Our Story......

 After WWII the movie industry was growing by leaps and bounds, and

movie houses were springing up all across the country.

So, in 1948, brothers-in-law Pete Hancock and "Skeet" Campbell

decided that instead of purchasing property on the beach,

they would purchase land in their hometown of Dagsboro, Delaware,

and open a much needed movie theatre.

 

On February 2, 1949, after a year of construction,

The Clayton Theatre opened its doors to an enthusiastic town

with the romantic comedy, "One Touch of Venus,"

starring Ava Gardner & Robert Walker.

Everyone was delighted that Dagsboro finally

had its very own movie theatre, and it soon became

the entertainment hub of the area.

 

Today, 65 years later, The Clayton continues to provide Dagsboro

and lower Sussex County with affordable, first-run, family entertainment.

Parents, grandparents, kids and grandkids love coming to the

theatre for its nostalgic hometown atmosphere

and the history it shares as a local landmark.

 

The movie industry has gone through many changes over the years

and The Clayton has survived.  Most recently, Hollywood movie studios

announced they were "Going Digital" and would no longer be

making movies on 35mm film stock.   Independently owned theatres

across the country had to "go digital or go dark" in 2014, and

for The Clayton, the cost of converting the 35mm projection equipment

to digital threatened to close our doors forever.

 

However, thanks to the support of our friends, loyal customers and

local businesses, we saved The Clayton Theatre from digital demise.

The funds raised from Classic Film Nights and Special Events held

at the theatre and throughout Sussex County in 2013, helped us reach our goal

and we brought digital projection to The Clayton Theatre on March 7, 2014.

 

As Delaware's last remaining, first-run, single screen theatre,

the addition of digital projection helps guarantee that

we will continue to treat current and future generations 

to this wonderful historic hometown experience.

 

We could not have done it without you!

 

​Thank you for your support and we hope to

SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES!