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[[File:Woodlawn Theatre.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Woodlawn Theatre in 1948]]
[[File:Woodlawn Theatre.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Woodlawn Theatre in 1948]]
The '''Woodlawn Theatre''' was a neighborhood [[List of former cinemas|cinema]] located at 5403 [[1st Avenue North]] in [[Woodlawn]] in [[1924]].
The '''Woodlawn Theatre''', also called the '''Woodlawn Family Theatre''', was a 650-seat neighborhood [[List of former cinemas|cinema]] located at 5503 [[1st Avenue North (Woodlawn)|1st Avenue North]] in [[Woodlawn]], opposite the [[Woodrow Hall|Woodlawn Masonic Temple]]. In summer [[2022]] it reopened as a 250-seat venue for concerts, weddings and community events.


A second 650-seat location, at 5503 [[1st Avenue North]], opposite the [[Woodrow Hall|Woodlawn Masonic Temple]], operated from about [[1929]] until [[1957]]. The building later housed [[The Wood Doctor]] and currently houses the [[God's Army Outreach Bible Ministry]].
==Theatre History==
 
The first Woodlawn Theatre, in a former [[Hill Food Stores|Hill's Store No. 71]] at 5401-5403 1st Avenue North, was opened on [[June 24]], [[1922]] by the owners of the [[Five Points Theater]]. Tickets were priced at 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. The opening night feature was "The Man with Two Mothers" starring Mary Alden, Cullen Landis and Laura Lavarnie. Programs were changed daily, and the building was ventilated with a system that removed 26,000 cubic feet of air every minute.
 
The Woodlawn Theatre was acquired at some point by [[Marvin Wise]], owner of the [[Royal Theatre|Royal]], [[Capitol Theatre|Capitol]], and [[Odeon Theatre]]s, who died in February [[1925]].
Its management was incorporated as the '''Woodlawn Theatre Company''' with $5,000 in capital, in April [[1925]]. The [[Woodlawn Beauty Shoppe]] operated above the theater from before it opened until at least [[1927]].
 
The second location, on the site of a former tire shop, operated from about [[1929]] until [[1957]]. The [[Woodlawn Radio & Hardware Co.]] shared the address in [[1932]]. In the 1930s theater manager [[Arnold Gary]] hosted an annual party for area newspaper carriers, ending with a film screening. in [[1937]] Gary oversaw a $10,000 update of the building with new projection, sound and ventilation equipment, and a new "modernistic" lobby with expanded restrooms. The renovated theater reopened on [[September 22]]. That December [[T. W. Williams]], part owner of the theater, was convicted, along with Gary and three other [[Waters Theater Company]] managers, of holding illegal "bank night" and "jackpot" games at their establishments. Each was fined $100 by Judge [[Henry Martin]].
 
The company entered into a legal dispute with the Continental Securities Corp. in [[1939]]. In the early 1940s the theater hosted the annual "[[Miss Woodlawn]]" pageant. In August [[1947]] a 9-year-old boy stole a car after leaving the theater and backed it into a utility pole.
 
The operating partnership of [[Charles Merritt]] and [[J. M. Waters]] was dissolved in [[1948]] and the business was fully absorbed into the Waters chain, under general manager [[J. B. Waters]]. Theater manager Gary remained at Woodlawn until he was transferred to the new [[College Theater]] in [[East Lake]] in April [[1948]]. His assistant, [[Bob Wiggins]], had been promoted to manage the [[Avondale Theater]] in January [[1947]]. [[Benjamin Hall]] managed the Woodlawn Theatre in the 1950s.
 
On [[January 5]], [[1950]] the theater hosted a live performance of "[[The Radio Yell-O-Hammers Show]]" of popular hillbilly and western folk songs. The theater's safe was broken into in August [[1950]], with $842 stolen. In March [[1952]] a seat collapsed, injuring Inez Lawson. She and her husband sued the owners for $40,000 in damages.
 
In June [[1954]] the theater's ticket clerk, Virginia Claire Davis, was robbed of $60 at gunpoint during a screening of "The Creature from the Black Lagoon". In April [[1956]] the theater's safe was again cracked by thieves who hid in the restroom until the building was closed for the night.
 
==Later Uses==
 
In [[1958]] the theater was converted into the [[Woodlawn Revival Center]] by [[O. E. Netherton]], and used as a venue for a series of appearances by traveling faith healers.
 
The building later housed [[The Wood Doctor]]. In the 2000s the former theater, housing [[God's Army Outreach Bible Ministry]], and adjoining building at 5505 1st Avenue North were called the '''Boehm Buildings'''.
 
==Restoration as Theatre==
 
In [[2020]] [[Will Mason]] purchased the building and renovated it as a new 250-seat performance and event venue, using the name "Woodlawn Theatre", and as offices of the [[Mason Music Foundation]] which funds music lessons for low-income families. The renovated theater opened in the summer of [[2022]] as a 250-seat venue for concerts, weddings and other events.


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==References==
* "Mary Alden is First Star at New Woodlawn Theater." (June 23, 1922) {{BN}}
* "Wise Funeral to Be Held Monday." (February 2, 1925) {{BN}}
* "Show for Carriers" (October 16, 1935) {{BN}}
* "Theater Renovated" (September 22, 1937) {{BN}}
* "Four Fined in 'Jackpot' Cases." (December 15, 1937) {{BN}}
* "Carriers See Show" (December 23, 1937) {{BN}}
* "Boy, 9, Takes Car And Runs Wild; Cops Call Him 'Bandit'." (August 8, 1947) {{BN}}
* "Yeggs believed caught." (August 11, 1950) {{BN}}
* "West End couple sues Woodlawn Theater." (October 8, 1952) {{BN}}
* "Young movie cashier held up by gun-waving youth." (June 30, 1954) {{BN}}
* "Safe job" (April 24, 1956) {{BN}}
* Eyob, Beza (November 21, 2019) "Opportunity Zones project to revitalize historic Woodlawn Theatre." {{BBJ}}
* Guffey, Summer (April 12, 2022) "[https://bhamnow.com/2022/04/12/lights-up-woodlawn-theatre-opens-summer/ Lights up! Woodlawn Theatre, a new live music venue, opens summer 2022]" {{BNow}}
* Jesse Chambers (June 14, 2022) "[https://thehomewoodstar.com/sports/long-awaited-woodlawn-theatre-announces-2022-opening/ Long-awaited Woodlawn Theatre announces 2022 opening]" {{HS}}
==External links==
* [https://www.woodlawntheatrebham.com/ Woodlawn Theatre] website
[[Category:Former cinemas]]
[[Category:Former cinemas]]
[[Category:1st Avenue North]]
[[Category:1st Avenue North]]
[[Category:1920s establishments]]
[[Category:1922 establishments]]
[[Category:1957 disestablishments]]
[[Category:1957 disestablishments]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings]]
[[Category:2022 establishments]]

Latest revision as of 07:30, 23 June 2022

Woodlawn Theatre in 1948

The Woodlawn Theatre, also called the Woodlawn Family Theatre, was a 650-seat neighborhood cinema located at 5503 1st Avenue North in Woodlawn, opposite the Woodlawn Masonic Temple. In summer 2022 it reopened as a 250-seat venue for concerts, weddings and community events.

Theatre History

The first Woodlawn Theatre, in a former Hill's Store No. 71 at 5401-5403 1st Avenue North, was opened on June 24, 1922 by the owners of the Five Points Theater. Tickets were priced at 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. The opening night feature was "The Man with Two Mothers" starring Mary Alden, Cullen Landis and Laura Lavarnie. Programs were changed daily, and the building was ventilated with a system that removed 26,000 cubic feet of air every minute.

The Woodlawn Theatre was acquired at some point by Marvin Wise, owner of the Royal, Capitol, and Odeon Theatres, who died in February 1925. Its management was incorporated as the Woodlawn Theatre Company with $5,000 in capital, in April 1925. The Woodlawn Beauty Shoppe operated above the theater from before it opened until at least 1927.

The second location, on the site of a former tire shop, operated from about 1929 until 1957. The Woodlawn Radio & Hardware Co. shared the address in 1932. In the 1930s theater manager Arnold Gary hosted an annual party for area newspaper carriers, ending with a film screening. in 1937 Gary oversaw a $10,000 update of the building with new projection, sound and ventilation equipment, and a new "modernistic" lobby with expanded restrooms. The renovated theater reopened on September 22. That December T. W. Williams, part owner of the theater, was convicted, along with Gary and three other Waters Theater Company managers, of holding illegal "bank night" and "jackpot" games at their establishments. Each was fined $100 by Judge Henry Martin.

The company entered into a legal dispute with the Continental Securities Corp. in 1939. In the early 1940s the theater hosted the annual "Miss Woodlawn" pageant. In August 1947 a 9-year-old boy stole a car after leaving the theater and backed it into a utility pole.

The operating partnership of Charles Merritt and J. M. Waters was dissolved in 1948 and the business was fully absorbed into the Waters chain, under general manager J. B. Waters. Theater manager Gary remained at Woodlawn until he was transferred to the new College Theater in East Lake in April 1948. His assistant, Bob Wiggins, had been promoted to manage the Avondale Theater in January 1947. Benjamin Hall managed the Woodlawn Theatre in the 1950s.

On January 5, 1950 the theater hosted a live performance of "The Radio Yell-O-Hammers Show" of popular hillbilly and western folk songs. The theater's safe was broken into in August 1950, with $842 stolen. In March 1952 a seat collapsed, injuring Inez Lawson. She and her husband sued the owners for $40,000 in damages.

In June 1954 the theater's ticket clerk, Virginia Claire Davis, was robbed of $60 at gunpoint during a screening of "The Creature from the Black Lagoon". In April 1956 the theater's safe was again cracked by thieves who hid in the restroom until the building was closed for the night.

Later Uses

In 1958 the theater was converted into the Woodlawn Revival Center by O. E. Netherton, and used as a venue for a series of appearances by traveling faith healers.

The building later housed The Wood Doctor. In the 2000s the former theater, housing God's Army Outreach Bible Ministry, and adjoining building at 5505 1st Avenue North were called the Boehm Buildings.

Restoration as Theatre

In 2020 Will Mason purchased the building and renovated it as a new 250-seat performance and event venue, using the name "Woodlawn Theatre", and as offices of the Mason Music Foundation which funds music lessons for low-income families. The renovated theater opened in the summer of 2022 as a 250-seat venue for concerts, weddings and other events.

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References

External links

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