Regent Theatre

My friend, theatre historian Jack Tillmany, tells me that he saw “Bell, Book, and Candle” at the Regent on April 12, 1959. He still has a record book of the movies he’s seen, where, and when.

The Regent was a beautiful theater where I developed the movie-going habit and my love for theaters. I started going during the 1955 Summer Vacation Movies when I was 8. This was a series of 12 movies and the season ticket was $1.00. There was one movie per week, except for the first two weeks when there were two. Up through 1958, this series played at the Century, Regent, and Beacon. After the Regent closed in 1959, the series was moved to the original Bluebird, which closed in September 1959. Then they played at the Century in 1960 and the New Bluebird in 1961. Here is the list of Summer Vacation Movies for 1955 at the Regent: 6/28 Shane 6/30 Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd 7/5 Last of the Mohicans 7/7 Big Leaguer 7/14 I Love Melvin 7/21 Plymouth Adverture 7/28 Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm 8/4 Son of Paleface 8/11 Jack and the Beanstalk (Abbott and Costello) 8/18 Poor Little Rich Girl 8/25 Here Come the Nelsons 9/1 Seminole

The Regent Theatre is now the Colonial Heights post office. The theatre building was partially demolished and the post office was built around it. Part of the original theatre building is visible around back.