Bailey Theatre

18 N. Front Street,
Wilmington, NC 28401

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Starshine1958
Starshine1958 on January 22, 2018 at 5:07 pm

I understand it is completely gone. I’m a 1958 grad of NHHS—along with Roman Gabriel. It has saddened all of us who love Wilmington so much to see outsiders have come in with greedy hands; torn down so many buildings with beautiful facades as well as gorgeous homes.

Patsy
Patsy on January 18, 2015 at 1:28 pm

Such a shame that only a facade exists though the citizens tried to save the theatre.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on June 13, 2012 at 12:47 pm

Book by Bill Mitchell, “BUILDINGS AS HISTORY:THE ARCHITECTURE OF ERLE STILLWELL”.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on June 13, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Sad . One of Erle Stillwell designs..Have a picture from Stillwell’s Collection, “POT O'GOLD"on the Marquee,Big Air Condition banner hanging in front.

raysson
raysson on August 2, 2010 at 4:33 pm

Steven Spielburg’s 1975 blockbuster JAWS played to capacity crowds at the Bailey Theatre on June 20, 1975.

Also to point out too….but the mid-to-late 1970’s,the venue changed from showing first-run features to a variety of either blaxploitation,kung-fu flicks,and some adult flicks before it closed its doors forever in 1980.

atmos
atmos on March 13, 2010 at 4:35 am

This theatre opened 23 December 1940 and the architect was Erle G Stillwell.

authjw
authjw on August 31, 2008 at 8:54 am

Here is a recent photo of the facade. Also, here is a photo of the ruined terrazzo entry.

raysson
raysson on August 30, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Owned and operated by Stewart & Everett Theatre chain which also owned and operated Independence Mall Cinemas, Long Leaf Twin, and the Oleander Triple Theatres,not to mention another historical theatre as well,the Manor Theatre in Downtown Wilmington.

audriekeen
audriekeen on December 30, 2007 at 1:28 pm

This was my great grandfather’s theatre. He was George W. Bailey. He died just before it opened. It was mangaed by my grandparents – Murchison and Audrienne Autry. Murchison died in 1964 and Audrienne died in 1990. I am sickened that it was demolished – to me it was a family history sight.

ncmark
ncmark on December 21, 2006 at 3:58 am

The wonderful art deco facade of this building remains on Front Street with the vacant lot where the theater once stood behind it.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on October 16, 2005 at 12:51 am

The Bailey Theatre is not listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 edition, but it is listed in the 1943 edition and was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary H.F. Kincey.