Bailey Theatre
18 N. Front Street,
Wilmington,
NC
28401
18 N. Front Street,
Wilmington,
NC
28401
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Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
The wonderful art deco facade of this building remains on Front Street with the vacant lot where the theater once stood behind it.
This is a recent photo of what remains of the Bailey Theater.
This was my great grandfather’s theatre. He was George W. Bailey. He died just before it opened. It was mangaed by my grandparents – Murchison and Audrienne Autry. Murchison died in 1964 and Audrienne died in 1990. I am sickened that it was demolished – to me it was a family history sight.
Here is a postcard, circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/38ejo7
Owned and operated by Stewart & Everett Theatre chain which also owned and operated Independence Mall Cinemas, Long Leaf Twin, and the Oleander Triple Theatres,not to mention another historical theatre as well,the Manor Theatre in Downtown Wilmington.
Here is a recent photo of the facade. Also, here is a photo of the ruined terrazzo entry.
1981 photo of the Bailey Theatre.
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This theatre opened 23 December 1940 and the architect was Erle G Stillwell.
History and photo of the Bailey Theatre at this link.
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Steven Spielburg’s 1975 blockbuster JAWS played to capacity crowds at the Bailey Theatre on June 20, 1975.
Also to point out too….but the mid-to-late 1970’s,the venue changed from showing first-run features to a variety of either blaxploitation,kung-fu flicks,and some adult flicks before it closed its doors forever in 1980.