Empire Theater

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A line of people waiting outside the Empire Theatre in 1953

The Empire Theater was a movie theater located at 2012 3rd Avenue North in the former D. M. Drennen & Co. general store. It was owned and founded by Mrs Marvin Wise.

While the theater was under construction in December 1926, manager Charles Merritt got into a physical dispute with night watchman C. F. Perdue. Perdue claimed that he had objected to Merritt, "bringing women into the building at night." Merritt, "denied mention of women in the conversation," and claimed the argument was over Perdue's failure to accomplish his duties, and that he struck him in self-defense.

The Empire opened on January 21, 1927 with the novelty of live stage acts as openers for its motion picture programs. Its "Gala Opening Week Program" included Spanish vocalist Nita, Hurtado's Marimba Band, and the Dawn Sisters on stage; followed by screenings of "Her Big Night" starring Laura La Plante and "Raggedy Rose" starring Mabel Normand. E. Vallani's 12-piece Empire Orchestra gave a special program, along with organist H. G. Grieb. Another novelty of the house was a mezzanine art gallery displaying the work of local artists. The theater housed a "lounging room" for patrons, which was equipped with telephone booths.

Regular admission prices were 50 cents for the main floor, 65 cents for loges, 35 cents for balcony seats, 25-cent matinees, and 10-cent children's tickets. In February the Empire hosted a demonstration of the 2-ton "Auditorium Model" of the Orthophonic Victrola phonograph. In March the theater screened a record-breaking week-long revival of D. W. Griffith's "The Birth of a Nation" accompanied by the Empire Orchestra, led now by Bert Hollowell. All spring the Louis Saks Store used the Empire's auditorium for fashion shows with live models and music by Jack Linx's band. The theater closed briefly for rehearsals before the summer season, which featured a house company, the "Empire Players" led by Jack Gee Van and accompanied by a chorus line dubbed "Van's Pippins" who were choreographed and trained by Pierre Dale. The "Hello Birmingham" program included comedy by Oliver Wright and vocal solos by soprano Eunice Gilman. The live acts accompanied a screening of "Moulders of Men," a showcase for the work of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, starring Conway Tearle and 8-year-old Frankie Darro.

By July the Empire had reduced its regular prices to 25 cents for general admission, 15-cent matinees, and 10-cent children's tickets. In September the Empire presented a live play-by-play "from the direct wire" of the 1927 Birmingham Barons series against the New Orleans Pelicans for the Southern Association pennant. The feature film "On Ze Boulevard" with Dorothy Sebastian was screened between the morning and afternoon games.

Dwight Knight was manager of the Empire in 1960.

In late 1964 the theater was renovated with new "rocking chair" seats, a new projection screen, new lobby and lounge areas in a gold and cream color scheme. The theater held a grand re-opening on February 15, 1965, hosted by manager Arlie Miller and Acme Theaters general manager John Douglas.

Gallery

  • a group outside the Empire Theater

    a group outside the Empire Theater

  • The Empire's marquee in 1956

    The Empire's marquee in 1956

  • The Empire Theater in 1981

    The Empire Theater in 1981

References

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