Mitchell Theatre
Liberty Street,
Barbourville,
KY
40906
Liberty Street,
Barbourville,
KY
40906
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: R.D. Churchill
Firms: B.F. Churchill & Sons
Styles: Neo-Classical, Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: National Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened March 8, 1923 as the National Theatre with Jackie Coogan in “My Boy” & Wilna Wilde in “The Toonerville Trolley”. It was designed in a Neo-Classical style. It was destroyed by fire (apart for its four walls) in January 27, 1937.
The Mitchell Theatre was built within the existing walls and reopened May 6, 1938 with Joe Penner in “Go Chase Yourself”. It had been designed in a Streamline Moderne style by architect R.D. Churchill of Iola, KS. The Mitchell family owned and operated this theater as well as an adjoining apartment building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Both the theatre and apartment building were destroyed by an arson fire on October 18, 1984 following a screening of Bill Murray in “Ghostbusters”.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The art-deco MITCHELL Theatre was built and opened on May 10, 1938 from remnants of the neoclassic NATIONAL Theatre, which opened on March 8, 1923 and was damaged in a January, 1928 fire. The MITCHELL was destroyed in a fire on October 17, 1984.
The National Theatre fire that destroyed much of the original gave architects B.F. Churchill & Sons of Iola, Kansas some flexibility as three of the National walls were salvageable post-fire as well as the stage and boiler. On May 10, 1938, the new Mitchell opened. Images in photos section.
BRING A MOVIE THEATER TO BARBOURVILLE PETITION
Help me reach at least 1,000 signatures so I can send this to movie theater chains and the Knox County Chamber Of Commerce. And then help me reach at least 2,000 and really show them that it’s time we had a proper movie theater in this town.
https://www.change.org/p/knox-county-chamber-of-commerce-bring-a-movie-theater-to-barbourville-kentucky
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.