Muscle Shoals, AL Theatre’s and Drive-ins
1409 Woodward Avenue Muscle Shoals, AL 35660
Opening Date:
05/26/1961 First Movie: The Alamo
1961 Grand opening
1979 Final night of operation
Now occupied by Shoals Plaza Shopping Center, Torn down
closed, 1 screen, 550 cars
The Marbro Drive-In opened May 26, 1961, featuring “The Alamo” with John Wayne & Richard Widmark. It was built for Martin Theatre and designed by architect Rufus E. Bland. It had a 110 feet x 72 feet screen for showing CinemaScope pictures. It was advertised as the largest screen in northern Alabama. It had a 550-car capacity and had 200 car heaters for a year-long operation. The sound and projection equipment was Ballantine Sound-master and Simplex.
The Marbro Drive-In closed on December 2, 1979.
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| The Alamo starring John Wayne 5/26/61 |
Tri-cities Drive-In (Sept 10,1947-Sept 28, 1949)
Second Street and Baker Airway Muscle Shoals City
Operators AD Thompson and JO Hannah
It closed before 1950.
It closed before 1950.
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| Tri-Cities Drive-In Theatre |
Cinema Twin Movie Theatre’s (1973-1998)
1302 Woodward Avenue, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
closed, 2 screens
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5622
The Cinema I and II Theatre opened in Muscle Shoals on Thursday, May 24, 1973. It was the first twin theatre in the Shoals. One auditorium was decorated in red and the other was decorated in blue. This theatre was the first in the Shoals to feature rocking chairs
The theatre became a second-run theatre in its final years. Management transitioned from Martin to Carmike in 1985 along with the Capri 4 Theatres and the Martin Theatre. The name of this theatre became Cinema Twin Theatre. The theatre’s last night of operation was Thursday, August 6, 1998.
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| Cinema I & II showing Slither and Judge Roy Bean |
Tuscumbia, Alabama Theatre’s
Strand Theatre (1924-1955)
112 North Main Street Tuscumbia, Al 35674
closed, demolished, 1 screen, 750 seats
The Strand Theatre opened in 1924 seating 750. By 1941 it was operated by Muscle Shoals Theatre, a subsidiary of the Nashville, TN-based Crescent Amusement Co.
The Strand Theatre closed its doors in January of 1955.
The Strand Theatre closed its doors in January of 1955.
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| Strand Theater last date of movies that I found was Jan 29, 1955 |
Tuscumbian Theater (1950-1977)
117 South Main Street Tuscumbia, Al 35674
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5624
The Tuscumbian Theatre opened on Thursday, October 12, 1950. The theatre was located on Main Street in Tuscumbia.
The theatre was a marble-faced structure and was designed by Marr and Holman of Nashville, and was built by the Daniel Construction of Birmingham.
The same firm was used for the Colbert Theatre in Sheffield and the Shoals Theatre in Florence. The theatre was operated by the Muscle Shoals Theatre. The theatre has a balcony and pushes back chairs. James Allen Hall was the original manager.
The same firm was used for the Colbert Theatre in Sheffield and the Shoals Theatre in Florence. The theatre was operated by the Muscle Shoals Theatre. The theatre has a balcony and pushes back chairs. James Allen Hall was the original manager.
This theatre’s last night of operation was on January 12, 1977.
This building is still standing and being used as an office. The stadium seats were repaired and are being used at the Ritz Theater in Sheffield. Very little remains of the inside of the theater.
https://www.facebook.com/2468269453205398/photos/a.2468293483202995/2469403296425347/?type=3&theater
Tuscumbia Paint The Town
by artist Clay Allison
This building is still standing and being used as an office. The stadium seats were repaired and are being used at the Ritz Theater in Sheffield. Very little remains of the inside of the theater.
https://www.facebook.com/2468269453205398/photos/a.2468293483202995/2469403296425347/?type=3&theater
Tuscumbia Paint The Town
by artist Clay Allison
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| The last showing at the Tuscumbian Theatre was Drum 1/12/77 |
Sheffield, Alabama Theatre’s (1942-1971
Colbert Theatre(1942-1971)
319 North Montgomery Avenue Sheffield 35660
closed, demolished, 1 screen, 900 seats
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9085
The Colbert Theatre was opened in January of 1942. The theatre is located at 900.
The architects for the Colbert Theatre were Marr and Holman of Nashville.
The theatre was operated by Muscle Shoals Theatre. The Colbert Theatre closed on Christmas Day in 1971.
https://www.facebook.com/1671435176458517/photos/a.1671436373125064/2298603650408330/?type=3&theater
Sheffield Paint the Town
by artist Clay Allison
The architects for the Colbert Theatre were Marr and Holman of Nashville.
The theatre was operated by Muscle Shoals Theatre. The Colbert Theatre closed on Christmas Day in 1971.
https://www.facebook.com/1671435176458517/photos/a.1671436373125064/2298603650408330/?type=3&theater
Sheffield Paint the Town
by artist Clay Allison
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| Colbert Theatre showing 12/24/1971 The Wild Angels & last showing 12/25/1971 Black Beauty |
Liberty Movie Theatre, (Opened in February 1915)
Sheffield, AL 35660
closed, 1 screen 400 seats
Morris Lightman Sr formed The Sterling Amusement Company and opened his first theatre in a storefront he had rented in Sheffield, Alabama.
Morris Lightman Sr formed The Sterling Amusement Company and opened his first theatre in a storefront he had rented in Sheffield, Alabama.
The first theatre was built and operated by Morris Aaron Lightman, founder of MALCO Theatres.
South Montgomery Ave Sheffield, AL
Opened June 8, 1952
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| 3-Star Drive Inn June 8, 1952(not sure if this theatre made a go of it. |
Ritz Theatre (1928-1951)(1980-present)
103 West Third Street Sheffield, Al 35660
open, 1 screen 350 seats
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1025
Built as a playhouse, the Ritz Theatre was opened on July 9, 1928, with a production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. Louis Rosenbaum was the district manager of Muscle Shoals Theatre, the company that owned the theatre, and C. J. Ross was the first manager of the Ritz Theatre. The Ritz Theatre had a seating capacity of 408 downstairs, 173 in the ‘white’ balcony, and 101 in the ‘colored’ balcony, a total of 682 seats. The theatre had a Wurlitzer organ. It was refitted in 1933 to accommodate talkies and to undergo a sleek Art Deco-style makeover. On Saturday, January 23, 1933, the theatre had another ‘Grand Opening’ when President Roosevelt visited Florence that day. 1941 Muscle Shoals Theatre is a subsidiary of the Nashville Tennessee Crescent Amusement Co.
The Ritz Theatre remained one of Sheffield’s most popular movie houses until it went out of business on June 9, 1951.
In 1985, the Ritz Theatre was purchased by the Tennessee Valley Arts Association and restored to its 1930s appearance, complete with its unusual auditorium side wall decoration, resembling giant fans.
The Ritz Theatre is now home to the Center Stage Community Theater, which performs both classical and contemporary plays in the setting of a classic small-town movie house.
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| Ritz Theatre Sheffield, Al |
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| Ritz opened July 9, 1928 |
Park-Vue Drive-In (1950-1961)
Highland Park Sheffield, Al
Opening date: 1950/05/11
The first movie is shown: Calamity Jane And Sam Bass
The Park-Vue Drive-In opened on Thursday, May 11, 1950, at 6:30.
It was located in Highland Park in Sheffield, AL. Admission was originally 45 cents for adults and children under 12 were admitted free. The theatre had individual Ballantyne speakers for each car.
On opening night, the movie "Calamity Jane and Sam Bass" was shown.
The theatre opened at 6:00 and the first show was started at sundown. Free ice cream and popcorn were given to children on opening night.
This drive-in's last night of business seems to have been March 5, 1961.
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| Park-Vue Drive-in Showing Calamity Jane & Sam Bass Opening May 11, 1950 |
Florence, Alabama Theatre’s and Drive-ins
Shoals Theater (1948-1980)Reopened in 2011 and used as live theatre
123 North Seminary Street Florence, Al 35630
open, renovated, 1 screen, 1,344 seats
The Shoals Theatre opened on Thursday, October 21, 1948. The theatre was located at 123 North Seminary in Florence, at the corner of Seminary Street and Mobile Street, diagonally across from the post office.
The theatre was in a new building also containing four stores. One store, Brother and Sister Shop, was already open and in operation, but the other three stores opened at the same time as the theatre.
The theatre was in a new building also containing four stores. One store, Brother and Sister Shop, was already open and in operation, but the other three stores opened at the same time as the theatre.
The theatre had 1,344 seats in orchestra and balcony levels. At the time of its opening, it was the fourth-largest theatre in the state and the largest in any town with an under 100,000 population.
The theatre featured the voice of the theatre sound equipment and had a completely duplicating set that could be activated by a snap of a switch in case of failure.
The theatre featured the voice of the theatre sound equipment and had a completely duplicating set that could be activated by a snap of a switch in case of failure.
The theatre was the first in the South to feature Slide-back seats, which could be retracted six inches with the shove of the body, to make it easier for people to walk in front of the other customers.
At the time there were only four other theaters in the world in possession of these seats.
At the time there were only four other theaters in the world in possession of these seats.
This theatre’s last night of operation was Thursday, March 13, 1980.
It was reopened for concerts, and special events and used in a film festival in 2011. By 2012, it was in use as a live theatre.
It was reopened for concerts, and special events and used in a film festival in 2011. By 2012, it was in use as a live theatre.
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| Shoals Theatre |
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| Shoals Theatre opened on 10/22/1948 with that Lady in Ermine |
Regency Square 12, Theatre(2004-March 2016) Bought out by AMC Theatres and is now called AMC Florence 12 (March 2016-present)
301 Cox Creek Parkway Florence, Al 35630 Opened 12 screens, 2,210 seats
Carmike opened the Regency Square 12 on November 11, 2004.
Seating is listed at 2,210. Amenities include digital projection and sound, 3D capabilities, online ticketing, stadium seating, and first-run attractions.
Seating is listed at 2,210. Amenities include digital projection and sound, 3D capabilities, online ticketing, stadium seating, and first-run attractions.
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| Regency Square Cinemas 12 |
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| Regency Square 12 opened on November 11, 2004 |
Joy-Lan Drive-In Theatre (1950-1983)
3155 Cloverdale Road Florence, Al 35632closed, demolished, 1 screen, 600 carsOwned and operated by the Martin familybuilt 1949-1950 (1950-1983)opening 4/20/1950first movie: Yes, Sir, That’s My Baby1950 Grand Opening1983 Final night of operationdetails Now occupied by Christ Churchhttp://cinematreasures.org/theaters/16288
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| Joy-Lan Drive-in Theatre opened on April 24, 1950, with Romance on the High Seas |
Wilson Drive-In Theatre (1950-1968)
4447 County Road 32 Florence, AL 35632
closed, demolished, 1screen, 536 cars
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/20681
The Wilson Drive-In opened on July 12, 1950.
It was owned by A. W. Hammonds, W. W. Hammonds Jr, B. Coss, and E. D. Wells, all from Albertville, AL.
They also owned the Marshall Drive-In in Albertville. A. W. Hammonds was the manager of the theatre.
Later in 1959, James A. Duncan was hired to be the manager and A. W. Hammonds retired.
It had a 536-car capacity and had a playground for the kids. It also had outdoor seating for people without cars.
They also owned the Marshall Drive-In in Albertville. A. W. Hammonds was the manager of the theatre.
Later in 1959, James A. Duncan was hired to be the manager and A. W. Hammonds retired.
It had a 536-car capacity and had a playground for the kids. It also had outdoor seating for people without cars.
The Wilson Drive-In was closed on October 19, 1968. It was still listed in the newspaper ‘Welcome to Florence’ advertisements for 1969 and 1970 as a Martin Theatre.
There is an electricity substation on the property now.
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| Wilson Drive-in Theatre opened on July 12, 1950 |
The New Theatre/Norwood Theatre (1948-1968)
1130 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL 35630 closed, demolished, 1 screen 600 seats
The New Theatre opened on March 24, 1948, located on North Wood Avenue at Gilbert Court, with seating for 600. Just a month after opening in April the theatre received the new name of Norwood Theatre.
The Norwood Theatre lasted until the late-1960s.
The Norwood Theatre lasted until the late-1960s.
The building was destroyed by a fire on August 18, 1968, and the remains were demolished.
Sunday, August 18, 1968, at 8:25 AM this theater burnt down.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/15578
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| Norwood Theatre North Florence (this mural is hanging in Florence Mall) |
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| Norwood Theater Burned down Aug 18, 1968, 8:25AM |
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| Name Changed to Norwood 4/20/48 Fireman battle the Norwood Theater fire Sunday Times Daily Aug 19, 1968 Cause of Blaze probed The cause of the blaze which destroyed the 20-year-old Norwood Theater early Sunday morning has not been determined, Florence fireman said this morning. four trucks answered the call Sunday at 8:25AM but the fireman said the fire was out of control by the time they arrived. The fireman is still attempting to determine what caused the blaze, believed to have started in the area of the stag. The department fought the blaze for approximately three hours. Buildings on both sides of the theater reported some water damage. The theater, presently owned by the Martin chain, was opened in March 1948, and the first owners Dan Davis and HL Bobo first announced it would be a supermarket. About 30 days before opening they announced it would be a movie theater. Martin officials said today no decision had been made on whether or not to rebuild the structure. Local officials were expected to hear today from the home office in Columbus, Ga,. The original construction cost of the 564-seat theater was $80,00 and was reportedly sold to the Martin firm in 1961 for $175,000. The theater was closed for about 3 years after the new owners took over. Martin officials said they have no estimates of the loss suffered by the blaze. The fire collapsed the roof of the structure, although the brick walls were left standing. The Muscle Shoals area is now left with only three in-door theaters. |
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| The New Theater opened March 24, 1948, with Buck Privates Come Home |
Martin Theatre (1970-1988)
Grant Plaza Shopping Center, Florence, AL 35630
closed, 1 screen 450 seats
The Martin Theatre opened at the Grant Plaza Shopping Center 1700 Darby Drive Florence, AL on Friday, December 4, 1970.
The theatre was the first automated theatre in the Shoals.
This allowed the projectionist to press a button to start the movies and the automation equipment would dim the auditorium lights and start the show.
The theatre was the first automated theatre in the Shoals.
This allowed the projectionist to press a button to start the movies and the automation equipment would dim the auditorium lights and start the show.
The theatre featured X-Eton lamp houses. The screen size for cinemascope was 15 feet by 35 feet and the size for normal features (flat widescreen) was 15 feet by 28 feet.
Helen Slay was the first manager of the location and Warren Carswell was the city manager for Martin Theatres.
Helen Slay was the first manager of the location and Warren Carswell was the city manager for Martin Theatres.
This theatre became a Carmike theatre on October 25, 1985, along with the Capri 4 and Cinema Twin Theatres.
Martin’s last night of business was on June 9, 1988.
Martin’s last night of business was on June 9, 1988.
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| Location of Martin Theater in 1970 Grant Plaza 1700 Darby Drive Florence, Al now The Brass Monkey1816 Darby Drive Florence, Alabama |
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| Dirty Dingus Magee staring Sinatra Grand Opening at Martin Theater 12/4/1970 |
Majestic Theatre (1919-1951)
204 N. Court Street, Florence, AL 35630
closed, demolished, 1 screen, 400 seats
The Majestic Theatre opened on Saturday, August 30, 1919.
It was located at 204 North Court Street next to the new First National Bank building.
From the advertisements, it was not clear what was shown on opening day, but the primary advertisements announced a “Paramount Artcraft Special,,"" a motion picture style show with living models and moving pictures called “That Well Dressed Look” for September 1 and 2.
The theatre seated 400 people. Opened by Morris Lightman Sr under the Sterling Amusement Company.
It was located at 204 North Court Street next to the new First National Bank building.
From the advertisements, it was not clear what was shown on opening day, but the primary advertisements announced a “Paramount Artcraft Special,,"" a motion picture style show with living models and moving pictures called “That Well Dressed Look” for September 1 and 2.
The theatre seated 400 people. Opened by Morris Lightman Sr under the Sterling Amusement Company.
The last night of operation for the Majestic Theatre was June 9, 1951.
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| Majestic Theater showing Outside the Law |
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| Majestic Theatre opens with "Bar 20 Rides Again" and "Fugitive Valley." |
Hickory Hills Cinema 6 (1978-2008)
1949 Florence Boulevard, Florence 35630
closed 6 screens 1,350 seats
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9083
Litchfield Theatre opened the Hickory Hill in March of 1978 as a three-screen venue. A year later a fourth screen was added.
The theatre went through another renovation in 1985 and two more screens were added. Stereo sound was added to the auditoriums at this time. United Artists took over operations at this time. Carmike Theatre operated the Hickory Hills from 1989 until it closed in January 2008.
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| Hickory Hills Cinema opened in March 1978 |
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| Hickory Hills Cinema (Now Grace House) |
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| Hickory Hills Cinema sign |
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| Hickory Hills Sign & Building |
Cinema Theatre (Princess) (1919-1966)
215 East Tennessee Street Florence, 35630
closed, 1 screen, 700 seats
The Princess Theatre in Florence opened on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 1919, with a cost of $75,000 and a seating capacity of 1200. The ads referred to the theatre as the “$75,000 Opera House”.
The theatre was fashioned in a Spanish motif and had a chandelier and a cork linoleum floor.
The theatre was fashioned in a Spanish motif and had a chandelier and a cork linoleum floor.
On Monday, April 13, 1925, the theatre was reopened after remodeling and replacement of the roof. 500 balloons were thrown from the top of the theatre, each containing a pass. Professor George E. Hatch played the Wurlitzer organ for the opening that day.
By 1941 it was operated by Muscle Shoals Theatre, a subsidiary of Nashville, TN. Based Crescent Amusement Co.
On Wednesday, April 30, 1958, the theatre was again remodeled and reopened as the Cinema Theatre. It had new seats and was reconfigured with a total seating capacity of 700 and new decorations. Restrooms, carpeting, lobby, and cry room. The theatre was operated by Rosenbaum Theatre at this time, which also operated the Shoals, Tuscumbian, and Colbert Theatres at this time.
The Cinema Theatre’s last night of operation was September 24, 1966.
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| Princess Theatre Opened Sept 1, 1919 |
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| Cinema Theater opened on April 30, 1958, with The Long Hot Summer |
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| Princess Theater opened September 1, 1919 |
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| Capri Theatre opened in July 1978 with Star Wars and The End Capri Four (1978-2004)
301 Cox Creek Parkway Florence, Al 35630
closed demolished, 4 screens 865 seats
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9084
The Capri Twin opened in July of 1978 and was operated by Martin Theatres.
It was located behind Regency Square Mall. The theatre was remodeled in 1983 and two screens were added.
Carmike took over operations in 1985.
The last day of operation was September 19, 2004.
The building was demolished to make way for more parking for the new Carmike that was built next to where the Capri sat.
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| Wilson Theatre at Wilson Dam 9/5/1919 Wilson Theatre at Wilson Dam advertised on September 5, 1919, not sure when it opened |
The Wheeler Drive-inn Theater
Elgin Cross Roads
A now wooded area was once a drive-in theater, located on Highway 72, just east of Highway 101, the Southeast corner of that intersection. It appears to have been in business by around 1955, according to aerial photography, closing in 1971. One of the entrance trails is barely still visible at the edge of Highway 72. While this is usually referred to as Elgin (Crossroads), it appears to now be considered Rogersville city.
The Mary Drive-In opened on July 12, 1953, featuring “Meet Captain Kidd” starring Abbott & Costello & Charles Laughton. It was a small drive-in with a 200-car capacity. It was closed on October 30, 1961. The last show Ferry to Hong Kong with Orson Welles, Curt Jurgens
It was re-opened on July 2, 1966, as the Fox Drive-In. It closed in 1970.
Hwy 72 Cherokee, Al
Hwy 72 Cherokee, Al
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| The Opera House Florence Feb 3, 1911 |
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| The Florence Theater on April 28, 1918 Could not find the Location of this theatre |
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| Theato in Florence, Al Jan 9, 1914 Not sure of the location or opening date |
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| The Theato Under new management Dec 5, 1913 It appears to have opened previously. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=ie8Y0QrpMWAC&dat=19131205&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Frontpage along with Florence Opera House |
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| Theatres listed in Florence Times Jan 9, 1912 The Ritz Sheffield Princess Florence Strand Tuscumbia Majestic Florence https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=ie8Y0QrpMWAC&dat=19120109&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |
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| Bijou before the awing was added |
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| The Bijou Silent Theater opened at the turn of the 20th century in Tuscumbia opened Sept 30, 1919, and closed on April 13, 1920 https://www.timesdaily.com/news/group-wants-to-save-restore-tuscumbia-theater/article_ff22b64d-86d4-5cef-a9e4-3d86f5451a8b.html |
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| What remains of the Bijou Silent Theatre Built at the turn of the 20th Century. https://www.facebook.com/2468269453205398/photos/a.2468293483202995/2600001066698902/?type=3&theater Tuscumbia Paint the Town by Artist Clay Allison
The newspaper clippings came from the Florence Times/Times Daily.
The pictures of theatres, storefronts, and signs were taken by me. Links to FB Sheffield, & Tuscumbia Paint the Town by Clay Allison Links & information at Cinema Treasures
Louis & Stanley Rosenbaum Princes, Majestic Theaters, Shoals located in Florence, Alabama Colbert, Ritz Theaters, located in Sheffield Strand, Tuscumbian Theaters, located in Tuscumbia, Alabama Ritz, Plaza Theaters located, in Athens, Alabama
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Theatres and drive-in's of the Shoals Area!
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