American Theater
446 King Street,
Charleston,
SC
29403
446 King Street,
Charleston,
SC
29403
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 36 of 36 comments
The American Theatre has closed as a regular movie house. However, they plan to show movies during certain times of the year. You can read about it at their web site at http://www.americantheater.com/movies/
I read an article saying that this theater closed in february of 2005. Does anyone know if this is true
I saw the movie prior to my involvement with CT so wouldn’t have noticed at the time the scene you refer to in the movie.
When the couple first met as teenagers they went to the movies with another young couple. The American marquee is clearly visible in the background. Interestingly, the theater was built in 1942 but the movie scene took place in 1939/1940. In fact it did look a brand new theater in the film. Too bad it has closed. Of course that scene took place in Seabrook, SC so the American was just substituting as a period movie theater.
PS Mapquest shows 2 Seabrooks within 20 miles of each other. Pretty confusing!
TC: I saw the movie “The Notebook”, but don’t recall seeing the American so must rent the movie or buy the DVD so I can hit the pause button!
Exterior (and interior?) of this theater can be seen in “The Notebook” (2004).
So sad to hear about the closing of The American. My fondest memory of this theater: in 1964, when I was 12, I rode the bus into downtown Charleston to see A HARD DAY’S NIGHT. No one wanted to go with me (or drive me there) so I just hopped on the bus and took matters into my own hands (of course I didn’t tell my parents of my odyssey).
And I’ll never forget the experience……….
A wonderful place to see movies. Thanks for the memories.
An article in Charleston’s The Post and Courier on February 17, 2005, said the American Theater will close to the public on February 26, 2005. I loaded the article on our South Carolina movie theater site at www.scmovietheatres.com if anyone wants to read the sad news. At least they will maintain it and rent it out to drama companies, business and church groups.
My hat is off to Charles and Celeste Patrick for restoring this special theatre which I hope to see the next time we visit the historic City of Charleston!
The American Theater has “small” and “large” screening rooms now. There are 360-degree images of each screening room and the lobby on their official web site. This is the only downtown Charleston movie theater now. The Riviera is a conference center, the Gloria (now the Sottile Theatre) is used for live entertainments by the College of Charleston, and the Garden Theater is being converted to retail space. The Lincoln Theater was demolished in 2000. The Arcade Theater was demolished in 2003. Charles and Celeste Patrick have not received the acknowledgement or appreciation they deserve for reopening and improving the American Theater. Those who made the huge investment in money, time, and labor have given Charleston a great gift.
Doesn’t The American have two screens now?