The Show Must Go On
Words by Christine Van Dyk
The white brick building on the corner of 11th and Van Buren was once a livery stable. It was owned by William Faulkner’s family at the start of the 20th century. The building in Oxford, Mississippi had its heyday in 1949 when Faulkner strolled from his home at Rowan Oak to attend the world premiere of Intruder in the Dust, a film adaptation of his own novel.
One day in the 1970s the marquee lights dimmed, the popcorn stopped popping, and the Lyric shuttered its doors. Like many grand movie palaces, the theater could no longer compete with multiplexes and video rentals. For decades it seemed old Hollywood had been lost.
Then, sometime in the not-so-distant past, folks started to remember what had been so magical about those grand dames of cinema. Today the Lyric hosts special events and live productions in the restored theatre. And it’s not the only movie palace enjoying a second life. People from big cities and small towns are considering what might happen if they were to dress up, approach the ticket window, and wait for the lights to dim.
This holiday season, the sounds of the Wurlitzer organ welcomes carolers to sing along. The historic halls will be decked with all the trimmings, sugarplum fairies will take the stage, and our favorite films will light up the big screen. Here’s how some of the best-loved movie palaces of the South plan to celebrate the season:
The Byrd Theatre pulled back the curtains in 1928 when talking pictures were first introduced. Unlike vaudeville palaces, with their horseshoe-shaped seating, this Richmond movie house was built for film. It’s still a favorite of movie fans, especially in December when cartoons and sing-a-longs on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ precede every holiday classic.
At the Tampa Theatre, patrons sit beneath a sky of twinkling stars in what feels like a Moorish courtyard. When it opened in 1926, it welcomed ordinary people into a world of opulence for the cost of a movie ticket—just 25 cents! Today the Tampa screens a variety of favorites to put you in the holiday spirit. So, grab some popcorn, watch as the Wurlitzer rises, and ring in the season with classics such as Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas.
Fox Theatre in Atlanta was built by the Shriners who looked to ancient temples such as the Alhambra to inspire their mosque-style architecture. Years later it would open as a movie palace on Christmas Day 1929 to a sold-out crowd who’d come to see Steamboat Willie, the first Disney cartoon starring Mickey Mouse. Today’s theatre-goers come for Broadway plays, comedy shows, and music concerts, as well as family favorites such as the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet.
Classic movies, ballets, and symphonies are just some of the reasons to visit Birmingham’s Alabama Theatre. At Christmastime the holiday film series features favorites such as Elf, Home Alone, and It’s a Wonderful Life. However, our favorite tradition is the Cartoon Matinee, a triple feature of vintage, stop-motion animation such as the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
December is magical in the Crescent City. From bonfires on the levees to candlelight caroling in Jackson Square to Réveillon Dinners after midnight mass, there’s no better place to celebrate than New Orleans. One of our favorite holiday traditions is Saenger Theatre. Built in 1927, it resembles an Italian baroque courtyard and is absolutely beautiful dressed up for the holidays. This year the Saenger will feature festive shows such as Broadway productions of Elf and The Cher Show, as well as the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet.
Thalian Hall was built in the mid-1800s when Wilmington was the largest city in North Carolina. Back then it was home to the town’s government, library, and opera house. Today this historic stage features live productions, community plays, classic movies, and children’s theatre. This holiday season you can see Who Brought the Humbug?, Celtic Angels Christmas, and a Ballet for Young Audiences production of the Nutcracker. Just don’t miss the annual screening of It’s a Wonderful Life.