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Tennessee Movie Theatres (page 2)

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Plaza Theatre
Memphis, TN		 American Theatre
Memphis, TN		 Crosstown
Theatre [gone]
Memphis, TN
The Plaza Theatre opened in 1952. It was located in the Poplar Plaza shopping center. The theatre closed in 1987. The building was adapted for a book store. The building now houses the Osaka Japanese Cuisine restaurant. The interior has been gutted but the exterior marquee has been partially preserved. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

The American Theatre opened in 1928. In 1930, it was named the Malco Theatre. In 1935, the theatre was remodeled to its current look as the Memphian Theatre. In 1986, it was adapted for live performances and renamed the Playhouse on the Square. The Playhouse on the Square moved across the street in 2010. This theatre became the Circuit Playhouse. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

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.

Lamar Theatre
Memphis, TN

2003 and 2007:
2019:
The Lamar Theatre opened in 1926. It has been vacant and deteriorating since the late 1970s. The building was painted brown around 2016. For more, see this website. [map]

Orpheum Theatre
Memphis, TN
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. In 1940, the Orpheum switched from vaudeville 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 two-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 this website. [map]

Daisy Theatre
Memphis, TN
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 this website. [map]

New Daisy Theatre
Memphis, TN
2007: 2019:
The New Daisy Theatre was built in 1941. Since the 1980s, it has been used as a music venue. The marquee was painted green in 2013. It was painted the current grayish blue in 2016. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Luciann Theatre
Memphis, TN

2007:
2019:
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 porn theatre (the Paris XXX Adult Entertainment Center). It has been vacant since 2017. For more, see this website. [map]

Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Memphis, TN
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music has a replica facade of the Capitol Theatre which was built in the 1930s. The theater building was demolished around 1989. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Majestic Theatre
Memphis, TN
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 and 2. [map]

Belle Meade Theatre
Nashville, TN
The Belle Meade Theatre opened in 1940 and closed in 1991. It was then converted into a Bookstar book store. In 2007, the auditorium was demolished and the building was converted into retail and residential space. The complex is now known as the Belle Meade Town Center. In 2022, it was announced that the rest of the theatre building would be demolished for more residential space. I think the sign and marquee might be saved and incorporated into the new building. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Shelbyville:
Capri Theatre

Somerville:
Fair Theatre

Oldham Theatre
Sparta, TN
The Oldham Theatre was built sometime in the late 1930s and closed sometime after the 1970s. The facade has been preserved but the building has been converted into a welcome center. The top row of photos is from 2003 when renovation work was still going on. The bottom row is from 2010. For more, see this website. [map]

Capitol Theatre
Union City, TN		 Oldham Theatre
Winchester, TN
The Capitol Theatre was built in 1927. It is now known as the Masquerade Theatre and has been featuring live entertainment since around 1994. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

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 and 2. [map]

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