Carver Theatre
347 E. Washington Street,
Suffolk,
VA
23434
347 E. Washington Street,
Suffolk,
VA
23434
No one has favorited this theater yet
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Pitts' Theaters Inc.
Previous Names: Broadway Theatre, Pitts Carver Theatre, Lee Theatre, East End Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Broadway Theatre was opened on March 1, 1924. It reopened on January 29, 1925 with Pola Negri in “Forbidden Planet”. It was operated by Suffolk Amusement Company as an African American theatre. In early-1931 it was taken over by the Pitt-Roth Circuit. In 1940 it was given a Streamline Moderne style makover and reopened on January 24, 1941 as the Carver Theatre, with Jane Withers in “Youth Will Be Served”. Still operating as an African American theatre. It was closed on December 16, 1962 with Richard Todd in “The Hellions”.
It was used for a while for live events and reopened as a movie theatre renamed Lee Theatre on March 17, 1963 with Richard Garland in “Attack of the Crab Monsters”. On July 23, 1964 it reopened as the East End Theatre with Barbera Stanwyck in “Cattle Queen of Montana”. It closed on March 13, 1966 with Elizabeth Taylor in “The Sandpiper”.
It went back to the Carver Theatre name and operated as a private club, hosting one live stage event bofore closing. It was demolished and the site is now used for car parking.
Contributed by
Chief Bob Jensen, dallasmovietheaters
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 1 comments)
The Broadway Theatre was reopened at 347 East Washington Street on a 15-year lease with Pola Negri in “Forbidden Planet” on January 29, 1925 by Suffolk Amusement Corp. with a policy for African American patrons. The neighboring Suffolk Ice Cream creamery served as its de facto concession stand. And its near neighbor, the Phoenix Bank, was operating as an African American owned financial institution as the community was beginning to gain financial power. The theatre was converted to sound in 1929 to remain viable. But the economy cratered soon thereafter. Suffolk Amusement went into bankruptcy on November 18, 1930. And, worse yet, the Phoenix Bank went into receivership just months later.
But the Broadway Theatre was resilient. Pitt-Roth Circuit operated the Broadway through its 15-year lease. In 1940, the circuit gave it a streamline moderne makeover and the venue was renamed in a contest in December of 1940 which changed its name to the Carver Theatre in honor of Dr. George Washington Carver. The refreshed Carver now with its own concession stand opened January 24, 1941 likely on a new 25-year lease with Jane Withers in “Youth Will be Served.” Langston Fortune took over the neighboring creamery turning into the long-running Silver Slipper Cafe and Night Club. The Carver Theatre operated continuously with films through December 16, 1962 closing with Richard Todd in “The Hellions.”
After being used for live events, it was refreshed and reopened on March 17 1963 as the Lee Theatre with “Affar in in Havana” and “Attack of the Crab Monsters.” On July 23, 1964, it was reopened as the East End Theatre with “Cattle King.” The East End closed with “The Sandpiper” on March 13, 1966 reaching the lease’s expiry. The venue reverted back to the Carver Theater moniker and was a private club that had one public-facing live stage event before closing permanently. The theatre and neighboring Silver Slipper was torn down and an unimproved parking lot was created in its former footprint. The Phoenix Bank building survived into the 2020s with its ghost signage still in place.