Vernon Theatre
3707 Mt. Vernon Avenue,
Alexandria,
VA
22305
3707 Mt. Vernon Avenue,
Alexandria,
VA
22305
1 person
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The Vernon Theatre opened in December 1940, will all 900 on a single floor. It was much like the Centre Theatre and the Reed Theatre in Alexandria, VA.
It was demolished in the 1970’s.
Contributed by
K Darkow
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
I was the manager of the Vernon Theatre when it closed March 30, 1976. It was built in 1941 and like most theatres was designed to serve the neighborhood it was in. Our last feature was “Bobby Jo & The Outlaw” starring Lynda Carter in her pre “Wonder Woman” years. We had a 40 foot wide CinemaScope screen with perfect ratios and in the 1950’s and 60’s the theatre was equipped for magnetic stereophonic sound. The night we closed I was taking down the display material from the front of the theatre. A man walked by and asked what I was doing. I told him the theatre was closing. He replied, “That too bad. I USED to come here all the time.” Exactly.
I remember the Vernon well, having gone there many times while growing up. I’ll always love it. If I remember right: 25 cents, then 35 cents, then (at age 12) 70 cents. As a suburban theater with subsequent runs (right term?), the movies would change several times a week.
The building had a yellow-brick front. Inside, the concession stand was a sort of island in the lobby. The screen had curtains, if I remember right.
There’s a 1940 image on Flickr:
View link
A lot nicer than the Auto Zone that’s there now.
Wow, never thought I would see this theater again. I spent a lot of Saturday afternoons watching matinee movies. I remember paying a quarter to get in. Of course that was in the late 50’s early 60’s. I remember “ flying” the popcorn boxes when the movie was over. Gosh this is bringing back a flood of memories. Thanks for posting this picture.