Chester Smith and James Booze celebrated the launch of their Skyline Drive-In Theatre with a free screening n September 24, 1953. Portable heaters allowed it to operate year-round.
The last ad listed for the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street was June 3, 1967 with “Murderer’s Row” and “Fun in Acapulco.” Weeks later, the Tragg County government took over the building for office space.
The new Magic Theatre appeared on June 11, 1941 by Paul T. Mitchell who opened with “The Lady Eve.” It vanished - from exhibition - on January 2, 1960 with “The Jayhawkers' supported by two cartoons. The building was a candidate for reopening in October 1984 for movies following the Mitchell Theatre fire but a refresh was not feasible and all incantations and spells aimed at a revival failed to produce the intended results.
The National Theatre opened on March 8, 1923 with Jackie Coogan in “My Boy and and Wilna Wilde in “The Toonerville Trolley” supported by the National Theatre Jazz Band. Charles Reed Mitchell took on the venue installing Viatphone sound with “The Broadway Melody” on December 26, 1929. 12-year old Paul booked the films. Fire on January 27, 1937 closed the venue leaving the foundation in place.
On May 6, 1938, the new Mitchell Theatre designed by architect R.D. Churchill of Iola, Kansas was ready to go with Joe Penner in “G Chase Yourself.” Chruchill’s striking streamline moderne design won it Top Ten Theatres in the nation in 1938. The venue next under Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell went widescreen on January 2, 1955 with “King Richard and the Crusaders.” They would also operate the local drive-in and the Magic Theatre.
The Mitchell’s deco design landed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1983. Apparently, it was torched with the building destroyed on October 18, 1984 along with the print of “Revenge of the Nerds” on the platter making “Ghostbusters” the final showtime on October 14, 1984.
Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell owned the Knox Drive-In Theatre. Charles L. Hammons was the initial manager of the Knox Drive-In. Located at Boone Heights in Knox County a mile south of Barbourville on (Old) Highway 25E, the $80,000 venue opened on November 1, 1954 with Jimmy Stewart in “The Glenn Miller Story.” The concession stand wasn’t ready on opening night and the Miracle Company playground didn’t get finished until 1956. But by then, it was fully ready to go.
Paul Mitchell operated the venue through 22 seasons but died just prior to the 1976 opener with Charles and Lena Reed taking over. The Knox closed September 26, 1981 with Susan Kiger in “H.O.T.S.” That would be its final showtime. The address 411 KY-3439, Barbourville, KY 40906 is right next door to the drive-in.
John Robinson and Son launched the Med-O-Vue on April 7, 1951 grand opening of the Med-O-Vue Drive-In with “Bomba, the Jungle Boy” and “Shadow of the West.” The 200-car drive-in had RCA projection and speakers. In 1954, both the drive-in and the Robinson Roller Rink were auctioned off.
When the Liberty Theatre burned on May 8, 1925, Winchester’s New Theatre Beautiful opened on May 18, 1925 with “The Golden Bed.” That name was used for two months. A naming contest was held and Leeds was the winner with venue using using that name first on July 8, 1925 at the formal grand opening with “The Little French Girl.” The venue closed on January 25, 1987 with “Lady and the Tramp” splitting with “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
The Clark Theatre opened on November 9, 1940 with “Sandy is a Lady” by the Harry Schwartz and George Myers. Winchester Amusement bought it out closing It permanently on November 30, 1942 with “Major Barbara.” Winchester went into bankruptcy and the Clark was auctioned off bringing $16,000 on July 22, 1943. Chakeres Theatres purchased the Town Hall, Broadway and Leeds Theatres that same day. The Clark was again auctioned off on behalf of the Winchester Theatre Circuit on June 5, 1944.
The Park Theatre was the place to see live events in late 19th Century Henderson. Elliot D. Robbins architecture was opulent and would be welcomed in a town likely ten times larger in size. The Park was opened within the new-build Pythian Building on November 16, 1894 and was spectacular. Eighteen months later, it was all over as the Pythian Building housing the Park burned down on July 20, 1896. Also destroyed was the Barrett House hotel though with all 40 guests escaping uninjured.
The City and local folks rebuilt the venue but it took a while. The J.E. English Theatre was built in its place (1-5 North Main Street) opening in August of 1904. In 1905, it was renamed as the Park Theatre. It became the prominent live venue space.
Meanwhile, the unrelated Grand Crystal Theatre opened in the Stanley Building at 222 North Main on September 5, 1908 operating to 1909 as a movie house. On March 21, 1910, the unrelated Grand Theatre launched with “The Ranchman’s Wife,” “The Generous Way,” and “Santa Claus and the Miner’s Son” supported by two songs. They are included here because the “Grand” name would be invoked at the 1-5 Main Street location.
Meanwhile, back at the Park Theatre, things had worked relatively well until the end of the venue’s ten-year lease. Park Manager H.L. Hunt changed the name of the venue from the Park to the Grand Opera House on October 22, 1914 to differentiate it from the growing number of movie houses in Henderson. That name lasted until June of 1916. By 1916, movies were becoming far more profitable and efficient especially in smaller towns like Henderson. At that time, the theatre received a new interior transitioning it from a live house to a more versatile movie house playing films from Triangle, Paramount, Fox and others while retaining a stage for vaudeville and plays as needed. The mix became much more film-centric as the years passed and the venue was renamed as the Grand Theatre.
The Henderson Theatre Company took on the venue and first played talkies there on March 8, 1929 using Vitaphone showing “Alias, Jimmy Valentine.” On November 1, 1929, the local circuit switched to Western Electric, sound on film technology. It is assumed that the Vitaphone system was passed down to the Kentucky which inaugurated its sound service just ten days later with Vitaphone.
On April 12, 1931, Warner Brothers took over both the Kentucky and the Grand theaters locally. They closed the Grand permanently with “Broadway Bad” on March 8, 1933 and then a fire completely destroyed the building along with the Ford Auto Dealer across the street in the morning hours.
Principal Theatres and the Masonic Temple folks got together to create a multi-use building. It was architected by J. Frisbee Sanders and Albert Weindel of Sanders and Weindel. Principal opened the Kentucky Theatre with the Vitaphone sound system likely from the Grand Theatre on Nov. 12, 1929 with “Salute.” Warner Brothers Circuit took on the local theaters operating both the Kentucky and Grand until the latter burned down. “Gone with the Wind” was a huge hit beginning March 12, 1940 at the incredibly high price of $1.26 a seat. A local film, “Henderson in Reelife” was another hit on Feb. 12, 1942.
The Kentucky sure looks like it closed at the end of its 30-year lease in 1959 though it may have continued without advertising. But the theatre was definitely remodeled out of existence in 1964 stripped down to its walls to became a stage play venue. Then that was remodeled out of existence when the entire building was transformed becoming home to the Citi-Center Mall. And that was pretty much remodeled when it became home to the town’s Civic Center.
The Audubon opened November 2, 1949 with “Streets of Laredo.” It reopened for the 1950 season (ad in photos). The drive-in was just out of Audubon State Park. The theater was offered for sale April 12, 1959 and was decimated by a July 31, 1959 storm. But they fixed the screen closing at the end of a 10-year leasing agreement on October 4, 1959 - permanently - with “The Big Circus” and “The Young Captives.”
The operator of the Nickelodeon, Stanley Spoehr, launched the Princess Theatre in downtown Henderson on August 23, 1912 with “The Fate of Mothers” in the existing Lottie Building. It received sound in 1929 to remain viable. In February of 1941, the theater closed briefly for a remodeling.
The existing Kimmel Theatre moved to the remodeled venue opening as the New Kimmel Theatre on March 23, 1941 with Loretta Young in “Kentucky.” It was named after building owner Singleton H. Kimmel. The Kimmel placed “The Kid From Kansas” on June 14, 1943 - its last - as shortly after business hours, it would be destroyed by fire.
The Dixie Theatre was built in 1925 for just $8,000 by Big Feature Rights Corporation for African American patrons. It was one of ten such theaters in Louisville and the only African American neighborhood theater that lasted more than 25 years.
Overhead view of the former drive-in
Chester Smith and James Booze celebrated the launch of their Skyline Drive-In Theatre with a free screening n September 24, 1953. Portable heaters allowed it to operate year-round.
The last ad listed for the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street was June 3, 1967 with “Murderer’s Row” and “Fun in Acapulco.” Weeks later, the Tragg County government took over the building for office space.
Launched June 16, 1950 with “Fighting Man of the Plains”
George W. and A.C. Combs opened the Harlan Drive-In on June 15, 1950 with “Coroner Creek” on their Simplex projector’s platter.
Opened in 1925 and closed on June 28, 1959 with “Elephant Walk. It was transformed into a house of worship shortly thereafter.
Closed permanently November 26, 2024.
The new Magic Theatre appeared on June 11, 1941 by Paul T. Mitchell who opened with “The Lady Eve.” It vanished - from exhibition - on January 2, 1960 with “The Jayhawkers' supported by two cartoons. The building was a candidate for reopening in October 1984 for movies following the Mitchell Theatre fire but a refresh was not feasible and all incantations and spells aimed at a revival failed to produce the intended results.
Nell Faulkner Miller - wife - sorry late to the identification.
The National Theatre opened on March 8, 1923 with Jackie Coogan in “My Boy and and Wilna Wilde in “The Toonerville Trolley” supported by the National Theatre Jazz Band. Charles Reed Mitchell took on the venue installing Viatphone sound with “The Broadway Melody” on December 26, 1929. 12-year old Paul booked the films. Fire on January 27, 1937 closed the venue leaving the foundation in place.
On May 6, 1938, the new Mitchell Theatre designed by architect R.D. Churchill of Iola, Kansas was ready to go with Joe Penner in “G Chase Yourself.” Chruchill’s striking streamline moderne design won it Top Ten Theatres in the nation in 1938. The venue next under Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell went widescreen on January 2, 1955 with “King Richard and the Crusaders.” They would also operate the local drive-in and the Magic Theatre.
The Mitchell’s deco design landed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1983. Apparently, it was torched with the building destroyed on October 18, 1984 along with the print of “Revenge of the Nerds” on the platter making “Ghostbusters” the final showtime on October 14, 1984.
Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell owned the Knox Drive-In Theatre. Charles L. Hammons was the initial manager of the Knox Drive-In. Located at Boone Heights in Knox County a mile south of Barbourville on (Old) Highway 25E, the $80,000 venue opened on November 1, 1954 with Jimmy Stewart in “The Glenn Miller Story.” The concession stand wasn’t ready on opening night and the Miracle Company playground didn’t get finished until 1956. But by then, it was fully ready to go.
Paul Mitchell operated the venue through 22 seasons but died just prior to the 1976 opener with Charles and Lena Reed taking over. The Knox closed September 26, 1981 with Susan Kiger in “H.O.T.S.” That would be its final showtime. The address 411 KY-3439, Barbourville, KY 40906 is right next door to the drive-in.
Launched by C.C. Simms and G.W. Gootee on June 26, 1948 with “The Last of the Redmen” supported by “Cinderella’s Feller” with Juanita Quigley.
John Robinson and Son launched the Med-O-Vue on April 7, 1951 grand opening of the Med-O-Vue Drive-In with “Bomba, the Jungle Boy” and “Shadow of the West.” The 200-car drive-in had RCA projection and speakers. In 1954, both the drive-in and the Robinson Roller Rink were auctioned off.
When the Liberty Theatre burned on May 8, 1925, Winchester’s New Theatre Beautiful opened on May 18, 1925 with “The Golden Bed.” That name was used for two months. A naming contest was held and Leeds was the winner with venue using using that name first on July 8, 1925 at the formal grand opening with “The Little French Girl.” The venue closed on January 25, 1987 with “Lady and the Tramp” splitting with “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
he Town Hall is open for business on December 13, 1940 with “Tugboat Annie.”
The Clark Theatre opened on November 9, 1940 with “Sandy is a Lady” by the Harry Schwartz and George Myers. Winchester Amusement bought it out closing It permanently on November 30, 1942 with “Major Barbara.” Winchester went into bankruptcy and the Clark was auctioned off bringing $16,000 on July 22, 1943. Chakeres Theatres purchased the Town Hall, Broadway and Leeds Theatres that same day. The Clark was again auctioned off on behalf of the Winchester Theatre Circuit on June 5, 1944.
The Clark Theatre opened on November 9, 1940 with “Sandy is a Lady”
1,030 seats
The Park Theatre was the place to see live events in late 19th Century Henderson. Elliot D. Robbins architecture was opulent and would be welcomed in a town likely ten times larger in size. The Park was opened within the new-build Pythian Building on November 16, 1894 and was spectacular. Eighteen months later, it was all over as the Pythian Building housing the Park burned down on July 20, 1896. Also destroyed was the Barrett House hotel though with all 40 guests escaping uninjured.
The City and local folks rebuilt the venue but it took a while. The J.E. English Theatre was built in its place (1-5 North Main Street) opening in August of 1904. In 1905, it was renamed as the Park Theatre. It became the prominent live venue space.
Meanwhile, the unrelated Grand Crystal Theatre opened in the Stanley Building at 222 North Main on September 5, 1908 operating to 1909 as a movie house. On March 21, 1910, the unrelated Grand Theatre launched with “The Ranchman’s Wife,” “The Generous Way,” and “Santa Claus and the Miner’s Son” supported by two songs. They are included here because the “Grand” name would be invoked at the 1-5 Main Street location.
Meanwhile, back at the Park Theatre, things had worked relatively well until the end of the venue’s ten-year lease. Park Manager H.L. Hunt changed the name of the venue from the Park to the Grand Opera House on October 22, 1914 to differentiate it from the growing number of movie houses in Henderson. That name lasted until June of 1916. By 1916, movies were becoming far more profitable and efficient especially in smaller towns like Henderson. At that time, the theatre received a new interior transitioning it from a live house to a more versatile movie house playing films from Triangle, Paramount, Fox and others while retaining a stage for vaudeville and plays as needed. The mix became much more film-centric as the years passed and the venue was renamed as the Grand Theatre.
The Henderson Theatre Company took on the venue and first played talkies there on March 8, 1929 using Vitaphone showing “Alias, Jimmy Valentine.” On November 1, 1929, the local circuit switched to Western Electric, sound on film technology. It is assumed that the Vitaphone system was passed down to the Kentucky which inaugurated its sound service just ten days later with Vitaphone.
On April 12, 1931, Warner Brothers took over both the Kentucky and the Grand theaters locally. They closed the Grand permanently with “Broadway Bad” on March 8, 1933 and then a fire completely destroyed the building along with the Ford Auto Dealer across the street in the morning hours.
Principal Theatres and the Masonic Temple folks got together to create a multi-use building. It was architected by J. Frisbee Sanders and Albert Weindel of Sanders and Weindel. Principal opened the Kentucky Theatre with the Vitaphone sound system likely from the Grand Theatre on Nov. 12, 1929 with “Salute.” Warner Brothers Circuit took on the local theaters operating both the Kentucky and Grand until the latter burned down. “Gone with the Wind” was a huge hit beginning March 12, 1940 at the incredibly high price of $1.26 a seat. A local film, “Henderson in Reelife” was another hit on Feb. 12, 1942.
The Kentucky sure looks like it closed at the end of its 30-year lease in 1959 though it may have continued without advertising. But the theatre was definitely remodeled out of existence in 1964 stripped down to its walls to became a stage play venue. Then that was remodeled out of existence when the entire building was transformed becoming home to the Citi-Center Mall. And that was pretty much remodeled when it became home to the town’s Civic Center.
The Audubon opened November 2, 1949 with “Streets of Laredo.” It reopened for the 1950 season (ad in photos). The drive-in was just out of Audubon State Park. The theater was offered for sale April 12, 1959 and was decimated by a July 31, 1959 storm. But they fixed the screen closing at the end of a 10-year leasing agreement on October 4, 1959 - permanently - with “The Big Circus” and “The Young Captives.”
Closed October 27, 1963 at the end of lease with “The Stripper” and “The Nutty Professor.”
November 8, 1931
The operator of the Nickelodeon, Stanley Spoehr, launched the Princess Theatre in downtown Henderson on August 23, 1912 with “The Fate of Mothers” in the existing Lottie Building. It received sound in 1929 to remain viable. In February of 1941, the theater closed briefly for a remodeling.
The existing Kimmel Theatre moved to the remodeled venue opening as the New Kimmel Theatre on March 23, 1941 with Loretta Young in “Kentucky.” It was named after building owner Singleton H. Kimmel. The Kimmel placed “The Kid From Kansas” on June 14, 1943 - its last - as shortly after business hours, it would be destroyed by fire.
The Dixie Theatre was built in 1925 for just $8,000 by Big Feature Rights Corporation for African American patrons. It was one of ten such theaters in Louisville and the only African American neighborhood theater that lasted more than 25 years.