OVERVIEW

In 1929, William Fox was a movie mogul and The Fox Theatre was Atlanta’s crown jewel of movie palaces.  This Christmas Day, “The Fox” celebrates its 82nd birthday.  Over the years it has hosted many award-winning performances. Comedies, tragedies, & dramas – in the form of movies, plays & dance – have all played on the big screen and the stage, creating more than a few memories along the way.

However, The Fox’s history is not all glitz and glamour.  The curtain nearly closed in 1974, and would have for good if not for the efforts of concerned citizens, community oriented corporations and the foresight of Atlanta Landmarks, Inc. and their “Save the Fox” campaign.  This month we celebrate with The Fox and take a look back at the history, the preservation, the restoration, and the theatre’s place in Atlanta’s cultural landscape.

Beauchamp Carr is EVP at The Woodruff Arts Center and was an integral player with Atlanta Landmarks, Inc.’s effort to prevent The Fox from becoming a Bellsouth parking deck.  Beauchamp joins Gene in the studio to remind us about the incredible preservation effort, and to share some personal thoughts about the theatre he helped rescue.

Chairperson of Emory’s Film & Media Studies, Matthew Bernstein also swings by Sidewalk Radio to talk about The Fox, the golden age of cinema, and the magic of movie palaces.  Bernstein’s passion for film and his knowledge about cinematic history paint a nice picture of how The Fox used to be, what it used to be, and why it is important today.

Leo Alvarez is nothing if not real.  As Atlanta’s Urban Design Leader at Perkins+Will, Alvarez is consumed with culture.  In this episode, Alvarez discusses how to protect, plan, design and deliver culture within our community while keeping it genuine and appreciating the authenticity that already exists.  And, in Atlanta, “The Fox” is synonymous with authenticity.

GENE KANSAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE >