Visulite Theatre
1615 Elizabeth Avenue,
Charlotte,
NC
28294
1615 Elizabeth Avenue,
Charlotte,
NC
28294
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Did Trans-Lux had a share in this theatre? it had the “The Modern Theatre” slogan that Trans-Lux used in their NYC theatres.
This opened on February 10th, 1938
When I lived in the Queen City from 1957-197, the Visulite was Charlotte’s elite art theater. Owned by Jay Schrader and his son, Bob, the Visulite played a riveting schedule of amazing films. A few highlights that I saw there included, The Horse’s Mouth (Alec Guiness), The Mouse that Roared (Peter Sellers), Goldfinger, A Man & A Woman, Cabaret, and many more. The Visulite is a gem of Charlotte’s cultural heritage. My father was in the movie business and we visited the Schrader’s home on many occasions.
This was always the cool place to go in the ‘70s. Saw “Tunnel Vision” there and also The Who’s “Tommy”. I always liked the area — there was a neat-little sandwich place across the street (People’s Food?) in an old two-story house with an Earth Shoes store above it.
George Lucas science-fiction blockbuster STAR WARS played here from July 21,1978 until September 1,1978 as many of its exclusive re-releases. I have the original ads for this too.
Charlotte had a bad habit of tearing down all her downtown theatres during the 80’s building boom.At least,Atlanta had enough sense to save a couple of downtown theatres. Charlotte was a film bookers city .You would have thought someone there would have saved the old theatres.
There is also a Visulite Theater in Staunton, Virginia, as well (I think it’s around the same size) which also featured back-of-the-screen projection. It sat empty for a number of years and then, I believe it was a playhouse. After an extensive restoration it is once again a movie theater, though I don’t think the films are projected from behind the screen anymore as I don’t believe the equipment exists today to support that technology.
I have many fond memories of movie going at the Visulite in the 70’s and early 80’s. It was Charlotte’s art house venue at the time and they showed great films. I saw my first subtitled movies here and learned to love alternative cinema. Luckily the Manor Theater has taken up some of the slack now that the Visulite is a music venue. The art house programming at the Manor sure is tame in comparison to the good old days of the Visulite though.
I so remember this place in the early'70s. I saw several pictures there that were considered ‘art’ films, like ‘Harold and Maude’. ;–) We used to go there late nights and then hit the Krispy Kreme on Independence Blvd. There was a Earth Shoes store across the street!
Already Taken: Plans to restore the facade of this theatre would be a wonderful start and certainly help the Elizabeth Ave. Project.
I heard at a meeting at CPCC a while back that Grubb Properties wanted to restore the facade of this theatre as part of their Elizabeth Ave. Project.
If this theatre had a history, it’s long gone now!
ohenry: Funny story and it sounds like your mom was a concerned and loving mother. Now if we could only generate concern and love for Charlotte’s Carolina Theatre! If you wish to learn more about this theatre, please contact Charlie Clayton at the following email address: .com and/or log onto the following site for a complete history of the Carolina Theatre: View link
Oops, I meant to spell that Astor…
Patsy,
That was the Aster Theater on 36th Street. In the 1960’s, it was the only place in Charlotte to see sex flicks… my mom wouldn’t let me even look in that direction. Now it’s a concert venue: The Neighborhood Theater
There are many theatres listed under Charlotte NC so if anyone can tell me about a theatre that I spotted in the NoDa section of the city, thanks. I was trying to find someone’s home near Matheson and North Davidson when I spotted a small theatre in that part of town, but didn’t have time to go around the block and check it out!
I read that it utilized rear-screen projection which is interesting as I guess that was a rare feature. My husband’s hometown theatre in PA utilized this projection. When I asked him about his theatre memories while growing up as a young boy that was the first thing he mentioned!
The Visulite Theatre was built in 1938 with seating for 540 patrons.
It’s too bad the old marquee and ticket window can’t be returned to this ‘performance space’.
In the 1960s the Visulite ran the movie “Goldfinger” for almost a year. It also ran “art house” films. The old marquee and ticket window are gone, but at least the theater is still there, and is being used as a performance space.
The Visulite Theatre utilized rear-screen projection, possibly the only such installation in Charlotte. It was an intimate space, with the feel of a real art house.
The Visulite Theatre seated 500 people.