State Theatre
209 W. Dixie Avenue,
Elizabethtown,
KY
42701
209 W. Dixie Avenue,
Elizabethtown,
KY
42701
6 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Historic State Theater Complex (Official)
Additional Info
Firms: T.J. Murphy & Sons
Functions: Live Performances, Live Theater, Movies (Classic)
Styles: Art Deco
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
270.234.8258
Nearby Theaters
Once the largest theatre in Elizabethtown which had 950-seats, the historic State Theatre opened June 11, 1942 with Dorothy Lamour in “The Fleet’s In”. The 277-seat balcony was divided into two seperate sections to accomodate white and black patrons, with the African American’s having their own seperate paybox to the right of the main entrance. It was closed on September 2, 1982 with the movie “ET-The Extra Terrestrial”, forty years after it first opened.
In 2009, the State Theater has been reopened and restored to its original appearance, and features live entertainment.
Contributed by
Randi Skaggs
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
When the State Theatre was a movie theatre it seated 954 people.
Here is a photo:
http://flickr.com/photos/rja/27384943/
Here is a 1980 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cltbqm
Nice.
It is a nice-looking theatre. Though it appears that the underside of the marquee is missing.
Opened on June 11, 1942.
Functions should also include: Movies (classic)
Circa 1953 photo added courtesy of Larry Kleebauer Sr.
The State Theatre closed as a first-run theater on September 2, 1982 with “E.T.-The Extra Terrestrial” when the nearby Elizabethtown Cinema was tripled and became the Cinema 3 the following day.
Opened with Dorothy Lamour in “The Fleet’s In” (unknown if extras added) featuring installations of Western Electric sound and Wenzel Ace projection.
Information about the State Theatre as of 1942 goes as follows: The entire theater was artistically decorated by Rambuch Art Company of New York, featuring the original color schemes of green and burgundy as well as the building finishing in structural glass, brick and stone trim. Two large mural flanks were located on each side of the stage and a draped stencil frames from the ceiling. The entire theater was draped in terrazzo carpeting with the exception of the lobby, as well as indirect lighting being used throughout the auditorium. The State Theatre originally housed 1,000 two-tone cushioned seats when it first opened as of 1942 (now housing 700 seats), and also contains a balcony for colored audiences. The original stage is draped in green velour with a silver automatic curtain.