It seems that the older I get, the more interested I am in history. How we got where we are today. One piece of history that we recently toured in Birmingham is the historical Alabama theatre, a landmark in the downtown district. I’ve passed by this sign many times since we moved here and always wanted to go inside and see it and the recent Open House was the perfect excuse to take the tour and enjoy this magnificent bit of architecture that’s been preserved. I’ve been in the Fox Theatre in Atlanta many times and the Alabama reminds me so much of the Fox, but smaller. Both are from the same era and from the sign below, they call the design Spanish/Moorish. It is certainly something to behold, so come along with me for the tour.
You can see from the historical sign outside, that the theatre opened in 1927. Can you imagine this place in its heyday?!
Someone had parked an old car out front, so it seemed fitting to take a pic of it, even though this car is from the 50’s.
National Register of Historic Places. Since 1987, the theatre has been owned by Birmingham Landmarks, Inc., a non-profit organization. They now use the theatre for a wide variety of events and receptions, both public and private, weddings, classic films, national touring shows, film festivals, opera and symphony events. It is busy each year with over 250 events. We plan to return at least one weekend to take in a classic movie that is offered each summer (and they were very generous and handed out complimentary tickets to everyone who came to the Open House). Gone With The Wind is just one classic movie being featured in the summer series this year. In fact, it is showing this weekend and we are going! It’s been years since I’ve seen it.
Box office in the lobby.
I was totally fascinated by all the beautiful light fixtures, as you will see from my many pics of them. This is the one in the soaring lobby.
One fixture on a wall going up the stairs.
Another view of the mirrors and fixtures in the lobby.
One of the ceilings.
A quick pic in a chair in one of the hallways. It was pretty dim in there, so pics were hard to get.
Going up one level. See how magnificent this old place is?
I’m SO happy that these old theatres have survived. I know the Fox in Atlanta was almost torn down at one time and that would be a crying shame for any of these old girls to come down. Thankfully, the Alabama has survived and looks as gracious as ever.
A row of seats.
Looking into one of the ladies rooms.
Part of the ladies room too.
Wall of windows
Looking to the stage. I loved the curve of the top of the stage, there was so much beauty to take in.
The domed ceiling.
More architectural details.
Another pretty light.
From the very top of the projection room, we had to climb some stairs to get this birds-eye view of the stage.
Statue around the theatre
Another bust against the mirror.
Loved the old signs.
Recognize this lady? Yep, that’s Mz. Scarlett herself.
Stage, again.
Tophat backstage.
The theatre is known for the old Wurlitzer organ that still plays a mighty strong tune. These guys were great with it.
Left box overlooking the stage.
Right box
Looking UP from the floor to all the levels of seating.
Above the stage.
One corridor on a floor.
More magnificent lighting.
Again, the lights. I just thought they were all stunning.
Ceiling detail.
End of a row
More lights.
The signs, I loved them.
Those lights, could they be any prettier?
So, we left the Alabama and went just across the street to the old Lyric Theater, which opened in 1916. Sadly, this old theatre has not survived intact and is in dire need of repair. The same owners own both theatres and it is said to cost $20 million to get this old place back up to the original state. That’s a LOT of money and I sure hope that some way, some how, they are able to restore this one too.
It’s peeling and falling apart and it’s such a shame, because this one is truly beautiful too.
You can get a glimpse of what it once looked like here.
That’s the sad part of these stories, it costs so much money to repair and revitalize these old buildings, but it sure would be a shame to tear them all down. We need to preserve our history for future generations.
I hope you enjoyed going with me to tour The Alabama. If you live here in Alabama and haven’t been inside this beautiful place, I would urge you to go and see it for yourself.
Do you have a special theatre like this in your hometown?
Awesome! It is so special AND beautiful isn't it? Gorgeous – every inch. And YES, thankfully we do have something very much like it – literally a few blocks from me.. thank you for reminding me that I should share ours one day too. They ARE treasures. Beautiful capture of it in your photos.
Have a great weekend girlfriend!
xo,
Kim
Gorgeous! I live in Knoxville, TN now, but I was born and raised in Lanett, AL. Knoxville has two old theatres downtown, the Tennessee theatre and the Bijou Theatre. I have only been inside the Bijou and it is pretty. But I would imagine the Tennessee theatre might be comparable to the Alabama. They sometimes play old movies at the Tennessee, but we haven't gotten around to going yet.
Very beautiful indeed – thanks for the tour and all the pictures. No, sadly, we don't have anything neat like that near where we live in Michigan.
Have a great weekend!
~Michelle 🙂
Years ago our daughters had one
of their dance recitals at
The Alabama, it was great.
On our list of things to do this
summer is a movie at the theatre.
Thanks for sharing and showing
great pics.
What a gorgeous theatre! Thanks for sharing! I live in Louisville, Kentucky and we have a beautiful theatre that has been restored and is in use again for plays, concerts, etc. It's so much fun to get dressed up and go to this theatre. It doesn't even matter if the performance isn't that great, just being at the theatre is entertainment enough! Go here to see it http://www.louisvillepalace.com I think you'll enjoy it!
Wow! It has so much character and history. Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures.
We have a beautiful old theater here in Lakeland, Florida, as well.
They sure don't make them like they used to, do they?
Thanks for sharing.
Such a beautiful theater, you are lucky to enjoy such a wonderful building. Thanks for letting us enjoy the experience too and have a great weekend!
How beautiful! It does look very much like the Fox inside. I can totally relate to age bringing with it a love for history. I want to go antiquing every other day, much to my husband's disgust! Ha.
It is not wonderful. Our favorite time to visit is at Christmas. They show " It's a Wonderful Life " and have hot chocolate and Santa and Mrs. Santa there.
A little note my husbands grandfather worked with the theater all his life. His family has told many stories about them going with him as children. It is sad now because they are not here to talk about it with them.
Thanks for sharing a great part of history.
So ornate! Thanks for sharing this beauty with us, Rhoda!
You need to go at Christmas! They show classic Christmas movies & have hot chocolate. Plus, the Christmas Carols before the movie starts. It is so much fun.
Dang….now I am really homesick.
I love history and I love that there are still bldgs around like this for people to view and enjoy. What awesome details on the walls and around. The newer bldgs these days are nice for the time, but they lack character that the older ones have. Nice..thanks for sharing.
Pam
This made me so homesick! I grew up in Birmingham and saw many movies at the Alabama, including "Gone with the Wind" when it was re-released in the late '60's! I went w/my mother and a few of her friends. I remember we sat in the balcony and you could hear everyone in the theater catch their breath when Clark Gable first appeared on the screen. Thanks for bringing those memories back to life.
What a gorgeous piece of history! I'm as facinated with lighting as you are.
Our old hometown theatre had to be razed a few years ago. The Historical Society kept it going for many years, but just couldn't any longer. So sad.
You take beautiful pictures!
We love to visit old theatres. It seems that there are many from town to town…not as beautiful as this, normally.
Amazing! I, too, hope they can restore the one across the street.
Becky K.
Thank you for taking us on this fabulous tour. I love the architecture. Gorgeous – all of it.
Debra
I saw "Phantom of the Opera" there many years ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! It looks just the same as I remember it!
It's lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I had no idea Alabama had this! It sort of reminds me of the Princess Theatre in North Alabama, only much bigger and much nicer.