The Russell Theatre:

Maysville's own special movie palace

“Entirely in accord with his lifelong custom of exerting himself to the utmost in every line of endeavor calculated to make Maysville the best town in Kentucky, was the announcement by Colonel J. Barbour Russell that he had let a contract for the erection of a handsome and luxurious fireproof theater on East Third Street at an estimated cost of $125,000 to be called “The Russell.” (The Spirit of Greater Maysville and Mason County, 1928)

Movie theaters hold a special place in the hearts of Americans. From the elaborate movie palaces of the 1920s to the drive-in cinemas of the 50s, theaters have adapted to changing trends in entertainment and American demographics. The “movie palace” boom began with the arrival of sound film in 1915 and was spurred on by the economic expansion of the 1920s. These large ornate buildings were constructed in a wide variety of exotic and opulent styles. In 1928, a flamboyant and successful Maysville businessman, Col. J. Barbour Russell announced plans to build such a theater in the small town of Maysville at a cost of $125,000. The Russell Theatre was the result of the exciting period of movie palace theater construction. The Theatre opened December 4, 1930, amid much fanfare with the showing of “Whoopee,” starring Eddie Cantor.

The façade and interior design followed the same trend of elaborate décor of the period, yet the building is unique in its own style and atmosphere. The mood was one of make-believe and escape and must have eased the moods of many patrons as they watched movies during the Great Depression. The Spanish Colonial Revival theme was unusual for Northern Kentucky and included statues, gargoyles, masks, columns, twinkling stars, moving clouds and even a rainbow when the show was completed. The auditorium featured an orchestra pit in front of a curved stage where the dressing rooms were located beneath the stage and there was no stage-right only stage-left. Spanish shawls hung from the balconies and faux Lombard trees and trailing ivy added to the outdoor effect. The Theatre included an abundance of statues, including many literary figures. As in other communities across America, attending movies at The Russell became one of the most popular forms of entertainment for residents in the Maysville area. Through WW II, Americans would attend movies two or three times per week. In 1946, at the peak of the U.S. movie industry’s attendance figures, 90 million people a week went to the movies. Col. Russell operated The Russell until 1935 when it was leased to the Schine Group. The Theatre would later gain fame for its world premier in 1953 of Maysville native Rosemary Clooney’s first movie, “The Stars are Singing.” Maysville celebrated with a parade and naming a street named in Clooney’s honor. By the 1970s, the popularity of downtown movie theatres began to decline with the rapid rise of television and shifting demographics as families moved to the suburbs. Many theaters were lost – either through neglect, demolition or fire.

The Russell continued to operate until 1983 under the management of the Ohio or Panther Theatre Group, marking the only period in the Theatre’s history when the only significant changes were made to the interior design. Much of the original jewel tone colors were painted over with red and yellow paint. While The Russell’s original interior design changed somewhat over time, many of the Theatre’s architectural features survived. After closing permanently in 1983, the Russell would be used as a restaurant, used furniture store, used clothing store and finally a newspaper filler operation. Eventually, the building was abandoned to the elements. Heavy wind and rain ripped off a section of the roof, causing a damaged gutter to drain in the theatre. Except for the original segregated balcony seating, the seats were sold to restore another theater out-of-state.

Today, as part of the growing trend of downtown revitalization, many theaters that stood dormant for years are finding new life as performing arts and community centers and others as motion picture venues. Fortunately, The Russell is also following this trend. In 1995, the building’s deteriorating state caught the attention of concerned citizens who rallied to preserve the structure. The Russell Theatre Corporation was formed and is well on its way to reopening the Theatre and restoring it to its rightful place in the community’s entertainment and tourism industry.