“Today the theatre is a shell of its former self. Its lobby and retail area were torn down in the ’80s after a fire that was confined to the stage; however, smoke spread throughout the theatre.” This quote taken from the above website.
Go to www.mtos.org to take a photo tour of the Carolina Theatre to read an interesting article by Michaele Ballard entitled “The Carolina Theatre Awaits Her Fate”.
The Carolina did not burn down. The lobby area doesn’t exist, but the reason isn’t due to fire. “Although the corner retail section of the property was demolished many years ago, the original entry facade is intact and the theatre itself, known as an "atmospheric theatre” is intact. The interior is reminiscent of the Spanish Renaissance style, with balconies and murals suggesting the illusion of an exotic, open-air Mediterranean garden patio.“ This quote is taken from the first Carolina Theatre Palace newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1 Feb. 2005. The Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) founded in 1997 is a non-profit organization that has fought passionately for the preservation of the Carolina Theatre. An interesting fact is that the only premiere of "Gone With the Wind” was held at the Carolina in addition to the Atlanta premiere.
So many old theatres especially in the south were visited by Mr. Presley….now he is gone and so are many of these theatres. A theatre in Charlotte NC also named Carolina Theatre was visited by Elvis, too. The downtown building still exists, but the theatre is in need of a complete restoration. A group called Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) is active in this venture.
If the Camelot is just closed, perhaps there is hope for this theatre in a college town and in a town that has alot to offer as the downtown area is alive and well!
After reading this theatre’s life history it is truly amazing that it still with us today. Many theatres with less history don’t make it, but this one survived through many changes.
This town has a very quaint downtown area and so it’s sad to read that Greenville doesn’t have at least one quaint single screen theatre. Greenville has alot to offer along with having several institutions of higher learning.
I assume the marquee is still there to add to the theatre ‘feel’ though a bookstore now? I’m sure they use the marquee as a marketing/advertising ‘tool’! I know I would to advertise current best sellers, etc. that are in the store/theater!
Steven: When I read your “sister” post I thought I was about to read that the theatre at 30 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale was still open, but sadly you wrote……“It too was demolished….” :–(
“…..the developer to rethink the proposed parking lot strategy.” Well, it’s nice to know that some history theatre shows a developer who actually did rethink the proposed parking lot stragegy! Amazing!
Yes, I certainly agree…..“still better than the alternative which is a dark theatre or a wrecking ball”. So there WAS another nice single screen theatre in Shaker Heights? Too bad at least one of them couldn’t have survived as a single screen since it is Shaker Heights, afterall! Believe one of the current American Idol contestants is from Shaker Heights….Scott Savol!
“Today the theatre is a shell of its former self. Its lobby and retail area were torn down in the ’80s after a fire that was confined to the stage; however, smoke spread throughout the theatre.” This quote taken from the above website.
Go to www.mtos.org to take a photo tour of the Carolina Theatre to read an interesting article by Michaele Ballard entitled “The Carolina Theatre Awaits Her Fate”.
The Carolina did not burn down. The lobby area doesn’t exist, but the reason isn’t due to fire. “Although the corner retail section of the property was demolished many years ago, the original entry facade is intact and the theatre itself, known as an "atmospheric theatre” is intact. The interior is reminiscent of the Spanish Renaissance style, with balconies and murals suggesting the illusion of an exotic, open-air Mediterranean garden patio.“ This quote is taken from the first Carolina Theatre Palace newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1 Feb. 2005. The Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) founded in 1997 is a non-profit organization that has fought passionately for the preservation of the Carolina Theatre. An interesting fact is that the only premiere of "Gone With the Wind” was held at the Carolina in addition to the Atlanta premiere.
So many old theatres especially in the south were visited by Mr. Presley….now he is gone and so are many of these theatres. A theatre in Charlotte NC also named Carolina Theatre was visited by Elvis, too. The downtown building still exists, but the theatre is in need of a complete restoration. A group called Carolina Theatre Preservation Society (CTPS) is active in this venture.
lostmemory: Thanks for the map! ;–)
6482! That is the number of single screen theatres listed on Cinema Treasures!
If it was one of the best theatres in town, can’t it be again? First thing would be to return it to a single screen venue though!
Any photos anyone?
If the Camelot is just closed, perhaps there is hope for this theatre in a college town and in a town that has alot to offer as the downtown area is alive and well!
Will be in Savannah over Easter weekend so will check out all of these Savannah theatres including the Sushi restaurant with original theatre ceiling!
Savannah is in GA not SC…sorry! Need to brush up on my geography!
Anyone have photos they could contribute?
After reading this theatre’s life history it is truly amazing that it still with us today. Many theatres with less history don’t make it, but this one survived through many changes.
Would love to see this theatre in person as it has been described as showing similar interior to the unrestored Carolina Theatre in Charlotte NC.
Christian: Thanks for the marquee information.
I’m not that familiar with Greenville to know where any of these theatres were located, but would think they would have been in the downtown area.
This town has a very quaint downtown area and so it’s sad to read that Greenville doesn’t have at least one quaint single screen theatre. Greenville has alot to offer along with having several institutions of higher learning.
Would like to know the address of this theatre? Was it in the quaint tree-lined downtown area?
Why isn’t the Savannah included on the SC list site yet when typing in the word Savannah I can find this site?
And now I may be seeing “Jukebox Journey” at the Savannah over Easter weekend! Check out the website to learn more about this fun show!
I assume the marquee is still there to add to the theatre ‘feel’ though a bookstore now? I’m sure they use the marquee as a marketing/advertising ‘tool’! I know I would to advertise current best sellers, etc. that are in the store/theater!
Caro: DITTO! “……while it would have been nice if the Alabama had been able to remain a theater, I much prefer this to having it simply torn down.”
Steven: When I read your “sister” post I thought I was about to read that the theatre at 30 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale was still open, but sadly you wrote……“It too was demolished….” :–(
“…..the developer to rethink the proposed parking lot strategy.” Well, it’s nice to know that some history theatre shows a developer who actually did rethink the proposed parking lot stragegy! Amazing!
Yes, I certainly agree…..“still better than the alternative which is a dark theatre or a wrecking ball”. So there WAS another nice single screen theatre in Shaker Heights? Too bad at least one of them couldn’t have survived as a single screen since it is Shaker Heights, afterall! Believe one of the current American Idol contestants is from Shaker Heights….Scott Savol!