Bailey Theatre
18 N. Front Street,
Wilmington,
NC
28401
18 N. Front Street,
Wilmington,
NC
28401
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Opened with Judy Garland in “Little Nellie Kelly” along with a few unnamed short subjects.
I understand it is completely gone. I’m a 1958 grad of NHHS—along with Roman Gabriel. It has saddened all of us who love Wilmington so much to see outsiders have come in with greedy hands; torn down so many buildings with beautiful facades as well as gorgeous homes.
Such a shame that only a facade exists though the citizens tried to save the theatre.
Book by Bill Mitchell, “BUILDINGS AS HISTORY:THE ARCHITECTURE OF ERLE STILLWELL”.
Sad . One of Erle Stillwell designs..Have a picture from Stillwell’s Collection, “POT O'GOLD"on the Marquee,Big Air Condition banner hanging in front.
Steven Spielburg’s 1975 blockbuster JAWS played to capacity crowds at the Bailey Theatre on June 20, 1975.
Also to point out too….but the mid-to-late 1970’s,the venue changed from showing first-run features to a variety of either blaxploitation,kung-fu flicks,and some adult flicks before it closed its doors forever in 1980.
This theatre opened 23 December 1940 and the architect was Erle G Stillwell.
Here is a recent photo of the facade. Also, here is a photo of the ruined terrazzo entry.
Owned and operated by Stewart & Everett Theatre chain which also owned and operated Independence Mall Cinemas, Long Leaf Twin, and the Oleander Triple Theatres,not to mention another historical theatre as well,the Manor Theatre in Downtown Wilmington.
Here is a postcard, circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/38ejo7
This was my great grandfather’s theatre. He was George W. Bailey. He died just before it opened. It was mangaed by my grandparents – Murchison and Audrienne Autry. Murchison died in 1964 and Audrienne died in 1990. I am sickened that it was demolished – to me it was a family history sight.
The wonderful art deco facade of this building remains on Front Street with the vacant lot where the theater once stood behind it.
The Bailey Theatre is not listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 edition, but it is listed in the 1943 edition and was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary H.F. Kincey.