Nothing but love for this theater. It was my first (three consecutive nights) visit to an Alamo Drafthouse and I was not disappointed (Flash Gordon!). Love to know that this old gal has some very cool history. Viva Cinerama!
We are lucky enough to have an Eberson Atmospheric in Louisville, KY. Opened as the Lowes in 1928, it was shuttered during the 70s-80s but repoened in most of it’s former glory. While this house too is now home to live productions, they do roll out a summer movie series. I was BO manager for the first two years of the series and it was a hoot. Lately they have been showing the same, kinda stale “summer blockbusters” and same-old same-old movies that are great, yes, but how about as little variety? North By Northwest? Awesome, can we have something else? Some Like It Hot? Not for four years in a row! Raiders? Fine, how about Blade Runner? Or 2001? Or Close Encounters? (Star Wars? Not as long as Luca$ is still alive). Check out the official page, with tons of cool pictures, at www.louisvillepalace.com
I disagree…I love the popcorn. So much so that I always get a free refill from the cute girl behind the counter. I eat it at work all week long. She tells me that a lot of people do the same thing. If I had a gripe it would be that they often run out of butter. It’s real butter, too. I wish they’d keeop a bit more on tap, that’s all.
Looking forward to my yearly Casablanca fix. I have to renew my membership this month, too. It’ll be my fourth year as an AFI member. If you are a DC film lover it’s a no brainer. For $100 I get 8 free movies, invites to special screenings, the yearly AFI book, a years subscription to EW, yadda yadda. Again, a great (tax deductible, too) gift to myself!
As much as I dig the foreign & indie films, the one sure thing to get me to the AFI are the revival festivals. I used most of my member passes last year during the TOTALLY AWESOME films of the 80’s. It was such a gas to watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High on the big screen with the Original Soundtrack…not the lame one that’s been on all the video releases since 1986 (I have a beta copy with the original soundtrack intact…but my Beta player died years ago…).
MORE REVIVALS!
Can’t wait for Blade Runner next week! I saw it at the Uptown a few months ago…WOW!
Liberals….conservatives….geeze oh Pete people give it a rest. If the world was as black and white as you’d have it then it would be soooo easy to tell the good guys (white?) from the bad (black?) (I’m addressing all you Rush Limbo types here). Y'know, I’m pretty much a social liberal and a finantial conservative. You know…libertarian kinda (and as for Republicans being finantialy conservative…puh-leease….let’s borrow a couple of billion from China, pass it around $600 at a time to make us all feel good, cause in a decade or two China is gonna own us).
Last I checked, the AFI is not controlled by the government (funded in part perhaps, but not totally) and the folks at the Silver can do what they darn well want to do with their screens. I have found it frustrating myself on occasion…but get over it already!
Would I have loved to have seen “Godzilla” up on the historic screen? Sure! But you know what….any chance to see the big G man is golden…and it’s not like the “smaller” screens s*ck, y'know. These people work cinema magic, and should be commended for showing these films that wouldn’t get play otherwise.
Some people just gotta complain, I guess. Myself, I just renewed my $100 membership. Third year in a row! Even when I leave the DC area in a few years I’ll still support this most worthwile cinematic endeavor.
Johnny D…I was associated with the Palace for about 5 or 6 years and may be able to answer your questions. Drop me a line at I also worked for a few years at the Old Seelbach Bar and can attest to the fact that Capone did indeed use the hotel and underground passages. There is a false wall in the Oakroom at the hotel which could be used to make a quick getaway (on the southwest corner of the private dining room if memory serves).
“March of the Penguins”…this year’s best Documentary come Oscar time. This was my first movie in one of the “new” theaters and I was quite impressed. Loved the opening & closing curtain!!!
The only bad thing about seeing the Original Trilogy at the AFI Silver was….nothing! I had real buttered popcorn, photo ops with various members of the Imperial fleet, and a Heineken to help wash down “Return of the Jedi”. I did lose my prescription Ray Ban sunglasses….but what a theater! They found them and help onto them for me! I love this place! Coming up next…Indian Jones movies PLUS WC Fields’s “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break!…WOW!
I would imagine, at the very least, they will be displayed in the Eberson Theater. No way in hell will they be the “original” films…Lucas would never allow it. Thank the maker I was wise enough to grab the widescreen versions on videotape before the “Special Editions” were released (note: non-transferable to my DVD recorder). Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get the 70mm versions…whatever…just getting to see the three of them in a row on the big screen will be more than treat enough!
Sigh….One day I hope to do “The Time Warp” again…So many midnight movies…The Wall…Heavy Metal…The Song Remains the Same…A Clockwork Orange…and that one about Transexual Transylvanians. First place I ever saw 2001. Romeo & Juliet. A Lion in Winter (or was it A Man for all Seasons?). I remember picking up the Vogue calendar (at Eherler’s Ice Cream Parlor, no less) and hanging it on my bedroom wall. I wish I still had a few of those…
Blah…I can see where at one time this must have been quite the showplace, what with the marble staircase, the nice outer lobbies and the wonderful marquee. However, the auditorium left much to be desired. The painted floor…uncomfortable seats…the ceiling with the too-bright stars and water damage…everything looked dirty. This place could really shine if Clear Channel would clean it up a bit. They do have a nice line up of concerts, though. And as for Robert Plant…why oh why did you ignore the past 15 years of your solo material, Robert? Mighty re-arranger, indeed! And lose the opening act, too. A very dissapointing show.
The first weekend of July AFI is screening the “Original Trilogy” Star Wars movies back-to-back-to-back. I’ve got my tickets…do you? They’re also showing the first two “prequel trilogy” movies on the friday & monday that bookend the showings of the “original trilogy” (pass…thanks). Then the week of 8-14 they are showing all three “Raiders” films (sadly not sequentially) as well as American Grafitti & THX-1138 as part of their George Lucas hommage. Pretty good reason to visit our nation’s HQ this July, n'est ce pas?
There are photos of the “Faces” lobby on the official website www.louisvillepalace.com as well as two b&w pictures in the book “The Best Remaining Seats” which was published around 1960 (and features the “Eberson” face). In “The Best Remaining Seats” the theater is listed as the Louisville Lowe’s and the photos are around page 98-101, if I remember correctly. I suggest checking both out.
Hey all! I am quite happy to report that the Balcony was long ago reunited with the rest of the house…since re-opening in the 1980’s the Palace has been one theater. The sole remaining reminder of the sub-divided Penthouse is the strip of carpet in the main Foyer where an escalator was installed (it too was long ago removed). The main foyer floor is a wonderous display of artistry and it was impossible to replace the work that had been undone by the installation of the escalator. There in it’s place is a red carpet strip that now leads up to the guest sevices window (formerly the interior box office) so the effect isn’t so jarring. Truth be told, my favorite place to view a show at the Palace is in the Balcony, specificaly Balcony sections 2 or 3, anywhere from row F to N (which is where I did most of my volunteer work, and also where I met my wife!). The Orchestra pit is nice if you HAVE to be up close (except for movies) but IMHO the sound is much better upstairs. There is not a bad seat in the house. I even watched “West Side Story” (the movie) from the back row once just to prove a point…and it was still larger than life. The caretakers of this theater are to be applauded for the excellent work that continues to this day to restore this theater to it’s opening day glory. It has not been mentioned in detail here yet but in the interior foyer the ceiling is comprised of many “faces”…busts of the likes of Socrates, Plato, Beethoven, etc….which repeat several times…and one bust each of John Eberson (the original architect) and another of the gentleman (John ???…I think…who’s last name escapes me at this moment) who undertook the renovations in the 1980’s. Eberson looks a bit like Joesph Stalin (he’s in the middle of the foyer, three rows up oppisite of the mezzanine) and the other fellow looks a bit like Jeff Bridges and he is on the Mezzanine side just above where the entrance to the Men’s room lies. Amazing one-of-a-kind theater that never fails to “WOW!” first time visitors, or even myself after thousands of trips into the theater. It was an honor an a priviledge to have worked and been associated with the theater for so many years. May it stand for at least another 75 years!
One of only two remaining Drive Ins in the Louisville area, Georgetown added a second screen several years ago. The parking area is on a hill and usually they run First Run movies. Now that I live in the DC area, I really miss the Georgetown (as well as the Kenwood Drive In in Louisville proper). They’ve all been torn down in the name of progress in these parts…the closest one is in Baltimore! Looks like a road trip is in my future! I used to take my (well behaved) dogs with me to watch the “Giant TV”…they would sit and stare with wonder at the moving images. I sure miss those days…
I’m in the balcony for Robert Plant on Tuesday night…and I just can’t wait! I worked at the Louisville Palace Theater (formerly Lowes) which is an Eberson Atmospheric that was saved and is now a performance venue…I hope the Tower is ¼ the venue that the Palace is…I’ll be 1000% in heaven if it is!
Incredible viewing experience! I will see every possible movie at this theater that I am able to. I suggest you do the same. Almost a full house for a Wednesday 6:30 showing of Star Wars. Fantastic…I’m glad the community comes out to support this theater!
How can we get Lowe’s out and someone esle in? I have never been to the Uptown but after reading about it here for the first time I might just go tonight to see Star Wars. Does this theater, or rather, Lowes hold film fests? Possibly after summer? I am so jonesing to go to this theater I might leave work early…I am just drooling! 70 ft screen….WOW!!!
Is this still a cinerama theater? With seating for less than 300 I can’t envision it as being a terribly huge screen. But one I’ll be checking out anyway.
Nothing but love for this theater. It was my first (three consecutive nights) visit to an Alamo Drafthouse and I was not disappointed (Flash Gordon!). Love to know that this old gal has some very cool history. Viva Cinerama!
So…what happened to the Cinerama? I just read about it, was already planning my trip to Dayton in my head…and NO CINERAMA???
We are lucky enough to have an Eberson Atmospheric in Louisville, KY. Opened as the Lowes in 1928, it was shuttered during the 70s-80s but repoened in most of it’s former glory. While this house too is now home to live productions, they do roll out a summer movie series. I was BO manager for the first two years of the series and it was a hoot. Lately they have been showing the same, kinda stale “summer blockbusters” and same-old same-old movies that are great, yes, but how about as little variety? North By Northwest? Awesome, can we have something else? Some Like It Hot? Not for four years in a row! Raiders? Fine, how about Blade Runner? Or 2001? Or Close Encounters? (Star Wars? Not as long as Luca$ is still alive). Check out the official page, with tons of cool pictures, at www.louisvillepalace.com
I disagree…I love the popcorn. So much so that I always get a free refill from the cute girl behind the counter. I eat it at work all week long. She tells me that a lot of people do the same thing. If I had a gripe it would be that they often run out of butter. It’s real butter, too. I wish they’d keeop a bit more on tap, that’s all.
Looking forward to my yearly Casablanca fix. I have to renew my membership this month, too. It’ll be my fourth year as an AFI member. If you are a DC film lover it’s a no brainer. For $100 I get 8 free movies, invites to special screenings, the yearly AFI book, a years subscription to EW, yadda yadda. Again, a great (tax deductible, too) gift to myself!
Yep.
WOW.
As much as I dig the foreign & indie films, the one sure thing to get me to the AFI are the revival festivals. I used most of my member passes last year during the TOTALLY AWESOME films of the 80’s. It was such a gas to watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High on the big screen with the Original Soundtrack…not the lame one that’s been on all the video releases since 1986 (I have a beta copy with the original soundtrack intact…but my Beta player died years ago…).
MORE REVIVALS!
Can’t wait for Blade Runner next week! I saw it at the Uptown a few months ago…WOW!
I agree with the 2010 booking, especially now that Helen Mirran (sp? sorry) is such a big deal!!!
Liberals….conservatives….geeze oh Pete people give it a rest. If the world was as black and white as you’d have it then it would be soooo easy to tell the good guys (white?) from the bad (black?) (I’m addressing all you Rush Limbo types here). Y'know, I’m pretty much a social liberal and a finantial conservative. You know…libertarian kinda (and as for Republicans being finantialy conservative…puh-leease….let’s borrow a couple of billion from China, pass it around $600 at a time to make us all feel good, cause in a decade or two China is gonna own us).
Last I checked, the AFI is not controlled by the government (funded in part perhaps, but not totally) and the folks at the Silver can do what they darn well want to do with their screens. I have found it frustrating myself on occasion…but get over it already!
Would I have loved to have seen “Godzilla” up on the historic screen? Sure! But you know what….any chance to see the big G man is golden…and it’s not like the “smaller” screens s*ck, y'know. These people work cinema magic, and should be commended for showing these films that wouldn’t get play otherwise.
Some people just gotta complain, I guess. Myself, I just renewed my $100 membership. Third year in a row! Even when I leave the DC area in a few years I’ll still support this most worthwile cinematic endeavor.
Johnny D…I was associated with the Palace for about 5 or 6 years and may be able to answer your questions. Drop me a line at I also worked for a few years at the Old Seelbach Bar and can attest to the fact that Capone did indeed use the hotel and underground passages. There is a false wall in the Oakroom at the hotel which could be used to make a quick getaway (on the southwest corner of the private dining room if memory serves).
My schedule varies from week to week, but maybe I could help out a wee bit.
“March of the Penguins”…this year’s best Documentary come Oscar time. This was my first movie in one of the “new” theaters and I was quite impressed. Loved the opening & closing curtain!!!
The current motion picture screen at the Palace measures 21 x 47 according to the website. They are featuring a Hitchcock film series this summer.
The only bad thing about seeing the Original Trilogy at the AFI Silver was….nothing! I had real buttered popcorn, photo ops with various members of the Imperial fleet, and a Heineken to help wash down “Return of the Jedi”. I did lose my prescription Ray Ban sunglasses….but what a theater! They found them and help onto them for me! I love this place! Coming up next…Indian Jones movies PLUS WC Fields’s “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break!…WOW!
Cinerama bites the dust again. How many itty-bitty screens have met similar fates?
I would imagine, at the very least, they will be displayed in the Eberson Theater. No way in hell will they be the “original” films…Lucas would never allow it. Thank the maker I was wise enough to grab the widescreen versions on videotape before the “Special Editions” were released (note: non-transferable to my DVD recorder). Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get the 70mm versions…whatever…just getting to see the three of them in a row on the big screen will be more than treat enough!
Sigh….One day I hope to do “The Time Warp” again…So many midnight movies…The Wall…Heavy Metal…The Song Remains the Same…A Clockwork Orange…and that one about Transexual Transylvanians. First place I ever saw 2001. Romeo & Juliet. A Lion in Winter (or was it A Man for all Seasons?). I remember picking up the Vogue calendar (at Eherler’s Ice Cream Parlor, no less) and hanging it on my bedroom wall. I wish I still had a few of those…
Blah…I can see where at one time this must have been quite the showplace, what with the marble staircase, the nice outer lobbies and the wonderful marquee. However, the auditorium left much to be desired. The painted floor…uncomfortable seats…the ceiling with the too-bright stars and water damage…everything looked dirty. This place could really shine if Clear Channel would clean it up a bit. They do have a nice line up of concerts, though. And as for Robert Plant…why oh why did you ignore the past 15 years of your solo material, Robert? Mighty re-arranger, indeed! And lose the opening act, too. A very dissapointing show.
The first weekend of July AFI is screening the “Original Trilogy” Star Wars movies back-to-back-to-back. I’ve got my tickets…do you? They’re also showing the first two “prequel trilogy” movies on the friday & monday that bookend the showings of the “original trilogy” (pass…thanks). Then the week of 8-14 they are showing all three “Raiders” films (sadly not sequentially) as well as American Grafitti & THX-1138 as part of their George Lucas hommage. Pretty good reason to visit our nation’s HQ this July, n'est ce pas?
There are photos of the “Faces” lobby on the official website www.louisvillepalace.com as well as two b&w pictures in the book “The Best Remaining Seats” which was published around 1960 (and features the “Eberson” face). In “The Best Remaining Seats” the theater is listed as the Louisville Lowe’s and the photos are around page 98-101, if I remember correctly. I suggest checking both out.
Hey all! I am quite happy to report that the Balcony was long ago reunited with the rest of the house…since re-opening in the 1980’s the Palace has been one theater. The sole remaining reminder of the sub-divided Penthouse is the strip of carpet in the main Foyer where an escalator was installed (it too was long ago removed). The main foyer floor is a wonderous display of artistry and it was impossible to replace the work that had been undone by the installation of the escalator. There in it’s place is a red carpet strip that now leads up to the guest sevices window (formerly the interior box office) so the effect isn’t so jarring. Truth be told, my favorite place to view a show at the Palace is in the Balcony, specificaly Balcony sections 2 or 3, anywhere from row F to N (which is where I did most of my volunteer work, and also where I met my wife!). The Orchestra pit is nice if you HAVE to be up close (except for movies) but IMHO the sound is much better upstairs. There is not a bad seat in the house. I even watched “West Side Story” (the movie) from the back row once just to prove a point…and it was still larger than life. The caretakers of this theater are to be applauded for the excellent work that continues to this day to restore this theater to it’s opening day glory. It has not been mentioned in detail here yet but in the interior foyer the ceiling is comprised of many “faces”…busts of the likes of Socrates, Plato, Beethoven, etc….which repeat several times…and one bust each of John Eberson (the original architect) and another of the gentleman (John ???…I think…who’s last name escapes me at this moment) who undertook the renovations in the 1980’s. Eberson looks a bit like Joesph Stalin (he’s in the middle of the foyer, three rows up oppisite of the mezzanine) and the other fellow looks a bit like Jeff Bridges and he is on the Mezzanine side just above where the entrance to the Men’s room lies. Amazing one-of-a-kind theater that never fails to “WOW!” first time visitors, or even myself after thousands of trips into the theater. It was an honor an a priviledge to have worked and been associated with the theater for so many years. May it stand for at least another 75 years!
One of only two remaining Drive Ins in the Louisville area, Georgetown added a second screen several years ago. The parking area is on a hill and usually they run First Run movies. Now that I live in the DC area, I really miss the Georgetown (as well as the Kenwood Drive In in Louisville proper). They’ve all been torn down in the name of progress in these parts…the closest one is in Baltimore! Looks like a road trip is in my future! I used to take my (well behaved) dogs with me to watch the “Giant TV”…they would sit and stare with wonder at the moving images. I sure miss those days…
I’m in the balcony for Robert Plant on Tuesday night…and I just can’t wait! I worked at the Louisville Palace Theater (formerly Lowes) which is an Eberson Atmospheric that was saved and is now a performance venue…I hope the Tower is ¼ the venue that the Palace is…I’ll be 1000% in heaven if it is!
Incredible viewing experience! I will see every possible movie at this theater that I am able to. I suggest you do the same. Almost a full house for a Wednesday 6:30 showing of Star Wars. Fantastic…I’m glad the community comes out to support this theater!
Is this bad-boy open again?
How can we get Lowe’s out and someone esle in? I have never been to the Uptown but after reading about it here for the first time I might just go tonight to see Star Wars. Does this theater, or rather, Lowes hold film fests? Possibly after summer? I am so jonesing to go to this theater I might leave work early…I am just drooling! 70 ft screen….WOW!!!
Is this still a cinerama theater? With seating for less than 300 I can’t envision it as being a terribly huge screen. But one I’ll be checking out anyway.