Crystal Theatre

Bardstown, KY 40004

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Joe Vogel on April 5, 2015 at 12:32 am

Calling all reclusive old fogies (presumably, old bats were welcome, too.) From The Moving Picture World, July 3, 1915):

“The management of the Crystal Hall theater, of Bardstown, Ky., in an effort to interest the recluses in motion pictures, has advertised that the shows at the theater will be free of charge to all persons over 65 years of age. This offer expires July 1, but in the meantime it is hoped that numerous old fogies will become interested.”

No word on accommodation for duffers, codgers, geezers or coots.

Joe Vogel on April 4, 2015 at 11:33 pm

The Spring, 2014, issue of quarterly newsletter Preserving Bardstown (PDF here) contains excerpts from an interview with a Mr. J. Robert Crume on February 26, 1967. Mr. Crume said that Crystal Hall was operated by Sisco and Mann from 1912 to 1928, and by Sisco and Arnold after that. In 1938 the theater moved to a new location.

The local newspaper, The Kentucky Standard, was advertising the house as the Crystal Theatre by 1915. Here is a representative listing from December 28, 1916:

“Thursday, A Rough Knight and The Lion and the Girl.

“Friday, The Deserter, featuring Charles Ray.

“Saturday and Monday, 6 reel show, title not yet known.

“Tuesday, Kasey at the Bat, featuring De Wolf Hopper.

“Wednesday, Gloria’s Romance, Muster Suffers, Athletic Series.

“Thursday, The Snow Cure, Her Marble Heart.”

Bardstown had a Sunday blue law, so the theater operated only six days a week.