Bijou Theatre

112 E. Broughton Street,
Savannah, GA 31322

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Keith-Albee, Lucas & Jenkins, Inc., Wilmer & Vincent Corp.

Functions: Retail

Nearby Theaters

Bijou Theatre 1948. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Land Facebook page.

The Bijou Theatre was opened December 25, 1909 as a playhouse, presenting “When We Were Twenty One”. By 1914 it was screening movies. By 1926 it was operated by Wilmer & Vincent Corp. By 1936 it was operated by Lucas & Jenkins Inc., an affiliate of Publix. It was closed either November or December 1952.

The front section of the building survives in retail use. The auditorium which was located across E. Congress Lane has been demolished, and a multi-story carpark has been built on the site.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

SidKCols
SidKCols on May 6, 2014 at 9:36 pm

Another theater in Savannah with the auditorium across the lane in the back(now a parking lot).

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on August 10, 2018 at 8:39 pm

The opening of the Bijou was noted in the January 8, 1910 issue of The New York Dramatic Mirror:

“SAVANNAH.—BIJOU R. G. Herndon, mgr.) : The new Bijou was auspiciously opened Dec. 25 with a presentation of When We Were Twenty-One: the new theatre is modern in every respect and the management has taken pains to look after every comfort of patrons: the decorations both interior and exterior are very handsome : there are two entrances, one on Broughton and one on Congress street; for the present Schiller’s Stock co. will present standard plays at popular prices.”
The Bijou was listed in the 1912-1913 Cahn guide, and in the 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Directory. Over the years it served as a legitimate theater, a movie house and a vaudeville theater, and was for a time part of the B. F.Keith circuit.

Given the name Bijou it’s possible that the house was originally built for Jake Wells' Bijou circuit, as Wells was planning to build a new theater in Savannah in 1909, according to the June 10 issue of Manufacturers' Record.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 12, 2025 at 10:19 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 13, 2025 at 7:42 pm

Closed in November or December 1952. Classified ad selling contents posted.

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