Naro Expanded Cinema

1507 Colley Avenue,
Norfolk, VA 23517

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50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on April 8, 2024 at 10:54 am

Functions Update: Classics films are also presented.

rivest266
rivest266 on October 22, 2023 at 2:25 pm

Reopened as Naro on March 17th, 1967. Ad posted.

MSC77
MSC77 on October 9, 2022 at 2:33 pm

Sharing the link to a recently-published chronology of the Tidewater region’s 70mm presentation history. The Naro Expanded Cinema is mentioned quite a few times in the piece.

MSC77
MSC77 on April 23, 2019 at 1:17 pm

What company or chain ran the Naro in the early 1980s?

Coffindan
Coffindan on August 24, 2016 at 10:47 am

sliwi, yes it does have a balcony. It’s usually not open these days however. I’m not too sure why.

sliwi
sliwi on January 31, 2015 at 1:48 pm

I lived in Norfolk during the 1950s. I lived on Baldwin Ave. around the corner from the Colley Theater. Does any remember whether it had a balcony or not. Please let me know. I spent many Saturday matinees in this theater.

bufffilmbuff
bufffilmbuff on February 14, 2014 at 9:58 am

Now that the Naro is completely digital I have technical question about their old days. I know during the 70’s and 80’s they had 70mm capacity. But back when the theatre was still called the Colley, did they also have 70mm? I ask since I know the Norfolk premiere showings of both CLEOPATRA and PATTON played there. I know other road show pictures played there in the 60’s as well. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 7, 2012 at 3:38 pm

This photo of the Colley Theatre is dated 1936. Aside from the loss of the vertical sign and the original marquee, and the removal a bit of the nice Art Deco detailing on the ground floor, the facade of this theater is remarkably well preserved.

AlanJames
AlanJames on January 28, 2012 at 10:00 am

As they said on re-opening night in 1977-8, the “Expanded Naro was for those who refused to be "Naro-minded” and wanted good, quality, independent cinema! (I was there in the audience that night…I believe it was a double feature of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Mr. Deeds goes to Town…or was that another night…anyway, good to see that there are many “NARO-minded” folks still left in Norfolk to keep this theater from the wrecking ball!

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on November 30, 2010 at 12:53 pm

Yes.To that.They might have “expaned” the admission.Lol.

robboehm
robboehm on November 29, 2010 at 7:28 pm

Or, perhaps, the “facilities”

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on November 29, 2010 at 7:24 pm

Maybe they expaned the concession stand.

robboehm
robboehm on May 1, 2010 at 4:30 pm

what is EXPANDED about the Naro? It’s still a single screen. The seating capacity has not changed. According to an earlier posting after the renovation the screen size was reduced. Could somebody enlighten me?

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 1, 2010 at 2:23 pm

Nice photos Lost Memory.

AdrianEverett
AdrianEverett on January 16, 2007 at 3:26 pm

From the early days as The Colley Theater to the current days as the Naro Expanded Cinema. This theater has stood the test of time and weather. Renovated 7 years ago the Naro has survived the brink of extinction thanks to Thom and Tench. Naro shows Mainstream and Independent Movies along with classics such as The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas Story. But Naro has one movie that simply refuses to lay down and die, The Rocky Horror Picture Show ! The 30th Anniversary of Rocky Horror Picture Show playing at the Naro is coming up in 2008. The Naro according to the local Rocky Horror Picture Show cast, Fishnet Inc. is the third longest running Rocky Horror Theater in the United States of America and the fourth longest running Rocky Horror Theater in the whole World. The Rocky Horror Picture Show plays every 2nd and 4th Friday or every 2nd and 5th Friday if that month has a 5th Friday all year round. The best time to see Rocky Horror Picture Show at it’s peak at the Naro is October. A grand total of 5 shows during that month. The usual scheduled shows plus Halloween Weekend has 3 extra shows added on. Guaranteed fun for all.

teecee
teecee on September 14, 2005 at 10:02 am

Interesting photo, b&w, but new w/ folks in costume for the Rocky Horror:
http://www.pbase.com/image/35754278

balto18
balto18 on June 2, 2005 at 9:50 pm

The Naro (built as the Colley—it’s on Colley Avenue) is a great theatre, but it’s far from being one of the oldest on the East Coast. It opened in ‘35 or '36; Norfolk itself has several theatres that are much older.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on April 28, 2005 at 1:11 pm

The Film Daily Yearbook’s that I have;1941-1950 list this as the Colley Theatre with 762 seats.

bufffilmbuff
bufffilmbuff on February 15, 2004 at 12:20 pm

The renovations at the Naro are great. The auditorium features new seating, new curtains, newly painted gold leaf highlights and new carpeting. There is also new projection and digital sound equipment, though I did notice that the screen is now somewhat smaller than it once was. They used to have 70mm equipment, but apparently that is now gone. Still one of the best places to see a movie anywhere——Tom and Tench, the managers since 1977, have created a haven for true film buffs. Norfolk should be proud.