U.S. Naval Station Norfolk, Base Theatre
1530 Gilbert Street,
Norfolk,
VA
23511
1530 Gilbert Street,
Norfolk,
VA
23511
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As the old Chief remembers the huge Norfolk Navy complex, the Naval Air Station had the bigest, nicest movie theatre, followed by the Naval Base Theatre and then the smallest Marine Corps Barracks Theatre.
Contributed by
AKC Bob Jensen
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Any more info Bob?
Bob, where you a projectionist while in the Navy.
The original Naval Base Theatre opened its doors on June 29, 1918 with a total capacity of 700 seats in the rear of its administrative building. The auditorium itself featured white walls and quaintly-shaped innumerable windows. There is also an orchestra pit below the stage, and at the rear of the stage featured dressing rooms and other equipment. The films were originally used are for secured purposes through the community motion picture bureau of the War Work Council of the YMCA.
Unfortunately its unknown if that information belongs to that base theater or another theater at the base. If its for that theater then the theater probably operated for many many decades. There is also a possible earlier Naval Base Theatre that only lasted for several months in 1917 and 1918, but that also remains unconfirmed.