Ludlow Theatre
322 Elm Street,
Ludlow,
KY
41016
322 Elm Street,
Ludlow,
KY
41016
3 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Firms: F & Y Building Service
Functions: Bar
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: New Ludlow Theatre, Ludlow Cinema
Nearby Theaters
The New Ludlow Theatre opened January 4, 1947 with Vivian Blaine in “If I’m Lucky”. On July 2, 1969 it was renamed Ludlow Cinema and on January 15, 1970 it switched to screening adult movies. This was short lived and it reverted back to regular movies in early-1971. On November 23, 1973 a small upstairs screening room was opened. Named The Penthouse, it was equipped with 16mm projection and the opening movie was Lew Ayers in “All Quiet on the Western Front”.
The building still retains the original facade and is obviously a former theatre. After closing it housed an auto repair shop named Mach III Clutch, Inc. In 2015 it was converted into a bar with a circus theme and live acts.
Contributed by
Bill Eichelberger
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
Former Ludlow Theatre will become Bircus Brewing Company in 2015 ,it’s to have a circus theme and include acts, plus beer within the building .
Lou Wiethe and Harry Hilling opened their Ludlow Theatreon Jan. 4. 1947. Architectural sketch in photos.
Visiting Grandpa’s old theater. Sitting at Bircus bar thinking about how he must have loved seeing all of this go up. Love that it’s become something fun.
Ludlow theatre opening ad:
Reopened as the Ludlow Cinema on July 2nd, 1969 and switched to an adult policy on January 15th, 1970. 1969 ad posted.
At one time the Ludlow had a 4-channel quadrophonic magnetic stereo capability, which was later transplanted to the Cinema West theatre in Hamilton in 1975.
Ludlow Cinema marquee spotted in the final scenes of Jeff Nichols' THE BIKERIDERS (shot almost entirely in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Middletown areas), with a bearded Norman Reedus on a motorbike enticing patrons into seeing EASY RIDER.
The Ludlow Cinema’s adult policy didn’t last long. The theater switched back to first-run films in early 1971.
Sometime in ‘73, the operators would open the 16mm upstairs screening room called “The Penthouse” for public shows; they had a short stint of doing midnight movies there.
The Penthouse opened on November 23rd, 1973 with “All Quiet on the Western Front”. Grand opening ad posted.