Fine Arts Theatre
36 Biltmore Avenue,
Asheville,
NC
28801
36 Biltmore Avenue,
Asheville,
NC
28801
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If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!
Theater was converted to digitall the first week of August.
It will be interesting to see if this theater will add digital projection or fold. I hope they invest and add the digital.
Patsy, there was an earlier Strand Theatre in Asheville, from 1915 to about 1935, but it was on Patton Avenue. It was renamed the State Theatre in the 1930s.
Was the Strand originally on College?
The theatre is independently owned.
In the mid 90’s I was involved in the installation of the new projection and sound equipment for the renovation of the theatre. The interior was completely removed and replaced with new seating, lobby and updated restrooms. A new projection room was added for the main auditorium while the existing booth was used for the balcony auditorium. A stage was added to the main auditorium for live performance events. Stage curtains were implemented in both auditoriums.
Jan 6 1980 NOW PLAYING is “MYSTIQUE” and “DUTCH GIRLS” All Films X- rated.
NOW SHOWING FINE ARTS Jan 13 1980
EXOTIC FRENCH FANTASIES plus PEACH FUZZ. no one under 18 admitted. Admission $4.00 Couples $6.00 and get this written on the ad in the Ashville paper,,,, MALES AND FEMALES only as couples.
ADULT FILM LADIES WELCOME. Box office opens at 12;45 continuous shows from 1p.m. til 10;45 p.m. WOW. This town that let Ashville’s IMPERIAL be torn down, for THE FINE ARTS i would be afraid to sit in a seat there.
And from Boxoffice on October 26, 1946: “Printed invitations were sent by H.B. Meiselman and Phil Berler for the opening of the new Strand Theatre at Asheville on Thursday, October 24, reported to have been a successful affair.”
From an article about Meiselman Theatres in the October 27, 1945, issue of Boxoffice: “Meiselman also announced a contract for the construction of the Strand Theatre on Biltmore Ave. at Eagle St. had been let to the Merchant Construction Company. He expressed the hope that the theatre will be ready for a New Year’s opening. The house will have 800 seats, with a 300-seat balcony set aside for Negroes.
Here are two more 1983 photos:
Photo1
Photo2
Fine Arts Theater at night
An amazing comeback from the porno haven it once was.
A 2008 photo can be seen here.
A 1986 view of the Fine Arts Theater in Asheville.
That photo is from around 2005.
Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/6qhpqg
This was owned by E. M. Loew’s of Boston. It was the only theatre owned by E. M. Loew’s (no relations with Loew’s) in the state.
Here is a 2007 photo of the Fine Arts Theater.
The Strand Theatre is listed with a seating capacity of 800 in the 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook.
Here is a photo circa late 70s:
http://tinyurl.com/32muer
This is the website for this theater.
Here is a recent night view of the Fine Arts Theater.
This is a photo of the Fine Arts Theater in Asheville.