Marrh Theatre
506 Georgia Avenue,
North Augusta,
SC
29841
506 Georgia Avenue,
North Augusta,
SC
29841
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Updated link to the January 6, 1951 edition of BoxOffice Magazine showing the front of the theater.
The Marrh Theatre opened in November 1950 with what was billed as a first run of “Broken Arrow” (1950) starring James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, and Debra Paget. Chandler portrayed the American Indian Cochise, and Paget was an Indian maiden who was Stewart’s love interest.
I saw “Broken Arrow” at the Marrh during its first week of operation. I was 5 years old at the time. For the next 10-15 years, the Marrh was the Saturday morning/afternoon hangout for most of the kids in North Augusta. I saw Brenda Lee perform there when she was a young kid living in North Augusta.
Many a good time was had at the Marrh and to a lesser degree at its successor, the Carolina.
North Augusta refaced downtown, can still spot the old theatre…
Here is a fresh link to the 1951 photo of the Marrh Theatre in Boxoffice.
The AKA Carolina Theatre needs to be added. The building is now occupied by a jewelery store.
TEN COMMANDMENTS played Jan 10 1958.
PLaying under the CAROLINA BAnner “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.two shows.
April 5 1954 has “LAST OF THE COMMANCHEROS” playing.
Update….Update…..
Projectionist,Bill Barkley said the Carolina and Marrh Theatres are the same.I sorta thought they might be.Here is Bill’s Quote:“The Marrh Theatre was rented by Bubba Farr a projectionist with local 518 in Augusta.The owner would not let him use the Marrh Name,hence,he changed it to the CAROLINA.The theatre was a work of art on each aisle there was a oversize seat for couples to use to sit close to each other during the movie.A smoking room with speakers and large plate glass,on the other side a crying room for babies.the booth for the 50’s was top notch and very clean"Bill went on "North Augusta only had two theatres this one Marrh/Carolina and the Hilltop Drive-in all on CT.” Thanks Bill.
Bob: The April 8, 1950, Boxoffice item I cited said that N.W. Hart was naming his new theater after his three granddaughters. I’d presume that their initials were arranged into the somewhat pronounceable word. The item didn’t reveal the girls' names. Maybe somebody who knew (or knows) them will discover this page and tell us. For now I’m just imagining that the one who provided the useful vowel was called Ann, and that if she’d been named Sharon this theater might have become the Shmrr.
Bob, I sent a letter to Bill Barkley,the projectionist that has helped me on all the Aiken S.C.Theatres and Drive-ins.He hasn’t sent back any reply so I wii try again he’s pushing 80 so maybe he is ill. I will asked about the name.He even has a picture of the Marrh with picket lines up.He was a union man.
PLEASE ADD TO THE ADDRESS:
508 NORTH GEORGIA AVENUE.
Anyone have more photos or more info on the theater?
Where did the name Marrh come from?
Thanks Joe.I stll think the MARRH theatre might have become the CAROLINA theatre.just don’t see how they could build two separate theatres in walking distance of downtown Augusta.I am hoping to hear from the last living projectionist in this area that could shed some light.Ed Blank,who is a CT member remembers going to the Marrh theatre when stationed here at Fort Gordon.I hope he adds his thoughts about the Marrh Theatre. I think he told me he saw an early 007 movie there which would put it open in the early sixties. thanks again for the research.
Boxoffice of April 8, 1950, announced that the foundations had been laid for N.W. Hart’s new Marrh Theatre in North Augusta. The house was to be of steel and brick construction, and would have 794 seats.
It would be North Augusta’s first theater.
The Marrh opened abou t November 1, 1950, according to the caption of a small photo in Boxoffice of January 6, 1951.
The Marrh was closed for a while, though I’ve been unable to discover for how long, starting in either 1954 or 1955. Boxoffice of August 20, 1955, said that the house had reopened under new ownership after some interior remodeling and repainting. The new manager was T.W. Owings.
I haven’t found any later mentions of the Marrh in Boxoffice. The only mention of the Carolina Theatre at North Augusta I’ve found is from the issue of May 4, 1959. The operator of the Carolina was named Pierce McCoy. However, there is a Caroline Theatre mentioned in Boxoffice of September 25, 1961 (perhaps it was just a typo.) The item said that the house had been closed for some time but had been reopened September 14 by Horace Geisling. After that I find nothing about any theaters in North Augusta.