Downs Theater
3423 Taylor Boulevard,
Louisville,
KY
40215
3423 Taylor Boulevard,
Louisville,
KY
40215
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According to Boxoffice of February 10, 1940, “Leo Ciacio opened his new 600-seater called the Downs” at Louisville, Kentucky. This was likely a rebuilding, as the “Theater Changes” column of Film Daily for July 20, 1931 said: “Louisville — Down’s, [sic] sold to Leo Ciacio by C. C. Neiman.” The Downs is not listed in the 1931 FDY, but appears in the 1932 edition with 300 seats and the location Taylor Blvd.
March 9th, 1973 opening as Cinema Art in photo section. Police raided this cinema as well as the Ideal, Shelmar and the Savoy on September 12th, 1973
Listings in the newspaper ended in 1965 for this theatre. It reopened as a adult cinema called the Purple X Cinema on May 12th, 1972. Grand opening ad in photo section.
When I was growing up in the 1960’s, this was called The Dawn Theater. On Saturdays they would show children’s films (like, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, The Three Stooges and sometimes “Monster” movies. In between movies, there would be an act. I remember one time it was a monkey doing tricks, like riding a tricycle and another time, they had a magician. It was great fun and was always packed with kids.
Originally the Downs Theater. I remember seeing movies on the marquee like “Common Law Cabin” and “Mud Honey”. :–)
The theater was located in the left side of the building. A small shop sat in the center and the right side was Prestigiacomo’s Restaurant. Great food.
Our entire school was given free passes for the Dawn’s grand opening. I think “Jack the Giant Killer played.
Now it’s a strip joint…
Sometime around 1958, I went here with my family when it was an Italian restaurant. They showed the same cartoon over and over throughout the meal. It was reconverted to a second run house and renamed the Dawn in the 1960s and later became a porno theater.