Saenger Theatre

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2024

1. Saenger Theatre Marker

Touch for directions.

Delta

Homeland.

South

South.

America,

Hemisphere,

World,

Anglosphere.

Culture,

Purchase,

America,

South.

Click or scan to see
this page online

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Patrick Zollner, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, 2/7/1995:
The Saenger Company asked assistance from the wealthy Simmons estate and several business firms in Pine Bluff to build a modern theater that could provide the city with "high-class road attractions." Pine Bluff had not really had a facility equipped to accommodate live performances by the many traveling theatrical troupes since the Elk Theater burned in 1915. After a few months of negotiations, Saenger firm signed an agreement with the Simmons estate, and the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce agreed to sell 1,000 tickets at $10 each for the opening performance. The architect's plans were published in the Pine Bluff Commercial on June 7, 1923. The Little Rock firm of Stewart and McGehee submitted the low bid of $162,000,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2024

2. Saenger Theatre Lobby Entrance

The marker is mounted on the right side of the lobby entrance.

which did not include electrical work, seating, stage equipment, painting, and decorating. Total cost of completing the structure was estimated at $180,000. When completed in 1924, the theater could seat 1532 people including four boxes seating 32 patrons.

Regarding the interior, the Saenger Theater is very similar to the 1927 Weil-designed Jefferson Theater in Beaumont, Texas. David Naylor in his Great American Movie Theaters described the Saenger as a "Florentine-style picture palace," and indeed the interior is highly decorative with a prodigious use of plaster ornament.

The mid-1920's were the pinnacle for the quintessentially American architectural genre, the motion picture palace. These structures were usually designed to imitate the palaces of the Old World; however, the nature of the film business added complexities never encountered before by architects. The Saenger Theater in Pine Bluff is a good example of the Saenger Amusement Company's high style theaters which were constructed throughout the country. It was designed by the architect, Emile Weil, who was the Saenger Amusement Company's regular architect.

(by Emily Cowan & includes many interior photos) Excerpt: 

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2024

3. Thief of Bagdad (1925) Poster Recreation

Mounted on right side of lobby entrance.
Prices:
Night: Lower floor 75¢ Balcony 50¢ Children 25¢ Gallery 25¢
Matinee: Adults 50¢ Children 25¢

Pine Bluffians and citizens all across Jefferson County waited for weeks in preparation of the opening, finally to have a modern theatre. Deemed the “Showplace of the South”, the Saenger Theatre opened in Pine Bluff on November 17, 1924, and the silent film “America” debuted the following day. But unlike most grand openings, this one lasted and set a new attendance record for the matinee and evening performances. Dinner parties following the events were held at the Hotel Pines just across the way. It aimed to make Pine Bluff an entertainment center for people in southeast Arkansas.

Over the years the Saenger has seen many stars come through its doors. Some of the celebrities include Judy Garland, Gloria Swanson, Norma Talmadge, producer D. W. Griffith, Al G. Fields Minstrels, Ziegfeld Follies, and proprietor Julian Saenger. Harry Houdini performed his great act on this very stage and hired a local youth, Stanley Clark, to be his stooge. Later, Clark went on to perform magic for children on the same stage. Children’s shows were on Saturdays, with the price of admission being an empty Coke bottle. School plays, high school graduations, and dance recitals were also held there.

Excerpt: 

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2024

4. Saenger Theatre (front/north elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The front, or northern, elevation is the only styled elevation and reflects the use of Classical Revival components. The first story, however, is indicative of the 1929 Art Deco-style revisions and consists of a central ticket office flanked by triple-leaf, half-moon glazed doors. The doors immediately adjacent to the ticket office, which is currently boarded over, have the half-moon facing the office, while the outer pairs have the half moons oriented toward each other. To the west is a brick wall with a large window opening that is now filled in with wood. Above the entrance, the facade is dominated by three arched window bays, each containing double-leaf, twelve-pane French doors capped with a six-pane transom. A turned balustrade of stone or cast concrete extends across the base of the window bays. The next level above is defined by a cast concrete gargoyle head with a crown. The mouth is open as if in a mocking laugh, and garlands are draped at each side of the head. This level also contains a double-hinged, eight-pane casement window above each exterior niche. The fourth level reveals three double-hinged, eight-pane windows in the center of the facade and the four modified Corinthian pilaster capitals with a stylized "S" relief.

Built in 1924 to a design by Emile Weil, it is a Classical Revival brick building with an ornate interior that was last restyled in 1937. It is one of only a handful of Saenger movie palaces that remain. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 16, 2024

5. Saenger Theatre (northwest elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The west elevation consists of the original "colored" ticket window near the north end. The ticket window was closed and sealed in the 1960's but still features the ornate metal canopy roof that is suspended from two iron rods. Otherwise, the first story of this elevation contains three double-leaf exit doors and one loading door near the south end. Three additional sets of double leaf doors are located at different levels of the exterior metal staircase, which remains minus the ground access section.