Varsity Theatre
123 E. Franklin Street,
Chapel Hill,
NC
27514
123 E. Franklin Street,
Chapel Hill,
NC
27514
6 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Varsity Theatre, Chapel Hill (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Eastern Federal Corporation, Paramount Pictures Inc.
Functions: Movies (Classic), Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Carolina Theatre, Village Theatre, Varsity 1 & 2
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
919.967.8665
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News About This Theater
- Jan 11, 2015 — "Varsity Theatre closing in on digital fundraising drive" From Chapel Hill, NC
- Apr 3, 2012 — The Varsity and Chelsea theaters keep costs low by showing releases later
- Dec 7, 2010 — Varsity Theatre in Chapel Hill celebrates first year after reopening
- Nov 9, 2009 — Iconic Chapel Hill Landmark Theatre To Reopen
- Nov 5, 2009 — Varsity to re-open as bargain cinema
- Jul 6, 2009 — Smaller theaters struggle to keep pace in recession
- Jul 2, 2009 — Varsity Theatre closes its doors forever
- Jun 1, 2009 — Lights may dim at the Varsity Theatre
Opened as the Carolina Theatre on September 26, 1927, it had a seating capacity for 703, and a Robert-Morton theatre organ was installed. In later years it was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary H.F. Kincey. Wilby-Kincey built a New Carolina Theatre (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures) in 1942, and this theatre was renamed Village Theatre. On May 4, 1951 it became the Varsity Theatre. It was twinned on November 13, 1982 and renamed Varsity 1 & 2
Tammy Conner writes:
“Extremely short in the front but when you get in you are lead down an illuminated hallway to a very dark theatre. Mind you she is looking rather dated in styling and décor, she more than compensates for running rare indie films and well just for being a classic old theatre.
Amazingly enough she is located on the next block and quarter mile down from the Carolina Theatre in Chapel Hill. Very cool indeed."
Sadly, the Varsity Theatre was set to close on May 29, 2009, which was postponed to June 4, 2009. However, it was reopened in November 2009.
Contributed by
Tammy Conner
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Recent comments (view all 44 comments)
David Dymond: the original STAR WARS movie played here first-run on July 1,1977. Saw it here.
the original SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER played here first-run as the original ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
It opened as the CAROLINA THEATRE in Downtown Chapel Hill under the Publix Theatres chain on September 23,1927 with the opening features “Cheating Cheaters”, and “The Way of All Flesh”.
The coming attraction was “Hula” starring Clara Bow.
From 1927 until 1942 it was the CAROLINA THEATRE.
On October 15,1942, a new CAROLINA THEATRE in Downtown Chapel Hill opened across the street that seated 1,145 patrons. The cinema went under new management as it was renamed the VILLAGE THEATRE. It remained the VILLAGE THEATRE Downtown from 1942 until 1951.
On May 4,1951 the theatre was under new management and the name changed from the VILLAGE THEATRE to the VARSITY THEATRE. Under this new change upgraded additions were featured that included an expanded lobby section and a larger auditorium with super widescreen projection. By late-1954,more features were added to the VARSITY including the latest stereophonic sound and was equipped to show films in Cinema Scope projection. This theatre was owner and operated under H.B. Meiselmen/Eastern Federal Corporation from 1951 until 1982 as a single screener with 703 seats.
By November of 1982,the theatre underwent another renovation with the original auditorium of 703 seats were split into two sections and renamed the VARSITY 1 & 2 under Burlington/Greensboro, NC based Janus Theatres. Auditorium 1 seated 350. Auditorium 2 seated 205,bringing the total seating capacity to 555 seats. The theatre also changed formats from showing first-run movies to showing independent and foreign releases where it remained from 1982 until 2009.
the comments that ray revised here need to be posted for this theatre on the cinema treasures site.
ray must be a walking encyclopedia of Chapel Hill movie theatres.
CHAPEL HILL’S VARSITY THEATRE SEEKS PUBLIC HELP
Downtown Chapel Hill’s landmark since 1927 is about to close it doors without it’s support. Go Digital or Go Dark Campaign……
See article about this landmark theatre…….
http://www.heraldsun.com/chherald/x1736890302/varsity-theatre-seeks-public-help-in-go-digital-or-go-dark-campaign
And speaking of the Varsity’s first-run showing of THE SOUND OF MUSIC……
It was shown first-run as a specially selective engagement presentation at Christmas of 1967 when the film was a general release.
This theatre also got a lot of the Disney releases too. Some first-run showings. Among the most successful that brought in capacity crowds was the VARSITY’S first-run showing of MARY POPPINS.
Varsity showed Rocky Horror Picture Show for a couple of years as a weekend late show. For a time, X rated fare was offered as a late show. Police presence was hired for showing of Pacino vehicle “Cruising” when the theater was warned that the gay community would trash the place if it was shown. Turned out there was a much bigger mess from Rocky Horror toast/water/rice throwing crowd. : )
This opened as the Carolina Theatre on September 26th, 1927 and was renamed Varsity on May 4th, 1951. Grand opening ads posted.
The Varsity Theatre became a twin theatre on November 13, 1982 under Greensboro based Janus Theatres Corporation when it went from showing first run features to becoming an arthouse cinema that showed independent films, documentaries and foreign films as well as first run features.
Opened on November 13, 1982 as the VARSITY 1 & 2