Fox Theatre

Ever wondered what a Shriner’s mosque and a movie palace have in common? Look around you. The Fox Theatre stands as a testament to a truly unusual partnership. The Fox Theatre’s story begins in 1928 with the Atlanta Shriners. They envisioned a grand headquarters, inspired by the Alhambra and the Temple of Karnak. The design, with its domes, minarets, and archways, proved too expensive. Enter William Fox, the movie mogul. He saw an opportunity in the Shriners’ predicament. He leased the auditorium, pouring more than $3 million into its completion. The Fox Theatre, all 250,000 square feet, opened on Christmas Day in 1929. The premiere? Disney’s Steamboat Willie, introducing the world to Mickey Mouse. The Fox Theatre quickly became a sensation. Its red carpet entrance, gilded details, and vast, star-studded ceiling captivated audiences. But the Great Depression took its toll. In 1932, both William Fox and the Fox Theatre declared bankruptcy. The theatre was sold for a mere $75,000. Despite this setback, the Fox Theatre continued to thrive, hosting films, live performances, and dances. By the late 1960s, however, grand movie palaces had fallen out of fashion. The Fox Theatre closed its doors in 1974, facing demolition. The people of Atlanta rallied. The “Save The Fox” campaign was born. Through donations large and small, from benefit concerts featuring everyone from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Liberace, the community raised $3 million. After painstaking restoration, the Fox Theatre reopened in 1975. Today, the Fox Theatre, run by the non-profit Fox Theatre, Inc., thrives as a premier performing arts venue. The “Mighty Mo,” its 3,622-pipe Möller organ, still reigns as the world’s largest theatre organ of its kind. From Elvis to Aretha, from Broadway shows to the world premiere of The Phantom of the Opera’s touring production, the Fox Theatre has hosted them all. The Fox Theatre stands as a symbol of community spirit and a love for the arts.