Virginian Theatre
705 Lee Street East,
Charleston,
WV
25301
705 Lee Street East,
Charleston,
WV
25301
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My Grandmother, Louise Smith and Great Grandmother Narcissus Thomas owned the Mary Ann Candy Shop at same address as the Virginian Theatre, Charleston, WV, circa 1942-1943, 705 Lee Street. At that time, I don’t believe the theaters sold refreshments, so theater goers would buy from her candy shop. I have not been able to find anything on the internet about Mary Ann Candy Shop, but do have a picture of the front of it which shows the address.
True.
Shame this is just a parking lot, now. Such a beautiful theater. I think I remember it some from my childhood, but I can’t remember if I watched any movies here.
The Virginian was one of the nicer theaters in Charleston. Nice long marquee stretched the entire front of the theater. As a kid, I remember seeing the silent version of “The Greatest Story Ever Told"
every Easter and The original "The Thing.” (Both movies scared the s*#t out of me but for differnt reasons.) Also the premier of DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” OH. Moses, Moses, Moses!
Good times.
I seem to recall an incident involving a tractor trailer smashing into the marquee of the Virginian after cutting a turn too sharp. This was a beautiful theater with a large balcony. The Virginian played “The Absent Minded Professor” day and date with the Rialto as the crowds for the film were huge. I saw the film at the Virginian as the Rialto was sold out for all performances the day we attended.
Here is a 1949 ad from the Charleston Daily Mail:
http://tinyurl.com/2bvkty