Novo Theatre

506 W. Main Street,
Cumberland, KY 40823

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Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on July 2, 2026 at 6:02 am

50sSNIPES: Auburn is the name of the town where the Starlight Theatre opened in January, 1940. It’s listed at Cinema Treasures as the Marian Theatre.

The 1935 FDY lists two theaters in Cumberland, a 242-seat Cumberland Theatre and a 156-seat Ritz Theatre. The 1938 FDY lists the 500-seat Novo and a 156-seat Cumberland. One of the older two had to have been the house next door to the Novo, which replaced it. The Ritz is listed in the 1929 FDY, but without a seating capacity.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on June 30, 2026 at 5:47 pm

Does that mean that the Auburn/Starlight/Marian is separate?

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on June 30, 2026 at 5:32 pm

I think the Starlight / Marian Theatre information is conflated with that of the Auburn Starlight / Marian. This venue opened as Isaac’s New Novo Theatre. Its address - 401 West Main Street. It opened December 23, 1937 with “Heidi”. In 1971, it was sold and at year’s end, it just became the Novo Theatre.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on December 28, 2025 at 7:41 am

Once operated by Cumberland Amusement Company.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on May 2, 2025 at 7:50 pm

This started life as the Starlight Theatre, and was renamed the Marian Theatre in September 1940. It was renamed the Novo Theatre on August 28, 1970, and was still open in 1985.

Bill Eichelberger
Bill Eichelberger on November 28, 2010 at 9:31 am

Looks like a nice restoration, but unfortunately they did away with the old art deco marquee.
http://www.landmarkhunter.com/198102-novo-theatre/

atmos
atmos on May 10, 2010 at 12:13 am

Sorry theatre opened 25 December 1937.

atmos
atmos on May 10, 2010 at 12:09 am

Theatre opened 1938 and the architects were John and Drew Eberson.