Zana Theatre

The Paducah Post newspaper on May 24, 1973, shows that J.J. McAdams built the Zana in 1914 and 1915 and named it in honor of his daughter, Zana. Upon completion, W.V. Bigham of Paducah rented the building. The Zana opened on June 6, 1915, featuring Charlie Chaplin. Mr. Chaplin was in attendance at the movie and later witnessed the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Willingham in the lobby of the Goodwin Hotel, north of the Zana.

I attended the Zana in the late 40’s. Remember seeing Red Ryder and Little Beaver along with other westerns. Usually, though, I went to the Palace. Once Lash La Rue came to town to promote a movie and I saw him in person. I remember him as being rather small for a big star. I don’t remember the name of the movie.

Mr. Selman launched the Zana Theatre on August 19, 1915 with a three-reel Chaplin short. The theatre stayed silent until 1931 when it received a hand-me-down Photo-Talker system from the nearby Palace Theatre. In 1934, the theatre got improved sound on film technology. The Zana closed in 1940 and reopened with improved sound in September of 1942 though closing prior to War’s end. It had sporadic screenings into the 1950s. Last film appears to be March 26, 1950 with “Skid Row.”