Here's one theater that's pretty hard to miss. The Fox Theatre towers over Peachtree Street in Atlanta, with its huge vertical FOX sign, glowing marquee and an elaborate building that looks more like something out of the Arabian Nights than a downtown movie house. This is one of those places where you almost have to stop and take a look. 06-06
The Fox opened on Christmas Day 1929, originally conceived as part of an elaborate headquarters for Atlanta's Shriners. Movie mogul William Fox became involved during construction, and the result was one of the grandest movie palaces in the South. Inside you'll find Moorish and Egyptian touches, an atmospheric night-sky ceiling with twinkling stars, and the massive "Mighty Mo" theater organ.
The Fox spent decades showing movies and hosting performances, but by the 1970s its future wasn't looking too bright. The theater was threatened with demolition in 1974, prompting Atlanta's famous "Save the Fox" campaign. The old palace survived and went on to become a National Historic Landmark.
Fox Theatre box office
Atlanta, GA Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
Quite a few famous names have passed beneath that marquee over the years. Prince even played his final public concerts here in April 2016, just a week before his death.
Fortunately, the Fox is still doing what a theater should be doing. The crowds are still coming through the doors and that towering neon sign continues to light up Peachtree Street.
UPDATE: Here's a photo of the box office at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Many thanks to Paul Bauke for update. 04-09
UPDATE: The Fox Theatre remains open for concerts, Broadway shows, movies and other events, with its classic marquee and vertical FOX sign still shining over Atlanta. 08-26
Tivoli Theatre
Chattanooga, TN Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here's a theater front that's been kept up nicely over the years. The Tivoli Theatre in downtown Chattanooga still sports its classic marquee and tall blade sign reaching out over Broad Street. It's the kind of old theater that still looks like a night out should be something special. 06-06
The Tivoli opened in 1921 as an elaborate movie palace and quickly became known as the "Jewel of the South." Inside were crystal chandeliers, marble, an ornate ceiling and even an early air-conditioning system, quite a luxury for moviegoers in those days.
Like many downtown theaters, the Tivoli went through some lean years as audiences moved elsewhere. The City of Chattanooga stepped in during the 1960s, and the old palace eventually found a second life as a performing arts venue. A major restoration brought it back in 1989.
The Tivoli is currently getting another major restoration, but thankfully that familiar marquee and blade sign are staying put.
UPDATE: The Tivoli has been closed during a major renovation and expansion project. The lights are scheduled to come back on in October 2026, with Billy Strings booked for the reopening concerts on October 20 and 21. 08-26
Bella Meade Theatre (Closed)
Nashville, TN Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out this deco masterpiece along Harding Pike. The Belle Meade Theatre in Nashville has just about everything you could want in an old roadside movie house, from the streamlined front and marble facade to that towering neon sign reaching for the sky. 06-06
The Belle Meade opened in 1940 as a 1,100-seat neighborhood theater, back when this part of Nashville was well outside the downtown movie district. Over the years plenty of big pictures played here, including Gone with the Wind, while The Sound of Music settled in for an especially long run during the 1960s.
The movies finally stopped on February 28, 1991, with The Godfather Part III bringing down the curtain. By the time of this shot, the theater had been closed for years, but that great Streamline Moderne facade and sign were still hanging on. Not quite sure what was coming next, but it was certainly worth pulling over for another look.
UPDATE: The old theater is now part of a redevelopment project with apartments, restaurants and retail planned for the property. The auditorium will not return as a movie theater, but the landmark facade, tower and marquee are being preserved as part of the project. 08-26
Tift Theatre
Tifton, GA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here's a theater that still looks right at home along Main Street. The Tift Theatre in downtown Tifton has a great Art Deco front, complete with its towering vertical TIFT sign, broad marquee and colorful glass facade. It looked to be in pretty good shape when passing through town, especially for a theater that had already been around nearly 70 years. 06-06
The Tift opened in February 1937 with Bing Crosby in Pennies From Heaven. Back then, around 1,400 people could pack inside for a movie. The auditorium had an unusual circus theme, reportedly decorated by an artist associated with Ringling Brothers. That's certainly something you don't find at the local multiplex.
Tift Theatre
Tifton, GA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
For the next 50 years, the Tift was one of those familiar downtown places where everyone went to the movies. The last picture show came in 1987, but fortunately the theater didn't disappear after the doors closed. The City of Tifton took over the building and brought it back as a performing arts center, keeping much of the vintage theater look intact.
Even the marquee has had a few adventures. Hurricane Michael damaged portions of the facade and sign, with glass, neon and some of the lettering taking a beating. Restoration work followed, and that big TIFT sign is once again doing its job along Main Street.
There's even a local ghost story about a young man who supposedly still waits inside the theater for a date he never got to meet. Old theater, neon marquee and a resident ghost. Sounds like the Tift has just about everything covered.
UPDATE: The Tift Theatre remains open for concerts, stage shows and community events. Its marquee and vertical sign were restored following a $70,000 preservation grant awarded in 2022. 08-26
Paramount Theatre
Ashland, KY Photo courtesy Rick McOmber
Here's another great old movie palace still dressing up downtown. The Paramount Theatre in Ashland opened in 1931, and its tall vertical sign and marquee give Winchester Avenue plenty of that classic theater look. 03-07
Designed by Rapp & Rapp, the same architects behind several of America's grand movie palaces, the Paramount arrived just as talking pictures were taking over. It spent about 40 years showing movies before closing as a regular commercial theater.
Fortunately, the Paramount didn't stay dark. It reopened in 1972 as the Paramount Arts Center and became a home for concerts, stage shows and community events. There's even a little pop culture tucked inside. Billy Ray Cyrus filmed his 1992 "Achy Breaky Heart" music video here.
And if that's not enough, local stories tell of a resident theater ghost known as "Paramount Joe." Sounds like he's had a pretty good seat all these years.
UPDATE: The Paramount remains open as a performing arts venue. Its familiar marquee and vertical sign were restored in 2022 and continue to light up Winchester Avenue. 08-26
Bonn Theatre (Closed)
Bonnieville,
KY Photo courtesy Emily Steele
Here's one old roadside theater that's definitely seen better days. The Bonn Theatre sits along old U.S. 31W in Bonnieville, Kentucky, its weathered marquee still hanging over the entrance even though the movies stopped long ago. 10-07
The Bonn opened by 1948 with room for 444 moviegoers. Back then, U.S. 31W carried plenty of traffic between Louisville and Nashville, making this little theater a handy stop along the way.
When Interstate 65 arrived, much of that traffic disappeared. The Bonn eventually showed its last movie in May 1979 and has been dark ever since. The building and old marquee are still hanging around, looking a little rougher with each passing year.
UPDATE: The Bonn Theatre remains vacant and deteriorating along old U.S. 31W, with its weathered marquee still in place. 08-26
Fox Theatre
Fox Theatre box office
Tivoli Theatre
Bella Meade Theatre (Closed)
Tift Theatre
Tift Theatre
Paramount Theatre
Bonn Theatre (Closed)
