The Fox Theatre in Atlanta

The Fox Theatre was at the top of my “must visit” list on my recent trip to Atlanta. I had been there back in 2007, but was unable to get inside. I attempted to book a tour, but none were offered during my short stay. Believe me…I did my best to get inside, including attempting wangle my way in after a show had let out. No go, amigo! So, I had to be content with circling the outside of this beautiful building.



Rachel Maddow and Stacey Abrams were on the marquee; back in 1946, Walt Disney’s “Song of the South” premiered here on November 12th, with Walt and his wife Lillian in attendance.



Note the B’rer Rabbit sticker on the windshield:



The exterior hasn’t changed much since that night:



An almost exact duplicate angle I shot from 2007:



Edited from the Fox Theatre website:

In 1928, the Fox was originally conceived as a home for Atlanta’s Shriners organization. To create a headquarters befitting the group’s prominent social status, the Shriners looked to the ancient temples of the Far East to inspire a mosque-style structure befitting their stature. Storied architectural gems like the Alhambra in Spain and Egypt’s Temple of Kharnak heavily influenced the building’s design. Ultimately, the design was so fantastical, it became more of a financial burden than the Shriners could bear. Shortly before its completion, the Shriners leased their beautiful auditorium to movie mogul William Fox. With Fox’s financial backing (the project cost more than $3 million, the equivalent of nearly $40 million today), the 250,000 square foot Fox Theatre was completed, with the crowning addition of “Mighty Mo”, the 3,622-pipe Möller organ that remains the largest Möller theatre organ in the world even today. The Fox opened on Christmas Day in 1929 to a sold-out crowd, premiering Steamboat Willie, Disney’s first cartoon starring Mickey Mouse.



I loved this little detail at the bottom of the ticket booth, although I have no idea what it’s purpose is.



The exterior entryway:



These side entrances show the original intention of the building:









Contrary to what many think, “Gone with the Wind” did not premiere here in 1939; it was shown at the Loew’s  Grand Theater. Sadly, that theatre burned in 1978 and was replaced by a 1,567,011 square foot skyscraper. Rumors of arson swirled since the Grand couldn’t be torn down due to its historic status; the fire took care of that.

I guess I’ll have to go back to Atlanta again if I want to see the interior. I can only imagine how impressive it must be. See more Fox Theatre in Atlanta photos at my main website.

The Georgian Terrace Hotel, Pt. 2

Back at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta…my room was on the 17th floor.



It was easy to see that this had once been used as an apartment building (during the 1991-1997), as the room itself was quite spacious. The decor included a tightly cropped vintage photo of a headless woman speaking into a number of radio microphones. I knew immediately that it was Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone with the Wind” on the night of the Atlanta premiere in 1939.



The living room, complete with writing desk:



Even a dressing room was included in this suite:



The bathroom had been modernized, so unfortunately my love for vintage tile was unfulfilled here.



The balcony off the living room provided a lovely view…well, that might be a little strong. Let’s just say it was a view. Peeping into other people’s apartments can be a bit creepy. Or “spooky” as Dame Edna would have said.



A view of the modern spiral tower facing down from the 17th floor:



You can see the historic Fox Theatre below, distinguishable from its Moroccan domes:



The view at night:



There was a rooftop pool, which unfortunately I did not have time to use since I only stayed one night and my flight home was at the crack of dawn.



A well-appointed fitness center:



And back to the main level, where my tile obsession was somewhat quenched!



Still more photos of the Georgian Terrace to come!

See more Georgian Terrace Hotel photos at my main website.

The Georgian Terrace Hotel, Pt. 1

My first visit to the Georgian Terrace Hotel was in 2007; I didn’t stay there, but did tour the property. I managed to take a few pictures WITH A FLASH; I still shutter at the thought (pun intended). Obviously, when I returned this year I had to spend the night and get some decent photos! The descriptive historical marker in front of the hotel remained the same:

Built by Atlanta native, Joseph Gatins and designed by New York architect, W.L. Stoddard, the Terrace opened October 2, 1911. over the years, most of Atlanta’s famous visitors have chosen the Georgian Terrace Hotel as their temporary home on Peachtree Street. The Terrace served as headquarters for the Metropolitan Opera when it visited Atlanta each Spring in the early 1900’s. The great opera singer, Enrico Caruso stayed here in 1913 and sent a gracious thank you from London complimenting the excellent food and accommodations. Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, and most of the “Gone with the Wind” cast stayed here when the film premiered in Atlanta in December 1939. The Terrace served as host to Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Arthur Murray once operated one of his early dancing schools here while he was attending Georgia Tech. Over the years “The Grand Old Lady of Peachtree” becmae known as oe of the great hotels of the Southeast because of its elaborate ballroom, the Terrace Outdoor Cafe, marble lobby, and elegant furnishing.



Despite the signage claiming that Vivien stayed at the Georgian, that is not completely true. Since she and beau Laurence Olivier weren’t married yet (and Leigh was still married to her first husband), they had been booked separate rooms at the Georgian to avoid a scandal. This was not acceptable to the lovers, so they stayed at a private residence instead.

Walt Disney also stayed here in 1946 when “Song of the South” premiered across the street at the Fox Theatre. The hotel’s website gives very little information about the history of the hotel or its renovations. In 1991, a 19-story wing was added, followed by renovations in 2000 and 2009. The outside looked very much the same from my 2007 visit.



The classic and modern elements work surprisingly well together…



including this incredible spiral tower, guaranteed to induce vertigo!



The lobby desk:



While there were no staff in these photos (many which were taken at 5am!), I can assure you that everyone that worked there was incredibly kind and helpful. Below is the plaque outside the ballroom where the gala party for the “Gone with the Wind” premiere was held:



You could almost feel the ghosts of the attendees.





Come back for more photos of the Georgian Terrace!

See more Georgian Terrace Hotel photos at my main website.

The Swan House, Pt. 1

When I visited the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, my main objective was to see the Civil War Cyclorama. I ended up spending a full day there, which was truly not enough time! The AHC also includes gardens, Atlanta’s oldest surviving farmhouse (Smith Farm), a wood cabin, a Victorian Playhouse, and the most impressive: Swan House. 

Completed in 1928, Swan House was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Inman, heirs to a post-Civil War cotton brokerage fortune. The Inmans hired Hentz, Reid, and Shutze to design the house. The architectural firm was known for their Beaux-Arts style and as the founding fathers of the Georgia school of classicism. Their works included the Rich’s department flagship location on Broad Street, the now demolished Paramount Theater, and the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens.



Philip Trammell Shutze served as principal architect for Swan House; he had been a partner of the firm since 1927, (original partner Joseph Neel Reid died in 1926). Shutze drew on classical elements as inspiration for Swan House and its gardens. In 1977, Shutze was recognized as America’s greatest living classical architect.



The first two photos show the back entrance to the home; the above and below show the front of the home.



Parked in front was this yellow and green Hudson Super Six, which was first manufactured by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan in 1916. The first model was kept in production until 1928. You may be familiar with the car from the John Steinbeck novel, The Grapes of Wrath. The Joad family uses a Hudson Super Six sedan converted into a truck; the 1940 movie used a 1926 model.



The entryway: 



Yes, you can add impressive staircases to my list of obsessions.





Mrs. Inman lived at Swan House with son Hugh and family after Mr. Inman’s death in 1931. After her death in 1965, the Atlanta Historical Society purchased the house and most of its original furnishings, ranging from 18th-century antiques to 20th-century objects under the leadership of Mrs. Ivan Allen Jr. 



I was ready to move in. It felt like Downton Abbey had come to life.



The Dining Room table seemed a bit small; it could have used a few more leaves in the table.



The kitchen was one of my favorite rooms, with its vintage appliances.



I also fell in love with this red kitchen chair.



Swan House opened to the public in 1967 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a City-designated Landmark. The property encompasses 22 acres of gardens and forest, all original components of Shutze’s novel site plan. Swan House also contains the Shutze decorative arts collection. There are still many more photos to come from this impressive house museum!

See more Swan House photos at my main website.

Early Morning on Sunset Pt. 3: Hollywood High

My only previous shots of Hollywood High School were of the Mural that was being painted back in 2002 by Eloy Torrez. Built in 1910, this Art Moderne classic was right on my way home as I was dashing down Sunset with my camera early one morning last month.



Who would ever think that a high school could be a work of art?



The lettering style is a favorite of mine, very much like that used in Burbank at the Disney Studio.



The clouds added to the beauty of this quiet morning.



Oh the beautiful round corners of Art Moderne. If only life were this smooth!



The designs in the concrete blocks are reminiscent of what Frank Lloyd Wright used in many of his buildings.



To think that Judy Garland, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mickey Rooney, Carol Burnett, and Lana Turner actually got their diplomas here!



See more Daveland Hollywood High School photos at my main website.