Newsreel

David Suggs

Thanks to David Suggs of Blythewood, South Carolina, for sharing his father's collection of theater memorabilia from which this article is derived. His father, Samuel Malcolm Suggs, was City Manager of the seven Columbia theatres in the Wilby-Kincey Theatre Chain based in Charlotte, NC.

When local movie theaters were the major source of entertainment, they competed for ticket sales. The competition was very creative. This article illustrates some of those clever marketing efforts.

It also gives a hint of the impact movie theaters had on the communities they served. The artists, craftsmen, and suppliers all derived employment and profit from the activities generated by the movie exhibition business.

Click Here to enjoy this article. Don't miss the colorful posters on page 2 of the article.
Posted July 1, 2007

Swansee, SC
Swansee, South Carolina had two movie theaters operating in 1945. The Colonial Theater had 119 seats and the Star Theater had 300 seats. One was located near the cotton mill and was torn down many years ago. The other theater, though much altered, is standing at 112 West Cherokee Avenue. It was built in 1937. We believe it closed in the mid-to-late 1960's. If you have any information on the movie theaters of Chesnee, SC, please let us know by email: Email Us
Posted July 1, 2007

Status of the Fox - Nickelodeon in Columbia...
We asked the folks at the Nickelodeon in Columbia about the status of their planned move into the old Fox Theater (formerly the State Theater) on North Main Street. We got the following reply from Larry Hembree:

Hey John.
Thanks for the email. Your website looks great. Plans are to begin the 3.1 million capital campaign August 1, 2007 with hopes of moving into the Fox mid to late 2009.
Larry Hembree, Executive Director

We are really excited about this renovation of the Fox Theater, especially because it will be the new home of the Columbia Film Society. Everyone in Columbia and the surrounding area should be attending the excellent film programs at the Nickelodeon Theater on South Main and looking forward to the new location. We encourage all of you to support the efforts of this outstanding organization. Visit their website at http://www.nickelodeon.org/ and participate.
Posted July 1, 2007