Books and Crannies

I think its been a while since I posted a picture of the front of Books and Crannies in the old Iris Theater building.

Movie house memories

Saturday morning I happened to be traveling down the south side alley and noticed new art work going up.  Seven old movie poster type murals are being painted on the back of Books and Crannies.  Books and Crannies is a great new and used book store in Terrell on Moore Ave.  The book store is in the old Iris theater building. I'm sure all of these movies at one time played on their screen.

The movie at the top center, The Lady, with Norma Talmadge was the first movie that played in the Iris when it opened on September 1, 1925.  Tickets cost .25 cents each.  The bookstores owners, Ron and Gayle Harris, restored the Iris sign on the front of the building and it was lit up on September 1, 2008.

Currently there is a small theater in he back of the bookstore that houses live plays and old movies.

I'm going to have to drive down the alley again this week and see if they finished up.

The fringe of Gustav

I wanted to take one more post to thank Ron and Gayle Harris for showing community spirit and restoring the sign for the old Iris Theatre. The Terrell Tribune also has a story online about Monday nights events.

Gayle Harris in the green dress and owner of Book and Crannies made sure everyone had cake before we went outside for the relighting.

Don Harris made time to try to speak to everyone, answering as many questions as he could about the old theatre and sign. Above Don is speaking to Michelle who owns Opera House Gifts and Decor.

It looks like we are right on the fringe of whats left of Gustav. The sunset last night was magnificent. It was a bit windy and you could watch the clouds moving quickly from north to south, but we really didnt get much rain. To the west it was clear and you could watch the sun set. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me when I was out. Here is a snapshot from my way home from work. We are getting a little bit of rain this morning.



I changed my banner photo. Not sure I will keep that one, but the other one had been up since June 2007 when I started this site.

Be sure to check to link to the right for the Royal Air Force in Texas Fly-in website. Sounds like a great weekend is planned. Make sure you are there.

WOW

The Iris Theatre neon sign was turned back on last night. The theatre closed a few years ago but the sign survived. On the 83rd anniversary of the theatres opening Ron and Gayle Harris owners of Books & Crannies, which now occupies the building, had the sign refurbished and rewired. Ron and Gayle have a small theatre in the back of the bookstore. Last night they had a screening of the first movie ever shown at the theatre, it was The Lady starring Norma Talmadge. At the upper left of the page is a search blog box. Type in Iris to see all of my photos of the building and Books & Crannies.


Back on, with the original colors.

Punch and cake was served inside the bookstore prior to the lighting. It was neat to meet people that have seen my site.
Before the sign was turned back on, Ron Harris spoke to the crowd outside the building.

The guests posed for a group picture. Ron is in the tux, Gayle is in the beautiful green dress

She sure looks pretty.

I have a couple of more pictures that I will post in a day or so.

Iris Theatre, Terrell, Texas, update

I got an update on the neon sign and a brief history lesson about the Iris Theatre.

Gayle, the owner of Books and Crannies sent me an email. The neon Iris sign will be lit up the night of September 1st. That is the 83rd anniversary of the opening of the theatre. She said the sign will be lit up every night at dark and turn off at midnight. M & M Lighting in Forney did the work and she said they were absolutely incredible to work with.

Davis Griffith-Cox also sent me an email about the theatre. He is the architectural restorationist and historian in charge of the project. The theatre was opened by owner, Leman Marshall on Sept.1, 1925. Its first feature was a movie staring Norma Tallmadge. Tickets cost 25 cents for adults. Its original neon colors of the sign are correct.

I cant wait until the 1st to see the sign turned on.

You will notice in the photo the sign has a request for anyone who may have pictures of the building prior to the 1960s. From what I can tell there may be other plans in the works for the facade. I am sure there will be more to come........

Iris Theatre, Terrell, Texas

It's no secret I like this building. I have posted pictures of it here, here, here, here, and posted pictures of the bookstore here and here. The back of the bookstore even has a small theatre that the owners use to show old movies and put on plays.

One of the neat things about the building is the old neon Iris sign. I don't think I have ever seen it lit up but that's about to change. For the last week or so, workers have been busy painting, rewiring, and replacing. When they are done the Iris theatre sign will come alive again.

Gayle and Ron Harris who own Books and Crannies the store in the building have taken great care to try to preserve the building and keep the spirit of the Iris alive.

I can't wait to see the sign lit up, and I will be sure to post it here.


You can find more information on the history of the theater here.

If your looking for a book, give Books and Crannies a call. They just might have it. They also have brought in regional and national writers for book signings.

Behind the curtain

A theatre

Books & Crannies is located in the old Iris Theatre. The front of the building has been posted many times on this site. The theatre was built in in the mid 1920s and closed in 2001. I went to one movie there, Titanic. There are train tracks behind the theatre and when the train went past it would walk all over the sound. It still was neat to go to the movies in a real theatre and not a 30 plex. Even though most of the space is now the book store, they have an area in the back, behind the black curtain, that keeps the spirit of the Iris.

So, behind he curtain is a small theatre. There’s a seating area for about 30 people and room in front for kids.


They have a small screen set up and a 14 foot stage for plays. The Vagabond Players put on a play called Love Letters last month. I am not sure what or when the next production will be, but I remember seeing a notice on the marquee recently that they were having auditions.




To see what the theatre looked like years ago, check out this site.

I hope everyone has enjoyed getting a peek inside the bookstore and theatre. I really like that Gayle and her husband have kept the spirit of the Iris alive and have a thriving business. My next task will be to check to see if the have J. Andrews book.

Books and Crannies at night

I went out last night looking to take a picture of the moon because the sky was so clear. I wanted to get it as a background to something else Who wants to see a picture of just the moon? The picture I am posting is not really the one I wanted, but I like how it turned out, well the street light could be placed somewhere else. Books and Crannies is a new and used bookstore in Terrells downtown area. Its in the first floor of the old Iris Theatre.

Harry Potter book on sale Midnight July 21st in Terrell

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS will go on sale at Books & Crannies in Terrell at Midnight July 21st.

Iris Theatre sign

Iris Theatre