"At the Sign of the Lipstick" lounge, which included draperies and carpets with the name of the theater woven into the fabric. At the dedication ceremonies, then Mayor Harry T. Hartwell and State Senator John Craft were joined by J.L. Bedsole, then President of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, in addressing the large crowd gathered for the occasion. Mrs. W.G. Ward, a representative of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, presented a portrait of General Robert E. Lee for the theater's foyer, as the dedication date was the General's 119th birthday. Through the years, the Saenger provided Mobilians with outstanding theatrical entertainment on the live stage and motion picture screen. The Saenger hosted silent movies, vaudeville shows, movies, dramatic and musical productions and was the setting for the first America's Junior Miss pageant. However—as was the case with many of these grand movie palaces—ownership changes, high maintenance costs and various other issues rendered many of these beautiful buildings nationwide, "white elephants". In fact, many were demolished to make way for parking lots and general urban development. Restoration In early 1970, owners ABC/Paramount closed the Mobile Saenger and removed the projection equipment and prepared to demolish the site. On the eve of demolition, the University of South Alabama bought the Saenger and saved it from destruction. It was partially renovated and reopened as a performing arts center called the USA Saenger Theatre. On October 1, 1999, the City of Mobile purchased the Saenger from the University of South Alabama. A new non-profit organization, called the Center for the Living Arts, Inc., was formed early in the year 2000 to operate the Saenger. The Center for the Living Arts, with donations from the community, restored the historic Mobile Saenger at a cost of about six million dollars. Active in the renovation was businessman Massey Palmer Bedsole Jr., and his wife, former State Senator Ann Bedsole of Mobile. The Saenger Theatre of Mobile now functions as downtown Mobile's premiere live music concert venue and performing arts center and is the official home of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra. The Saenger features the annual "Summer Movie Series" and presents numerous concerts, lectures and special events. ASM Global continues operations of the historic Saenger Theatre on behalf of the City of Mobile. See also Saenger Theatre (New Orleans) Saenger Theatre (Pensacola, Florida) References External links Mobile Saenger Theatre History of Alabama Movie palaces Saenger theatres Cultural