State Theatre
214 Main Street,
Lexington,
KY
40507
214 Main Street,
Lexington,
KY
40507
1 person
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Reopened as Movies on Main on October 10th, 1985. Grand opening ad posted.
reopened as Cinema on January 28th, 1964 showing art movies. Grand opening ad posted.
pictures:
also posted a reopening ad from May 14th, 1933.
April 20th, 1929 grand opening ad:
Downtown Lexington cinema history
1933 photo added credit University Of Kentucky. Double feature of “The Phantom Of Crestwood” and “Haunted Gold”, both released the previous year. Research credit Captain Bijou.
The partnership of architects Leon K. Frankel and John J. Curtis was formed in 1919. Frankel’s son James S. Frankel joined the firm as a draftsman in 1933 and became a partner in 1945.
Cool shots Chuck.
I recently attended a live taping of the “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour” at the State Theatre.
The following is from the Kentucky Theatre website:
“… pleased with the success of the [Kentucky] theater, the Lafayette Amusement Company decided to build another next door. In April of 1929, the completed State Theater opened with 888 seats, a "Spanish Influenced Decor,” and a separate entrance off the street from its larger next-door neighbor. The Frankel and Curtis contractors of Lexington completed the project for about $200,000.
“In the ‘60’s the State Theater reopened after closing for a few years. In the '70’s it devoted its screen almost entirely to adult entertainment, and in the '80’s, just six years after a major renovation project on the Kentucky, both theaters burned on October 2nd of 1987. Although the owners wanted to reopen very soon, it would be almost five years before Lexington would enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Kentucky again.
“On Halloween of 1997, there was cause for celebration as the State Theater reopened 10 years after the fire.”
The State was restored “in spirit.” It’s charming, but clearly a 1990s re-interpretation of the original.