Kirby Theatre
Roxboro, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

There's still plenty of movie-house character at Kirby Theatre on Roxboro's Main Street. It opened in 1949 with more than 1,000 seats and The Stratton Story, starring James Stewart and June Allyson, as its first feature. The prominent marquee supplied a fitting downtown welcome. 03-08

As traditional downtown moviegoing declined, Person County purchased the building in 1974 and adapted it as a civic auditorium. Hand-painted interior murals survived, retaining some of the atmosphere that distinguished it from an ordinary meeting hall. The theater later became part of the Kirby Cultural Arts Complex.

UPDATE: The Kirby remains active with plays, concerts, film screenings, and community events. Its familiar entrance continues to identify a downtown theater that successfully changed roles after its original movie-house years. 11-26

State Cinema
Newton, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's a downtown theater where the marquee still advertises movies. State Cinema in Newton retains its vertical STATE sign and classic entrance along North College Avenue. The Art Deco frontage supplies plenty of character before you even check what's playing. 11-07

The State opened in 1936 as a single-screen movie house. It was eventually divided into three screens, adapting to changing exhibition practices while keeping its recognizable street-facing appearance. Unlike many older downtown cinemas converted entirely to other uses, the State continued its connection with moviegoing, presenting current releases and occasional older favorites.

UPDATE: State Cinema remains open and showing films in downtown Newton. Its vintage sign and marquee continue to mark a working theater rather than simply a preserved movie-house facade. 11-26

Gem Theatre
Kannapolis, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss / 2007

The Gem Theatre is still lighting up downtown Kannapolis with its classic vertical sign and old-fashioned movie marquee. Amazingly enough, movies have been showing here since 1936. 12-07

A fire badly damaged the theater in 1942, but the Gem came back, reopening in 1948 with much of the Art Deco look seen today. Inside, it remains a real throwback, with a single screen and balcony seating.

The City of Kannapolis purchased the Gem in 2015 and has kept this downtown landmark going.

UPDATE: Following a major restoration, the Gem reopened in May 2024 and is still showing first-run movies. The marquee and vertical GEM sign continue to shine over downtown Kannapolis. 08-26

Dillon County Theatre
Dillon, SC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's a former movie house that found another audience. Dillon County Theatre stands along MacArthur Avenue with a restored facade that preserves its distinctive place in downtown Dillon. The building began entertaining local patrons more than a century ago. 01-08

Opened in 1919 as Everybody's Theater, it received a substantial remodeling in 1935 that introduced its Spanish Colonial appearance. Decline and closure followed in later years, but local preservation efforts kept the theater from disappearing. Several years of restoration culminated in its reopening in January 1990 as a community performing arts center.

UPDATE: Dillon County Theatre remains open for live entertainment and community events. The MacArthur Avenue Players help keep the former movie house active, bringing audiences back through its restored entrance. 11-26

Imperial Theatre
Augusta, GA
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The marquee at Imperial Theatre makes a fine introduction to Augusta's entertainment history. Hanging above Broad Street, it marks a theater that opened as the Wells in 1918, presenting vaudeville and silent films to downtown audiences. 01-08

Charlie Chaplin appeared here during a Liberty Bond drive in April 1918, adding an early famous name to the building's history. The Wells became the Imperial in 1925, and movies grew into a regular attraction. Film exhibition ended in 1981, but preservation and a return to live performances gave the old theater another act.

UPDATE: The Imperial remains open as a performing arts venue, presenting concerts, theater, and other stage events. Its restored Broad Street marquee continues to welcome audiences beneath the familiar Imperial name. 11-26

Paramount Theatre
Burlington, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Paramount Theater is located in Burlington, NC. The lettering on the Paramount seems a little suspicious as it seems too small and far too modern a style for what was probably originally an opera house. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 03-08

A 1957 makeover covered the earlier front with corrugated panels and introduced red plastic lettering. That explained the contrast between the building's age and its newer-looking identification. Demolition threatened during the 1970s, but the Paramount survived and eventually received restoration for a different entertainment role.

UPDATE: The Paramount remains open as a downtown performing arts venue, hosting stage productions and other events. Its continued use has kept the former movie house part of Burlington's entertainment scene. 11-26