National Theatre

Here are views of the National before and during its destruction.

The address for the National Theatre was 500 W. Walnut St.

Now re-named W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard.

I'm looking for a Rapp and Rapp designed theatre in Louisville that was under construction in 1915. I have the following article from the Rockford Morning Star for Sunday, February 31, 1915 which states the following in an article heralding the opening of the Palace Theatre in Rockford, Illinois: (note the end)

"...Messrs. George and C. L. Rapp have specialized in theater designing and among their latest masterpieces at the New Oprheum in Champaign, the Orpheum in Quincy, the Columbia in Davenport, Ia., the New Palace in Fort Wayne, Ind., the Hippodrome in Chicago, the Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, Wis., and the Palace in Rockford. They also have theaters under construction in Louisville, Ky. and Grand Rapids, Mich."

Here is an interior view of a B. F. Keith Theater located at 506 W. Walnut Street which should be the same theater as the National Theater. Architects for the remodel in 1914 were Joseph and Joseph.

This is an exterior view of the B. F. Keith Theatre which should be an aka name.

I'm a Three Stooges Fan Club member, trying to confirm a personal appearance by the "3" Stooges (Moe Larry and Shemp), on a bill with Wee Bonnie Baker, the Barretts and Don Hooton, after an appearance by the A.B. Marcus Revue. The movie "Queen of Burlesque" was also shown. I have a display ad, but no dates (or town shown). Believe it was the Summer of 1946, and may have been Shemp's first appearance after Curly's strokes. The National was advertised as air cooled and showed a phone number of JA-7863.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks Frank Reighter fereighter@aol.com

According to the records of the New York Terra Cotta Company, the National Theatre was designed by the architectural firm of Joseph & Joseph, with Albert Kahn associated. Joseph & Joseph, founded in 1908, is still in business.