The premier of a locally produced documentary was shown at Festival Hall in Greensboro.
Produced by an independent film production company in Savannah, “Small Town Threads” features a family reminiscing about growing up during segregation in Greensboro in the early 1960s. The Thorton family has called “Thorton Manor” at 303 West Broad Street home for over 50 years.
The idea for the project was a book draft under the same name the oldest daughter, Janice Coile, began to write having moved back to the familial home following the death of her mother. With sisters, Terri Stewart and Nancy Moon, and brother, David Thorton, the film recounts their early years of growing up in a small town in Georgia. It is a warm portrayal of past times, struggles and joy, friends and adventures and neighbors becoming family, some of whom still remain in here in Greensboro after all these years.
“This production has been a labor of love,” Coile said. “Moving back to Greensboro after many years and seeing many of our former neighbors still here even after my parents passed away. Greensboro is a friendly town with both beauty and wonderful memories. The old brick buildings, tree lined streets and colorful downtown awnings are my memories up town,” she said.
Their Father, Dr. H.A. Thorton, was a physician on Main Street and treated patients in two different waiting rooms during segregation. Once it was lifted, he remodeled and made just main one waiting room.
“But my Father always treated anyone, black or white, with the same dignity and professionalism expected of a General Practitioner at the time,” Colie said.
The family also reminisced about their “second Mother” and housekeeper, Morristine, who played an important role for the family for over 37 years.
“After my father died, Morristine stayed with my mother for several years,” she said. “They became confidants and friends.”
The filming took place over 18 months with family interviews and walks throughout Greensboro for the crew. The crew grew to love the small-town charm of the city and looked forward to revisiting for several film and edit sessions.
The 45-minute documentary is now being entered into several film festivals.