Columbia Theatre
500 Broadway Street,
Paducah,
KY
42001
500 Broadway Street,
Paducah,
KY
42001
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 63 comments found
I can understand missing it, the marquee has been removed and to get to the theatre you had to go down the long arcade to get to the theatre itself.
It’s odd since I planned my trips partly by using Cinema Treasures to see where theatres to photograph were located, but somehow I missed the Arcade. I’m afraid if they have done anything to that building, I didn’t notice it and didn’t realize it was there. Sorry.
stormdog, was you able to see if they have done anything to the Arcade Theatre which is right next door to the Columbia?
I just shot some pictures of the Colombia while I was in town on a photography trip over the Summer. Here’s a link to the first of the set on my Flickr page.
While looking for into on this theatre online, I also found think like to a video interview of a city employee who’s part of a team that may be working to renovate the building.
http://youtu.be/h5488gIeui4
My name is Joe i am looking for any information on the Columbia Theater in Paducah KY. My wife and I are making a proposal to the city of Paducah in restoration of the theater. I am looking for pictures of the interior from when it was in full working order. We are looking to restore the theater in full working order and as close to the same as it was on April 18, 1927. I am also looking for anyone who would like to lend a hand in the restoration of the theater. I can be contacted at or 618 841 3129
Somewhat blurry shot of the Rialto marquee here:
View link
Not sure that the Orpheum and Rialto were the same theatre, found reference to a Rialto in the 400 block of Broadway and the Orpheum in the 600 block of Broadway.
I think the first line of the introductory paragraph for the page is supposed to read “The Columbia Theatre stands as a testament to America’s love for the movies and theatre in the 1920’s and 1930’s.” It’s part of the text of the PDF Proposal for renovation of the Columbia and Arcade theaters, available at Paducah Main Street. (The PDF is essentially the same content as the web page, but of course you can make the photos a bit bigger.)
I’ve tried to find the year of the Art Moderne renovation but the closest I can come is an item in the June 21, 1952, issue of Boxoffice that said “The Columbia Amusement Company, Paducah, is doing extensive remodeling at its Columbia Theatre.” 1952 seems a bit late for the Skouras-esque swoops and swirls that were apparently appliqued to the original, restrained interior style (which looks Adamesque to my eye.) There might have been an earlier renovation, but if so Boxoffice isn’t telling me about it.
What I have found in Boxoffice is a few references to the Keiler family’s Columbia Amusement Company operating not only the Columbia, the Arcade, and the Kentucky Theatre, but also a house called the Rialto, currently not listed at Cinema Treasures. There was also one reference to an Orpheum Theatre operated by the Keilers at Paducah, but that might have been an aka for the missing Rialto.
Thanks for the latest photo, Lost Memory. It’s heartrending to see such a handsome theatre shut down like that.
Here is an October 2009 photo.
What a handsome-looking theatre! Are there any photos of the theatre’s interior available, btw? Again, just curious.
I looked all through the comments and I didn’t see this link posted. It is a great August 1947 Life photo of the Columbia Theatre
View link
This is a July 2009 photo.
Very sad to see what happens to many old grand theaters
Another photo of the Columbia is here.
1940 picture
1982 photo of the Columbia Theatre. I wonder if when the restoration is complete if that will include a replica of the original verticle.
View link
1988 photo showing the marquees of both the Columbia and Arcade Theatres.
View link
The date given for this photo from Life Magazine is August 1947. The link is courtesy of CT member “misterboo”.
That one works. Nice photo.
Try this one:
http://tinyurl.com/4e7vvq
DEAD LINK-403 Forbidden
Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/52pcra
Thanks for your interest in the Barton Pipe Organ.
My email address is:
Phone # 731-587-6345
Mike W. Mount
117 Gardner Rd.
Martin, Tn. 38237-8220
Here is a July 2008 photo.
Hey Mike,
What is the best way to get in contact with you in regards to the Columbia’s organ and the theatre’s history?