Visulite Cinemas
12 N. Augusta Street,
Staunton,
VA
24401
12 N. Augusta Street,
Staunton,
VA
24401
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The original Visulite Theatre opened its doors on July 8, 1937 with Ray Milland in “Wings Over Honolulu” with no extra short subjects as a 500-seat single-screener.
Original information about the Visulite goes as follows: The front of the building as of 1937 faced with cream colored brick and decorated in red and dark green conservatively alongside modernistic lines in keeping with the motif of the entire establishment. The original marquee was wedge-shaped standing over the doorway featuring the white plaque background and black lettering beneath the theater name. Chrome and black glass were used in the ticket booth which operated a turn-style look.
Entering the lobby as of 1937 features blue walls which grow lighter by steps until they reach a gray ceiling. Red leather arm chairs with chromium trimming add an arresting touch of its color and harmonize with the red in carpet. The auditorium features 500 seats divided into three sections, which has an off-orchid tint rising from a green base and follows in general several lines of modernistic style. The original floor was covered in red and green carpeting, and the entirety of the projection booth is fireproof featuring Super-Simplex projection machines, Trans-Lux lens, RCA High Fidelity sound, and an AC current to mute the humming vibration. There are also walls that were composed of cinder block, carrying the acoustic properties known only to a few building materials, which mutes the entire surroundings that came from the auditorium. Speakers were placed above and below the screen, with the low frequency output at the bottom and the two high frequency jobs above. Both smoking rooms and lounges featured indirect lighting, dark linoleum floors, red and chrome chairs, and tiled lavatories.
Occupying the northern half of the building front is a store where light refreshments may be obtained. What’s unique is that it was not operated by theater management led by John M. Herndon. The store that was operated by John T. O'Donnell features a maximum of convenience for patrons who desire drinks, tobacco, candy, and similar articles.
From 1965 to 1967 was part of the Broumas Theatre Circuit
January 6th, 2006 grand opening ad in the photo section.
Photo of the Visulite Theatre from spring 2010: Exterior
Now all digital and 3 d….
Neat theatre! The exterior still retains its original charm although the interior appears to have been gutted and refitted with two small auditoria with back to back screens. The screens in each are probably only a bit smaller than the one used when it was a single screen venue and each auditorium is equipped with stadium style seating.
Cool photo Lost Memory.
The Visulite has been sold (October 6, 2004) and will be renovated for use as a movie theatre (primarily first-run, foreign and independent films) as well as live theatre, concerts and comedy shows. Stay tuned! The theatre originally opened on July 8, 1937.