Dilworth Theater
1609 South Boulevard,
Charlotte,
NC
28203
1609 South Boulevard,
Charlotte,
NC
28203
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CLEOPATRA was a reserved seat engagement at the Dilworth Theater on June 26,1963. It was the only showing of the film in the Carolinas. It was a phenomenol hit that played to capacity crowds for over a year before it ended its astounding run in mid-1964.
I have the ads for the showing of WEST SIDE STORY at the Dilworth Theatre in June of 1962. I also had the pleasure of finding the ads for the roadshow engagement of CLEOPATRA too. I will post them later.
The Dilworth Theatre is Getting the English-Language Version of “MARRIAGE,ITALIAN STYLE” in 1964 after a five month run in New York at the FESTIVAL and LOEW’S TOWER EAST.General Release.Notice Atlanta was not listed?
thanks raysson,await your research.
Chuck1231 and MikeRogers:
I’m doing extensive research on this to why WEST SIDE STORY didn’t come to Charlotte until 1962. Charlotte was the first to book the movie as an exclusive enagement showing on June 23,1962. Other cities within the Carolinas didn’t get the film until July or August of 1962,since the film was originally released in 1961.
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Why did it take so long for “West Side Story” to run in Charlotte. The film was released in 1961 and didn’t hit Charlotte until June 23, 1962 according to raysson’s post on 2/11/11. It couldn’t have been an advance showing if it didn’t play until 1962.
Pity Charlotte was so small minded to lose all her old theatres downtown.My hometown of Augusta has SAVED three Downtown Theatres from the wrecking Crew.
The exclusive NORTH CAROLINA showing of “WEST SIDE STORY” was a exclusive advance enagement at the Dilworth Theatre on June 23,1962 where it played to capacity crowds. Not only did WEST SIDE STORY played here but the exclusive run of CLEOPATRA broke all Charlotte attendance records during its run at the Dilworth in 1963.
Mentioned briefly in the book about the Carolina theatres business by William C.Cline “STROKE OF FORTUNE” he writes a “Mr.High runs the DILWORTH and CAROLINA THEATRES in Charlotte.
History of this thesatre at this link.
View link
This theatre opened 15 July 1939 and the architect was Erle G Stillwell.
1984 photo of the Dilworth Theatre front with the results of the fire.
View link
And it’s a real shame that on “January 10, 1984, the theater burned to the ground. Arson was suspected.”
And yes, it is a shame that this theatre didn’t survive as it would fit in well with the now trendy Dilworth with “old city charm”.
Sure would love to see photos of this former art deco in the historic Dilworth area of Charlotte NC.
In 1955 the Dilworth Theater had 526 seats.
I must check out the site of the former Dilworth Theater and have a moment of silence where the current interior design business is now and yes it’s a shame that fire took it down due to arsonists as it would have fit well in the new neighborhood.