Joy Theatre
303 N. Cushing Avenue,
Kaplan,
LA
70548
303 N. Cushing Avenue,
Kaplan,
LA
70548
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Dudley J. LeBlanc launched the $15,000 Dudley Theatre on September 24, 1938 at 303 North Cushing Avenue. The opening film was “Vogues of 1938.” In August of 1939, the Joy Theatre Circuit added the Dudley buying out LeBlanc and changed its name to the Joy Theatre. The location was closed when the theatre could only support one theatre effectively. This location was torn down and became a smaller building housing restaurants.
In the middle of the block at 312 N. Cushing on the West side was the Rio Theatre operated by the Joy Circuit. It burned on October 17, 1943, rebuilt and was relaunched as the Rio. The Rio was rebranded as the new location of the Joy Theatre. The Joy went out of business on January 25, 1971 after a showing of “Cougar Country.” In July of 1972, the theatre was gutted with the floor leveled. Its front was removed and it became a Vee’s five and dime variety store. It has a separate listing on this site.
The Eleazar Theatre & Dance Hall turned Casino Theatre, then People’s Theatre and Queen Theatre at 217 North Cushing. That theatre was the first venue of sound films for the town. Its listing is under the Queen Theatre.
My great aunt, Miss Zelena Vaughn, was the manager of the Joy Theater in Kaplan, LA for years. I don’t have a picture of how it looked back in the day, but I can still see it in my mind.