Criterion Theatre
204 W. Whitner Street,
Anderson,
SC
29624
204 W. Whitner Street,
Anderson,
SC
29624
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The March 20, 1915 issue of Moving Picture World said that C. H. Bleich was operating a movie house called the Anderson at Anderson, South Carolina. The theater had been formally opened on February 18.
Visiting cadets from Clemson University were among the guests at the opening, as noted in the March 31 issue of The Tiger, a university publication. One item noted a dance for the cadets hosted by Mr. Bleich and held in “…the hall over the theater.”
A 2016 article in the local Independent Mail said that the house became the Garden Theatre in 1924 and formally opened as the Criterion on May 21, 1931. The opening feature was “Dracula,” which also closed the house in the fall of 1961. After sitting dark for several years, the Criterion was dismantled beginning on July 14, 1967, and demolition began on August 7.
Originally constructed as an Opera House, the Criterion, Anderson, SC
was indeed located on W. Whitner St. I worked there as an Usher,
Popcorn Machine attendant, Ticket Taker, & subsequent Asst. Mgr., from 1947 to 1950. I remember it well to this day. Very ornate in its construction, it featured a large Marble Lobby, 500-plus seats on
the Main level, with 150-plus in the Balcony area, & six Box-Seats on
either side near the stage area, which was quite large in itself with
many huge Backdrops operated by hand. Many dressing rooms were located on the 2nd level, with three (3) in the basement level. Personal Appearances (mostly Western Stars) and Vaudeville-type Shows
continued well into the 50’s. Roy Rogers was the star of the day in
1948-52 and on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, the line waiting to buy tickets for the 7 & 9 pm shows stretched clear around the block!
For more info, contact: Jim Compton –
Two other theaters operated at this location. The first was the Anderson from 1915 to 1924. The second was the Garden Theater from 1924 to 1931.
Charles; Whitner Street runs East-West. The Film Daily Yearbook;1950 edition gives the address as 204 West Witner Street with a seating capacity of 787.