I just went through the ‘rest of’ the photos on that site and WOW! Especially the Virginia Center in Richmond, but then again it’s an atmospheric and they always ‘speak’ volumes! I didn’t count, but there must have been over 20 photos on that one site, alone! Thanks. Too bad it didn’t list location in most cases.
There seems to be a few CT members who have contributed to this theatre link that perhaps live in the Charlotte area. If this is the case and you want to see this theatre restored, please contact Charlie Clayton at .com or call him at 704-534-1729. There will be a meeting Monday, March 21st at 7:00 PM Doubletree Hotel/Gateway Village 895 Trade Street. If interested, you are more than welcome to join us and meet others who want to see the Carolina Theatre restored. This theatre can be the “Jewel” in Charlotte’s crown. Thanks.
BTW, does everyone like the new CT format? I’m not sure as I have to ‘maximize’ the link to read the messages, etc. though the print is larger for us older members!
Anyone reading this link should read some of the Carolina Theatre articles as this theatre needs to be restored! If you want more information, please contact Charles Clayton, President Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) via email at .com
ghamilton: Your comment is so very true. I feel that if these theatres could just have held on they would be around today to reap the benefits of the changing downtown landscape and times. With the recent Super Bowl crowd downtown the theatres would probably have done quite well. “…..but what has been lost can never be replaced”….a true yet very sad statement! This is true for my hometown theatre, the Grand/Westfield NY which is lost forever.
Yes, the name Charles Christian Hook is a prominent name in Charlotte architectural history. Oneof his most beautiful buildings is a fire station on S. Laurel near downtown Charlotte.
“Today the theatre is a shell of its former self. Its lobby and retail area were torn down in the ’80s after a fire that was confined to the stage; however, smoke spread throughout the theatre.” This quote taken from the above website.
Go to www.mtos.org to take a photo tour of the Carolina Theatre to read an interesting article by Michaele Ballard entitled “The Carolina Theatre Awaits Her Fate”.
The Carolina did not burn down. The lobby area doesn’t exist, but the reason isn’t due to fire. “Although the corner retail section of the property was demolished many years ago, the original entry facade is intact and the theatre itself, known as an "atmospheric theatre” is intact. The interior is reminiscent of the Spanish Renaissance style, with balconies and murals suggesting the illusion of an exotic, open-air Mediterranean garden patio.“ This quote is taken from the first Carolina Theatre Palace newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1 Feb. 2005. The Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) founded in 1997 is a non-profit organization that has fought passionately for the preservation of the Carolina Theatre. An interesting fact is that the only premiere of "Gone With the Wind” was held at the Carolina in addition to the Atlanta premiere.
So many old theatres especially in the south were visited by Mr. Presley….now he is gone and so are many of these theatres. A theatre in Charlotte NC also named Carolina Theatre was visited by Elvis, too. The downtown building still exists, but the theatre is in need of a complete restoration. A group called Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) is active in this venture.
If the Camelot is just closed, perhaps there is hope for this theatre in a college town and in a town that has alot to offer as the downtown area is alive and well!
After reading this theatre’s life history it is truly amazing that it still with us today. Many theatres with less history don’t make it, but this one survived through many changes.
I just looked under VA and couldn’t find the Virginia Center. How would it be listed and where in the State is it? Thanks.
I just went through the ‘rest of’ the photos on that site and WOW! Especially the Virginia Center in Richmond, but then again it’s an atmospheric and they always ‘speak’ volumes! I didn’t count, but there must have been over 20 photos on that one site, alone! Thanks. Too bad it didn’t list location in most cases.
lostmemory: THIS is quite the photo and thanks for sharing it! The detail in the photo is really quite impressive!
There seems to be a few CT members who have contributed to this theatre link that perhaps live in the Charlotte area. If this is the case and you want to see this theatre restored, please contact Charlie Clayton at .com or call him at 704-534-1729. There will be a meeting Monday, March 21st at 7:00 PM Doubletree Hotel/Gateway Village 895 Trade Street. If interested, you are more than welcome to join us and meet others who want to see the Carolina Theatre restored. This theatre can be the “Jewel” in Charlotte’s crown. Thanks.
BTW, does everyone like the new CT format? I’m not sure as I have to ‘maximize’ the link to read the messages, etc. though the print is larger for us older members!
Anyone reading this link should read some of the Carolina Theatre articles as this theatre needs to be restored! If you want more information, please contact Charles Clayton, President Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) via email at .com
ghamilton: Your comment is so very true. I feel that if these theatres could just have held on they would be around today to reap the benefits of the changing downtown landscape and times. With the recent Super Bowl crowd downtown the theatres would probably have done quite well. “…..but what has been lost can never be replaced”….a true yet very sad statement! This is true for my hometown theatre, the Grand/Westfield NY which is lost forever.
Great photo, but don’t know any of the actors pictured…sure someone will enlighten us though.
TC: Great photo taken in the 20’s of a theatre that is still with us! Amen!
Beautiful lobby and a Minneapolis gem!
Yes, the name Charles Christian Hook is a prominent name in Charlotte architectural history. Oneof his most beautiful buildings is a fire station on S. Laurel near downtown Charlotte.
Another worthwhile article by Michaele Ballard entitled A New Show at the Carolina can be found at this website
“Today the theatre is a shell of its former self. Its lobby and retail area were torn down in the ’80s after a fire that was confined to the stage; however, smoke spread throughout the theatre.” This quote taken from the above website.
Go to www.mtos.org to take a photo tour of the Carolina Theatre to read an interesting article by Michaele Ballard entitled “The Carolina Theatre Awaits Her Fate”.
The Carolina did not burn down. The lobby area doesn’t exist, but the reason isn’t due to fire. “Although the corner retail section of the property was demolished many years ago, the original entry facade is intact and the theatre itself, known as an "atmospheric theatre” is intact. The interior is reminiscent of the Spanish Renaissance style, with balconies and murals suggesting the illusion of an exotic, open-air Mediterranean garden patio.“ This quote is taken from the first Carolina Theatre Palace newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1 Feb. 2005. The Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) founded in 1997 is a non-profit organization that has fought passionately for the preservation of the Carolina Theatre. An interesting fact is that the only premiere of "Gone With the Wind” was held at the Carolina in addition to the Atlanta premiere.
So many old theatres especially in the south were visited by Mr. Presley….now he is gone and so are many of these theatres. A theatre in Charlotte NC also named Carolina Theatre was visited by Elvis, too. The downtown building still exists, but the theatre is in need of a complete restoration. A group called Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) is active in this venture.
lostmemory: Thanks for the map! ;–)
6482! That is the number of single screen theatres listed on Cinema Treasures!
If it was one of the best theatres in town, can’t it be again? First thing would be to return it to a single screen venue though!
Any photos anyone?
If the Camelot is just closed, perhaps there is hope for this theatre in a college town and in a town that has alot to offer as the downtown area is alive and well!
Will be in Savannah over Easter weekend so will check out all of these Savannah theatres including the Sushi restaurant with original theatre ceiling!
Savannah is in GA not SC…sorry! Need to brush up on my geography!
Anyone have photos they could contribute?
After reading this theatre’s life history it is truly amazing that it still with us today. Many theatres with less history don’t make it, but this one survived through many changes.