SPECIAL | Hattiesburg celebrates 125 years

PHOTO COURTESY ALBERT & ASSOCIATES

MOVIE PALACE A FTER 80 Y EARS , S AENGER T HEATER S TILL D EFINES

E NTERTAINMENT FOR THE P INE B ELT

I
TEXT BY LEIF MUNKEL
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HATTIESBURG CONVENTION COMMISSION

In 1929, the nation was in the midst of one of the worst economic crises it had ever seen.
The Great Depression left millions without work and even more in poverty. Movies
became popular as inexpensive distractions and movie houses sprang up across the coun-
try, including in downtown Hattiesburg.
On Thanksgiving Day 1929, the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater, built by brothers Abe and
Julien Saenger, opened. During the golden age of Hollywood, the Saenger Theater
brought the world to the Pine Belt through moving pictures. John Wayne thundered across
the western plains on horseback, while Charlie Chaplin gave viewers a much needed
laugh. It was this escapism that gave the nation and the City of Hattiesburg the lift they
needed during those difficult times.
Eighty years have passed since the Saenger Theater opened its doors, but the Saenger

34 a cc e n t s o u t h m i s s i s s i p p i
Theater has remained a cultural and historical
icon in the Pine Belt, and in today’s economic cli-
mate it remains a means of escapism.
“The Historic Saenger Theater has been the
hub for entertainment and culture throughout its
80 years in Hattiesburg,” said Hattiesburg
Convention Commission Executive Director Rick
Taylor. “Many community groups and friends of
the Saenger have worked hard to keep the the-
ater in good condition.”
The Hattiesburg Saenger, originally one of
seven Saenger Theaters operated throughout the
South, quickly became the crown jewel of
Hattiesburg. It was designed by New Orleans
architect Emile Weile and is one of Mississippi’s
two examples of the movie palace type. Weile
infused characteristics of Neo-classical Revival
Style and Art Deco Style, including Mayan-
inspired elements into the theater’s decor. The
theater boasts a 778-pipe Robert Morton Pipe
Organ, which was specially designed for the
Saenger’s acoustics. It has been reconstructed,
and is one of the only Robert Morton organs in
the United States still in its original position.
The Saenger was placed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1979 and has
undergone two renovations: The first in the 1980s
was undertaken by Mayor Bobby Chain, and in
2000, it underwent a $3.75 million renovation.
The Hattiesburg Convention Commission inherit-
ed operation of the theater from the City of
Hattiesburg in 2003 and it once again entertains
with world-class events which dazzle audiences
from across Mississippi. It would have been
impossible for the Saenger brothers, Abe and
Julien, to ever imagine that the small theater they
built 80 years ago would house some of the
biggest events in Mississippi, including this
year’s 80th Anniversary Gala.
At 8 p.m. Sept. 26, to begin the celebration of
its 80th anniversary, the Saenger Theater will
host the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The Big Band
became popular during the early years of the
Saenger Theater in the 1930s. Dorsey formed his
orchestra in 1935 and had such hits as
“Manhattan Serenade” and “The Big Apple.”
Dorsey’s smooth, lyrical trombone style led to
his popularity among swingers. Dorsey would
die in 1956 but his orchestra continued to flour-
ish under various conductors, including today’s
most recent conductor, Buddy Morrow, one of
this era’s greatest trombone players, who has
worked with many Big Bands and jazz groups
throughout the United States. He joined the
Tommy Dorsey orchestra in the 1940s and also
played with the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra after
serving in World War II.
“For the Saenger’s 80th anniversary we wanted
to bring in a special act that was indicative of the
theater’s founding era,” said Public Relations
and Marketing Manager Traci Rouse. “The
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra is almost like looking
into a time capsule for that generation.”
In addition to the concert, the 80th
Anniversary Gala will include a dessert reception
and special memorabilia for guests. Tickets for
the event are $20-$30 and can be purchased
through the Saenger Theater Box Office at (601)
584-4888 or online at
www.HattiesburgSaenger.com.
Left, the Saenger Theater, under construction,
was designed by New Orleans architect Emile
Weile. It is one of Mississippi’s two examples of
the movie palace type.
Opposite Inset, Saenger upon completion in 1929
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