Grand Theatre
The Grand Theater opened on Head Avenue in 1917 or 1918, The first owner was Charley Vance. It was purchased by C.H. Johnson in 1921. C.H. came from Sweden in the 1880’s, then to Tallapoosa in 1896. Officially named the Amuzu Theater, it was fondly referred to as the “Picture Show” by local people. Sometime in the 1940’s the name was changed to the Grand Theater.
The Amuzu player piano used with silent movies is currently in a home in Tallapoosa.
The Theater was cooled by running water over ice and blowing a fan over it. The Theater closed in 1962 and is now a vacant building located in the center of the first block on Head Avenue.
The Amuzu Theatre was the site of a musical comedy production presented by the local chapter of The U.D.C. (United Daughters of the Confederacy) on November 22 (year unknown). “Laugh This Off” was the title of the play and included all local talent.
While the name of the playwright is not included in the program (see files below), the names of the characters in the play can be related to other comedy productions. Among those titles are “Oh, You Kids” and “Two Days to Marry”. These productions may have roots that ultimately lead back to the Marx Brothers.
Interestingly, the names of the advertisers in the program for this production are names that are well known to those who grew up in the Tallapoosa of the 1940s and 1950s.
Today, in the year 2013, Miller Funeral Home continues to serve the citizens of Haralson County and surrounding areas.