KiMo Theatre
423 Central Avenue NW,
Albuquerque,
NM
87102
423 Central Avenue NW,
Albuquerque,
NM
87102
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Related Websites
The KiMo Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.
Architects: Carl Boller, Robert O. Boller
Firms: Boller Brothers, Brittelle, Ginner & Neuner
Functions: Movies (Classic), Performing Arts
Styles: Pueblo Deco
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
505.764.1700
Manager:
505.848.1370
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jun 2, 2004 — KiMo Theater Seeks Boller Brothers Photo
Opened on September 19, 1927, with an original seating capacity of 1,321, the Albuquerque KiMo Theatre is ornately decorated in the Pueblo Deco style, which combines the Indian cultures of the Southwest with the flavor of Art Deco. By the early-1940’s the Kimo Theatre was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Hoblitzelle & O'Donnell. It underwent some remodeling by architectural firm Brittelle, Ginner & Neuner.
On November 5, 1974 it went over to screening adult movies. Stylish in every way, the KiMo Theatre almost met the wrecking ball in 1977, but was saved and in that year was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The KiMo Theatre was beautifully restored in September, 2000 and is now a prime venue for concerts, civic events, and the performing arts. The theatre’s resurgence represents the city’s recent upturn with new development and stores popping up throughout downtown.
As the focal point of the burgeoning arts community, the KiMo Theatre is a proud reminder of the past and a symbol of the city’s future.
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Recent comments (view all 31 comments)
The official webpage links to some nice interior photos – interesting to see that the original proscenium arch has been re-created; the original was destroyed in a fire in the 1950s and was replaced by simple curtained walls – nice to see the original back with the native American symbols.
Circa 1961 photo added courtesy of Bill Redak.
September 18th, 1927 grand opening ad in photo section
The November 5th, 1974 grand reopening ad as a adult cinema can be found in the photo section for this theatre.
The vertical sign of the Kimo Theatre can be seen in the 1970 Anthony Quinn movie “Flap” during the first 5 minutes. And later on while marching on Central Avenue, the features on the marquee were “Destroy All Monsters” and “The Conqueror Worm”, 2 A.I.P. features. If you look carefully in that scene, SUN ‘N’ FUN are on the front of the marquee. Also the vertical for the State Theatre can be seen. At the end though, two marquees on the Warner’s backlot are seen, one with “Nobody Loves A Drunken Indian” on which “Flap is based and few doors down the high-hat marquee of "House of Wax” 3D museum from the 1953 movie. “Flap” was a flop and played one week during Christmas or New Years Day 1970-71. Each day the ads for the week stated “Starts Today”! Never saw it at the Brandt’s Astor in Flatbush or Century’s Elm in Midwood, Brooklyn. However, it was released by WB, a Kinney Co. on DVD where there is a Kinney Shoe Store next to the Kimo Theatre.
Nice exterior photo of the Kimo Theater credit Karen Blaha, from the below Hemmings link. Photo added to Photos Section.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/11/14/albuquerque-lowriders-convince-city-to-scrap-its-anti-cruising-ordinance/?refer=news
Albuquerque Journal article from October 6th, 2019 about the history of the naming of the KiMo:
“Six Letters or Less: KiMo Theatre Naming Process Utilized the Power of Community”
Also there’s a recently released book: “KiMo Theatre: Fact & Folklore”
In 1951, six year old Bobby Darnell was killed wnen a boiler exploded in the basement, while he was going down the staircase from the balcony to the concession stand to get a drink. The explosion destroyed patt of the lobby and the staircase that Bobby was standing on. The theater was closed for several weeks while the damage was fixed. There is a rumour that Bobby’s ghost is seen playing on the staircase and balcony area after the theater reopened? There is also a second ghost of an unknown woman.
700 seats.
Additional history credit Joe Sonderman.
September 19, 1927 – The Kimo Theatre, the lavish “Pueblo Deco” movie palace in Albuquerque opened its doors. An overflow crowd watched performances of “mystic rites” by representatives from nearby Indian pueblos and reservations. Isleta Pueblo Governor Pablo Abeita won a prize of $50 for naming the new theater. He combined two Tewa words loosely translated as “king of its kind”. The theatre had deteriorated and was endangered when the City of Albuquerque purchased and restored it in 1977.