Memories
Everyone has a different memory of The State Theater…and we want to know every single one of them!
Did you have your first date here? Did you sit in the “courting seats” with your date? What was your favorite snack and drink to have while watching a movie? Did your parents bring you or did you come with your best friend, a sibling, or on your own? Did you discover a favorite film at The State? Was a new world created every time the lights went down and the screen lit up? Do you have a funny story of something that happened here?
Whatever your story, we want to know. Please take a few moments and share them with us by entering your memory in the comment box below.
Comments
The State theater is where I saw my first movie and fell in love with film. I remember seeing Disney’s The Jungle Book there as a small child and then saw E.T. twice. It was a movie that quickly became one of my favorite films and helped shape my creative ideas. Growing up I have missed the State Theater and the classic movie experience that is absent in today’s multiplex theaters. I look forward to the reopening and can’t wait to see it restored.
I saw my first movie there when I was 5 years old; it would have been 1962 or 1963. Our parents arranged for me and my best friend Joe Medley to go on a Saturday afternoon. There was a definite air of excitement for us. I don’t remember the name of the movie, but it starred Lassie. The only part of the plot I recall was that it included Lassie riding in a hot air balloon! I do still remember my first taste of movie theater popcorn served up in a paper bag, though.
The State theater makes me think of “Star Wars”. Most of my classmates had already seen it twice by the time I first viewed it at the State. The movie and the theater is a great memory for me. I remember being awe-struck by the bright lights on the State marquee when we first walked under them. I am so happy it’s coming back to life. It will be a wonderful addition for the E-town community. I can’t wait to see a movie again.
My sister and I went to see The Ghost and Mr. Chicken when we were about 9 and 7. It scared us so much we had to leave early! That movie is now one of my favorite comedies. At the time you couldn’t convince me that it wasn’t a number 1 horror film! I would love to see those kind of movies come back so I can take my granddaughter.
My first movie, my first date, my first kiss……..all were here at the State.
This old building has some very special memories for me and I am thankful to be a part of the re-opening…and excited to see what has been done. I can’t wait.
Thanks for the great resource
People who have moved here or been born in the last 25 years or so don’t believe it, but there was a time when there was NOTHING along 31W between Radcliff and Etown! Thank God for State Theater — it was the only place to go on a “real” date (at least for those of us with curfews for whom a trip to Louisville was out of the question!) I enjoyed many films and ate lots of popcorn back in the day! Can’t wait for the re-opening!
When I was a teenager in the 60’s I was on a date to a movie there When I got home I noticed my billfold was missing. I called the State Theater and they said they had found it. I went immediately to get it. Everything was there , nothing missing!! Can’t imagine that happening now-a-days!!! Great memories from the State Theater!!! Sincerely:
Lanny Atherton
LaRue Co. High
Class of 66
My favorite memories are from the Saturday Matinee’s and of course all the walks home when I would be a Cowboy or Indian or a Soldier in combat trying to get the remains of my “box of popcorn” home safely. I am excited to be seeing inside the theatre again.
A child of the 60s, tbe State Theater is where I saw my first horror movie…”The Fly” in black & white. That famous squeeky line “help me, help me!” I saw it twice (I think that explains alot). Cost me 25 cents. I got my money’s worth.
I saw Gone With the Wind at the state and it’s still one of my favorite movies. I remember after the movie standing in line at the ticket booth to use the phone to call dad to pick me up, or going to there with Eddie Thurman and having his mon pick us up. How’s that for a “date” having his mom pick us up? lol My favorite snack? popcorn, of course, with extra salt and a very large coke. I can’t wait to see inside again.
Vincent Price and the State Theater, loved them both…for those that might remember the Sweet/Soda Shop next door, later to become a Record Shop; my mother worked there for several years back in the 50s. The State became my daycare center when I was not in school…a new movie Sunday thru Tuesday, another movie Wednesday thru Friday and a double feature on Saturday. Later mom went to work around the corner for the phone company but I got to continue going to the State Theater. Best childhood memory: as I hid my eyes with my hands, Jonny Cofer fleeing the seat next to me and the theater during Mister Price’s Pit and the Pendulum.
I remember seeing the movie The Birds with my friend Pam. We were so scared walkimg home that everytime we saw a bird we took off running. I have such great memories of meeting friends there and going to Boyd’s Drugs for a cherry coke.Good times.
I saw my first movie at the State Theatre. My Mother took me to see The Apple Dumpling Gang. The State Theatre is truly where my love of movies and theatre began.
Best movie… Picnic with Kim Novak and William Holden. I saw it in 1955 or ‘56.
I was impressed enough with it that I asked my mom to make a dress for me that looked like the dress Kim Novak wore.
She did make it and I loved wearing the dress. We were just as impressionable as todays teenagers, the good thing about that time was there were no movies that were Xrated shown at the State.
In 1967, I worked for Lew Hoskinson at E-town Record & Music, the record shop that was located in the State Theater building. Man, there are so many memories!I remember Bob Enoch, the owner of the State, as well as the Starlite & Knox Drive-In theaters. I also remember Bob Roland and Kenny Perry, the gentlemen who actually ran the theaters. Mary, my wife of 35 years (and counting!) had our first date at the State. We sat half-way down on the left, aisle seats, and watched Dan (Hoss Cartwright on Bonanza)Blocker in “The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County”! It is so great that the State is back, and we are looking forward to the Grand Re-Opening!!
I’ve wished and hoped for many years that the State Theater would be restored and reopen, and now a wonderful dream has come true!
I have so many great memories of seeing movies there, especially throughout the 1970’s…Madhouse starring Vincent Price, The Eiger Sanction starring Clint Eastwood, Killer Force starring Peter Fonda and Telly Savalas, another Peter Fonda movie named Race With The Devil, a funny western called My Name is Nobody starring Henry Fonda and Terence Hill, a bigfoot type of horror movie called Creature From Black Lake, a ‘disaster’ movie of the mid 1970’s called Tidal Wave starring Lorne Greene, Walking Tall Part 2, Challenge To Be Free, and so many more!
I remember the concession stand was just to the left once inside the lobby. If I’m not mistaken too, there was a period of time when the ONLY refreshments you cold buy was just a bag of popcorn and a drink…no candy! And the popcorn came in just one small size, so I usually got 2 bags! And it was so good.
A big thank you to those who are bringing this grand old theater back to life! This is truly something to look forward to from now on!
Best Regards,
Scott
In the summer of 1956 and 1957 my summer job was at the State. I sold popcorn and candy at the concession stand in ‘56 and sold tickets in summer of ‘57. It was a great job, 50 cents and hour, but it wasn’t the money, it was getting to see all the people come in, who they were with and all of the fun that we had. I worked with Joe Dukes, Terry Estep and Olive Ann Carden Champion. Mr Enoch would come in from time to time and was always very nice to us. I have great memories of the State theater and since I no longer live in Hardin County I will look forward to coming back there to relive some of the fond memories that I have.
It is great that you have “saved the State”.
I remember walking to the “picture show”as a youngster. It was our only entertainment. It will be fun to return to my home town and visit that picture show again. It is wonderful to keep the historical places alive along with the memories in our hearts.
I remember seeing Savanah Smiles with my Girl Scout troop, and according to imdb.com – this movie was released in 1982. I also remember going there with my family to see the Tim Conway movie with Gus the donkey that played football (the website says 1976, but I would’ve only been 4 yrs old then – either a good memory for a 4 yr old or it was a late showing).
I do believe ET was the last movie I saw there. I’m definitely going to try to get tickets for Sunday’s show – my kids haven’t seen that movie. Hope its not sold out.
I have a number of memories about the State Theater. Starting like most locals with going there as a kid. I also had my first date there and sat in one of the cuddle seats with her.
My favorite memories, actually are performing in the Plum Alley and Gallery.
I was one of the four local artists who were invited to perform at the Gala Grand Opening at The Plum Alley. Then a few months later my friend Jacob and I played for a nearly full house. My other favorite memory was when Kim Swickard and I as the duo 2×12 were the opening act for the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Benefit.
My grandmother took us to see “The Shaggy Dog”. I think it was 1967 or ‘68. My brother and I both fell asleep. It was great! Later about the same year my mother took me to see ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’. I was five. She was trying to teach me about tolerance,etc. 1968 was a big year for lessons of that sort.
Going to the movies was an event at the State. For a little money you could walk into a red velvet palace-I can still smell that great smell-and see the curtains that opened when the movie started -wow…
My Mom inlaw, Irene, worked at the theater during WW2. Her husband was stationed at Fort Knox and she found a room with the jailor and his wife next to the jail. She was poor, alone and ate popcorn to survive.
I recently visited the area and took some pictures, but she would love some old photos during that time if anyone has any. She is 88.
our memories of the State Theater go way back before it was THE HISTORIC STATE THEATER. There was a time when it was a magic window on the world. It brought us larger than life heroes like John Wayne. There were grand epics like THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and even THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL, ELVIS. It will be a very surreal thing for us to stand on that grand stage of old on January 9, 2010 for our ELVIS AND MEAT LOAF show. We will have some very big shoes to fill and quite a bit of memories to live up to that night. Bring your own memories and join us as we make some new ones! THE PERKINS BROTHERS in concert at THE HISTORIC STATE THEATER January 9, 2010. We hope to see you there!
My first date was at the State Theater. Of course, his little brother came, too. We were only 12. We saw Bambi. I was also treated to “Gone With the Wind” on my 16th birthday.
Well, to soon to say if it’s good, but at least it’s well designed.
I mean I thought I would be blocked after adding some interests, but the site helps you to add more.
Cheers
i have never been to the theater but my grandma worked their in the 3o’s as a ticket taker wich is where she met my grandfather who was returning home from the korean war she told me the story of how it was love at first sight, him in his uniform with his wavy black hair and blue eyes.
My memories of the State Theater, as a child, were after hours. My grandfather, John Beard, was a custodian there and we would love to come to work with him. We found all kinds of “treasures” under seats in the theater and in the walkways.
My favorite memory though was going into the concession stand and making “suicides” with the fountain machines and the wonderful smell of those buckets of dill pickles!!! It was also a little spooky there without the hussle and bussle of people and the movies playing. Still, those will always be some of my favorite memories!
My sister used to work there on some saturdays she had to babysit me but also work at the state taking tickets. My time at the state on one saturday Five Weeks in a Ballon was showing and I watched it for almost three times in a row because my sister had to take care of me and work at the same time. Another time I went to school at Mulberry-Helm and would go to the show after school stopping at Boyd’s drug for a Bar-bee-que sandwich and cherry coke. I remember losing a sweater at the show that my mon at appliqued horses on the forest green sweater. Those were great times. I also took my niece and nephews there for a treat as I got older. Glad to see it back Maybe my daughter can have some good times there now that it is reopened
In the 60’s, I remember going to the State Theater every Saturday afternoon with my girlfriends. We would load up the car and get one of our mom’s to drive us from Hodgenville.
My husband (of 46 years) and I went to see Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley on our first date– from that moment on I knew he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
My husband and i started dating in 1958 and married in 1960.We saw so many movies i could’t begin to tell you my favorite one.We always had fun.Those were the days!!We will be married 49 yrs. Sept 24.It had been that long since we had been in the State Theater.
I have a tip for you that i read in a magizine and it really works.Sat. night we went to see Shane The last couple of min of the movie the disk froze and we didn’t get to see the end.If you will take a drop or 2 of white toothpaste and rub it vigorisly on the disk then rinse it with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth it will never freeze up again!!I have done that to several of mine and it works every time!!
My mother had made me a new skirt.I wore it to the movies that night.My date and i which is now myhusband of 49 yrs. went to see The Hound of The Baskervills.This mean dog jumped down suddenly on Sherklock Holmes.It scared me so bad that the coke that i had in my hand went stright up into the air and came right down in my lap.What a mess!!
As a child my older brother & I would go watch what was a scary movie. They were great. Then at 17 met my husband of 27 years & went on a couple of dates there until it closed. So happy to see it reopened – planning on seeing The Ghost & Mr. Chicken.
My first memory of the State Theater is seeing Elvis in “Jailhouse Rock”. I was one of the invitees to Winnie Jo Perry’s birthday party (I would guess about age 10), which included seeing this movie together. It was a blast. Somewhere about that same time, my grandmother took me to see Charlton Heston in “The Ten Commandments”. Later in high school (EHS class of ‘64), the State was the place to be seen with your boyfriend on a Saturday night. Many, many wonderful memories of the State Theater. cd
Thought it was a real treat to buy candy cigarettes at the concession stand. As I recall, they were yummy. I remember the record store next door, where I also spent many hours of fun. cd
I used to love the midnnight shows at the State Theater back in the 80’s. I remember sitting among a packed house watching “Escape From New York”! It made the film seem more like an event. I saw a lot of cool films there. The design of the theater always lent the experience some style, like the Vogue and Uptown Theaters in Louisville, both, sadly, gone. I’ve not yet seen a film in the newly revamped theater, but I will soon.
Just started new memories at the state, actually volunteered to help worked concession stand then went to see White Christmas. It was great. YOU Gotta to go check it out . Great price and great movies that are for the whole family Oldies but goodies.
My father passed away this summer and the State Theater provided a perfect venue to memorialize his life. My brother and I had put together a picture slide show and a video of our dad. We wanted to share it with family and friends, and the State Theater happened to reopen right when we needed it. The cost was VERY reasonable and the staff put his name on the marquee. Although it was very non-traditional, it created a positive memory for our family. Seeing his name on the marquee brought a smile to my face because I was so very proud to have been his daughter. This theater is beautiful and pristine inside. Many of the original details have been preserved and restored. Elizabethtown is lucky to have such a beautiful, historic establishment. I hope people in E-Town will continue to support it through their patronage.
I hit dating age back around 1977 or so. I was raised in Bardstown, KY and we didn’t have a whole lot to do and it was a treat to get to come to Etown! My boyfriend at the time took my on an impressive date to the State in Etown! I am having a hard time remembering the movies.. Haha…but I think I saw A Star is Born with Barbra Streisand in the State. I also saw ET and the first Star War movie, which was amazing. I know that the Theatre seemed so fancy and exciting at the time. I am glad it is restored! My daughter tells me her class is gonna go on a trip and see a movie there. I am thrilled!!!
In 1960 I can remember wanting to go to the movies while staying with my Mammaw Magers. The movie on at the State Theater was “The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake”. Mammaw was concerned the movie was not appropriate for my 4 year old cousin. But we assured her we would take care of him. So we got to go. I can remember laughing at him more than being scared of the movie. During the scary parts he would put his hands over his eyes and his thumbs in his ears….but he would open up his fingers where he could see the movie. He said he was scared of the sound….
the year was 1965, i was a 11 year old boy that was just given my freedom from my mothers ever present forced conpanionship,as well as the responsibility of helping look after my younger siblings.
i had earned an allowance and was given my first freedom in downtown Elizabethtown, with a time and a location to meet back up with my mother.
my big adventure led me first to the old pool room where i had a hot dog, and then a walk past the old square to the to the state where i went to see my first movie that did not include the whole family and the family car.
it was the film Dr Zhivago, and i remember the film and experience as clear today as i did those 45 years ago.
i am glad to see the theatre in its present condition
Thanks
Larry Lile
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