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History

Joy in the Morning

Andy and the Ghost

Thomas Wolfe

Gimghoul Castle

Birds of a Feather

What's a Tar Heel?

Carrboro

UNC's First Computer

Manning Drive

Horace Williams House

HW House Residents

Area Street Names

Mount Mitchell

Sherman

Swim Test

Need a Ride?

Cemeteries

If it ain't Broke...

Joy in the Morning   >

Hinton James

A Noble Tradition?

Painting the Town Blue

Di and Phi Societies


Few may be aware that Chapel Hill was once the site of a Hollywood world premiere. That was the occasion in 1965 when the current site of the Gap clothing store, near the corner of Franklin and Columbia Streets, was honored as the site of the premiere of Joy In The Morning (tagline: "Love is more than a goodnight kiss!"). Residents recall Franklin Street being closed to traffic, lines around the block, and the appearance of stars Richard Chamberlain and Yvette Mimeux.

The Gap Now Occupies the site of the Debut of Film Feature Joy in the Morning

Chapel Hill received the honor due to the film's being based on the book of the same name by Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, who settled in Chapel Hill in her later years. The book and film are a semi-autobiographical tale of a young couple, Carl and Annie, who get married against the wishes of their parents. Young Carl's parents are so displeased that they cut him off from all financial support just as he is beginning law school. The film, shot in and around Chapel Hill, chronicles the struggles of the newlyweds on their own for the first time.

Alas, history was as unkind to the film as it was the old theater. While apparently well received by teenaged girls, it was not a favorite of critics and bombed in its wide release.



The Graduate School at UNC-Chapel Hill

All Text and Photos © 2004.