Gem Theatre
111 W. 1st Street,
Kannapolis,
NC
28081
111 W. 1st Street,
Kannapolis,
NC
28081
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 78 comments
EagleArt Gallery: Enjoyed the phone pictures of the Gem’s concession area. Thanks.
Here are some phone pictures I took of the concession area last week when I took the kids to see WALL-E.They aren’t the best, but they will give you an idea of what it looks like inside. I had planned on taking more, but it was pure madness! I’ve always loved the gold crown molding in this area. And if I’m not mistaken, it’s the same molding that’s in the vestibule / ticket area. Enjoy!
View link
View link
Yes, but plan it in the winter months when I’m in the Gem area!
Mr.Memory,You ARE the marvel of mystic oracles.I am always in awe of your ability to pull up knowledge others just don’t have.I think of you each time I pass the Byrd.HEY! We should schedule a movie party there.
Lost: Thanks…again. Now that I see those birds I do recall being inside the Gem though it was during a movie showing so I couldn’t really see the auditorium that well.
Perhaps I have missed it, but are there any interior Gem photos on this “gem” of a link?
Lost: I never tire of seeing the Gem’s art deco marquee! Thanks.
Sorry, the web address is www.gem-theatre.com.
Check out The Gem Theatre’s new web site and sign up for their weekly showtimes e-newsletter! The web site is www.gem-thetre.com. The Gem History 101 section of the site has some great photos of the theatre.
I’ve been to this “gem” in Kannapolis NC…very nice and very art deco!
I appreciate all the theater names. Thank you for this site and to all the posters.
Does anyone remember a theater on the left side of the street on N. Main going toward Landis in that little group of old stores? It seems like it went out of business pre-1958. (I’m not thinking of ‘the Main’ on Cannon Blvd.)
I drew a portrait of The Gem in 2006 and sold the original to J.J. Abrams, the director of Mission Impossible 3, which was on the marquee when I took the photo.
Kevin Eagle
EagleArtGallery.com
I am working on an article for a local magazine on this theater. if you would like to participate or suggest anyone I could interview, please contact me. Thanks!
C. Conrow
p.s. I guess just leave your contact info here.
My grandparents lived in Kannapolis. When I would visit them, very often my grandfather would take me to the movies. I remember seeing “That Darn Cat” and “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” at the Gem, and “The Nutty Professor” with Jerry Lewis at the Swanee. I also remember my grandmother buying shoes for me right next door to the Gem at Coulter’s!
They lived on Bell Street, one block away from the Table Supply, which used to be the Dixie Theatre. When my mother was a little girl and lived on Leonard Avenue, she saw her very first movie there – “The Wizard of Oz”! How sad that this wonderful building has been torn down in the name of progress.
Great…will check it out!
The Gem has a website now.
www.gem-theatre.com
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2htwbb
Hi guys! Just saw the Simpsons at the Gem on 8/4/2007. First time back inside the theatre in 44 years! Admission at 3:30PM, $1.00 for seniors. Big tub of popcorn, $2.00, drinks at $1.25. Better bargin than 44 years ago in ralation to todays money value. The theatre seemed the same to me as I remembered. Very clean, and no smells. Can’t believe they have maintained so well. Rest of downtown K-town was disappointing in lack of activity, but neat as always. Great town, the citizens should be proud.
That’s a great picture of the Gem. Thanks Bob
The King plays the Gem, circa 1963:
View link
It’s a nice use of a cut out from the 24 sheet for IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD’S FAIR.
And that marquee is just the best example of art deco that I’ve seen in NC and still shining brightly every night in 2006 soon to be 2007!
Ironic that a building has been demolished in the background of the photo you posted above. I sincerely hope that the Gem never sees or meets that fate…heaven forbid. And I would guess that the building in the background may be part of the Cannon towel complex that was Kannapolis!
Theaters like this-and the bigger,grander Byrd in Richmond-must be “treasured”,used,talked up,and used as often as possible.I wish I had a nickel for everytime I’ve told people to go to the Byrd for a NEW experience(for most).This theater ib Cannon Villiage should be viable,but don’t be complacent.The ONE item I wish this site offered would be a seperate list of REAL theaters that still show scheduled shows.Movie palaces are a rare thing now,we need to know where the active ones are w/o plowing through lists of vacant lots.
This is a great theater that seems to be frozen in time. Inside and out everything seems original. I hope it can hang on as Kannapolis changes. Make a point to see a movie in this theater for an old time experience. I only wish the balcony was open for all shows. Usually it’s only open for larger crowds.
I found this page by accident while searching for history on the Gem Theater. Thanks to everyone for their posts and pics. BTW Eagle Gallery – Great Stuff!!! The Gem Theater is an awseome treasure for the City of Kannapolis. I only hope that the realize it before it’s too late. The Gem has great prices, great atmosphere and great people. It’s like stepping back in time. I am sad to report that the Dixie Theater (Table Supply Grocery) is no more. I was totally shocked driving in to town last week to see that it had been erased. Almost as if it had never existed. Rumor has it that the property will be home to a new Eckerd store. Eckerd built a new store less than a mile from that corner a few years ago, but the Bio-Tech campus wanted their property and money talks. Bearing that in mind and how swiftly the Dixie was demolished, I fear not ony for the Gem Theater but the entire down town area of Kannapolis. It seems as though the City has take the side of “progress” over the pride of the past. Very unfortunate.