Martin Theatre
409 Harrison Avenue,
Panama City,
FL
32401
409 Harrison Avenue,
Panama City,
FL
32401
2 people
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1943 image added via Joe Agnew.
“Hitler’s Children” showing at the Ritz.
Website: http://www.martintheatre.com/ Functions should include: Movies, classic
Photo added of Military Jeeps parading in front of the Ritz.
I live here in Panama City, I research History and I have joined a team that will be leading a paranormal investigation at the Martin Theater here in Panama City. I am VERY interested in any stories AT ALL of the events and people that frequented this establishment whether paranormal or not, that can shed some light on the rich history of this beautiful theater.
My brother worked as “doorman” – “ticket-taker” at this theater back in the 50’s. They use to have Saturday morning matinees for about fifty cents. I think the entire school would attend these shows. You would see not only the movie, but newsreels, cartoon, a serial (Tarzan, Superman, Flash Gordon, etc), along with previews of upcoming events. Nothing could be more fun when they had stage shows and turned out the lights and let monsters loose in the audience. I’m interested if anyone has any pictures when they had the movie “Underwater” with Jane Russell. A display was set up and my brother furnished his large goldfish for the exhibit while the movie was playing. I also have fond memories of all the other movie theaters in town. Bud Davis Drive-in was located where K-mart is on 15th Street. What fun!
This opened on November 21st, 1936. 10 out of 12 pages in that’s day newspaper had something about the Ritz.
All nice pictures of what a movie theatre should look like.
Here are some pictures I took in September 2010.
Nice vintage photo Don.
From 1954 a picture postcard view of the Ritz Theatre in Panama City which was later renamed the Martin.
Nice shot Chuck, we used to have quite a few MARTIN theatres in Tennessee as I am sure you know.
Here is a January 1951 ad from the Panama City News-Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/ydwv6y7
A 1986 view of the Martin Theater in Panama City.
Other theaters in Panama City as of 8/56 were the Bud Davis Drive-In, Gulf Drive-in, Isle of View Drive-In, Wayside Drive-In, Panama Theater and Bay Theater.
Here is a 1956 ad for the Ritz. Note the racist campaign ad on the left – an unfortunate sign of the times.
http://tinyurl.com/ylpjge
Listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s;1941 and 1943 editions as the Ritz Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,270. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity of the Ritz is given as 1,220 and the address is 415 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL.
The offical website for the Martin is
http://www.martintheatre.com/
Also includes several photos.
Newer color picture (or painting):
http://interoz.com/martin.htm
1988 photo:
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/general/n036702.jpg