Alex Theatre
819 Lee Street,
Alexandria,
LA
71501
819 Lee Street,
Alexandria,
LA
71501
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Bijou Amusement Company
Previous Names: Liberty Theatre, Mood Theatre, Ritz Theatre
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The Liberty Theatre opened June 13, 1919 as an African-American vaudeville & movie theatre. On February 20, 1937 it was renamed Mood Theatre. on March 5, 1919. It was reopened as the Ritz Theatre in November 1939 and closed May 16, 1951 following a devastating fire. Seating was listed at 616 seats. This was still a Negro Theatre operated by the Bijou Amusement Company.
It was rebuilt and continued to operate as the Ritz Theatre until March 30, 1971. It re-opened in May 1971 as the Alex Theatre and closed in April 1978. This was one of four negro theatres in Alexandria. It was demolished for a highway approach the same as the Ace Theatre.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 1 comments)
The Liberty Theatre opened as an African American vaudeville and movie house on June 13, 1919. The theater went out of business in 1930 likely not transitioning to sound. It reopened in 1931 running to 1936 with sound.
It reopened as the Mood Theatre opened February 20, 1937 as an integrated venue showing the film, “Dancing Feet.” The operators were Mr. and Mrs. Chuck M.P. Morel. They closed the theatre two years later on March 5, 1939. After closing for repair, the theatre reopened in November of 1939 as the Ritz Theatre apparently
The original building was consumed in a fire on May 16, 1951 which killed the fire captain. It rebuilt and appears to have closed March 30, 1971 as a grind house. Two months later, it reopened as the Alex Theatre relaunching in 1972 showing Blaxploitation films and appeared to go out of business in April of 1978. The theater’s equipment and materials are sold off in 1980 apparently to satisfy liens. The building is partially demolished and then finished off in 1982.