Operated by J.W. Smith, who also operated the Central Opera House. The Riverside Airdome’s orchestra was controlled by Professor F. Graf, who also played the violin.
50sSNIPES
commented about
Vixenon
Jul 29, 2026 at 3:22 pm
There is a quote on an article that says, “The silent movie, “One Minute to Play” (released in September 1926) starring Red Grange gave the cinema its illustrious beginning”. This could mean that this may’ve opened as a movie theater around the Fall of 1926. It did receive a brief closure during the start of the Great Depression but reopened. The theater received a heavy remodel during the mid-1950s.
During its final few years, the Lourie Theatre ran a mix of low-budget and public domain propaganda until closing in the early-1980s due to the multiplex boom across the Charleston area. Although the building had deteriorated, a group of dedicated people did not lose sight of the potential. In 1988, the St. George Development Corp. formed, and they met with research team from the South Carolina Downtown Development Association. The team noted that although the theater was St. George’s greatest eyesore, it was also its greatest asset.
The committee put a plan into action to restore the theatre into a performing arts center. Through a gracious endowment by Senator Isadore Lourie and his family, the building was restored and the Lourie Theatre was born. Many more renovations have occurred since then and a myriad of people have put their hearts into its revitalization. Others have now caught the vision and join those who have gone before to make the Lourie Theatre a growing and thriving performing arts center.
In December 1973, the Cinema-Seneca was renamed Cinema II, though retaining as a single-screener. During the late-1970s, it was renamed the Keowee Cinema. It was still open into as late as 1986, though I cannot find the exact closing date.
Stewart & Everett operated the theater until November 11, 1960 when it closed for a whole year. It reopened under independent ownership led by C. Pope Gantt on December 22, 1961, and was renamed the Cinema Theatre during the late-1960s.
Well according to an article, it says that a man named M.E. Walker purchased the site in 1941, which had lain vacant since a large fire damaged the building in 1912.
Operated by J.W. Smith, who also operated the Central Opera House. The Riverside Airdome’s orchestra was controlled by Professor F. Graf, who also played the violin.
Yeah, it’s best to update the website.
The Hippodrome originally closed on September 3, 1913 because of the original operator not having enough money to operate the Hippodrome.
Closed in 1938 when the nearby Capitol Theatre opened around the same time.
Renamed the Princess Theatre on December 11, 1933, the Dixie Theatre on November 9, 1936, and the Town Theatre on April 1, 1955.
This is most likely Inman’s second movie house. There is also an Amuzu Theatre nearby on Main Street.
Actual closing date is September 26, 1987.
Still open in 1957, became a special events house by 1960.
There is a quote on an article that says, “The silent movie, “One Minute to Play” (released in September 1926) starring Red Grange gave the cinema its illustrious beginning”. This could mean that this may’ve opened as a movie theater around the Fall of 1926. It did receive a brief closure during the start of the Great Depression but reopened. The theater received a heavy remodel during the mid-1950s.
During its final few years, the Lourie Theatre ran a mix of low-budget and public domain propaganda until closing in the early-1980s due to the multiplex boom across the Charleston area. Although the building had deteriorated, a group of dedicated people did not lose sight of the potential. In 1988, the St. George Development Corp. formed, and they met with research team from the South Carolina Downtown Development Association. The team noted that although the theater was St. George’s greatest eyesore, it was also its greatest asset.
The committee put a plan into action to restore the theatre into a performing arts center. Through a gracious endowment by Senator Isadore Lourie and his family, the building was restored and the Lourie Theatre was born. Many more renovations have occurred since then and a myriad of people have put their hearts into its revitalization. Others have now caught the vision and join those who have gone before to make the Lourie Theatre a growing and thriving performing arts center.
In December 1973, the Cinema-Seneca was renamed Cinema II, though retaining as a single-screener. During the late-1970s, it was renamed the Keowee Cinema. It was still open into as late as 1986, though I cannot find the exact closing date.
This opened as the Seneca Cinema 6.
Taken over by Carmike on December 19, 1986.
Taken over by Carmike on December 19, 1986.
Taken over by Carmike on December 19, 1986.
Taken over by Carmike on December 19, 1986.
Taken over by Carmike on December 19, 1986.
Taken over by Carmike on December 19, 1986.
EXTREMELY short-lived. The screen was already gone by 1957.
Still intact in the 1984 aerial view, although I cannot confirm if it’s still operating at the time.
Stewart & Everett operated the theater until November 11, 1960 when it closed for a whole year. It reopened under independent ownership led by C. Pope Gantt on December 22, 1961, and was renamed the Cinema Theatre during the late-1960s.
Definitely on West Main Street.
Opened in 1973.
The Capitol 8 Cinemas closed on February 3, 2000, but reopened on November 16, 2001 under new management.
Well according to an article, it says that a man named M.E. Walker purchased the site in 1941, which had lain vacant since a large fire damaged the building in 1912.
The original Casino Theatre, which will have its own CT page soon, was already a movie theater by the end of World War II.