain,” starring a young actor named Michael Caine. The manager, who I knew, was sweeping out the lobby when I walked by on a sunny Dec. afternoon, just after it closed. His name was Bill and he asked if I’d like to go inside and take a last look around. I did. I asked him, “How many did it seat?” He told me,“999. Old man Richards built it to squeeze in as many seats as possible, because the insurance went from 0-999, then, 1,000-1,999, etc.” I credit the Richards and the films I saw there to educating me that there were bigger and better things far outside the Fayette city limits and past the county line. It’s a shame that the people of Fayette have to drive 40-50+ miles to see a film on the big screen.