Mark I Theatre
126 Newberry Street,
Aiken,
SC
29804
126 Newberry Street,
Aiken,
SC
29804
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The Mark I Theatre in Aiken was a theatre that seemed to be in search of a Mark II that was never built. The Mark I was not much of a theatre by looks. It was a metal type structure, very simple. I saw it from the road but never went in.
I guess it seated 400 or so and was open around 15-20 years maybe. Being a resident of Georgia I really don’t know much about this theatre. Once Regal opened a horrible little 8-plex by Aiken Mall the writing was on the wall.
"Summer of ‘42" played there and also James Coburn in "The Honkers" at 7 and 9 PM.
I have no idea what company owned this theatre. When I saw the ads in the Augusta papers I always thought: ‘shouldn’t there be a Mark II?’ Never was.
This theatre is long gone. Last time in Aiken I couldn’t find it. It was located downtown right off the commercial strip.
Contributed by
Mike Rogers
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
According to Aiken County resident and theatre historian,Bill Barkley, The MARK 1 was Twinned sometime in the Middle to late 70’s.
I don’t have proof to prove Bill wrong. I have a MARK 1 newspaper ad Showing THE HONKERS playing there 1972, And earlier SUMMER of 42. So the MARK 1 does have some history behind it. In 1982 Bill said of the Christmas holidays His son, Britt to see SHARKEY’S MACHINE. Both theatre people Curt Harris and Joe Goode {owner of the ART THEATRE in Augusta} went to see the MARK 1.
Bill, said once REGAL went in in the mall it became a dollar house.It was torn down for the new AIKEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
Like i said earlier it was a metal prefab building on Newberry St.
Thanks to Bill for this!
NOW PLAYING MARK 1
SEPT. 10 1971 …SUMMER OF 42. SHOWS at 7 & 9 pm. Admission is $1.50.
Now playing June 9 1972 THE LITTLE ARK rated G
NOW SHOWING July 2 1972 THE BISCUIT EATER rated G
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” runs first run. The Mark I would be twinned in the late eighties as MARK II.Local residents missed that large screen when it was split into.
007 plays at the MARK II,“A VIEW TO A KILL” opens to strong crowds.
“OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT ” opens April 30 1976.
“SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT” opens 5-27-77 at the Mark I.
Sept 24 1971 “THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN” opens in Aiken.At Mark one.
I posted the grand opening ad from July 22nd, 1971 here.
Yep,Chuck.right where the old Mark theatre stood.Beautiful new performing Arts Theatre.