Bonnie Kate Theatre
115 S. Sycamore Street,
Elizabethton,
TN
37643
115 S. Sycamore Street,
Elizabethton,
TN
37643
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I just uploaded a pic of the Bonnie Kate from last October.
Question…my father (89) grew up in Elizabethton, and remembers a small theater in the 700 block of East Elk, north side, near the monument. (East of the river.) Does anyone know what it was/what building housed it?
Was there someone called Bonnie Kate?
In April 2016, the City of Elizabethton was the highest bidder to acquire the Bonnie Kate.
Here’s its history at that point, shamelessly* copied from the Elizabethton Star:
The first owner was Mrs. Ollie Browning of Bluefield WV in 1926. She lived upstairs above the theater. …
The theater formally opened to a full house on July 4, with a christening by former Governor Alfred Taylor. …
In 1950, Bob Neal, who owned the Ritz Theater downtown, purchased the theater from the Browning family.
In 1962, Earl Bolling, owner and operator of the Stateline Drive-In bought it from Bob Neal. …
In 1973, Ray Glover began managing the theater with his wife, Jeanette, until 1989. Then, they sold it to Leroy and Agnes Policky, who operated it for 15 years.
During the 1970s, a massive sheetrock wall was built to twin the theater, allowing two movies to be shown simultaneously.
In 2004, Leroy Policky sold the theater to Brian and Cindy Higgs, who operated it till 2012.
Since then, it has been without an owner. (Huh? If it was abandoned, then why were folks bidding on it?)
Hi Chuck, Mike & Jack, We are currently working on plans to take out the “massive wall of sheetrock”. We would appreciate any suggestions or advice. Thanks! Cindy
It is really remarkable to find a theatre which has been in continuous operation for 85 years and in such remarkable shape! Even though the auditorium has been reconfigured into a twin it is salvageable in that the original proscenium and backstage area remain intact although entomb behind a massive wall of sheetrock. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/]Maincourse: Theatres[/url]
I may just do that Mike.
Yes you do.And take photos.
I need to drive over and check out this one.
nice looking theatre,Boy, they enjoy splitting them theatres.
located in the same building , there is the bonnie kate cafe.
2009 photo it can be seen here:
View link
2009 photo of the bonnie kate cinema . can be seen here:
View link
Some information the “Bonnie Kate” Theater in Elizabethton, Tennessee. During the years 1926 through 1929 Elizabethton experience a boom time when the Bemberg and Glanzstoff Rayon factories began operations there and several theaters were the result of that boom. The Bonnie Kate Theater is located at 115 Sycamore Street and is still in operation. The Bonnie Kate was built the Classical Revival Design and opened in the spring of 1926. The “Bonnie Kate” was named after Katherine Sherrill Sevier, a heroine of Carter County in the 1700’s and the wife of the first Governor of Tennessee. The “Bonnie Kate” opened to a full house of 500 enjoying the showing of a silent film. During the 1930’s and in the 1940’s a live local music show called “Barrels of Fun” was broadcast by two radio stations to a listening audience reported to be in the millions in the southeastern United States. I saw many movies here in the 1950’s. The theater converted to a split screen and rocking chair seating in 1969 and was reportedly the first theater east of the Mississippi with this type seating. Their concessions currently include burgers, etc.
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dnl6ga
One correction to the description…Elizabethton is not a college town.
Advertised as the Rocking Chair Theater in the late sixties. Architect was J. Frank Spires. Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/3744cd
Bummer! Rip that drywall out and restore the arch.
Here is a link to some pictures.
http://www.myspace.com/imaaxa
The old stage was torn out, but parts of the arch adornment around were the screen was is still there, just not where the public can see it. The auditorium was split down the middle and two seperate screens were put in. As far as I can tell it never had a balcony.
When the auditorium was re-configured to accommodate two screens was it split down the centre or was the balcony enclosed? Please let us know when and where you post your interior shots of the Bonnie Kate.
The Bonnie Kate is now owned by Cyndy and Bryan Higgs. It was twined back in the late 60’s, two owners ago. The inside has been remodeled, which started with the restrooms and worked its way to the lobby and concessions. The lobby has these wonderful columns and awesome brown marble that starts at the doors and goes all the way back to the entrance to the two auditoriums. I will add pictures of the inside as soon as I can find them.
Each screen now will seat 150 to 160 people and has wheel chair access. The ceilings inside are the original pressed metal, and brings a historical look and feel. The projectors have been replaced with better and more modern equipment including the new red sound readers. The audio equipment has also been replaced from the processors and amps to the speakers in the auditoriums.
It’s a great place to see a movie—nice, small-town atmosphere with really friendly people. Located just one block off Main St, and just a couple of blocks from the Covered Bridge, if you are in the area, it is one the best theaters anyone could visit. Cyndy keeps the current show times on www.Fandango.com
Opened in 1926, it is listed in the Film Daily Yearbook (1941 edition) with a seating capacity of 587.
Here are a couple of photos by Seth Gaines.