In 2018, South Carolina ETV (SCETV) and PBS aired a powerful half-hour documentary as part of its award-winning Carolina Stories series. Titled simply Charlie’s Place, the episode brings the history of the legendary Myrtle Beach nightclub to life through archival photos, expert commentary, and first-person interviews with those who knew it best.

Directed by Betsy Newman and narrated by singer Marlena Smalls, the documentary explores how Charlie and Sarah Fitzgerald created a rare integrated space in the Jim Crow South—where Black and white patrons came together to enjoy music, dance the shag, and push back (sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly) against the forces of segregation.

It also dives into the violent 1950 KKK raid that marked a turning point in the club’s history—and in Myrtle Beach itself.

Many of the voices featured in the podcast also appear in the film, including local historian Roddy Brown and community icon Leroy Brunson, giving new dimension and visual context to their memories.

The episode is a vivid, accessible primer on the story behind the podcast, and a great companion for anyone who wants to see the people and places they’ve heard about in action.

Original Air Date: 2018
Runtime: 26 minutes
Produced by: Betsy Newman for SCETV
Narrated by: Marlena Smalls
Featured In: Carolina Stories series
Available on: PBS.org and SCETV

Link: Watch “Charlie’s Place” on PBS.org →

At Charlie’s Place, the music wasn’t just entertainment—it was rebellion. It was joy. It was community. In a time when segregation ruled the South, this legendary Myrtle Beach nightclub created a rare and radical space where Black and white patrons could come together to dance, celebrate, and hear the greatest artists of their era.

A young Patricia Burgess remembered the moment she stepped inside as “like stepping into another world,” with its black-and-white checkered floors and energy that felt electric. Countless others described it as magical—a place where the sound of Billie Holiday could still be heard in the breeze through the pine trees long after the last note.

The club, run by Charlie and Sarah Fitzgerald, welcomed performers from the Chitlin’ Circuit and beyond. “Oh yes, God,” Patricia said. “Ruth Brown, James Brown… girl, I seen so many people up in there.” Others recalled Little Richard, Otis Redding, and even Marvin Gaye stopping by to get his haircut next door.

The music was so powerful, it literally shook the floor. One concert was so packed and euphoric that Betty Singleton recalled “the floor was really caving in.”

It was more than a stage—it was a sanctuary. And it played host to some of the greatest names in American music history. Just a some of the many Artists Who Performed at Charlie’s Place incude:

Artists Who Performed at Charlie’s Place

  • Billie Holiday

  • Little Richard

  • James Brown

  • Ruth Brown

  • Otis Redding

  • Count Basie

  • Dizzy Gillespie

  • Marvin Gaye

  • Ella Fitzgerald

  • The Drifters

  • Roy Hamilton

  • Johnny Ace

  • Fats Domino

  • Wilson Pickett

  • Curtis Mayfield

  • Johnny Taylor

  • Roy C. Clarke

Each brought something special to Carver Street. Together, they made Charlie’s Place not just a nightclub—but a heartbeat of Black culture in the Jim Crow South.

Charlie’s Place was never just a nightclub. It was a cultural crossroads—a defiant, joyful space where music, movement, and community thrived against the odds. And today, you can still walk the grounds where it all happened.

Located at 1420 Carver Street in Myrtle Beach, the original site of Charlie and Sarah Fitzgerald’s club and motel has been thoughtfully restored. One room from the historic Fitzgerald Motel remains, and the nightclub space now serves as a vibrant community center and cultural venue. Interpretive signs, murals, and exhibits tell the story of what made this place so special.

Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. Group tours are also available with advance notice.

Want an even deeper dive? Myrtle Beach History Tours offers immersive guided trolley experiences—including a dedicated Charlie’s Place tour—that explore the neighborhood’s rich Black history, its artists, and the impact of the Fitzgerald legacy.

Haven’t listened yet? Stream the podcast here and discover the people, music, and moments that made Charlie’s Place unforgettable.