Mt. Airy, North Carolina is the birthplace and childhood home of American actor Andy Griffith whose 1960-68 TV show was set in Mayberry, patterned after this town. Downtown Cinema Theatre in Mt. Airy, opened in 1937. According to Cinema Treasures, it was originally called the Earle Theater
In November of 1938, the theater held the world premiere of Shirley Temple's Just Around the Corner, and the theater was featured in a national movie trade magazine called "The New Dynamo" (according to Simple Pleasures, June 2005 - view PDF of article) PS - Happy Birthday Shirley! Read Dawn's salute with adorable videos.
It closed for short time in the 1980s, was restored, and is now open again, serving as both a live theater and a movie theater, showing $3.00 movies on certain days. No, I did NOT see Transformers 2 when I was there in September 2009
Many gift shops and restaurants on Main Street are named after "Mayberry" or a character from the television series, and many tourists (including myself!) come to visit the town to see the "original Mayberry".
Below: "Opie's Candy Store"
Below: One of the characters from the show, "Otis" entertains fans outside an antique store
Below: I think this station served as inspiration for Goober's on the show.
Below: Yes, this is a real place to get your hair cut.
Below, Andy, me, Opie
Wow, what a cool little town! My husband and I are going to Denver NC to see my brother in Sept., I wonder how close this is...I'd love to go!
ReplyDeleteI love The Andy Griffith Show! This would be a cool place to visit.
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria, I checked a map and it looks like Denver is about 90 miles south of Mt. Airy. I'm sure you can make it there in under 2 hours if you take 1-77 north. Maybe you can make a day trip of it! I never made it to the Andy Museum (it was closed by the time I got there) so you might want to make it there as early as you can.
ReplyDeleteHi Audrey! If you ever are in the area I would recommend it!
I would love to take a trip to see the town of, Mt. Airy, North Carolina. A step back into time.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's what I was thinking Dawn, a simpler time, a sweeter place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming looking small town. It really does look like Mayberry! I love the old service station. Nice pics!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these small town theatre posts! I mentioned them in "Classic Film Link Love" over at vivandlarry.com :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vivandlarry.com/link-love/classic-film-link-love-2/
Thanks guys!
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