Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) is presenting a free public lecture titled “Making Film History on West Broad Street” on Thursday, November 19 at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center, located in the historic Kennedy Pharmacy at 323 E. Broughton St. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a wine reception at 5:30 p.m.
Local cinema legacy
Dr. Chad Newsom, a professor of Cinema Studies at Savannah College of Art and Design, will explore how West Broad Street—now Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd.—served as a vibrant movie‑theater district for Savannah’s African American community from the 1910s through the 1960s. The district featured some of the nation’s earliest theater palaces, supporting pioneering African American filmmakers and legendary performers who brought Hollywood‑style entertainment to the Hostess City.
Newsom will emphasize that West Broad was not just a backdrop for film history; it was a place where film history was made. His talk will include stories of local theaters, entrepreneurs, films and movie stars, showing how Savannah’s own narrative enriches the broader understanding of American cinema.
Walking tour
On Saturday, November 21, Dr. Newsom will lead a walking tour called “Savannah’s African American Movie Theaters: A Walking Tour of Historic West Broad Street.” The tour will start outside Origin Coffee at 356 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., and will cost $30 for HSF members and $40 for non‑members.
The tour will highlight significant theaters and provide a broader perspective on local Black history and Savannah’s cultural heritage.
Event details
- Date: Thursday, November 19 (lecture) and Saturday, November 21 (walking tour)
- Location: HSF Lecture – 323 E. Broughton St.; Walking tour – meeting point at Origin Coffee, 356 MLK Jr. Blvd.
- Cost: Lecture – free for members, $15 for non‑members; Tour – $30 members, $40 non‑members
- Registration required via myhsf.org/events/lecture-series
For more information, contact Kendall Graham at [email protected].
Original reporting: The Savannah Tribune — read the source article.
