"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!

The Princess Holiday Season Schedule

UPDATE!

James Rogers is having his Christmas show on December 11th!  I just found this poster on the Princess Theatre website:

This means we have even more Christmas Season fun lined up!

The first movie at the Princess, since the renovation, will be shown on the evening of December 12th!  "It's A Wonderful Life" will be shown for the admission cost of a single can (or bring a truckload if you like) of food.  You have been waiting to again see a movie at the Princess, and this will be your first opportunity; plus you can help the area hungry.  Please come out and start your Christmas Season off right.

The Babahatchie Band will perform, free of charge, on the evening of December 13th at 7PM.  This is a wonderful way to get into the Holiday Spirit!  These local musicians have been performing in this band for over 20 years, and they sound great in the wonderful acoustics of the Princess!

Coming soon, information about Dr. Eric Littleton's concert on the 19th! 

   

Then on December 20th, the Princess will show it's second movie on its new "silver screen".  "A Christmas Snow" staring our own Muse Watson!  Muse will also be here to celebrate with us that evening.  The admission is just $5.

Hope to see you there every night!