Alamo Theater
444 S. Fourth Street,
Louisville,
KY
40202
444 S. Fourth Street,
Louisville,
KY
40202
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The Alamo’s claim to fame was hosting the first ever radio show from its theatre and featuring organ music from Heyde Conrad in 1922. Conrad was at the console in March of 1924 when he was arrested in connection the murder of Richard Heaton who had been tortued by Williams Gates for three days prior to his murder. Conrad would be charged with conspiracy. The Alamo converted to sound to remain viable and appears to have closed December 25, 1935 with “Atlantic Adventure” and “Stormy.”
Marilyn Dee Casto’s book “Actors, Audiences, and Historic Theatres of Kentucky” says that the Alamo Theatre was designed by Louisville architect D.X. Murphy. However, the Arcadia Publishing Company’s picture book Louisville, by John E. Findling, attributes the design of the Alamo to Joseph D. Baldez, an associate of the firm of D.X. Murphy & Brothers. As Casto’s book is published by the University Press of Kentucky, it might be more reliable, though an academic imprimatur is not always a guarantee of accuracy.
Dennis Xavier Murphy took over the practice of Henry Whitestone in 1880, and by the time the Alamo was designed he had formed the partnership with his brothers . The firm designed a number of important Louisville landmarks, including the twin-spired clubhouse at the Churchill Downs race track. I’ve found several sources which attribute the clubhouse as well to Joseph Baldez, then a 24-year old draftsman with the firm.
Casto’s book also says that Murphy designed the conversion of an existing building in Louisville into a theater for the Whallen Brothers, local vaudeville and burlesque impresarios, but doesn’t give the name of the theater or the year it opened.