| Movie Theatres |
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| TENNESSEE |
| Orpheum Theatre Memphis, TN |
Paramount Theatre Bristol, TN |
Ruffin Theatre Covington, TN |
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The Orpheum Theatre was designed by Rapp & Rapp in 1928 in the French Renaissance style. It was built on the site of the 1890 Grand Opera House which was destroyed by fire in 1923. The new ornate theatre cost $1.6 million. Both entities offered vaudeville but in 1940, the Orpheum switched over to movies. In 1976, there was talk of demolishing the theatre. But in 1977, the theatre went back to live productions. In 1982, it received a 2-year, $5 million restoration. The Orpheum now offers Broadway plays, ballet, opera and concerts. It is believed by some to be haunted by ghosts. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The Paramount Theatre opened in 1931 as an Art Deco movie palace. It was restored in 1991 and is now a performing arts center (The Paramount Center for the Arts). For more info, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Ruffin Theatre was built in 1936. Since the early 1980s, it has been featuring live shows and is used as a haunted house around Halloween. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see this website. |
| Ritz Theatre Covington, TN |
Crosstown Theatre Memphis, TN |
Lamar Theatre Memphis, TN |
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The Ritz Theatre is now home to Ritz Antiques and Collectibles. It offers dinner theatre on the upper level. For more, see this website.
The Crosstown Theatre was built in the late 1940s and opened in 1951. It is now used as a Jehovah's Witness church. Elvis Presley used to rent the theatre out in the 1960s and 1970s for all-night movie sessions. In 2005, after this photo was taken, the vertical marquee was removed and destroyed. For more, see this website. The Lamar Theatre has been vacant and deteriorating since the 1970s. For more, see this website. |
| Palace Theatre now Community Auditorium and Visitors Center Crossville, TN |
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| The Palace Theatre was built in 1938. It closed in 1978 and fell into disrepair. In 1993, the city bought it and fundraising began. In 2000, the theater was nearly demolished for a parking lot. Restoration was begun in 2000 and, in 2001, the Palace re-opened as the Community Auditorium and Visitors Center. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Oldham Theatre Sparta, TN |
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| The Oldham Theatre was built around the 1930s. It has been restored further since these photos. It will be used as a welcome center. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Belle Meade Theatre Nashville, TN |
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| The Belle Meade Theatre opened in 1940 and closed in 1991. It was then converted into a Bookstar book store. As of 2007, it is being converted into retail and residential space. Only part of the lobby and marquee will be saved. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Ritz Theatre & Hoskins Drug Store Clinton, TN |
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| The Ritz Theatre & Hoskins Drug Store was built in 1945 and closed in 1969. In 1972, the theatre was used by the Red Speeks Country Music Show (a radio program). It then closed again in 1987. It was cleaned up and reopened in 2000 for films and live entertainment. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see see this website. |
| Daisy Theatre Memphis, TN |
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| The Daisy Theatre was built in 1902 and features a striking half dome entrance. The New Daisy Theatre (see below) was built directly across the street. In the 1980s, this theatre was renovated and reopened as the Beale Street Blues Museum. The building is now used for special events and wedding receptions. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
| New Daisy Theatre Memphis, TN |
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| The New Daisy Theatre is now used for live performances and private events. It was built in the 1940s. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Soulsville U.S.A. Memphis, TN |
Majestic Theatre Memphis, TN |
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Stax Records opened as a record store in the former Capitol Theater in 1959. The Capitol was built in the 1930s. Stax Records developed a recording studio which produced records for Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Booker T. & the MG's, and others. The original theater building was demolished around 1989 with a replica of the exterior incorporated into the new design. This building houses the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, aka Soulsville U.S.A. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
The former Majestic Theatre was built 1913. The theatre closed in the 1930s. In 1936, it became home to Julius Lewis Men's Store. That store closed in the mid-1950s and the building was used by other businesses after that. In 2006, the Majestic Grille opened in this space. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Roxy Theatre Clarksville, TN |
Roxy Theatre Dickson, TN |
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The Clarksville Roxy Theatre opened in 1947, replacing the earlier Lillian Theatre which was destroyed by fire. The Roxy closed in 1980. In 1983, it was converted into a dinner theatre known as the Roxy Regional Theatre. The theatre was renovated again in 1995. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
The Dickson Roxy Theatre opened in 1950 and closed in 1959. It is now used as Ragan's Arcade. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Oldham Theatre Winchester, TN |
Luciann Theatre Memphis, TN |
Lincoln Theatre Fayetteville, TN |
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The Oldham Theatre opened originally as the Rivoli Theatre. In 1949, it was gutted and remodeled. It is still in use as a movie theatre. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
The Luciann Theatre opened in 1940 and closed in 1963. It has been completely gutted and was used as a bowling alley before being converted into a porno theatre (the Paris XXX Adult Entertainment Center). For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Lincoln Theatre opened in 1951. In 1982, it was converted into a two-screen. The Lincoln is still in use. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Princess Theatre Harriman, TN |
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| The Princess Theatre looks like it was built in the 1940s. It closed in 2001 and is currently being restored. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
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More TN Theatres:
Capitol Theatre (Greeneville) Tennessee Theatre: 1, 2, 3 (Knoxville) Crockett Theatre (Lawrenceburg) Capitol Theatre: 1, 2 (Lebanon) Varsity Theater (Martin) Park Theater (McMinnville) Memphian Theatre (now Playhouse on the Square): 1, 2, 3 (Memphis) Regal Hollywood 27 Theatre: 1, 2 (Nashville) Capri Theatre: 1, 2 (Shelbyville) various TN Theatres |
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