Yorktowne Twin
2500 Durham Chapel Hill Boulevard,
Durham,
NC
27707
2500 Durham Chapel Hill Boulevard,
Durham,
NC
27707
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Under Schneider-Merl Theatres, the Yorktowne Theatre opened its doors on May 28, 1969 with James Coburn in “Hard Contract”. It was Durham’s premiere showplace for first-run features. The theatre had a huge auditorium with a seating capacity of 780. It had rocking-chair seating and full stereophonic sound with super widescreen projection equipment that was capable of showing bigger presentations.
It remained a single screen theater until June 20, 1975, when a second auditorium was built next to the original one, which had a seating capacity of 625. This opened with Gene Hackman in “French Connection II”. The Yorktowne Theatre did great business until 1987, when it changed its format from first-run features to second-run features. It remained that way until 1995, when the theater closed and was converted into a church. The church moved out in 2005.
By 2008, there was talk of restoring the theatre and turning it into an arthouse cinema in order to keep it afloat. It never happened and the Yorktowne Theatre was demolished in November 2008.
Contributed by
Raymond Caple
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Recent comments (view all 22 comments)
Francis Ford Coppula’s THE GODFATHER was one of two Triangle area theatres that booked the film’s original opening on March 22,1972 when the Yorktowne Theatre was a 780 seat single screen cinema.
“THE GODFATHER PART II” also played here as well as “CHINATOWN”, “LADY SINGS THE BLUES”, “LENNY”
The Yorktowne Theatre also played first-run on July 1, 1977 the original STAR WARS movie not to mention had the privilege to booked on December 7, 1979 the original STAR TREK movie.
Sam Peckinpah’s THE WILD BUNCH played at the Yorktowne Theatre on July 2, 1969. It was one of a handful of Triangle theatres that booked the film’s original “X” rating to capacity crowds.
THEATRE HISTORY OF THE YORKTOWNE:
Opened on May 28,1969 as a 780-seat single screen theatre under Schneider-Merl Corporation….
June 20,1975,the Yorktowne became the Yorktowne Twin Theatres under Martin Theatres Group. Auditorium 2 had a seating capacity of 625. The premiere attraction for the Yorktowne II’s opening was Gene Hackman in THE FRENCH CONNECTION PART II
1982-One of the many theatres acquired by Carmike Cinemas after it bought out Martin Theatres.
1987-Became a discount house showing second run films.
1996-The Yorktowne Theatre closed. After it was close in 1996 it was part of megachurch until 2005.
2008-Yorktowne Theatre was demolished.
1969-1975 Schneider-Merl Theatres
1975-1982 Martin Theatres
1982-1996 Carmike Cinemas
2500 Chapel Hill Boulevard Durham, NC 27707
The worst movie to play at this theatre in 1981….. Screen 1: Bo Derek in “TARZAN,THE APE MAN”-Rated R Screen 2: Julie Andrews in “S.O.B.”-Rated R
“TARZAN,THE APE MAN” was the worst movie to ever play at the Yorktowne Twin. Totally horrible!!! A lot of people who bought tickets for this dung sneak out over to Screen 2 which was a better movie…..
This theatre became a center of controversy and numerous protests in December of 1984 when the Yorktowne Twin Theatres being showing “SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT” first-run. The protesters who picketing around the theatre facing busy Chapel Hill Blvd. during the film’s booking got so out of hand,that Durham Police were apprehended to calm rowdy protesters and movie patrons. However,the movie didn’t stay long…it played for a week before the manager finally pulled it…it was replaced the following week with the sci-fi epic “DUNE” that played in its largest auditorium as the Yorktowne’s BIG Christmas attraction of 1984.
November 22,1986 ……. STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME at the Yorktowne Twin. See it on the Triangle’s largest auditorium on it’s largest screen in KINTEX STEREO.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC played at the Yorktowne Theatre in mid-1973,during one of it’s many re-releases to capacity crowds.
Steve McQueen’s THE GETAWAY played at the Yorktowne Theatre first-run on December 12,1972 as the cinema’s big christmas attraction.
PAPILLION with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman played at the Yorktowne Theatre first-run around Christmas of 1973.
A lot of great blockbusters of the 1970’s and 1980’s got first-run billing at the Yorktowne Theatre in Durham.
From the May 28,1969 advertisement of the Durham Herald.
OPENING WEDNESDAY! GRAND OPENING OF DURHAM NEWEST ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA….
THE BEAUTIFUL YORKTOWNE THEATRE-Durham Chapel Hill Blvd. THE THEATRE OF TOMORROW BRINGS YOU A NEW WORLD OF EXCITEMENT AND WONDERFUL ENJOYMENT IN THE TRIANGLE
-Years ahead in comfort and design
-The Completely modern Rocking Lounger Chair Theatre!
-Perfect vision from any seat with the finest projection
-Super Panavision Widescreen
-Full Stereophonic Sound
-Open Air Concession Stand For Your Convenience
-Year Round Air Condition Comfort and Format
-ACRES OF CONVENIENT FREE PARKING
THE PREMIERE ATTRACTION OPENS TOMORROW NIGHT AT 8:00
“HARD CONTRACT” with James Coburn and Lee Remick
AND THE BIG ATTRACTIONS ARE COMING TO THE YORKTOWNE!!!
-Gregory Peck in “THE CHAIRMAN”
-Richard Benjamin and Ali MacGraw “GOODBYE COLUMBUS”
-Omar Sharif in “CHE”
-William Holden and Ernest Borgnine in “THE WILD BUNCH”
-Don Knotts in “THE LOVE GOD”
-Goldie Hawn and Walter Matthau in “CACTUS FLOWER”
AND MANY MORE TO COME!!!!
Coming Soon! The Movie Musical Event of the Year is coming to the YORKTOWNE THEATRE…“PAINT YOUR WAGON”