ROSEMARY 1396 Jackson Av
 

Opened 1930   .    Closed 1965 ?  .   Seats 1100  





The ROSEMARY is listed in the Memphis Directories from 1930 through 1958.  We have not verified beyond that date.

 
 

Rosemary - at night

1950 Ad

1953 Ad
 

           1954 Ad

Collection:  Richard S. Brashier

1955 Ad

1940 Ad
 
 
 
 

David Trousdale, 1-31-2015:  ":...I just happened on your website and was scrolling down the list.  Concerning the Rosewood:  I seem to remember that place also operated as a club.  I am sure a group of us white teenage boys snuck in there one night about 1961 or 1962 when B.B. King was there.  We were the only white faces in the crowd but had no problem at all.  I think we were accepted because it was obvious we liked King.  I have lived in Georgia since '81, but have a huge fondness for my old hometown."

Al Barth, 5-2012:  ":...As a child I lived four houses from the Rosemary.  It closed in 1965 and was owned by the Cianciola family.  It had very few first-run movies.  The schedule changed every Friday.  The only time I ever knew of the balcony being open was for the first showing of "A Hard Day's Night", which began at many theaters on the exact same day.  It had vaudeville acts prior to showing movies.  I went back stage during the demolition time.  There was a retarted person who lived on Lyndale named Ronnie Mertz, who went to the Rosemary every day.  We called him "Ronnie Rosemary".  Kids can be so cruel". 

Roy Archibald:  :...The Rosemary was at the corner of Jackson and Watkins.  It did not close in 1955.  I saw the Beatles "A Hard Days Night" when it came out, I guess in 1964.  I think it closed not too long after that though.  Maybe '66-'67.  When it was torn down, they built a First Tennessee Bank.  I think it was open for several years and then it became something else.  Not sure what it is now.  The Rosemary was a great little neighborhood theater".
 
   

 

 Historic Memphis Website
   

Credits
 

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The "Historic-Memphis" website would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions which helped make this website possible:  Memphis Public Library, Memphis University Library, Memphis Law Library, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis Press Scimitar, Shelby County Register of Deeds, Memphis City Schools, Memphis Business Men's Club, Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Memphis City Park Commission, Memphis Film Commission, Carnival Memphis, Memphis Historical Railroad Page, Memphis Heritage Inc, Beale Street Historic District, Cobblestone Historic District, Memphis Historic Districts, Vance Lauderdale Family Archives, Tennessee State Archives, Library of Congress, Kemmons Wilson Family, Richard S. Brashier, Lee Askew, George Whitworth, Woody Savage and many individuals whose assistance is acknowledged on the pages of their contributions.  Special thanks to Memphis Realtor, Joe Spake, for giving us carte blanche access to his outstanding collection of contemporary Memphis photos.

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