Over the past half-century, hundreds of small, local movie theaters have closed across the nation. Competition from big chains, online movies and, earlier, movie rental companies all combined to push small, local theaters out of business.
Mobile went in the opposite direction. In 2009, a small, single-screen theater opened in downtown – the Crescent Theater. It is (was?) cute, old-fashioned, and quaint.
In April 2023, it closed due to financial difficulties, including rising rents and declining attendance.
On August 20, 2024, it reopened under the ownership of Push Cinema. It obviously didn’t push much. This week, it closed again.
The Crescent Theater has a long and varied history. The building was originally constructed in 1885. It has undergone multiple transformations, including vaudeville shows and silent films, before evolving into a modern movie theater. The theater even faced a near-closure in 2017, which was averted through community fundraising efforts.
On Friday, Crescent Theater posted the following on its Facebook page:
Facebook page Downtown Mobile Today posted this retort:
The theater is located in downtown Mobile's entertainment district, named LODA. It is at 208 Dauphin Street.
Will a new company reopen the theater? Will the ambiance of the Bohemian theater be continued? If so, how long will the theater remain closed? What type of films will be shown?
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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