Carolyn Theatre

W. Main Street and S. Front Avenue,
Piggott, AR 72454

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Additional Info

Styles: Streamline Moderne

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Carolyn Theatre

Opened in 1947 by John and Marthann Staples, who had also operated Piggott’s Franklin Theatre (until it was closed in 1949), the Carolyn Theatre was named for the Staples' daughter in a contest.

Besides movies, the Carolyn Theatre often hosted live entertainment (Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins were among those to perform at the theatre) as well as special events such as graduation ceremonies and church services.

The most notable event to take place at the Carolyn Theatre was the world premiere of the 1957 film, “A Face in the Crowd”, which was filmed in the Piggott area.

The Carolyn Theatre closed in October 1987, still run by the Staples family.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

ahanu05
ahanu05 on May 21, 2008 at 11:53 am

My great grandmother is the daughter of Albert Wayne Staples. John and Marthann were her grandparents. She still talks about going to the theatre as a child and watching movies for free. I believe that she visited the Frankin theatre more often than the Carolyn theatre. Carolyn was her aunt. I know that she has contact information for the staples still living in that area who know more about the theatre and its condition now. I’ll have to ask her about it.

ahanu05
ahanu05 on May 21, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Ok i go this a little mixed up. John is my great grandmothers half brother. When he passed away, John bought half of it from his mother.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 10, 2008 at 4:48 pm

This article states that Floy Stewart owned the Carolyn Theater building in 1988, and had planned to demolish it at that time in favor of a parking lot.
http://tinyurl.com/58gxjh

neestaples
neestaples on January 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm

I would love to hear from Angelica !! More juicy Staples family secrets !! John Staples was my uncle, I am the daughter of his brother James. I spent many childhood summers in Piggott in the ‘60’s at the Carolyn Theatre. It has been closed down for years, and was razed years ago to make a parking lot. Nice childhood reflections !!
Angelica— get in touch !!
Renee Staples

SethG
SethG on March 22, 2018 at 11:45 am

Needs to be listed as demolished. Probably the parking lot in the 100 block of W Main.

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