Lyric Theatre
Russellville,
AL
35653
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The Lyric Theatre opened its doors on January 18, 1940 with David Niven in “Raffles” (Samuel Goldwyn) and selected short subjects. Mr. Lee Gault at that point takes his role as the manager for the theatre on its Grand Opening as it was owned by Hartselle Theatres Corporation Incorporated, run by President C. Stengel. Mr. Gault from Russellville has been operating as a projectionist since 1911, and nearly since 1937 at the nearby Franklin Theatre (formerly, the Franklin Theatre had its name since September 1935, formerly known as the New Theatre, battling against the nearby Princess Theatre). The Richardson Lumber Company had furnished material for the theatre building, while the Decatur Pump Company had the contract for all of the plumbing work and their selected Kohler products as well. The marquee was done by Memphis, Tennessee based Balton Sign Company. And lastly, the DeVaney Brothers company had a huge successful bidder for the contract to construct the building as it was headed by Alfred DeVaney.
This theatre contains the following: The lighting system contains a general color scheme and attractiveness of the interior. As it was suspended from their ceiling by silver-colored chains and lamps with a cast of a soft, mellow glow over the seating area with indirect light, the seats in the theatre were a little deeper in, so the person in the front does not obscure the vision of the person just a seat back. The seats were padded, curved back and springy of the orchestra seats provide a maximum of comfort. The modern-in-design look contains a fashion of a rich red color with turquoise and black overlay pattern. The exterior of the modern front with a color arrangement of yellow, red, and black structure glass. Chromium stripes on the doors were across the entire front bringing the color of the marquee and neon covers and showers of the marquee. The walls and domes are done in cream acoustic material with designs figuring the ceiling and walls. The draperies were contrasted in gold metallic trim and are in wine velour. Lastly, the projection booth. According to the Franklin County Times, the theatre might’ve added material that the entire projection booth is 100% fireproof with complete covering on concrete blocks and steel. Experts say that a fire would rage for hours before reaching the interior proper.
Mr. Lee Gault was the main manager of the theatre. Sometimes he takes breaks from here-and-there. James M. Foster of Nashville, Tennessee for several years associated with owners of the Lyric Theatre began managing during the two-week vacation Mr. Lee Gault has taken at one time.
Allen Smith later operated the theatre, but was taken over by Tom Mansell beginning in the middle of May 1951. Mr. Mansell started working in the theatre business in 1942 as an usher after attending Russellville High School nearby. Mr. and Mrs. Mansell on the same day he applied for business at the Lyric Theatre gave a special surprise to a new-born baby girl, Debra Sue, on that same day at the Betty Wilson hospital.
Russellville then had yet again, an another spit-in-a-bucket challenge against another competitor. The answer is the Roxy Theatre. When the nearby Roxy Theatre opened on September 15, 1949, the Roxy Theatre started to grow steam across Franklin County, the Lyric Theatre began sinking the ship on its popularity, and began to fight competitions once again. The Lyric Theatre tried to steam a little bit more but can’t hold on much longer. The Lyric Theatre lost the fight against the Roxy Theatre after it became a more-popular theatre in the area in the mid-1950’s. More commonly in 1954, when CinemaScope was installed at the Roxy Theatre. The Lyric Theatre never had the opportunity to install it and had downgraded to more commonly main special events across Franklin County, but once in a rare time they do some possible special showings. The theatre closed in 1956 when it began divided into 2 stores later that June.
Contributed by
50sSNIPES
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
A Little Interesting Note On The Seat Manufacturing The Theater Put: The International Seat Corporation Traveled A Total Of 542 Miles From Their Headquarters In Union City, Indiana To Russellville, Alabama To Install The Amount Of Seats They’ve Placed Before The Lyric Opened To The Public.
An Another Chain, Muscle Shoals Theatres (Who Owned Florence’s Princess And Majestic, The Ritz Theatres In Sheffield And Athens, And The Strand In Tuscumbia), Also Extends Their Congratulations For Their Opening. But Their Main Ownership Remains Their Hartselle Chain Since It’s Opening.
The Nearby Franklin Theatre Closed Its Doors Exactly Days Before The Lyric Opened It’s Doors, Which Will Have It’s Page Soon.
NOTE: When The Lyric Opened Its Doors With “Raffles”, The Lyric Did Open With Selected Short Subjects. These Subjects Include A Newsreel, Cartoon, And “An Adventures Of A Newsreel Cameraman” Short.