Bailey Theatre
18 N. Front Street,
Wilmington,
NC
28401
18 N. Front Street,
Wilmington,
NC
28401
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Only the facade of this theatre remains.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
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.
View link
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.
Sad . One of Erle Stillwell designs..Have a picture from Stillwell’s Collection, “POT O'GOLD"on the Marquee,Big Air Condition banner hanging in front.
Book by Bill Mitchell, “BUILDINGS AS HISTORY:THE ARCHITECTURE OF ERLE STILLWELL”.
When the theatre was demolished the front facade and the marquee were spared. The marquee was later dismanteled. Raysson, what theatre didn’t play to sell out crowds for the openeing of “Jaws”.