January 15th - 30th 2010, The Plaza Theatre celebrated it's 70th anniversary in grand style!  Showing some of the great films from our opening year of 1939 along with costumed characters, food, drinks, raffles, and special guests such as TCM's Robert Osborne, Karl Slover who played a Munchkin in The Wizard Of OZ, plus previous owner George LeFont and the family who built the whole center, the Griffith Family.

Thank you to all who attended, donated goods, time, services and those who became members of the Plaza Theatre!

We still have a long way to go to secure The Plaza Theatre's future, so please continue to come see films!

Photos: Prime8 Photography.

 1939 FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE                

Fri., Jan. 15 

7 p.m.: 70th Anniversary Party featuring Turner Classic Movie host Robert Osbourne. 

8:45 p.m.: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” 

Sat., Jan. 16 

3 p.m.: “Gulliver's Travels” 

5:30 p.m.: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” 

7:30 p.m.: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” 

9:30 p.m.: “Gulliver's Travels” 

Sun., Jan. 17 

3 p.m.: “Gulliver's Travels” 

5:30 p.m.: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” 

7:30 p.m.: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” 

9:30 p.m.: “Gulliver's Travels” 

Fri., Jan. 22 

7:30 p.m.: “Gone With The Wind” 

Sat., Jan. 23 

1:30 p.m.: “The Wizard of Oz”  With Munchkin actor Karl Slover in person

4:30 p.m.: “Gone With The Wind” 

9 p.m.: “The Wizard of Oz” 

Sun., Jan. 24 

2:30 p.m.: “The Wizard of Oz” 

4:30 p.m.: “Gone With The Wind” 

9 p.m.: “The Wizard of Oz” 

Sat., Jan. 30 

1 p.m.: Silver Scream Spookshow presents Buck Rogers in “Planet Outlaws” 

($7; free ages 12 and younger.) 

10 p.m.: Silver Scream Spookshow presents Buck Rogers in “Planet Outlaws” 

($10) 

Many cinema historians cite 1939 as film’s finest year. 

It’s also when Atlanta’s Historic Plaza Theatre opened its doors, popped its first popcorn and screened its inaugural movie. 

To mark the occasion, the non-profit Plaza Theatre presented its 70th Anniversary Gala fundraiser on January 15 hosted by Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies. The event was like stepping back in time. Think 1939 all over again. Drenched in cinematic history and a passion for film, the evening was a must-see event for movie buffs everywhere. 

Period music filled the air as local entertainer Jim Stacy spun his collection of 1930s vinyl. Vintage decor dressed the lobby, and actors in 30s-era costumes greeted guests. Drinks flowed as 

attendees noshed on appetizers. Restaurant gift certificates, event tickets, artwork, movie memorabilia and more packed the silent auction and raffle. Blast Off Burlesque presented photo opportunities all night as the characters of two of the great films of 1939 - Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.

The night capped off as the Plaza Theatre's lavish drapes opened revealing a rare 35mm screening of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Cited as one of the best of 1939, the acclaimed movie comes from legendary director Frank Capra and stars the great Jimmy Stewart. Guests received a special treat as film historian and TCM host Robert Osborne discussed the significance of the films of 1939. 

The bash also served as the opportunity for the public to learn more about the Plaza Theatre's mission to provide the community and its future generations a classic movie-going experience. By attending the fundraiser, patrons had a chance to help save the Historic Plaza Theatre from extinction, a fate suffered by other classic Atlanta movie theaters. The newly formed 501c3 Plaza Theatre Foundation used the event to kick off its capital campaign to help ensure the Plaza Theatre is around the next 70 years and beyond. Guests were some of the first to see the Plaza Theatre's renovation plans and heard about other exciting happenings currently on the drawing board. 

Just as the Plaza Theatre is still relevant, so are the films of 1939. In the October issue of Entertainment Weekly, the magazine praises the films of 1939. Throughout the rest of January, the Plaza Theatre will showcase other time-honored favorites from the era: “Gone With The Wind,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Gulliver's Travels” and the Buck Rogers film “Planet Outlaws.”

Seeing a film at the Plaza Theatre is indeed priceless, and this celebration is the first of its kind in Atlanta. Come be a part of local movie history! 

On January 23rd, the historic Plaza Theatre brought the magical land of Oz to life with a rare, big-screen presentation of the 1939 family classic “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland. And an actual citizen of Munchkin Land hosted an afternoon of “Oz”- related entertainment.

Karl Slover, who played several Munchkin roles in the timeless favorite, was on hand to sign
autographs and pose for pictures before and after the film. "Standing 4-feet, 4-inches tall, I was the smallest Munchkin,” Slover recalls. “I couldn't even reach the door knob.”

The actor can be seen in the film during the Munchkin Land scene as a trumpeter, a soldier, the
only boy in the nest of eggs, and one of the singers who encourages Judy Garland to “follow the
Yellow Brick Road!”

Slover’s meet-and-greet session wasn’t the only wizardry the Plaza has in store. Before the
screening, costumed “Oz” characters mingled with the kids around the theater. A special stage show celebrated the music of “Oz” featuring singers, dancers and a magician. We also held a raffle where patrons won prizes like Big Apple Circus tickets and a TCM gift basket!

Following the stage show, the 91-year-old Slover took to the Plaza Theatre stage, talking about
his experience on “The Wizard of Oz” set, and introducing the film. It was a very special day for everyone involved!

 THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!      

STOMP AND STAMMER MAGAZINE

BIG APPLE CIRCUS

ATLANTA BRAVES

GALLERY AT EAST ATLANTA

EAST ATLANTA TATTOO

EL MYR

MEMORIAL TATTOO

CRIMINAL RECORDS

AURORA COFFEE

HIGHLAND INN

JUNKMAN'S DAUGHTER

MOVIES WORTH SEEING

ATLANTA PRO BICYCLES

YOUNG BLOOD GALLERY

JOE'S COFFEE

ATLANTA CUPCAKE FACTORY

VAN MICHAEL SALON

SLOPE'S BBQ

ADORE HAIR STUDIO

BLAST-OFF BURLESQUE

PRIME 8 PHOTO

R.LAND

SHAMROCK DIRECT PRINTING

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES

ABBADABBA'S

ALON'S BAKERY

RICHARDS VARIETY STORE

GALACTIC QUEST COMICS

TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS

ATLANTA BRAVES

LIBERTY TATTOO

EATS

THE CORNER TAVERN

THE PORTER BAR

STONE SOUP

SOLSTICE

GRANT CENTRAL PIZZA

PINUP GIRL COSMETICS

STEFAN'S VINTAGE

THE CLOTHING WAREHOUSE

SAVAGE PIZZA

KINGSIZED

AVIARY

DAMES A FLAME

FANTASYLAND RECORDS