Ideal Theatre

Matthew Prigge on November 9, 2012 at 1:14 pm

If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!

Joe Vogel on February 19, 2012 at 3:26 am

The February 10, 1912, issue of The Moving Picture World had the following item about the Ideal Theatre:

“The Ideal Amusement Company, of Louisville, Ky…. has made arrangements with S. P. Ostrander, architect, to draw up plans for the establishment of an elaborate and commodious theater in Louisville.

“This new theater will be built of brick and will be absolutely fireproof throughout and will have a seating capacity of 1,400. It will cost when completed $50,000 and will be located at 2315 West Market Street. The building will be a frontage of 80 feet and a depth of 150 feet. The stage will measure 32 x 28 feet. This house has been so constructed that during the hot spell in the summer time it can easily converted into an airdome.”

I’ve been unable to find any other references to an architect named S. P. Ostrander, so he must never have become well known.

Here is a 1938 photo of the Ideal Theatre’s lobby.

jojo40 on April 4, 2010 at 8:21 am

My grandfather owned the Ideal Theatre quite some time ago. Unfortunately, we have no photos. If anyone has any old pictures or knows someone who does, please post them!

Chuck1231 on April 13, 2009 at 10:13 pm

1981 photo of the Ideal/Art Cinema.
View link

lostmemory on June 20, 2007 at 2:12 pm

This is from Wikipedia:

Ideal Theater: 2315 W. Market St. Razed.