Foley Theatre

119 N. Alston Street,
Foley, AL 36535

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: McLendon Theaters

Previous Names: Palm Theatre, New Foley Theatre

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Foley Theater

The Palm Theatre was opened in Spring of 1923. On September 22, 1938 it was renamed New Foley Theatre. By 1950 it was operated by McLendon Theaters. By 1957 it was independently operated. It closed as a movie theatre on September 2, 1963 with Dean Martin in “Toys in the Attic”. From then it was only open for special events.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on February 19, 2025 at 7:29 pm

The Palm Theatre began advertising in 1923, very likely its first year of operation. Ownership change in December of 1929 led to the first sound films being shown there on December 26, 1929.

The Peoples Theatre Circuit of Alabama purchased the theatre in September of 1938. They changed the name to the “new” Foley Theatre on September 22, 1938 with “The Texan. The “new” was dropped not long after. Regular features at the Foley Theatre stop on September 2, 1963 with “Toys in the Attic.” Since that times out with two 20-year leasing agreements, it is likely what transpired. Sporadic events take place in the venue thereafter.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on December 16, 2025 at 9:08 pm

A May 1923 article stated that the Palm Theatre is open to the public, meaning that it opened around that same time.

MartinMcCaffery
MartinMcCaffery on June 23, 2026 at 3:09 pm

Appears there were three Palm Theatres in Foley. Because no one ever used address in advertising, I don’t have the address but, do have clippings for openings.

Palm 1 1923-1927

Palm 2 November 1927 - August 1937 - This Palm was part of the Foley Hotel building. Same owners as the Palm 1. Couldn’t find any articles about the Palm 1 closing. Appears to be a seamless hand off to Palm 2.

Palm 3 opened in August 25, 1937. Don’t have a closing date yet. It was leased by the same people who ran Palm 2. Located on Alston Street, “across the street from the new telephone exchange.” Was owned by and attorney. September 1938 bought by People’s Theatre,(McLendon) as noted above. First ads I have for the Foley Theatre (“formerly the Palm” is December 1938.

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