"It's A Wonderful Life" Packs The Princess

It was a historic evening!  The showing of "It's A Wonderful Life" marked the end of 15 years without a movie being shown at the Princess Theatre, in Downtown Harriman, TN.  

Cecil Johnson closed the movie house in 1999, and the theater fell into decay.  The leaking roof ruined everything inside, but a tragic accident made it possible for the building to be renovated and the Princess was brought back to life.  With her resurrection came new hope for a community that the spark of life would also rejuvenate Downtown Harriman.

Some of that dream came true Friday night as the community relived old memories, and made new ones, at the movie theater.  There were cars parked all up and down the street and people scurried between the Princess and the Simply Sweet Bakery.  In my mind, it was reminiscent of days gone by; when it was common place to see Roane Street lit up and people window shopping.

Inside the auditorium was nearly packed.  I would say it was the largest crowd since Marshal Tucker and The Kentucky Headhunters!

When Mayor Chris Mason and RSCC President Chris Whaley announced the start of the movie, the house erupted in applause and cheers!  The people have been hungry for a "real" movie at the Princess and they got their wish Friday night.

"It's A Wonderful Life" isn't a first run movie, but it was to those of us that have long awaited that evening!

It was also great to see the new screen down and reflecting new memories.

Above was the digital projector, an old one, given to us by Regal, but with the gift of $5,000 from the Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization (CHHCO), we are on our way to getting the $24K for a new one!  

Your gift to the Princess will go along way in achieving that goal.  Please give today!