Russell Theatre

The Russell Theatre is a movie theater in Spanish Colonial Revival style with seating for around 707 people and two distinctive towers visible on its exterior. Inside, the space features a Mediterranean garden design with decorative wall niches running throughout the auditorium.

Construction of the building started in 1928 with a significant financial investment and it opened to the public on December 4, 1930, showing an Eddie Cantor film. The project reflected the growing wave of theater construction across America during that era, bringing cinema to communities of all sizes.

The theater holds a special place in the community as the venue where local performer Rosemary Clooney appeared in a significant 1953 film. This connection to a beloved entertainer shaped how people in Maysville see the building as part of their shared history.

The building sits in downtown Maysville on Third Street and is easy to find on foot. Keep in mind that this is a historic structure and the interior requires restoration work, which may affect visiting conditions.

The theater's original projection system was designed to display a rainbow effect across the stage at the end of each film, creating a memorable conclusion to the screening. This technical feature made every visit special and set the experience apart from other movie houses of that time.

Location: Maysville

Architects: Frankel & Curtis

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

Address: 9 East 3rd Street, Maysville, KY 41056

Website: http://russelltheatre.org

GPS coordinates: 38.64667,-83.76472

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00