Forrest and Howard Shelby opened the ozoner. Closed for films with “Springfield Rifle” and “Blues Busters” on October 3, 1954. Closed by the Shelbys after a Turkey Shoot even on November 26, 1954. It may have continued under new operators the following season without advertising.
The Airport Drive-In opened on June 5, 1953 with “Big Trees.” Land speculation was big around the West Paducah Airport at that time and the drive-in was likely a placeholder for a potentially larger land deal later. Doby B. Stout of Stout Theatres in Cairo, Illinois, ran it for three unsuccessful seasons offering it for sale for $10,000 prior to the 1956 season.
For its fourth and final season, it was independently operated on a subleasing agreement. The Airport Drive-In closed permanently with “Five Against the House” and “Danger is My Beat” on September 29, 1956. The property was again listed with the price plummeting to just $6,000 or best offer from a realty agent.
The name was changed from Moon Glo to Moonglo likely when the screen tower was changed to widescreen. Advertisements were discontinued in 1974 - not long after its 20th Anniversary - not indicative on anything on operational timeline. It became a flea market.
The Margie Grand was designed by architect Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. Margie Noe commissioned the work in 1928. The new-build facility replaced the city’s first bank. The adjoining building became the Margie Grand Sweet Shop and served as the de facto concession stand for the theater until a redesign worked in a modern concession stand.
Margie Noe managed the theatre at its opening. The Noe’s family home was two doors down from the theatre. That residence stood into the 1950s and was torn down not long after Margie Noe’s passing in 1953.
The Milwain was launched by Mr. and Mrs. Burgess Millwain on Front Street. The Milwain opened on July 27, 1929 with “China Bound.” Leta Milwain ran the venue for decades. The Milwain was damaged by fire in May of 1943 and, due to War rules and shortages, it was unable to reopen until 1944. The Milwain then closed on January 28, 1963 with Elvis in “Girls, Girls, Girls.” It reopened late that year and continued. It closed again on September 12, 1970 with “The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico Country.”
Louis Aldridge relit the Milwain one last time on a subleasing agreement. It reopened with “Paper Moon” on March 1, 1974. A midnight screening of Jacqueline Giroux in “The Erotic Adventures of Zorro” on April 7, 1974 was ostensibly the end of the line with Aldridge found guilty of exhibiting an obscene film. The theatre was then offered for sale. The theatre was finally razed in December of 1991 to rid it from the tax role By Leon Terry.
Corbin Hippodrome Co. commissioned the building in 1921 and was built by E.G. Holladay of Nashville with architectural plans by Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. The first ads are January 23, 1922 with live vaudeville by the Shannon Stock Company. It ran live until fire damaged the facility in 1929. It came back after a period of closure wired for sound and playing films which it did until closure. February 2, 1978 “The Late Great Planet Earth” marked the late great Hippodrome’s last film.
R.C. Adams launched the Carlisle Drive-in July 17, 1953 with “Room for One More.” In 1956, the screen tower was converted to widescreen to present CinemaScope films.
Cecil Beardsley took on the venue changing its name to the Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre on May 3, 1960 with “The Man Who Understood Women.” This became the first and only theatre in the Cinema Treasures database to have the name Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre.
Don Draw and Earl Ferrell took on the venue on March 31, 1961 renaming it as the Bardwell Drive-In Theatre with “S.O.S Pacific.” It closed August 6, 1961 with “Dondi” ending its run as the Bardwell D-I.
The Arly’s April 7, 1946 Grand Opening ad with “God is my Co-Pilot” is in photos. The Arly tanked with D.B Stout and Stout Theatres Circuit closing it first on July 5, 1947. It reopened on a sublease by Ronald Harwood on January 23, 1948 closing August 6, 1948. The theater goes in and out of business and is offered for sale during 1949 to 1952. In 1953, the theatre tried free movies for all kids 12 and under. It closed permanently on March 1, 1954 with “Niagara.”
The Reada Theatre opened on March 4, 1948 with a Ben Pobbocki & Sons of Milwaukee attractor, interior design by Knoxville Scenic Studios and Abbott and Costello playing on the big screen. It closed on December 24, 1972 with “Brother of the Wind.” A three year renovation project fell short and the building was razed in May of 1990.
The Alexander Hotel was a multi-purpose venue that housed the H&H Cafe, the Super Service Garage and Super Service Station. The theater launched June 21, 1935 with “Red Hot Tires.” The venue’s final operator Ralph McCoy closed down at the expiry of his lease. The Alice showed “Overboard” on February 4, 1988 - its final day.
Chester Smith and James Booze celebrated the launch of their Skyline Drive-In Theatre with a free screening n September 24, 1953. Portable heaters allowed it to operate year-round.
The last ad listed for the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street was June 3, 1967 with “Murderer’s Row” and “Fun in Acapulco.” Weeks later, the Tragg County government took over the building for office space.
The new Magic Theatre appeared on June 11, 1941 by Paul T. Mitchell who opened with “The Lady Eve.” It vanished - from exhibition - on January 2, 1960 with “The Jayhawkers' supported by two cartoons. The building was a candidate for reopening in October 1984 for movies following the Mitchell Theatre fire but a refresh was not feasible and all incantations and spells aimed at a revival failed to produce the intended results.
The National Theatre opened on March 8, 1923 with Jackie Coogan in “My Boy and and Wilna Wilde in “The Toonerville Trolley” supported by the National Theatre Jazz Band. Charles Reed Mitchell took on the venue installing Viatphone sound with “The Broadway Melody” on December 26, 1929. 12-year old Paul booked the films. Fire on January 27, 1937 closed the venue leaving the foundation in place.
On May 6, 1938, the new Mitchell Theatre designed by architect R.D. Churchill of Iola, Kansas was ready to go with Joe Penner in “G Chase Yourself.” Chruchill’s striking streamline moderne design won it Top Ten Theatres in the nation in 1938. The venue next under Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell went widescreen on January 2, 1955 with “King Richard and the Crusaders.” They would also operate the local drive-in and the Magic Theatre.
The Mitchell’s deco design landed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1983. Apparently, it was torched with the building destroyed on October 18, 1984 along with the print of “Revenge of the Nerds” on the platter making “Ghostbusters” the final showtime on October 14, 1984.
Closed after a double feature of “Lively Set” and “McLintock” on June 19, 1966. Items were sold from the drive-in later that year.
Forrest and Howard Shelby opened the ozoner. Closed for films with “Springfield Rifle” and “Blues Busters” on October 3, 1954. Closed by the Shelbys after a Turkey Shoot even on November 26, 1954. It may have continued under new operators the following season without advertising.
The Airport Drive-In opened on June 5, 1953 with “Big Trees.” Land speculation was big around the West Paducah Airport at that time and the drive-in was likely a placeholder for a potentially larger land deal later. Doby B. Stout of Stout Theatres in Cairo, Illinois, ran it for three unsuccessful seasons offering it for sale for $10,000 prior to the 1956 season.
For its fourth and final season, it was independently operated on a subleasing agreement. The Airport Drive-In closed permanently with “Five Against the House” and “Danger is My Beat” on September 29, 1956. The property was again listed with the price plummeting to just $6,000 or best offer from a realty agent.
The name was changed from Moon Glo to Moonglo likely when the screen tower was changed to widescreen. Advertisements were discontinued in 1974 - not long after its 20th Anniversary - not indicative on anything on operational timeline. It became a flea market.
The Margie Grand was designed by architect Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. Margie Noe commissioned the work in 1928. The new-build facility replaced the city’s first bank. The adjoining building became the Margie Grand Sweet Shop and served as the de facto concession stand for the theater until a redesign worked in a modern concession stand.
Margie Noe managed the theatre at its opening. The Noe’s family home was two doors down from the theatre. That residence stood into the 1950s and was torn down not long after Margie Noe’s passing in 1953.
The Milwain was launched by Mr. and Mrs. Burgess Millwain on Front Street. The Milwain opened on July 27, 1929 with “China Bound.” Leta Milwain ran the venue for decades. The Milwain was damaged by fire in May of 1943 and, due to War rules and shortages, it was unable to reopen until 1944. The Milwain then closed on January 28, 1963 with Elvis in “Girls, Girls, Girls.” It reopened late that year and continued. It closed again on September 12, 1970 with “The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico Country.”
Louis Aldridge relit the Milwain one last time on a subleasing agreement. It reopened with “Paper Moon” on March 1, 1974. A midnight screening of Jacqueline Giroux in “The Erotic Adventures of Zorro” on April 7, 1974 was ostensibly the end of the line with Aldridge found guilty of exhibiting an obscene film. The theatre was then offered for sale. The theatre was finally razed in December of 1991 to rid it from the tax role By Leon Terry.
Corbin Hippodrome Co. commissioned the building in 1921 and was built by E.G. Holladay of Nashville with architectural plans by Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. The first ads are January 23, 1922 with live vaudeville by the Shannon Stock Company. It ran live until fire damaged the facility in 1929. It came back after a period of closure wired for sound and playing films which it did until closure. February 2, 1978 “The Late Great Planet Earth” marked the late great Hippodrome’s last film.
Closed December 1, 2024
R.C. Adams launched the Carlisle Drive-in July 17, 1953 with “Room for One More.” In 1956, the screen tower was converted to widescreen to present CinemaScope films.
Cecil Beardsley took on the venue changing its name to the Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre on May 3, 1960 with “The Man Who Understood Women.” This became the first and only theatre in the Cinema Treasures database to have the name Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre.
Don Draw and Earl Ferrell took on the venue on March 31, 1961 renaming it as the Bardwell Drive-In Theatre with “S.O.S Pacific.” It closed August 6, 1961 with “Dondi” ending its run as the Bardwell D-I.
The Arly’s April 7, 1946 Grand Opening ad with “God is my Co-Pilot” is in photos. The Arly tanked with D.B Stout and Stout Theatres Circuit closing it first on July 5, 1947. It reopened on a sublease by Ronald Harwood on January 23, 1948 closing August 6, 1948. The theater goes in and out of business and is offered for sale during 1949 to 1952. In 1953, the theatre tried free movies for all kids 12 and under. It closed permanently on March 1, 1954 with “Niagara.”
February 2, 1978 “The Late Great Planet Earth” was the late great Hippodrome’s last film
The Schine Theatre Circuit opened the Viv Theatre in 1940. It also operated the veritable Hippodrome Theatre in the same town.
The Reada Theatre opened on March 4, 1948 with a Ben Pobbocki & Sons of Milwaukee attractor, interior design by Knoxville Scenic Studios and Abbott and Costello playing on the big screen. It closed on December 24, 1972 with “Brother of the Wind.” A three year renovation project fell short and the building was razed in May of 1990.
The Regency Cinema opened onNovember 20, 1992.
The Alexander Hotel was a multi-purpose venue that housed the H&H Cafe, the Super Service Garage and Super Service Station. The theater launched June 21, 1935 with “Red Hot Tires.” The venue’s final operator Ralph McCoy closed down at the expiry of his lease. The Alice showed “Overboard” on February 4, 1988 - its final day.
Overhead view of the former drive-in
Chester Smith and James Booze celebrated the launch of their Skyline Drive-In Theatre with a free screening n September 24, 1953. Portable heaters allowed it to operate year-round.
The last ad listed for the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street was June 3, 1967 with “Murderer’s Row” and “Fun in Acapulco.” Weeks later, the Tragg County government took over the building for office space.
Launched June 16, 1950 with “Fighting Man of the Plains”
George W. and A.C. Combs opened the Harlan Drive-In on June 15, 1950 with “Coroner Creek” on their Simplex projector’s platter.
Opened in 1925 and closed on June 28, 1959 with “Elephant Walk. It was transformed into a house of worship shortly thereafter.
Closed permanently November 26, 2024.
The new Magic Theatre appeared on June 11, 1941 by Paul T. Mitchell who opened with “The Lady Eve.” It vanished - from exhibition - on January 2, 1960 with “The Jayhawkers' supported by two cartoons. The building was a candidate for reopening in October 1984 for movies following the Mitchell Theatre fire but a refresh was not feasible and all incantations and spells aimed at a revival failed to produce the intended results.
Nell Faulkner Miller - wife - sorry late to the identification.
The National Theatre opened on March 8, 1923 with Jackie Coogan in “My Boy and and Wilna Wilde in “The Toonerville Trolley” supported by the National Theatre Jazz Band. Charles Reed Mitchell took on the venue installing Viatphone sound with “The Broadway Melody” on December 26, 1929. 12-year old Paul booked the films. Fire on January 27, 1937 closed the venue leaving the foundation in place.
On May 6, 1938, the new Mitchell Theatre designed by architect R.D. Churchill of Iola, Kansas was ready to go with Joe Penner in “G Chase Yourself.” Chruchill’s striking streamline moderne design won it Top Ten Theatres in the nation in 1938. The venue next under Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell went widescreen on January 2, 1955 with “King Richard and the Crusaders.” They would also operate the local drive-in and the Magic Theatre.
The Mitchell’s deco design landed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1983. Apparently, it was torched with the building destroyed on October 18, 1984 along with the print of “Revenge of the Nerds” on the platter making “Ghostbusters” the final showtime on October 14, 1984.