Road Trip to The Ritz

Talladega's Ritz Theatre (circa 1936) is considered one of the best surviving examples of the Art Deco mainstreet theatres of the 1930's. Careful restoration of the landmark's extraordinary facade - comprised exclusively of opaque structural glass, a common constructoin material used lavishly during the Deco period in buildings like the Rockerfeller Center in New York City - was completed in late 1997 with perfectly matched antique vitrolite glass by renowned St. Louis artisan Timothy J. Dunn.

The historic Ritz Theatre reopened on February 16, 1998 as the premiere performing arts center of East Central Alabama with a concert by the National Symphony String Quintet.

The Ritz Theatre
115 Court Street North
Talladega, AL

It's True, Coca-Cola bottle part of Fox Theatre's starlit sky

Myth no more: Coca-Cola bottle part of Fox Theatre's starlit sky

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Twinkle, twinkle, little …. Coca-Cola bottle?

A longstanding myth holds that one of the crystals embedded in the ceiling of the Fox Theatre is really a piece of a Coca-Cola bottle. see photo

This week, officials at the historic theater said it’s actually true.

The inside of the Atlanta landmark was designed to look like an indoor Arabian courtyard with a sky full of flickering stars. Rumor had it that many years ago one of the crystals had been replaced with a piece of a Coca-Cola bottle.

Officials said this week that two restoration staffers climbed above the ceiling to check it out.

"Last week two of our restoration colleagues braved the extreme attic temperatures, climbed above the sky searching for this piece of history.

Read ajc full story

Villa Rica's Cinema Tavern Wants the old movie Theatre Look

On a recent visit to Villa Rica, Ga. I found out that The Cinema Tavern building (formerly The Sports Cafe) plans on turning their old theatre building back to look like a theatre. This made me think of why Decatur does not have a theatre.
Here is an idea, build a small theatre in the old Decatur Theatre location and Eddie's Attic could co-own it and let them book the acts to perform there. It could also be used as a movie house to show special movies sort of like The Stand in Marietta does.
And build it to look like it's been theatre a long time. "The Decatur" that sounds like a good name for it.
Can I dream or what.

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Decatur needs another theatre.

The old Decatur Theatre was located in that parking lot next to Eddie's Attic.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please remember that I am always looking for pictures of The Decatur Theatre
to include in my Decatur Theatre web site

Remembering The Toco Hills Theatre

This great photo is from flickr member ZEUSFACE
Check out some of his vintage images.

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http://atlantatimemachine.com/commercialbldgs/toco.htm

Why would they get rid of the icon of a sign ?
They should rebuild on like it, don't you think.

Thanks to Greg for sending in this link, also see his comment for another link.
Atlanta, GA

The Toco Hills Theatre

3003 North Druid Hills Road

Atlanta, GA

Opened in 1964, this theater was almost a secret to those who knew it. Hidden in a small strip mall, it boasted one of the largest screens and seating areas in Atlanta. I think only the Fox challenged it in size while it was open.

It closed in 2000, after years of lack-luster attendance.

It was part of the Lefont chain of theaters, named after George Lefont, who often brought foreign-language and award-winning Cannes films to the city.
Contributed by Daniel Rouk
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/7119/

If you have any pictures of The Toco Hills Theatre when it was opened please send them in and I will post it for you. or any old pictures of The Toco Hills Shopping Center would be good.

Most people say TOCO HILLS but it's TOCO HILL

The Decatur Theatre site Updated

Click photo to see updates.