Title: Olympia Theater photographs and papers, 1926-1980s
Abstract
Photographs and memorabilia relating to the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami, Florida. The Olympia is now called the Maurice Gusman Cultural Center. The collector, Alfred Weiss, worked as the theater's manager from 1926 to 1974.
Administrative/Biographical History
The Olympia Theater is located at 174 East Flagler Street, Miami, Florida. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Olympia, designed as an atmospheric theatre by John Eberson, opened as a silent movie house and converted to vaudeville when talking motion pictures were introduced in 1929. Alfred Weiss served as manager of the Olympia Theatre from its opening in 1926 until his retirement in 1974. Weiss booked high quality acts, and the theatre gained the reputation as one of the major stops for entertainers on the American vaudeville circuit.
During the 1950s the growing popularity of television led to the Olympia's decline, and the theater closed in 1954; however, it reopened three months later as a first-run theatre. In 1971, as plans were under consideration to demolish the structure and convert the site to a parking lot, philanthropist, Maurice Gusman purchased the building as a gift to the city. In 1972 it reopened as the Maurice Gusman Cultural Center for showcasing the arts.
Author: Dawn Hugh
Olympia Theater photographs...
