Clayton Theatre
33246 Main Street,
Dagsboro,
DE
19939
33246 Main Street,
Dagsboro,
DE
19939
7 people
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Clayton Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: New Clayton Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
302.732.3744
Manager:
302.732.9606
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jul 22, 2014 — Historic marker unveiled for the Clayton
- Dec 14, 2013 — Clayton Theatre nearing goal for switch to the digital age
- Mar 12, 2008 — Local projectionist shares memories
The Clayton Theatre was built in the late-1940’s in the small town of Dagsboro, Delaware, population 2,000. The Clayton Theatre was opened on February 2, 1949 with Robert Walker in “One Touch of Venus”. This freestanding theatre has a stage, and seating is in orchestra and balcony levels. It came under new management in 2014.
Contributed by
Karl Haller
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
I was just at this theate. It is quite run down inside. The ceiling is peeling. The sound system has not been updated since god knows when, and is in Mono and only from whatever small front speakers are behind the screen, which makes the sound hardly audible.
Even though this is an old house, they do seem to have anew screen. There seems to be a curtain above it, however it was not used when I was there.
I noticed looking up from the main room to the closed off balcony, that there was some BOSE sound equipment sitting up there… stored maybe.. Maybe for future enhancements.
There is a little tiny parking lot next to the theatre. Looks like someone just dumped tar there, and it was not originally there.
The bathroom is very small… The auditorium is small as well. The marquee was lit up with green neon. Ironically, there is a video store in the building that holds the theatre.
has anyone else ever visited this place? It os the only single screen in that part of Delaware. No commercials before movie.. and not even a no cell phones trailer either. Screen size was good.. Sound unbareable.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1950 edition with a seating capacity of 500.
Hello Mike, John Messick here. I have visited this theater several times. I have relatives that live in Georgetown, which is just right up the road. Several years ago the Clayton got new owners who upgraded the marquee and paved the tiny parking area. Usually during the summer the place is packed with people every night. The street is lined with cars on either side. The theater does need some improvements inside, seating and wall coverings and of course the ceiling. Were you vacationing at the shore? Would you believe up until a few years ago the Clayton still had the original carbon arc projectors! And it is the only single screen in “Slower Lower Delaware”.
This theatre is a little slice of nastalgic heaven. It reminds me of my wonderful childhood in the “50’s”. We love to have family night there. The restroom is imaculate and the theatre itself,very clean. The owners have done a wonderful job. With all the influx of overbuilding in our area this place is a treasure. I will take this over any Cina Plex anytime. Thank you.
LDennis, Millsboro
In 1980 it was listed as the New Clayton in the IMPA. It was then part of Midway Theaters of Rehoboth Beach.
I am going here tomorrow… Looking forward to sitting in this piece of history.
The theatre is actually at 781 Main St (at least according to google maps). The google maps marker for the theatre is at 900, but there are just several houses at that location and I believe it was misplaced.
Here is a 2009 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/y45k6c7
Looks like they’ve done some work on it. It’s digital now.
http://www.theclaytontheatre.com/
Ok since the last comment for this hiden little gem was from 2014 I thinks its time for an update and some new photos. First the CLAYTON theatre has been under new management since 2014. Joanne Howe has been the owner and operator since then. The CLAYTON is the LAST stand alone first run,single screen theatre in the entire state of DE . 100 % digital,a quaint concession stand with great snacks, there are books about the CLAYTON and shirts for sale right in the lobby. Once inside there is a long slender art deco auditorium with a beautiful open balcony and 2nd floor museum. The staff is wonderful, they are open seven days a week with two shows on most weekends. Last summer we spent three days at the CLAYTON and our short film hits YouTube on Saturday March 29th at noon,please give it a look and let us know what you think .
https://youtu.be/vIBLxDCrd1w
We have also added some new and updated photos to Cinema treasures . If you are anywhere near this theatre it is so worth a visit no matter what is playing .
https://youtu.be/vIBLxDCrd1w