Jefferson Theater

The description above is partly incorrect. I grew up going to the Jefferson in the 40’s and 50’s. It was not movies Sun thru Thur and stage shows Fri and Sat. In my day it was movies 7 days a week and occasionally the “Chitlin” circuit would come to town and you could see the stage show as well as a movie on Fri and Sat including a midnight show on Sat. Also, there would occasionally be amateur shows spotlighting local talent. That is how Newport News' own Five Keys gained initial recognition.

The Jefferson was a favorite of mine. You could stay all day for fifteen cents in 1963. I remember seeing the Incredible Shrinking Man
The Mole People The Longest Day Dracula Movies. My aunt Mattie lived on 26th Street. She would fry chicken on Sunday and me and my cousin Ricky would take some to the movies. It was near the corner of 25th Street and Jefferson Avenue. Close by on Jefferson Avenue were the Moton and Dumbar. Both are now closed. The Moton is sort of a community center. It warmed my heart to see the marque showing that a 72 inch TV would be showing the Super Bowl. Wellll it is something.