The History of American Theater

1. The History of American Theater

Upper King Street

2. If you’re shopping or dining on Upper King Street, you may pass the American Theater Chances are, there won’t be any movies

advertised on its marquee or any “coming attraction”
posters leading to the ticket booth. While this beautiful Art Deco building was once one of
dozens of theaters lining King Street, the American Theater is now the only one left of its kind,
the rest renovated or bulldozed to make way for new construction.

3. The American Theater and its Art Deco facade stands out against the more neoclassical architecture of the surrounding buildings

on Upper
King.
Architect
Augustus
E.
Constantine built the American
during the early World War II years.
Constantine, an immigrant from
Greece, made his home in the South
after graduating from Georgia Tech.
He was heavily influenced by the
architecture of his native country,
and combined elements of Hellenic
architecture with the modern Art
Deco look of the time. While he was
quite influential in contributing to
the style of Charleston in the 40s
and 50s, only a handful of his
creations remain other than the
American Theater Other notable
Constantine building designs include
the Chase Furniture building and
299 King Street (which currently
houses the Quiksilver store).

4. The American opened in 1942, and was named in honor of the military men and women serving abroad during the Second World War.

The first offering? The 1942 release of Joan of Ozark, starring Judy Canova and Joe E.
Brown. It featured Art Deco details, including vaulted, gilded ceilings and milk glass chandeliers. The Theater
remained open until 1977, when (along with the rest of Upper King) business tapered off and profits dropped
sharply. In the late 1990s, the property was reopened as a dinner theater venue, where patrons could order
food from roaming servers before and during the movie. Many contemporary movie goers will recognize the
American Theater as one setting in the 2003 Nick Cassavetes’ movie, The Notebook, which stars Ryan Gosling
and Rachel McAdams. When Noah (Gosling) takes Allie (McAdams) out on a date, the two see a movie at the
American with friends.

5. The venue was revised again in 2003 when it was converted to a rental property, where business meetings, private movie

screenings and private
events could take place. Today, the
American continues its service to the
Upper King area as an exclusive meeting
space and premier wedding venue.