The Carolina Theatre was the sound-era movie house in Andrews. It launched on July 4, 1930 with Delores Del Rio in “Romance of the Rio Grande.” Under new operators in 1935, the theatre was renamed as the Andrews Theatre. On February 25, 1944, the theatre under new operators becomes the Henn Theatre with Olsen and Johnson in “Crazy House.” The last advertisement for the Henn Theatre was February 28, 1957 with “Teenage Rebel.”
The Carver Theatre launched on May 1, 1942 with “Dark Passage” on a 30-year lease. A great deal of the operational cycle was by Dixie Amusement Company. It would serve African American Audiences along with the long-running Capitol Theatre. Dixie updated the venue in the 1950s. Following the expiry of the lease, new operators relaunched the venue after closing it for another refresh.Upon reopening, it was renamed The New Carver Theatre on May 10, 1972 with a double feature of “Soul to Soul” and “Beast from the Amazon.” Under new operators, the theater’s name reverted to the Carver Theatre showing chopsocky and blaxploitation double features beginning on May 3, 1974 with “Hell Up In Harlem” and “Top of the Heap.”
Under new operators and very likely on a sublease, the venue is renamed as the Capri Theatre showing double feature X-rated films. Its relaunch as the Capri occurred on April 2, 1975 with “Lady Delia” and “Me Please.” A topless usherette promotion at the Capri went awry in July of 1976 likely leading to the end of the X-rated policy. On July 21, 1976, the Capri - likely back to its previous operators - switched back to blaxploitation, cult repertory, and chopsocky double features. Film exhibition ended at the Capri / former Carver permanently on January 22, 1978 with a double feature of “The Creatures” and “Velvet Empire.”
Beginning in 1979, the venue was used for a house of worship. In the 1990s, the name of the venue was restored to the Carver Theatre with live plays before returning to a house of worship in the 2000s. On July 17, 2003, the Carver Theatre received a National Register of Historic Places designation and sign. Officials of the local HBCU institution, Allen University, purchased the building and announced a restoration plan in 2022 to restore the Carver to its original luster.
Mr. A. Shepherd “Shep” Brinkley opened the Plymouth Theatre October 11, 1938 with “The Vogues of 1938.“ The New Theatre changed its name whimsically to the New (Old) Theatre that day until it burned down in 1939. Brinkley would add the Daly Theatre after the War to replace the New (Old).
Launched at 102 West Eden street on May 18, 1948, its first film was “The Return of Rin Tin Tin” in Vitacolor. The architect was Frank Whitaker Benton. In 1962, the building was offered for $15,750 and, not long after, the Colonial Furniture launched an annex store in the former Eden Theatre. Offered for sale in 2024, it was listed for $320,000.
Renamed as the Cinemark 14 Lewisville & XD when the Music City Mall concept failed. Under new operators, the struggling shopping center was renamed The Vista.
The E.M. MacDaniel Building was built to house multiple business in 1939 with a theater in the center at 941 Starling. The delayed project opened on September 11, 1941 as the Starling Theatre, a streamlined movie house playing sub-run discount films. F.W. Carper opened the Starling with “Here Comes Mr. Jordan.” It was managed by John L. Garst of Martinsville’s National and Roxy theaters also owned by Carper’s circuit. The building also had Reed’s Confectionery that served as the de facto concession stand and was the original home of Gilbert’s Beauty Salon.
The Starling booth was equipped with E7 Simplex projectors with 4-Star Simplex sound. The stage was installed by Novelty Scenic of New York and the seats were designed by Heywood-Wakefield. But Wartime worker shortages were cited as the end of the road as the Starling closed with “Lady, Let’s Dance” on December 10, 1944.
The theater came back to life after the War when Bernard Depkin opened the former Starling as the Bee Dee (Bernard Depkin’s nickname) Theatre. The Bee Dee launched on April 24, 1947 with “The Best Years Of Our Lives.” At that time, Depkin operated the Rives Theatre as as manager an co-owner.
In October of 1948, W. Pritchett took on the venue and renamed it as the Martin Theatre. Pritchett moved it to a double-feature, discount sub-run movie house. Opening titles as the Martin were on October 29, 1949 were June Allyson in “Good News” and Randolph Scott in “Trial Street.” Martinsville Theatre Management (MTM) Circuit closed the Martin some 35 years later on July 3, 1985 with “The Goonies” as the theatre needed major repairs.
The Rives Theatre opened in 1935. It was closed in 1984 to duplex the house. Martin Theatre Management (MTM) relaunched in time for the venue’s 50th Anniversary now as the Rives Cinema 1 & 2. The theatre rebranded to the Rives Theatre in the 21st Century playing movies until closing in 2009. It became a live theatre thereafter.
The Friendly Drive-In Theatre opened on June 22, 1950 with “Red Canyon.” It went widescreen in 1957 and did not advertise after that season. The lot is auctioned in 1970 likely at the end of its 20-year lease and is sold for other purposes.
L.L. Theimer’s South Drive-In Theaters Inc. opened its 23d location with the 220 Drive-In Theatre in 1968. It launched August 30, 1968 with Clint Eastwood in “Hang ‘em High” supported by three cartoons.
But the fame and legacy of the 220 Drive-In occurred when the drive-in hosted The Allman Brothers live during their third Rock Festival of the 1970 season on August 9, 1970. The last ad for the 220 was a November 27, 1977 double feature with Roger Corman’s “Moonshine County Express” and “Hustler Squad.” However, the ozoner likely opened for part of the 1978 season closing at the end of its 20-year lease.
The Roxy was getting ready to open for Frances W. Carper and, in 1930, just prior to the Roxy Theater opening, he was sued. It seems that Carper sold the silent Midway Theater in town to the Martinsville Theatre Corporation signing a non-compete clause. But then he created a sound movie theater asking his dad and wife to operate it. Martinsville Corp. said that he was still competing against their National and Midway theaters. The Roxy still opened on schedule in 1930.
The Roxy was converted to widescreen in the 1950s to present CinemaScope films. On September 9, 1963, the Roxy closed permanently with a double feature of Tony Curtis in “40 Pounds of Trouble” and Edward Judd in “Mystery Submarine.” Within 24 hours, the marquee was dismantled and soon after the building was converted by Frith Construction for other retail purposes.
This venue opened as the Metropolitan Airport Theater by Lawrence and Stella Micelli. The MAT opened on May 20, 1949 with Lucille Ball in “Personal Column” supported by “That Old Gang of Mine” with the East Side Kids. It was located less than two miles from Palmer Metropolitan Airport.
The theater’s name was changed three times. In 1951, it became the Metropolitan Airport Drive-In. “Airport” was dropped making it the Metropolitan Drive-In Theatre for the 1953 through early 1956 operational cycle. On July 25, 1956, it had a new widescreen tower to project CinemaScope titles staring with “Picnic” and was truncated to the Metro Drive-In. The Micelli family operated the Metro D-I to its 1986 closure. It final double-bill was on September 7, 1986 with “Maximum Overdrive” and “Friday the 13th, Part VI.”
The Carolina Theatre was the sound-era movie house in Andrews. It launched on July 4, 1930 with Delores Del Rio in “Romance of the Rio Grande.” Under new operators in 1935, the theatre was renamed as the Andrews Theatre. On February 25, 1944, the theatre under new operators becomes the Henn Theatre with Olsen and Johnson in “Crazy House.” The last advertisement for the Henn Theatre was February 28, 1957 with “Teenage Rebel.”
Address: 51 Century Circle, Hazard, KY 41701. Photo in pictures
The Carver Theatre launched on May 1, 1942 with “Dark Passage” on a 30-year lease. A great deal of the operational cycle was by Dixie Amusement Company. It would serve African American Audiences along with the long-running Capitol Theatre. Dixie updated the venue in the 1950s. Following the expiry of the lease, new operators relaunched the venue after closing it for another refresh.Upon reopening, it was renamed The New Carver Theatre on May 10, 1972 with a double feature of “Soul to Soul” and “Beast from the Amazon.” Under new operators, the theater’s name reverted to the Carver Theatre showing chopsocky and blaxploitation double features beginning on May 3, 1974 with “Hell Up In Harlem” and “Top of the Heap.”
Under new operators and very likely on a sublease, the venue is renamed as the Capri Theatre showing double feature X-rated films. Its relaunch as the Capri occurred on April 2, 1975 with “Lady Delia” and “Me Please.” A topless usherette promotion at the Capri went awry in July of 1976 likely leading to the end of the X-rated policy. On July 21, 1976, the Capri - likely back to its previous operators - switched back to blaxploitation, cult repertory, and chopsocky double features. Film exhibition ended at the Capri / former Carver permanently on January 22, 1978 with a double feature of “The Creatures” and “Velvet Empire.”
Beginning in 1979, the venue was used for a house of worship. In the 1990s, the name of the venue was restored to the Carver Theatre with live plays before returning to a house of worship in the 2000s. On July 17, 2003, the Carver Theatre received a National Register of Historic Places designation and sign. Officials of the local HBCU institution, Allen University, purchased the building and announced a restoration plan in 2022 to restore the Carver to its original luster.
Closed permanently on July 5, 1958 with “The Delicate Delinquent” and “The Tall Texan.”
Mr. A. Shepherd “Shep” Brinkley opened the Plymouth Theatre October 11, 1938 with “The Vogues of 1938.“ The New Theatre changed its name whimsically to the New (Old) Theatre that day until it burned down in 1939. Brinkley would add the Daly Theatre after the War to replace the New (Old).
Howell Theatres launched the Wakelon on September 2, 1937 with The Marx Brothers in “A Day at the Races.”
Minor note: its name is the Hi-Way 17 Drive-In (not Hwy 17 D-I).
And remove note: “The address above is my best guess as to her explanation of where it was.” The address now provided is its former address.
Opened July 22, 1948 with “Up Goes Maisie”
Launched at 102 West Eden street on May 18, 1948, its first film was “The Return of Rin Tin Tin” in Vitacolor. The architect was Frank Whitaker Benton. In 1962, the building was offered for $15,750 and, not long after, the Colonial Furniture launched an annex store in the former Eden Theatre. Offered for sale in 2024, it was listed for $320,000.
Grand reopening as the Ding Hao Drive-In Theatre in photos. For around ten seasons, it did business as the Ding Hao Drive-In and Ding-Hao Drive-In.
Renamed as the Cinemark 14 Lewisville & XD when the Music City Mall concept failed. Under new operators, the struggling shopping center was renamed The Vista.
The E.M. MacDaniel Building was built to house multiple business in 1939 with a theater in the center at 941 Starling. The delayed project opened on September 11, 1941 as the Starling Theatre, a streamlined movie house playing sub-run discount films. F.W. Carper opened the Starling with “Here Comes Mr. Jordan.” It was managed by John L. Garst of Martinsville’s National and Roxy theaters also owned by Carper’s circuit. The building also had Reed’s Confectionery that served as the de facto concession stand and was the original home of Gilbert’s Beauty Salon.
The Starling booth was equipped with E7 Simplex projectors with 4-Star Simplex sound. The stage was installed by Novelty Scenic of New York and the seats were designed by Heywood-Wakefield. But Wartime worker shortages were cited as the end of the road as the Starling closed with “Lady, Let’s Dance” on December 10, 1944.
The theater came back to life after the War when Bernard Depkin opened the former Starling as the Bee Dee (Bernard Depkin’s nickname) Theatre. The Bee Dee launched on April 24, 1947 with “The Best Years Of Our Lives.” At that time, Depkin operated the Rives Theatre as as manager an co-owner.
In October of 1948, W. Pritchett took on the venue and renamed it as the Martin Theatre. Pritchett moved it to a double-feature, discount sub-run movie house. Opening titles as the Martin were on October 29, 1949 were June Allyson in “Good News” and Randolph Scott in “Trial Street.” Martinsville Theatre Management (MTM) Circuit closed the Martin some 35 years later on July 3, 1985 with “The Goonies” as the theatre needed major repairs.
The Rives Theatre opened in 1935. It was closed in 1984 to duplex the house. Martin Theatre Management (MTM) relaunched in time for the venue’s 50th Anniversary now as the Rives Cinema 1 & 2. The theatre rebranded to the Rives Theatre in the 21st Century playing movies until closing in 2009. It became a live theatre thereafter.
Just kidding - famous hygiene commentator and non-doctor Elliot Forbes was live on the stage of the National Theatre in Martinsville.
First day: November 28, 1935.
The Castle Drive-In opened July 11, 1952 with “Sound Off” - ad in photos.
The Rives Theatre opened in 1935.
The Friendly Drive-In Theatre opened on June 22, 1950 with “Red Canyon.” It went widescreen in 1957 and did not advertise after that season. The lot is auctioned in 1970 likely at the end of its 20-year lease and is sold for other purposes.
L.L. Theimer’s South Drive-In Theaters Inc. opened its 23d location with the 220 Drive-In Theatre in 1968. It launched August 30, 1968 with Clint Eastwood in “Hang ‘em High” supported by three cartoons.
But the fame and legacy of the 220 Drive-In occurred when the drive-in hosted The Allman Brothers live during their third Rock Festival of the 1970 season on August 9, 1970. The last ad for the 220 was a November 27, 1977 double feature with Roger Corman’s “Moonshine County Express” and “Hustler Squad.” However, the ozoner likely opened for part of the 1978 season closing at the end of its 20-year lease.
August 9, 1970.
The Roxy was getting ready to open for Frances W. Carper and, in 1930, just prior to the Roxy Theater opening, he was sued. It seems that Carper sold the silent Midway Theater in town to the Martinsville Theatre Corporation signing a non-compete clause. But then he created a sound movie theater asking his dad and wife to operate it. Martinsville Corp. said that he was still competing against their National and Midway theaters. The Roxy still opened on schedule in 1930.
The Roxy was converted to widescreen in the 1950s to present CinemaScope films. On September 9, 1963, the Roxy closed permanently with a double feature of Tony Curtis in “40 Pounds of Trouble” and Edward Judd in “Mystery Submarine.” Within 24 hours, the marquee was dismantled and soon after the building was converted by Frith Construction for other retail purposes.
This venue opened as the Metropolitan Airport Theater by Lawrence and Stella Micelli. The MAT opened on May 20, 1949 with Lucille Ball in “Personal Column” supported by “That Old Gang of Mine” with the East Side Kids. It was located less than two miles from Palmer Metropolitan Airport.
The theater’s name was changed three times. In 1951, it became the Metropolitan Airport Drive-In. “Airport” was dropped making it the Metropolitan Drive-In Theatre for the 1953 through early 1956 operational cycle. On July 25, 1956, it had a new widescreen tower to project CinemaScope titles staring with “Picnic” and was truncated to the Metro Drive-In. The Micelli family operated the Metro D-I to its 1986 closure. It final double-bill was on September 7, 1986 with “Maximum Overdrive” and “Friday the 13th, Part VI.”
The Roxy replaced the silent Lincoln Theatre on September 6, 1930 with a grand opening film was Dolores Del Rio in “The Bad One.
HKS Architects is handling the 2024/5 redesign - some concept drawings are in photos.
May 25, 1949 grand opening ad in photos.