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Everything in this world has a shelf life and movie theaters are no exception to this rule. It seems like every major city in the world has its own fair share of these abandoned theaters which were once popular weekend hangouts for people of all ages and are now just ghostly memories of the past.
Many of these abandoned cinemas are in a sense being recycled into apartments, office buildings, and for some even haunted houses. These abandoned theaters are an important thread in the fabric of modern popular culture filled with memories and stories from the movie-goers who’ve attended these pieces of artfully-designed architecture. Here’s some of the coolest photos of abandoned theaters that haven’t been razed or regenerated, yet.
Booker T Theater [Rocky Mount, North Carolina] The Booker T Theater in Rocky Mount, North Carolina was once called the Savoy Theater in its early days. This beautiful theater remains abandoned today, but was recently purchased by the city who are planning to renovate this historical landmark of the early 20th century.
Tower Theater [San Francisco, California] The once vibrant Tower Theater was, until recently, basically falling apart, but has been partially restored throughout the years. This theater was originally built in 1911 along Mission Street in San Francisco and was a big part of the city’s popular theater scene. The building was used as a church up until 2007 when it became completely abandoned and is now up for sale.
Sattler Theater [Buffalo, New York] This amazing shot of the abandoned Sattler Theater in Buffalo, New York is so surreal. Apparently, this theater, which was built back in 1915, is now subject to a renovation process that will eventually see it fully restored to its original beauty at long last.
Lorenzo Theater [San Lorenzo, California] The Lorenzo Theater is an abandoned theater in Northern California that opened in 1947. This 700-seat elegantly designed theater brought out locals in their black ties and formal attire to catch a show up until its closing in 1982, and it has remained vacant ever since. Right now, there’s a strong push to revitalize the Lorenzo by a lobby called the Save the Lorenzo Foundation.
Abandoned Drive-In Theater [Washington] This abandoned drive-in movie theater is located in the state of Washington. Drive-in theaters were extremely popular during the late ’50s and early ’60s, but unfortunately, many of them now look like this one - a drive-in graveyard.
Majestic Theater [Bridgeport, Connecticut] The Majestic Theater in Bridgeport, Connecticut was built by architect Thomas W. Lamb back in the 1920s. Thankfully this 2,000+ seat theater is currently in the process of being restored to its original luster. The Majestic Theater was apparently one of the sets used in a new Steven Seagal movie called ‘The Marker’ set to release in late 2008.
Village Theater [Chiacgo, Illinois] The Village Theater, formerly the Germania, was built in 1916 next door to the 1888 Germania Club. This theater closed down in 2006, and its future remains uncertain at this point.
Vogue Theater [Hollywood, California] The Vogue Theater was built by architect S. Charles Lee in 1935, and later closed in 1995. This theater, located on Hollywood Blvd. in California, is said to be haunted by a former projectionist named Fritz who died during a matinee while working in the projection booth. People now claim that if you touch the equipment that he used, you’ll suddenly feel chest pains or have trouble breathing.
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23 Comments
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Wow man, that is so cool. I really like the Majestic and had actualyl seen some shows there back in the day..
JT
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I miss seeing the State Palace Theater in New Orleans in this list. Maybe not abandoned, but it sure does feel like it after Katrina did major damage to many of the gems in NOLA.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Not sure how you missed the Uptown Theatre (Chicago) — it stunningly ornate inside, but has been shut down for years:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uptown_Theatre_(Chicago)
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Boston had the Paramount theater which sat empty for around 25 years before Millennium Partners cleaned up the exterior in 2002. Emerson College then decided to renovate the entire building and spent 77-million turning it into a performing arts facility/theater.
Before:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/98456393/
After:
http://flickr.com/photos/sushiesque/70138766/
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
We lived about a block away from the village and closing it was a blow. It wasn’t the cleanest, and some weird folks worked there, but it was so convenient and not very crowded. It constantly got my business, and would get more in the future if it got reopened. Someone should open this up and get a liquor license.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Wow, don’t forget the Uptown Theatre in Chicago.
http://www.uptowntheatre.com/
This is the largest theatre in North America, I believe. I used to live right down the block and it is a fascinating place. There have been many movements over the years to restore it, but it is so massive (46,000 sq. ft.) that the money needed is massive.
I knew one of the guys who was watching the place at night during one of the restorations and we would come out of the Green Mill (Al Capones old bar right next door) at 4 in the morning and hang out in the theatre. It is difficult to describe how enormous, majestic and ornate the building was. even though it was in disrepair, it was still an amazing site.
To give you an idea of how large it is, after the lobby was partially reconstructed, you could rent it for your wedding reception. It was big enough to hold a sizeable party.
Parts of Backdraft were shot there. One guy dies near the beginning of the movie and they show his charred body getting pulled out of the seats.
Ok, so thats a little gruesome, but it is still a beautiful place.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Very cool. I would like to see the retro theatre look come back. It’s amazing.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Good article, but in addition to the comments above, what about the Michigan Theater in Detroit, later converted into a parking garage?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Theater_(Detroit)
July 4th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Wow amazing stuff….
July 5th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I’d like to nominate the Roxy Theater in Bremerton, WA. It’s now a church, but they don’t have the money or time to maintain it and the sign and facade are decrepit. Like, falling off. The inside seats are original, but the velvet is fading. The wall scones have been taken off, leaving strange white shapes on the now unadorned walls.
The church is: http://www.calvarychapelbremerton.com/
Someday, it will be restored back to what it should be. I don’t actually mind it being a church but I wish they could take better care of it.
Tricia
July 5th, 2008 at 6:18 am
The Palace Theatre in Gary, IN is quite nice… the Jackson Five have played there before and actually started out in Gary. Actually Gary is an amazing city for abandonments…its full of them!!
The Palace - http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rdh.....es/l54.jpg
July 5th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I remember the one in Leadville Colorado. It was called the Fox. The thing I remember most was that the screen had a burgundy velveteen curtain that would part up and to the sides with great folds and drapes. Combined with the light and shadows it looked quite magical. The theater went out of business in 1965 or ‘66. It was replaced by a very boring building that was basically a box. And no curtains over the screen.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Amazing pics.
I’m from Mexico and here are two amazing theaters that nobody remember.
One is the Opera Theater. Bauhaus was the last group to play in there. After the show the police closed this awesome place and nobody could go inside.
The other place is called Cine Latino. In this place 2000 people could stay comfortable watching whatever and is closed.
I could send you photos of both if you want.
Greeting from Mexico.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Wow these old theatres are really neat! Certainly nothing like the mass cookie-cutter kinds of theatres you see these days. You’re trading loss of character for better views. I hope they are able to preserve them!
December 5th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Very nice post, except you forgot to credit whoever took all these nice photos.
December 7th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Just last night i was talking with my partner about the Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn. It was one of the chains showcase theaters would have gala film opening with stars and limos in the forties and early 50’s (before my time). Like the theaters here it the architecture and art were beatiful. I keep hoping one day it will be restored.
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