A dazzling sunset drapes itself over the streets of downtown Southern Pines, North Carolina on a summer evening. Young families stroll the seldom empty sidewalks of this charming town. On the corner of the street, across from the train station, a glowing marquee sign reads “North by Northwest – 7PM.” Beneath this sign is a long chatty line that guides moviegoers of all ages inside a real piece of history. Voices discuss the talents of Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant. Glistening chandeliers reminisce about showtimes past on the ceiling above. The smell of popcorn smothered in real butter invades even the ticket counter. Like everyone else, I’m waiting eagerly for my ticket. Checking the time on my smartphone, I remember I haven’t really time-traveled back to 1959. Instead, within the doors of the historic Sunrise Theater, 1959 has traveled to me.
Just a few years after So Pi was established, this building was constructed as a hardware store, meeting the needs of a fast-growing community. In 1941, this building met a new need. While world war loomed, entertainment was in high demand and the old hardware store became a new movie theater. After 40 years of film, the Sunrise was reaching its sunset– that is until a group of concerned citizens converted it into a town center for the arts. It now boasts one indoor screen with traditional floor seating and a balcony, in addition to an outdoor stage.
This week, I had the privilege to enjoy a showing of Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. Entering the unsuspecting doors of the main theatre, I was delighted to see so many seats, and especially so many full seats at a showing of this classic film. Like a dazzled time-traveler visiting a bygone era, I was fascinated by the full experience of seeing this movie on the silver screen with a large audience who gasped, laughed, and held their breath at this clever masterpiece of cinema.
The Sunrise Theater is a must if you are visiting the Pines– I’m already planning my next visit to this So Pi treasure.
If you are already in love with the Sunrise like me and want to be a part of preserving its historic glory, make sure to add them on Amazon Smile– you simply shop online and Amazon donates a percentage of your purchase to the theater. If you’d like some helpful instructions on how to do this, you can find them here.
I invite you to keep a look out your rear window for my next post–I’ll be doing a closer analysis of North by Northwest!
Rachel Brei 