The Princess Theatre

The scent of freshly popped and buttered popcorn wafts through the air. Along with the sound of popcorn popping, happy voices can be heard exchanging greetings and making small talk. The old fashioned bulbs on the vintage marquee illuminate North Beech Street. At least they used to. Now the popcorn popper stands still. The voices that used to emerge from the doors are now only ghosts. The marquee stands dead.

According to the Princess Theatre’s historical file in the Smith Library of Regional History, Oxford’s Princess Theatre first opened in September 1911 as the New Oxford Theatre. It was one of two Oxford Theatres at the time, hence it being called the New Oxford Theatre. It was built by Zora Beckett in the art deco style that was all the rage during that time period. Monday night showings were just 10 cents and included films from companies such as Paramount, Metro and Warner Bros. In 1931 the theatre’s slogan was “The only theatre in America that does not show one second of advertising on the screen.”

By 1950, the Oxford had acquired a new owner and a new name, Talawanda Theatre. The iconic marquee advertised first run movies. Under the lighted awning there was an outdoor ticket office that was typical of theatres at the time. The Talawanda didn’t last nearly as long as the Oxford, and in late March of 1977, it closed.

By 1982, the theatre had a new leasing company, Film Classic Inc. The company refurbished the building and bought all new equipment. By 1983 it had reopened as the Princess Theatre with an admission of $2.00 for a double feature. A year later  the name changed to Princess 4 Theatres although the marquee never changed.

The Princess closed in 2012, but was reopened in 2013, just to be closed again after a fire in March of 2014. While it was open, tickets were just $5.00, but the building was dingy and all together a little worse for the wear.
While the curtains have closed for good on the current Princess Theatre, a new Princess is on the horizon. According to Michael Kohus, chair of Oxford’s Historic and Architectural Preservation Commission, the new building will be built in the same spot as the old one. It is slated to have four floors. The bottom one will house the theatre. The second floor may house some small offices, but the third and fourth floor will have residential rental units. Despite being housed in a new building, the Princess will be just as iconic as before. The vintage sign will be restored and will once again light up 10 North Beech Street.