National Theatre
311 S. Elm Street,
Greensboro,
NC
27401
311 S. Elm Street,
Greensboro,
NC
27401
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The National Theatre was located in the heart of downtown Greensboro. It opened in 1921 with a seating capacity of 1,800. The theatre had a mezzanine level and a balcony. During its early days it prided itself on its live shows and vaudeville acts. It also hosted touring productions of some of Broadway’s greatest productions, including Tallulah Bankhead in Noel Coward’s “Private Lives”, Joe E. Brown in the stage version of “Harvey and the original production of "Oklahoma!”, all presented live on the stage. As a movie theatre, it screened some of the greatest films ever to come out of Hollywood.
By the late-1950’s toward the early-1960’s it shifted from A-list movies to B-list movies, with the occasional “Dracula” type film. By 1966, the National Theatre closed forever, and by early-1967 it was demolished and was replaced by a parking lot.
Contributed by
Chuck, raysson
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Thanks,Chuck.This is certainly one of the ones I know I saw as a tender youth.
A Robert-Morton theater organ size 2/8 was installed in the National Theater in 1927. The organ was later moved to the Center Theater in Durham, North Carolina.
Go to this Cinema Tour site and you can view 2 vintage National Theatre photos. http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/18735.html
I can’t believe that Greensboro chose to demolish this theatre for whatever reason(s).
I USED TO SPEND MY SATURDAYS AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE WACTHING TRIPLE FEATURES. IN 1959, I SAW THE HORROR OF DRACULA, WHAT A SCARY MOVIE.
IN 1967, THEY RAZED THE THEATRE AND BUILT A PARKING LOT.
ANOTHER PARKING LOT!
The Robert Morton organ is now installed in the Carolina Civic Center. See http://piedmont-theatre-organ-soc.org/ For stories on the theatre and pictures of the Center Theatre.
I’m a Three Stooges Fan Club member, trying to confirm a personal appearance by the “3” Stooges (Moe Larry and Shemp), on a bill with Wee Bonnie Baker, the Barretts and Don Hooton, after an appearance by the A.B. Marcus Revue. The movie “Queen of Burlesque” was also shown. I have a display ad, but no dates (or town shown). Believe it was the Summer of 1946, and may have been Shemp’s first appearance after Curly’s strokes. The National was advertised as air cooled and showed a phone number of JA-7863.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks Frank Reighter
This was a beautiful old place. Greensboro went on an urban renewal destruction rampage in the Sixties. The National was torn down for a parking lot, but for years you could see steps leading to nowhere at the sites of fine old houses. We can be thankful they saved the Carolina, another movie palace.
Wasn’t there a theatre located in Downtown Greensboro that was also called “The Cinema”?