Fountain Heights in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Alabama Theatre
Built 1927
Photographed by Tim Carr, March 10, 2008
1. The Alabama Theatre Marker
Built by the Publix Theater division of Paramount Studios. This movie palace opened on December 26th, 1927. The theatre, in Spanish / Moorish design by Graven and Mayger of Chicago, seated 2500 in a five story, three-tiered auditorium. Paramount's president, Adolph Zukor, named it the "Showplace Of The South". The famous "Mighty Wurlitzer" pipe organ, with 21 sets of pipes, was played for many years by showman Stanleigh Malotte. The Alabama hosted many events including the Miss Alabama Pageant and the Mickey Mouse Club. Closed in 1981, the magnificent old theatre was saved from demolition in 1987 by countless volunteers, organized as Birmingham Landmarks, Inc. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated by the Alabama Legislature as the official State Historic Theatre. Over 500,000 annually visit the grand old theatre for movies, concerts, opera, ballet, weddings, graduations and private parties.
Erected 1998 by The Birmingham - Jefferson Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1721.
Location. 33° 30.906′ N, 86° 48.552′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the 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: Woman in Paddy Wagon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Music in the Movement (about 300 feet away); Loveman's Department Store/McWane Science Center (about 300 feet away); Let My Brother Go (about 300 feet away); Alabama Penny Savings Bank/Pythian Temple Building (about 300 feet away); S. H. Kress Five-And-Ten Cent Store (about 300 feet away); Sitting in for Lunch (about 400 feet away); Shutting Down Downtown (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.
Also see . . .
1. The Alabama Theatre in Birmingham is the stuff of legend. This is Alabama website entry (Submitted on November 5, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Alabama Theatre. Website homepage (Submitted on February 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
3. The Wurlitzer at the Alabama Theatre. Alabama Theatre organ website entry:
This link shows images and tell the history of the Wurlizer Organ (Big Bertha) at the Alabama Theatre. (Submitted on February 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
Photographed by Tim Carr, March 10, 2008
2. The Alabama Theatre
Photographed by Tim Carr, December 19, 2004
3. Interior Views of The Alabama Theatre
Photographed by Tim Carr, December 19, 2004
4. Stenciling and gilded decor of the Alabama Theatre
Photographed by Tim Carr, December 19, 2004
5. Interiors Views Of The Alabama Theatre
Photographed by Tim Carr, December 19, 2004
6. Night View Of The Alabama Theatre's Sign and Marquee
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,682 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on February 9, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. It was the Marker of the Week February 21, 2010. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
