Ohio+Theatre

=Madison's Ohio Theatre=

Located on Main Street in the heart of the Downtown Madison National Historic Landmark District, the [|Ohio Theatre] has provided nightly entertainment since 1938. Art deco lights line the red carpeted aisles leading to the huge screen in the main viewing room. The seats are wide and recline with plenty of leg room. Faces of movie stars adorn the concession stand and the popcorn is just plain good. What more could you ask of a historic movie theater?

This spot on Main Street has long been a movie theater. First it was the "Little Grand," but it burned in 1936. The Ohio was built there and completed in 1938.

According to the [|Lemen Photo Collection]archive, the headline in the Madison Courier on October 3, 1938, declared "New Ohio Theater Contains Most Modern Equipment Available." The [|Ohio Theatre] was proclaimed to be the finest theater in southern Indiana. It sported a red and blue porcelain front (since removed) and a rather unusual air conditioning system. The building was of brick and concrete supported by steel columns and trusses. It was under construction for almost a year under the direction of L. E. Holwager. H. H. Johnson was the lessee and the operator of the theater. Mr. C. E. Picard of the Queen City Scenic Studio of Buffalo, New York handled the interior decorating. The marquee was supplied by the Swansun-Nunn Company of Evansville.

In 1977, owner John Galvin announced there would be major changes to the theater. A second theater was added by converting the balcony. While the seating was cramped, the view on the smaller screen is excellent due to the balcony's stadium seating.

The theater closed in 1993 but in 1996 it was reopened when Tony and Laura Ratcliff purchased the building from Galvin. The seating and sound have been upgraded and a balcony upgrade is in the planning stages.

Special events at the theatre include Terrific Tuesdays where tickets are $1.50. There are also free summer and Christmas film festivals along with occasional live music and radio plays.

Resources
The [|Ohio Theatre] website. [|Lemen Photo Collection] entry for the Ohio Theatre.