Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

First "Talkies"

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

1. First "Talkies" Marker

Inscription. Parking can be fun, but not as fun as a show at Loew's Palace, where "talking movies" debuted in Memphis in 1928. The theater, where Harry Houdini and others performed in the 1920s, was razed in the 1980s.

Erected 2003 by Center City Commission. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, Memphis, Center City Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 35° 8.598′ N, 90° 3.254′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is on Union Avenue east of South Front Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 Union Avenue, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the

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Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Grisham (within shouting distance of this marker); Farnsworth Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Exchange Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Opera House Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Barboro Grocery (within shouting distance of this marker); Promenade (within shouting distance of this marker); Cora James (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

First "Talkies" plaque is on sidewalk in middle of photo. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

2. First "Talkies" plaque is on sidewalk in middle of photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 498 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.