Palace Theatre

The front page of The Paducah Post on May 24, 1973, shows that “in 1972, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory modernized the equipment and the Palace Theater. When the Gregory couple purchased the theater in 1970, they began repairs with a new roof, and sound system, added heaters, replaced one air conditioner, and repaired the ceiling. E.A. Carlock had the movie house built in 1928 and 1929. Building materials came from the C.S. Shamburger Lumber Company in Paducah. The contractor was Henry Gentry and J.W. Oatman laid the brick. When the theater was completed, R.W. Simpson and J.R. Nelson of Fort Worth rented the building. Mr. Simpson was the manager and his wife and Mrs. Jesse Earp were among the first to sell tickets. Truman White was the projector operator, and also the manager in Mr. Simpson’s absence. The theater was named and $100 was paid to the person. Mrs. Willingham was employed by the Palace Theater for 18 years at a salary of $25 to $30 per week. In 1938, Mrs. M.D. Ward began working at the Palace as ticket seller and continued for 13 years, seven days a week, including nights, matinees, bank nights, and midnight shows. Often it was 3 and 4 am before the movie house closed. Mrs. Price Sandlin worked 16 years at the concession stand, where at first she sold only popcorn and peanuts. Her records reveal on a Saturday afternoon and night, December 1, 1957, she collected $175 from popcorn sales at a nickel a sack. Often she sold $150 worth of popcorn. Her commission was a penny per bag. The depression brought about bank nights in an attempt to rebuild the drop off in attendance. The practice was soon outlawed. In 1945, H.B. "Red” Leathers purchased one-third interest and became manager. He had worked all his life in a picture show, having started by sweeping out, and ended up as an owner. He became sole owner of the Palace in 1958 and was managing the business when he died in 1963. Mr. Leather’s widow, Johnnie continued to operate the show until 1965 when she sold it to Kelley Brooks. Mr. Brooks was sold to Marvin Dane in 1968. Mrs. Gregory said that only “G” or “PG” movies will be shown. She will not present a restricted picture though the picture companies had told her she would have to play the “R’s” if she kept the theater open."

Hmmm…..you’ve gotten some misinformation. I grew-up in Paducah and went to this theater many times. They did not close because of refusing to show R-rated movies……..there was a bad fire that totally destroyed the inside of the building.

Nice photo posted by Don Lewis.

A photo taken around the early to mid 1980s of the Palace Theater in Paducah showing Wes Cravens “Deadly Blessing” starring Sharon Stone.

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE THEATRE ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO?