The local paper says the Nu-Way opened in 1948 and was purchased by the Comerford Theatre Circuit in 1955. Comerford installed a 60x120' screen for the 1956 season to show widescreen films.
The last shows at the Strong Theatre – a matinee of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and an evening showing of “Klute.” A fire on October 9, 1971 ended the theater’s long run.
The city of Rocky Mount passed an anti-pornography law August 1, 1977. The Cameo Theatre, which was showing adult films, switched to non-adult films but shut down on August 30, 1977. The last advertised show was a double feature of “The Screaming Tiger” and “Bucktown”. The Cameo was razed in May of 1980.
The Vern Theatre launched May 28, 1941 with “That Night in Rio” and “Topper Returns”. It was operated by the Eastland Theatres Circuit with architectural plans by veteran theatre architect Simon Charles Lee with 832 seats at opening. The Vern ended its theatrical run August 30, 1964 with “Flipper’s New Adventures” and “Wild and Wonderful.”
The space was converted to the Last Hour Deliverance Church in 1965. In 1978, Salvador Quezada converted the space to a nightclub and restaurant called Don Quixote’s East. The space continued into the 21st Century as the Don Quixote Reception Hall and Event Center.
Affiliated Theatre Circuit launched the Adelphi Theatre in 1938 using the architectural plans of David Supowitz which converted an automobile showroom.
The Paramount Theatre closed February 28, 1973 with “Innocent Bystanders.” On April 11, 1974, it became a very short-lived dinner theatre called Theatre Fabulous. That closed May 20, 1974 before reopening and closing in June of 1974 after just 39 nights of total operation. On July 30, 1974, it was renamed as the Country Club, a country western theatre closing early in 1975. After a salvage sale in July of 1979, the building was imploded as the Paramount Theatre on October 14, 1979.
The theatre hosted the World Premiere of “The Night of the Hunter” on what was deemed “Paul Gregory Day" as the local producer was there along with most of the stars of the film on July 26, 1955.
The Des Moines Theatre launched July 10, 1919 with “For Better or Worse.” The theatre was lauded for its Spanish Renaissance design. One of its biggest days was the World Premiere of “State Fair” that brought out both the stars of the 1945 film and the theatre’s biggest crowd.
The final operator of the Des Moines Theatre, Tri-States Theatre, was limited to three first run Des Moines houses. When it opened the Plaza Theatre January 28, 1966, it abandoned the Des Moines Theatre on January 27, 1966 – its final day of operation with “All That Heaven Allows.” A few events occurred thereafter. Housed in the Iowa Building, the Des Moines Theatre was razed by Bankers Trust for a financial institution in May of 1969.
Originally known as the Bijou Theatre, it became the Met Theatre in 1939.
The local paper says the Nu-Way opened in 1948 and was purchased by the Comerford Theatre Circuit in 1955. Comerford installed a 60x120' screen for the 1956 season to show widescreen films.
The last shows at the Strong Theatre – a matinee of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and an evening showing of “Klute.” A fire on October 9, 1971 ended the theater’s long run.
Fire on May 1, 1977 ended the theatre’s run. The State Theatre’s last film was “Bound for Glory.”
The city of Rocky Mount passed an anti-pornography law August 1, 1977. The Cameo Theatre, which was showing adult films, switched to non-adult films but shut down on August 30, 1977. The last advertised show was a double feature of “The Screaming Tiger” and “Bucktown”. The Cameo was razed in May of 1980.
The Vern Theatre launched May 28, 1941 with “That Night in Rio” and “Topper Returns”. It was operated by the Eastland Theatres Circuit with architectural plans by veteran theatre architect Simon Charles Lee with 832 seats at opening. The Vern ended its theatrical run August 30, 1964 with “Flipper’s New Adventures” and “Wild and Wonderful.”
The space was converted to the Last Hour Deliverance Church in 1965. In 1978, Salvador Quezada converted the space to a nightclub and restaurant called Don Quixote’s East. The space continued into the 21st Century as the Don Quixote Reception Hall and Event Center.
Technically, this theatre opened as Hable’s Palace Theatre owned by Henry H. Hable (see photos). It later became the Palace Theatre.
Affiliated Theatre Circuit launched the Adelphi Theatre in 1938 using the architectural plans of David Supowitz which converted an automobile showroom.
Fred A. Bishop was the architect of the theatre and his floor plan is in photos.
Wiliam T. Spann, Buffalo architect, drew the original plans
Harrison G. Weissman was the architect who gave the theatre its major makeover in 1938.
The Paramount Theatre closed February 28, 1973 with “Innocent Bystanders.” On April 11, 1974, it became a very short-lived dinner theatre called Theatre Fabulous. That closed May 20, 1974 before reopening and closing in June of 1974 after just 39 nights of total operation. On July 30, 1974, it was renamed as the Country Club, a country western theatre closing early in 1975. After a salvage sale in July of 1979, the building was imploded as the Paramount Theatre on October 14, 1979.
The theatre hosted the World Premiere of “The Night of the Hunter” on what was deemed “Paul Gregory Day" as the local producer was there along with most of the stars of the film on July 26, 1955.
The Des Moines Theatre launched July 10, 1919 with “For Better or Worse.” The theatre was lauded for its Spanish Renaissance design. One of its biggest days was the World Premiere of “State Fair” that brought out both the stars of the 1945 film and the theatre’s biggest crowd.
The final operator of the Des Moines Theatre, Tri-States Theatre, was limited to three first run Des Moines houses. When it opened the Plaza Theatre January 28, 1966, it abandoned the Des Moines Theatre on January 27, 1966 – its final day of operation with “All That Heaven Allows.” A few events occurred thereafter. Housed in the Iowa Building, the Des Moines Theatre was razed by Bankers Trust for a financial institution in May of 1969.
Correction : Location – Camden, NJ
Correction : Location – Camden, NJ
Correction : Location – Camden, NJ
Correction : Location – Camden, NJ
Correction : Location – Camden, NJ
Reopened as the Epic Cinema late in 2017 and would expand to 10 screen in 2018. The new website is http://www.epiccinemas.com
Opened November 11, 1936 with “Road to Glory”
Grand opening was October 30, 1936 by Erney and Nolen with the mayor in attendance.
Correction: Photos – February 28, 1936 at opening.
Correction: Photos – February 28, 1936 at opening.
Correction: Photos – February 28, 1936 at opening.
The trade press indicates that Dave Supowitz was the architect of the Philly Regal. Grand opening shots February 28, 1936 in photos.