Carolina Theatre
529 N. Main Street,
Hendersonville,
NC
28792
529 N. Main Street,
Hendersonville,
NC
28792
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.
Architects: Erle G. Stillwell
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Rex Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Hendersonville’s small Atmospheric style Rex Theatre was opened on March 6, 1933 with George Arlis in “The King’s Vacation”. It was renamed Carolina Theatre and destroyed by a fire on May 10, 1940. (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures).
It was rebuilt and reopened in May 1941 and was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidairy H.F. Kincey in the early-1940’s. It had seating provided for 1,000.
Later remodeled in the Art Deco style, the seating capacity was reduced to 863. It was twinned in the mid-1970’s. It has been replaced by a bank building.
Contributed by
Mark Huffstetler
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Recent comments (view all 35 comments)
Found a picture of the Carolina on Fire.May 10 1940.
first movie to play the reopened CAROLINA was “ROAD TO ZANZIBAR” with a DONALD DUCK cartoon and News.Opening was a 6:30 pm.
More Movies that Played at the CAROLINA One and Two Theatres.
“SILVER STREAK"
"SPY WHO LOVED ME"
"SLAP SHOT"
"THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACY"
"RABID"
"ROCKY"
"HIGH BALLIN"
"SEMI-TOUGH"
"THE TURNING POINT"
"THE GOODBYE GIRL"
"ONE ON ONE"
"ORCA"
"SORCERER"
"A STAR IS BORN”
Dec.1 1978 NOW SHOWING
CAROLINA 1 has “HEROES” with “GREASE” starting Dec.2 1978.
CAROLINA 2 Penthouse is finishing up a long run on"ANIMAL HOUSE" with “BLAZING SADDLES” returning for limited Engagement Dec 2 1978. A midnight show of “THINK DIRTY” with Marty Feldman will play over the weekend,Friday and Saturday.
July 18 1978 Now Showing
CAROLINA ONE has “HOT LEAD and COLD FEET” Starting July 19 1987 A Friday is “STAR WARS”.
Carolina Two in the PENTHOUSE has Held over if you can believe it the “SWARM”.
Dec. 26 1979 NOW SHOWING
CAROLINA ONE has “THE BLACK HOLE” A Disney Sci-fi with special Admission this attraction only Adults $3.00 a seat.Under 12 $1.25 must be Disney film rentals.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “10”.
Dec 31 1979 Both the “BLACK HOLE” and “10” are still playing but the midnight show is “ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”.
Jan 5 1980 Both “10” and the “BLACK HOLE” are still playing.
Jan. 16 1980
NOW PLAYING
CAROLINA ONE has “ SCAVENGER HUNT” playing.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “STARTING OVER” .
Jan. 29 1980
CAROLINA ONE is playing “THE PRIZE FIGHTER”
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “GUYANA CULT OF THE DAMNED”.
Jan 31 1980
CAROLINA ONE is showing “SLEEPING BEAUTY” .
CAROLINA TWO the Penthouse has “STAR TREK the Motion Picture” what a huge event flick to play in such a small theatre with a tiny screen compared downstairs to the CaroLina One.
Feb. 22 1980
Carolina One has “JAWS 2”.this must be a re-release.Because I know it was a summer not winter film.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has “THE JERK”.
Feb.25 1980 both “JAWS 2” and “THE JERK” are still showing.
April 8 1980
CAROLINA ONE has “COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER” Held over.In that neck of the woods I can understand the Country Music connection.
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE is showing “THE FOG”
April 9 1980 “COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER” is going on its Third week.
April 10 1980
CAROLINA TWO the PENTHOUSE has one of Steve MCQueen’s Final films “TOM HORN”.Rated R one of the few R rated Flicks he would make.
My mom worked at the Carolina Theater in the 1950’s in the box office. Ted Reed (Reid)I think that was his name, was the manager. I remember seeing Peter Pan and a John Wayne western when I was a little girl. I remember the audience laughing out loud when I declared in my child like voice, “Look mommy, they’re wearing their jommies” (my word for pj’s)in the western movie.
I remember the flashing lights of the marque, the curtains over the double set of entrance doors, the thick dark carpet, concession stand with all the candy soft drinks and popcorn and the long stair case to the ladies room, which had several couches and chairs in a lounge area before entering the restrooms. The door to the office was in the lounge area. I was always fascinated with the lighting fixtures on the walls in the auditorium. It was a beautiful theater back then. To bad it couldn’t have been saved.
great story, yep. sorry a stinking bank building just had to go there,i did get quite a few one sheets out of that old theatre….
Was hoping for new info and history on the Theatre,but my lazy cousin hasn’t lifted a finger yet….He ran the place for years.was suppose interview bookers and old employees like Andrew’s grandmother!
GREAT PICTURE…..
FRANK JONES a well known film booker of this and many theatres in the area I am told passed away a few weeks ago in late March 2015..
The second Carolina Theatre opened in May of 1941 replacing the seven-year old original Carolina Theater that had burned one year prior on May 10, 1940 while undergoing a renovation. This location is also was where the city’s second Rex Theater was that burned down on June 14, 1932.