Berry Theater
Hartsville,
SC
29550
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It is interesting to note that the Berry Theatre/The Cinema was the first older downtown theatre (with a balcony) that Stewart & Everett split. The approximate date of the opening of the twinned theatre under it’s new name, “Big Cinema 1 & 2” was May 30, 1980. This information comes from Stewart & Everett’s “Showmanship” newsletter of same date.
In 1946 H.R. Berry had dream realized when hit BERRY THEATRE opened July 8 1946 and for a couple of decades or so Hartsville had the BERRY THEATRE. And what has always bothered me was when the theatre needed a facelift STEWART AND EVERETT THEATRES came in and what was a movie theatre into what they called “AN ULTRA-MODERN” theatre.
Of course with change the name BERRY was just too square so guess what they called it? THE CINEMA.
The exterior and interior were redone, new marquee diamond shaped inserts holds one of the letters of the name. The snack bar had a
Terrazo floor and new ceramic tile restrooms. A nice ladies lounge.
The lobby was paneled in real birch wood . Griggs push-back chairs are reclining and leaves plenty of room.
Of course, a new theatre has to have a new man. Harris Mozingo was the first manager of this Charlotte based chain which has 75 theatres in the Carolinas and Virginia THE CINEMA seats 580 moviegoers and opened in time for the Christmas 1968 season. The fully draped auditorium was from ceiling to floor and no other theatre in the area could boost such beauty. However, This should listed in the UPDATED THEATRE SECTION because it was THE BERRY and later changed to THE CINEMA.
BOXOFFICE FEB.10 1969 and comment by Mike Rogers.
A small photo of the Berry Theater can be seen on this website.