The W.C. Handy Theatre was a movie theater at 2355 Park Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee.[1] The venue was built for the African-American community during segregation. The theater was opened in 1947 and it also served music venue. The building was demolished in 2012.[2]

History

The W.C. Handy Theatre was located at 2355 Park Avenue in the Orange Mound neighborhood of southeast Memphis.[3] The 1,275-capacity theater cost $200,000 to build.[4] In the lobby, there was a milk bar for theater patrons and transient passers-by.[5] There was a stage for top African-American entertainers to perform at the venue.[6]

The theater was named in honor of musician W.C. Handy, the father of the Blues.[3] A life-sized portrait of Handy was displayed in the lobby, and every program began with the recording of his song "St. Louis Blues" and closed with his song "Memphis Blues."[6]

Before the theater was opened, there was some controversy regarding its construction in 1946. The City Board of Adjustment received a petition signed by 113 people objecting to the theater when Chalmers Cullins and his associates applied for permits for the theater and shops on Park Avenue.[7] Cullins and his associate Nate Evans responded that the opposition was due to the interest of people who built a theater nearby on Carnes Avenue.[7] However, many residents supported the plan for theater in the neighborhood. Evans presented a petition signed by 309 residents in favor of the theater.[7]

The theater opened with performances by Cootie Williams' orchestra, Mantan Moreland and Company, the Congaroos, and Miller and Boojie on May 11, 1947.[8][4] W.C. Handy made a personal appearance during the first four days.[4]

Although the venue was built for African Americans, there were segregated shows for white patrons to attend.[9][10]

On October 31, 1953, the first all-Black television show was broadcast on WMCT.[11] The amateur show was filmed on Saturday nights at the W.C. Handy Theatre.[12] The amateurs competed for cash prizes on a show featuring the comedy duo Rufus and Bones; Rufus Thomas was the master of ceremonies.[12]

The cinema continued to operate in the 1960s.[13][14][15] After years of abandonment, the building was demolished in 2012.[2]

Notable performers

Notable entertainers who performed at the W.C. Handy Theatre include:

References

  1. ↑ PhD, Charles Williams (2013-08-28). African American Life and Culture in Orange Mound: Case Study of a Black Community in Memphis, Tennessee, 1890–1980. Lexington Books. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-7391-7586-6.
  2. 1 2 3 "Historic W.C. Handy Theater Will Be Demolished". WREG.com. 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  3. 1 2 "Theater To Honor W. C. Handy Planned For Memphis". The Daily Bulletin. March 29, 1946. p. 1.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "200G W. C. Handy Theater, Memphis, To Light May 11" (PDF). Billboard. April 19, 1947. p. 37.
  5. ↑ "New Cinema Honors "Daddy of the Blues" in Memphis, Tennessee: The W. C. Handy Theatre". 1947-48 Theatre Catalog: 57.
  6. 1 2 Martin, Harry (March 16, 1946). "World's Music Center Shifts West To U.S., Says Freccia: Rising Young Conductor Will Lead Memphis Debut if New Orleans Symphony at Auditorium Tonight—Orange Mound Cinema to be Called W.C. Handy Theater". The Commercial Appeal. p. 9.
  7. 1 2 3 "Fight Over New Negro Theater on Park Avenue". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. 1946-01-24. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  8. ↑ "Opens Sunday May 11 - W.C. Handy (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. 1947-04-27. pp. Section lV 7. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Ellington Due Here". The Commercial Appeal. 1956-02-05. pp. Section V 7. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  10. 1 2 3 "Handy - First Time In Memphis! Jackie Brenston with Ike Turner and his "Kings of Rhythm" (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. April 6, 1951. p. 19.
  11. ↑ "Gala Premiere - First All-Colored Television Show - Amateur Night at the Handy Theatre (Advertisement)". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. 1953-10-31. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  12. 1 2 3 "Handy Will Headline All-Negro TV Program". The Commercial Appeal. 1953-10-24. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  13. ↑ "The New W.C. Handy Theatre - Ralph Nelson's Lilies of the Field (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. 1964-11-01. pp. Section 5 7. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  14. ↑ "W.C. Handy - Now Showing "Night of the Grizzle" / Die, Monster, Die" (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. 1966-11-06. p. 114. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  15. ↑ "W.C. Handy - Audie Murphy "Six Black Horses" / "Night Creatures" - (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. 1967-05-28. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  16. ↑ "Lionel Hampton Back at Handy". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. 1950-06-10. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  17. ↑ "Handy - Starts Tomorrow - Three Big Days on Our Stage Starring The Dominos / Freddie Mitchell (Advertisement)". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. 1951-07-26. p. 19. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  18. 1 2 "Handy - Sunday On Stage - The Clovers with Lynn Hope (Advertisement)". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. 1952-02-08. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-10-23.

35°6′30″N 89°59′2″W / 35.10833°N 89.98389°W / 35.10833; -89.98389

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