-
Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent Betsy Henn Bailey’s love for her father, P.J. Henn, prompted her to paint a portrait of him, which she gifted to the iconic Henn Theatre in downtown Murphy.
Murphy – Betsy Henn Bailey loves the movies. Her name may ring a bell, as her father, Preston “P.J.” Henn, built the landmark theater bearing his name on Tennessee Street downtown.
The Henn Theatre opened in 1935 at a different location with the movie Life Begins at 40. The family owned business moved to its current location in 1941 and has entertained moviegoers there ever since.
Henn owned a string of theaters, including one in Andrews, as well as a number of drive-ins during his lifetime. Only two theaters survived The Great Depression; the Henn Theatre is the only one still standing today.
Betsy was born in 1945. The family moved to Florida when she was just 2 years old, as her father raced boats and that’s where the circuit was located. They returned to Murphy when she was in the fifth grade, and she eventually graduated from Murphy High School.
After high school, Betsy enrolled at Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota, Fla., and after graduating she went to work with Hallmark Cards in Kansas City.
A few years later at age 25, she returned to Murphy. Once back home, she began working with her father running the theatre, which she did for the next 20 years.
“At first, the theatre didn’t have any air conditioning. So my father filled big tubs with ice, then positioned fans over the tubs,” Betsy said.
The resulting cold air was blown into the auditorium so patrons could enjoy the movie in a cooler environment. This was just one of many memories for her at the Henn Theatre.
Betsy has always had a love of art. One day, she had her father sit for a couple of hours so she could paint a portrait of him.
“I loved my father very much, and I just wanted to do a portrait of him,” she said. “It was in our house, above the mantel. I thought it should go to the theatre because my dad built it.”
She has also painted a portrait of her mother, which hangs in Betsy’s apartment. Both of her parents have both passed on.
“My parents were real supportive of me. They were always there for me,” she said. “I miss them so very much.”
Today, Paul and Emily Fry own the Henn Theatre, which they purchased in 2017. When asked how they feel about owning a piece of town history, Paul said, “We’re excited to be able to carry on the tradition of having the Henn Theatre as a historical landmark for Murphy.”
Betsy was a big part of her father’s dream.
“I love Betsy,” Emily said. “She’s a wonderful little lady, and we love seeing her return to the Henn as much as she can.”
Betsy smiled and said, “I love the movies. They let me in for free, but I always try and pay for my own concessions.”
She always gets a small Coke and popcorn. She used to get the Milk Duds, but now she enjoys Butterfingers. Her all-time favorite movie is Cinderella.
Betsy was married until the passing of her husband. Today, she still loves to draw and paint, while teachings others to do the same.
For details about The Henn Theatre, visit www.thehenntheatre.com.