The Fabulous Fox's 75th Anniversary!!!

December 25, 1929 was the opening day for the fabulous Fox theatre. This year, December 26 2004 marked the 75th anniversary of The Atlanta Fox Theatre. Starting with the ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Jeff Foxworthy (who gave two concerts to save the Fox from being demolished) there was Georgia’s Governor Sonny Purdue, Atlanta’s Mayor Shirley Franklin, and General Manager of the Fox, Edgar Neiss. Because the Fox started out as the Shriners Temple, they had a motorcade of vintage cars and their motorcycle club leading the procession.

Inside the Fox, there were three shows almost a carbon copy of the first show replete with Larry Douglas Embury, Organist in Residence opening each show on the Möller organ lovingly called Mighty “Mo.” Chorus girls, (ala Flo Sigfield Follies) in huge head dresses descending the stairs on stage, a full orchestra featuring a piano rising on its’ own lift playing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and the first Walt Disney cartoon, “Steamboat Willy!” Larry led the audience in a sing-a-long singing, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” The theatre seats 4,600 and it was jammed packed with patrons for each show. A showing of Georgia Public Television’s documentary on the history of the fox was shown featuring Larry at the console of Mighty “Mo!”

The Fabulous Fox Theatre celebrates its 75th Anniversary!  Jeff Foxworthy presiding.

In the Egyptian Ballroom, there was a big band playing dance tunes of the 20’s. In the Grand Salon was an array of cakes designed by premiere Atlanta pastry chefs. In the Spanish Ballroom they had children’s activities including face painting and making plaster of paris motifs that adorn the theatre. In other halls were food and drinks for all to taste and sip.

There were over 20 thousand that came through the Fox for this stellar celebration. It was ironic, that this event was hosted by none other than Bell South, who if fate had its way, the Fox would have been a parking lot for Bell South. The people of Atlanta saved the Fox with donations so all can enjoy this great movie palace. Atlanta Landmarks a private corporation owns the Fox and it is on the national registration of historic landmarks saving it for future generations to enjoy.

Larry Playing at the Fabulous Fox

These were taken during the 2005 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festivals salute to James Dean. Movies shown were, “Rebel Without a Cause,” and “East of Eden.” It’s a hoot for me to even think I could ever look like James Dean, and the pack of cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve is classic James Dean. Also, the kiddy bike is more my style. I’m petrified of motorcycles. In the photo of me at the organ, you see a glimpse of the gold leafed piano that comes up on its own lift, center stage. The chin reminds me of the line from the classic 30’s film. “The Women,” - - - “Oh Sweetie, keep your chin up - - - both of them!” - - -

The photo of the stage curtain has over 5 thousand precious and semi-precious gems sewn into it. With the house spot lights shining on it, the curtain sparkles with magic! The blue sky, (with stars that twinkle and atmospheric clouds that drift across the ceiling) is pure pigment that was originally mixed with butter milk from an old Atlanta dairy. This was the original to “water based paint.”

Two photo’s of interest show the crowd coming into the theatre before a show – the other features a “Big Band” performing in the Egyptian Ballroom of the theatre.

Monday evening September 25, 2006 the theatre was closed for a private event. We had our “Usher Appreciation” night with food/drinks in the Spanish Ballroom – a concert in the theatre with a sing-a-long and hundreds of prizes then showed a McGoo cartoon and the original “Some Like it Hot” movie with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemon and Marilyn Monroe. Over 2,500 ushers attended. It was a blast!! Ken Shook who is in charge of ushers (over 4,000 volunteer ushers) took these pictures. Ken skated professionally in Ice Capades as well as Holiday on Ice.  I was wearing my white suit for the occasion.

Larry's Parents, Mimi and Clarence, enjoy their 69th Wedding Anniversary

Larry's Parents Celebrate their 69th Anniversary
in Seattle, Washington

Larry took his parents, Mabel, (Mimi) and Clarence, (Poppa) Embury, for their 69th wedding anniversary on a trip. They visited Seattle, Victoria on Vancouver Island and Vancouver, British Columbia where they lived for many years. Starting in Seattle you see his parents enjoying an alfresco lunch at the marina, in their water front hotel suite and Larry’s PT Cruiser. The logo was designed by Larry’s niece and web”mistress,” Brenda Jansson of McCall Idaho The font is Amadeus, as in Mozart.
Steve Peterson, a grandson of Mimi and Poppa accompanied them on this visit. After a ferry ride to Victoria, you see them in front of the Empress Hotel, the dowager of the chain of hotels run by the Canadian Railways. In one photo, Larry is looking at a fire hydrant wondering why a dog seems so fascinated by them. Other photos are visiting a niece and nephew, The Kemps, (Donald and Lola) in Nanaimo on the island. Next is the ferry ride into the harbor of Vancouver. While there, they visited old friends who over fifty-five years ago were little children in Mimi’s Sunday school class.

It was a wonderful visit reliving the Canadian part of their life.

Bob Van Allen Visits Atlanta

Larry's Fox and Bob Van Allen visits Atlanta

Recently, Bob Van Allen, the other half of the duo of “Larry D and Bobby V,” recently visited Atlanta to see Larry, the Fox and enjoy southern hospitality Atlanta is famous for. On the web site of www.DuoArts.com you can view Bob and Larry as they opened for Bette Midler, Audra MacDonald and Kaitlyn Hopkins at the Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Centre in New York City. One of photos on this page shows Bob standing in front of the Georgian Terrace hotel, the same hotel that hosted the first reception of the movie, “Gone With the Wind” starring Clark Gable and Virginia Leigh. The Georgian Terrace is right across the street from the Fox, and for 16 months was the residence of Larry when he arrived in Atlanta.