OURHAMLET.ORG

Does anybody know when Dr. Williamson Closed the Hamlet
Theater?

Malcolm, I don't have an answer to your question, only a lot of interest in it. My father worked nights at the theater for several years when I was in high school, and I worked for him Fridays and Saturdays popping pop corn, running the concession stand and occasionally filling in to run the projector. Then Dr. Williamson also bought the Richmond Theater in downtown Rockingham (last time I was there it was a vacant lot) and ran both of them. My father and I mostly worked at the Rockingham theater from that point until I went off to college in the fall of 1969. Bottom line on the closing date, though, is I can't remember but I think it must have lasted through the early 1970s.

I remember someone telling me that they thought Jaws was the last movie shown at The Hamlet Theater. Jaws was released in '75, therefore the closing was probably 1975.

Bill Sapp

I think Crowded Sky or something like that was on the marqee for years after it closed.

Interesting, The Crowded Sky was released in 1960 according to the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB). I wonder why the theater would have a marquee for such an old film displayed at the end?

I'm just recounting what someone told me some years ago when the subject of the old theater came up.

Bill Sapp

The theater was actually closed twice. "Crowded Sky" was the last flick before the first closure, which lasted several years, and Crowded Sky remained on the marquee. Then Dr. Williamson bought and renovated the theater for its second life. So "Jaws" could have been the movie that killed the theater again.

I like watcha sayin bud eye cant concur cuz I aynt sure. That is what is called Benbonics here in Florida. Most places I work I end up with someone to tell everyone else what I said. It's a curse I tellya!!

I know for sure it was open in 1974. I remember going to see The Great Gatsby there. As for the old marquee's when renovating was done if my mind serves me correctly, a bunch of old one's were found.

Barney Martin, editor of Hamlet New Messenger, owned it before Dr. Williamson I believe. Mr. Martin was the one who left "Crowded Sky" up for so long on the Marque. I believe it closed in the mid 70's as well. I don't remember seeing Jaws in Hamlet. I saw it in Southern Pines, so it may have closed before then...Great Quest!!!

the sky is blue with sidney poiter

correction. patch of blue

Not the answer but Theater information
July 1964

Crowded Sky 1962

The Hamlet Theater closed in 1976 for the last time. They were running second hand martial arts movies at the end. The twin Cinemas at the Shopping Center opened in 1977.

I have some really Good Memories of this place !!!