Carolina Theatre
529 N. Main Street,
Hendersonville,
NC
28792
529 N. Main Street,
Hendersonville,
NC
28792
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The second Carolina Theatre opened in May of 1941 replacing the seven-year old original Carolina Theater that had burned one year prior on May 10, 1940 while undergoing a renovation. This location is also was where the city’s second Rex Theater was that burned down on June 14, 1932.
FRANK JONES a well known film booker of this and many theatres in the area I am told passed away a few weeks ago in late March 2015..
GREAT PICTURE…..
Was hoping for new info and history on the Theatre,but my lazy cousin hasn’t lifted a finger yet….He ran the place for years.was suppose interview bookers and old employees like Andrew’s grandmother!
great story, yep. sorry a stinking bank building just had to go there,i did get quite a few one sheets out of that old theatre….
My mom worked at the Carolina Theater in the 1950’s in the box office. Ted Reed (Reid)I think that was his name, was the manager. I remember seeing Peter Pan and a John Wayne western when I was a little girl. I remember the audience laughing out loud when I declared in my child like voice, “Look mommy, they’re wearing their jommies” (my word for pj’s)in the western movie.
I remember the flashing lights of the marque, the curtains over the double set of entrance doors, the thick dark carpet, concession stand with all the candy soft drinks and popcorn and the long stair case to the ladies room, which had several couches and chairs in a lounge area before entering the restrooms. The door to the office was in the lounge area. I was always fascinated with the lighting fixtures on the walls in the auditorium. It was a beautiful theater back then. To bad it couldn’t have been saved.
Dec.1 1978 NOW SHOWING
CAROLINA 1 has “HEROES” with “GREASE” starting Dec.2 1978.
CAROLINA 2 Penthouse is finishing up a long run on"ANIMAL HOUSE" with “BLAZING SADDLES” returning for limited Engagement Dec 2 1978. A midnight show of “THINK DIRTY” with Marty Feldman will play over the weekend,Friday and Saturday.
July 18 1978 Now Showing
CAROLINA ONE has “HOT LEAD and COLD FEET” Starting July 19 1987 A Friday is “STAR WARS”.
Carolina Two in the PENTHOUSE has Held over if you can believe it the “SWARM”.
Dec. 26 1979 NOW SHOWING
CAROLINA ONE has “THE BLACK HOLE” A Disney Sci-fi with special Admission this attraction only Adults $3.00 a seat.Under 12 $1.25 must be Disney film rentals.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “10”.
Dec 31 1979 Both the “BLACK HOLE” and “10” are still playing but the midnight show is “ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”.
Jan 5 1980 Both “10” and the “BLACK HOLE” are still playing.
Jan. 16 1980
NOW PLAYING
CAROLINA ONE has “ SCAVENGER HUNT” playing.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “STARTING OVER” .
Jan. 29 1980
CAROLINA ONE is playing “THE PRIZE FIGHTER”
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “GUYANA CULT OF THE DAMNED”.
Jan 31 1980
CAROLINA ONE is showing “SLEEPING BEAUTY” .
CAROLINA TWO the Penthouse has “STAR TREK the Motion Picture” what a huge event flick to play in such a small theatre with a tiny screen compared downstairs to the CaroLina One.
Feb. 22 1980
Carolina One has “JAWS 2”.this must be a re-release.Because I know it was a summer not winter film.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “THE JERK”.
Feb.25 1980 both “JAWS 2” and “THE JERK” are still showing.
April 8 1980
CAROLINA ONE has “COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER” Held over.In that neck of the woods I can understand the Country Music connection.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE is showing “THE FOG”
April 9 1980 “COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER” is going on its Third week.
April 10 1980
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has one of Steve MCQueen’s Final films “TOM HORN”.Rated R one of the few R rated Flicks he would make.
More Movies that Played at the CAROLINA One and Two Theatres.
“SILVER STREAK"
"SPY WHO LOVED ME"
"SLAP SHOT"
"THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACY"
"RABID"
"ROCKY"
"HIGH BALLIN"
"SEMI-TOUGH"
"THE TURNING POINT"
"THE GOODBYE GIRL"
"ONE ON ONE"
"ORCA"
"SORCERER"
"A STAR IS BORN”
first movie to play the reopened CAROLINA was “ROAD TO ZANZIBAR” with a DONALD DUCK cartoon and News.Opening was a 6:30 pm.
Found a picture of the Carolina on Fire.May 10 1940.
Movies that played at CAROLINA 2 the Penthouse.
2.ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE rated PG
3.STRAIGHT TIME rated R
4.SEMI-TOUGH rated R you can see the PENTHOUSE got most all the R product in that twin.
Movies that played in the Carolina 1.
“HIGH-BALLING” admission was $2.50. rated PG
“BAKER’S HAWK” rated G
“CORVETTE SUMMER” rated PG
“THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT” rated PG.
“THE MAGIC PONY” rated G. all seats were a dollar for this movie at all times.
I thought when the Carolina added the penthouse cinema upstairs that it was one of a kind, but since being on CT i have noticed a few downtown theatre pretty much did the same thing. Seems like everytime i visited {my cousin managed} that all the good movies seem to go to the Penthouse. I remember seeing “Pale Rider” in the old theatre with the booth taking up a good bit on the old theatre.
The balcony at the Carolina was reserved for use by persons of color prior to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — after which it was closed in conformation with Title II and the end segregation in public accommodations. While in use as a segregated seating area, a separate entrance to the right of the main lobby entrance provided direct access to the balcony from Main Street. A writing desk at the top of the stairs served as the ticket counter. Following desegregation, the balcony was closed until the renovations that resulted in the less-than-pleasant upstairs movie theater experience.
Prior to the 1970s renovations, the proscenium arch was flanked by scrolling Art-Moderne pilasters with atmospheric lighting embellishing the vertical lines. The side walls were illuminated by tri-part brushed aluminum sconces. The underside of the protrusion of the balcony was a reinterpretation of the scrolling pilaster motif that flanked the proscenium. The 1970s remodeling (or re-muddle-ing) pretty much destroyed all of the original architectural features in favor of some sort of rough sawn lumber and smoked mirror interior in the lobby, which was of no particular style. The original kiosk was removed at this time and a new ticket counter was installed in the right wall (facing the theater) where the exterior second floor access had originally been located.
Feb.28 1955 Now playing “20.000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA” admission Adults 60 cents and Children 25 cents.
April 7 1955 NOW SHOWING “HIT THE DECK” a Song-Splashed Musical with Jane Powell, Tony Martin,Debbie Reynolds,and Ann Miller. played Sunday, Monday,and Tueday,
Thanks Chuck 1231.Enjoyed the history,wish more folks in that city would get on CT with stories.
My last movie here was “Fright Night” (1985) – the place was in horrible shape by then.
Really the movie was Rated R,why the extra warning?
“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” opens and a tag is added by the rating by the management “ PARENTS: This motion picture contains profain lanuage.Plays in CAROLINA 2 the penthouse cinema.{not alot of seats for this blockbuster}.
But,by the 70’s a whole different look a small cinema where the balcony use to be and the CAROLINA is playing"ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW" Admission is $1.50 which ain’t bad,or 50 cents if you are in costume.
The CAROLINA was managed by Mr. Fred Reid in the 1950’s.
NOW Playing Dec.4 1954 Marlon Brando in ON THE WATERFRONT.
Now Playing April 7 1955 WILD BILL HICKCOCK in THE OUTLAW’S SON with Chapter 15 Captain Kidd with Cartoon.
JOY DRIVE IN is now on CINEMA TRESURES.I hope some of you HENDERSONVILLE folks will add local stories.
I am working up a history on the JOY DRIVE IN and HERDERSONVILLE OUTDOOR CINEMA and hope to have them on CT soon. I would wish some folks in this area would add personal stories that I really can’t since i never lived there.