Theaters & Nicklodeons

Maysville's first nickelodeon was named the Theatorium. It was located in an existing commercial building at the northeast corner of 2nd and Sutton Streets. The Theatorium opened in 1907 and was owned by James W. Outten. Advertisements for the nickelodeon promised, “All the latest and best moving pictures and illustrated songs” and “we cater to the ladies and children.”

The Theatorium remained in operation only for a short time, as it did not appear in the 1914 City Directory.

Three other theaters listed in the city directories included the Gem Theater, the Pastime Theater and the Hollywood Theater. All three were located in existing commercial buildings in the central business district. The Gem Theater appears in the 1914 city directory and is listed at 21 West 2nd Street. By 1924, the Gem Theater had closed. It operated as a nickelodeon.

The Pastime Theater opened in April of 1909 and was managed by T. Neal Hubbard. The Pastime billed itself as “a beautiful, modern and best arranged moving picture theater.” Located in the Knights of Pythias building, it had a seating capacity of 225 seats. The theater also featured electric lights and frescoed walls. The theater was situated across the street from the Washington Opera Theatre at 113 West 2nd Street, which served as direct competition. The Pastime Theater was successful until it was sold in 1926.

T. Neal Hubbard, who managed the Pastime, purchased it from the owner Charles Triebel. He renamed the theater the “Hollywood Theater.” The Hollywood Theater showed the first “talkie” in 1929 called “Should A Girl Marry.” The Hollywood was purchased by the Washington Opera Theatre in 1938 and then closed in 1941.

From a Facebook post by Ron Bailey