09/27/2026
I am currently in the process of producing a serious, in-depth documentary on the Ritz Theatre of Natchez. I am well aware of a recent documentary that portrayed Natchez in a negative light. This is NOT one of those. I was born and raised in Natchez, have served as a veteran in the US Army and as a criminal investigator (retired) with the Adams County Sheriff's Office. After many years of professional photography here, and an experienced creator of over one hundred "cinematic videos," I have searched long and hard for an interesting, POSITIVE subject-matter for a documentary film. Due to an intriguing set of circumstances, the subject of the Ritz practically fell into my lap. This is an all volunteer effort but one dedicated to a very high production value and a thorough treatment of this unique theatre as being her own "character" central to a fun and positive, yet realistic Natchez story. All of us on the crew are Natchezians. The title (to date) is "Puttin' On the Ritz" with the sub-title of "the Rise, Ruin, and Rebirth? of the Natchez Ritz Theatre." The research is quite far along - as is pre-production. Here's my need: Interviews are a core aspect of historical documentaries (with the other being licensable private photos, ticket stubs, etc - but that's another topic). Our interview filming kicks off this coming Wednesday Sep 30 with a subject who used to attend the Ritz from 10 years old to 18. We have many categories of people we are looking to interview. The relevant historians, architects, and leaders are relatively easy to track down and some of them are already committed. Less easy are what you might expect - actual patrons who went there and watched movies, matinees on Saturday, etc. Even more rare are people who worked there - maybe a teenager at the time who sold tickets or worked the candy counter, etc. We are actively seeking any of these that would be effective for the film. If you are reading this, and you, or someone you know went as a patron or an employee of the Ritz (not the Clarke, Baker Grand, or Star) then please contact me for a screening interview. This usually starts with a simple phone call, and might progress to a location scout and pre-interview - which then might progress to a interview filming date/time. You would have to sign a release of course, and your participation would be voluntary. This would be a huge contribution that would help us tell the Story of the Ritz - not from the standpoint of dry dates and facts, but from a standpoint of story-telling and the "emotional archeology" that I am looking to "excavate" ... not from a view of nostalgia nor sentimentalism - but from real stories, memories, and experiences sitting alongside the timeline of her existence in all of her phases. You can message me here on Facebook and I will respond as soon as I can. Thank you.
