Carolina Theater
443 Hay Street,
Fayetteville,
NC
28301
443 Hay Street,
Fayetteville,
NC
28301
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Once operated by North Carolina Theatres.
The Carolina Theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in July of 1983. Status Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 1983 Reference number 83001847 Area of significance Architecture Level of significance Local Evaluation criteria C – Design/Construction Property type Building Historic function Theater Period of significance 1925-1949 Significant year 1927
I am writing a story for a magazine about Fay theaters…Cameo, Dixie, Colony, Lafayette…..Was wondering if someone could email me and supply some info…
The CAROLINA THEATRE opened on October 17,1927 with the opening feature attraction “THE UNKNOWN” starring Lon Chaney. At the time of it’s opening,the CAROLINA was Fayetteville’s newest theatre with it’s luxury comfort as one of the finest movie palaces in Southestern North Carolina. I have in my possession the original advertisement for it’s October 17,1927 grand opening.
The CAROLINA THEATRE in Downtown Fayetteville closed it’s doors forever on October 19,1978 with the double feature showings of “RABID” and “PIRAHNA” for it’s last day of operations.
This was a major Hay Street movie house for 51 years serving the Fayetteville area since it opened it’s doors in 1927 as one of the largest theatres in Eastern North Carolina. At the time of it’s closing,only three theatres remain in business in Downtown Fayetteville with the Miracle(closed in 1982),the Broadway(closed in 1981),and the Towne(closed in 1987).
THE LAST NIGHT OF OPERATION OF CAROLINA THEATRE WAS OCT. 19 1978.THATS THE LAST NIGHT IT WAS USED FOR A THEATRE CHARLIE123
“RABID” came out in 1977 and starred Marilyn Chambers. Yes,that Marilyn Chambers of “Beyond The Green Door” fame.
Charlie123: I will find the correct dates for when the Carolina Theater opened and closed. I’m conducting research with one of the librarians for the archives within the Cumberland County Public Library for more information. I know one person who was asking about another Fayetteville movie house downtown that was not listed on Cinema Treasures THE MIRACLE just to let you know that I added the correct information for that theater. I have the original ads from it’s 1956 grand opening as well as the original ads from the 1941 grand opening of the Colony Theater too. Please send me the photos of the Broadway and the Colony.
THE CAROLINA THEATRE IS CLOSED BUT IT WILL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR MEMORIES.THE CLOSING TIME IS WRONG IT CLOSED RIGHT AT THE END OF 1977-1978 THE LAST MOVIE PLAYED THERE WAS RABID A B HORROR FILM I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS THE MANAGER WHO CLOSED IT DOWN IT WAS A STEWART AND EVERETT THEATRE. I HAD A GREAT TIME RUNNING THE THEATRE IT WAS THE KIND OF PLACE WHEN YOU GOT OF FROM WORK YOU CAME BACK TO HANG OUT. GREAT FUN TIME I HAVE ALOT OF PHOTOS OF THEATRE AND HAY ST ALSO COLONY THEATRE AND BROWDWAY THEATRE WILL POST SOME IF I CAN DIG THEM UP ANYBODY WANT TO EMAIL ME ABOUT THEATRE FEEL FREE . VIVA CAROLINA THEATRE THANKS CHARLIE
ALL of the Sean Connery 007-Bond films played here: From “Doctor No” to “Diamonds Are Forever”. Not to mention “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”.
Since the Carolina was basically getting most of the United Artists product in the greater Fayetteville area during that time. “West Side Story” played here in 1962. ALL The BEATLES films that played here at the Carolina were HUGE hits ranging from “A Hard Day’s Night”, to “HELP!”, “Yellow Submarine”, and “Let It Be”.
Exclusive Engagement Showings that played at this theatre First-Run at the Carolina Theater: “WEST SIDE STORY”-August 22,1962
“LAWRENCE OF ARABIA”-September 1, 1963
“CLEOPATRA”-April 22,1964
“DOCTOR ZHIVAGO”-June,1966
“THE GODFATHER”-March 29,1972
This was nice house, but not too large, built around 1927. They dinked up the facade with an ill-advised renovation around 1960. During that retrofit they also installed a curved Panavision/Cinemascope screen and enlarged the lobby, while reducing the auditorium’s size. The place had become a storefront church by 1978 and then burned. All of downtown Fayetteville’s theaters were neglected and abandoned. None of the old ones exist today.
The Carolina Theatre is gone. The Fayetteville Police Department building occupies the site.