Preserving History
Economic
conditions threaten
survival of historic theater
Madison’s
Ohio Theatre
has been in operation since 1938
By
Konnie McCollum
Staff Writer
(March 2010) – During the early 1900s in Madison,
Ind., residents and visitors looking for fun could walk to the Nickelodeon,
a small neighborhood theater at 105 E. Main St, and for 5 cents enjoy
a short narrative film. While the cost of a movie has risen dramatically
since then, today people can still watch a full, feature film at the
same location after strolling or shopping through the historic downtown.
The Ohio Theatre has operated since 1938 on the site of that original
Nickelodeon. Today, the historic building is in foreclosure, but its
owners, Tony and Laura Ratcliff, are determined to keep the theater
open for business.
 |
|
Photo
courtesy of Historic Madison Inc. This
early 20th century photo |
“We are not planning on closing,” said Laura
Ratcliff. “We love what we do, and we are working on a project
to protect the theater.”
As with many other businesses in the area and around the country, the
current economic climate has not been a particularly prosperous time
for the theater, she said.
With the advent of feature film, the Nickelodeon was replaced with the
Little Grand theater, which was smaller than the current Ohio Theatre.
In 1937, Little Grand caught fire. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1938
and renamed the Ohio Theatre.
In 1959, Joe and Madeline Finneran bought the theater and asked their
son-in-law and daughter, John and Maureen Galvin, to manage it. Fresh
out of college, the couple agreed and moved to Madison. By 1963, the
Galvins had purchased the theater and were operating it on their own.
They later added a second theater in the balcony.
“It was a popular social gathering place,” said John Galvin.
“Not only did we show first-run movies, but we held events, such
as the annual Madison Regatta Beauty Pageant, there.”
Galvin sold the theater in 1994, and it remained unused as a film venue
until the Ratcliffs bought it in 1996.
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|
Photo
by Don Ward The
Ohio Theatre |
“The Ratcliffs have done a good job running the place,
but it’s a tough business to operate,” Galvin said. During
his tenure as owner, another movie house, the Madison Theater, was showing
B-films just down the street. That theater was eventually torn down,
and the site is currently a public parking lot.
In addition to operating the theater as a second-run film house, the
Ratcliffs opened the doors to community events that have included the
Madison Bicentennial Celebration’s “Madison’s Got Talent”
contest, and numerous concerts, contests and fundraisers for sport and
civic organizations.
During summers, the theater held special “free movie” events
and each year it plays host to a free community film during the annual
“Light Up Madison,” holiday festivities. Many tourists come
into the lobby just to purchase snacks and soft drinks.
“We think we add to the community,” said Ratcliff. “We
love what we are doing, but the economy has greatly affected us. Many
people just don’t have that extra money to spend on entertainment
right now.”
She said she hopes to continue working with the bank to keep operations
going, but is also looking for investors throughout the community who
would like to get involved.
“We hope people decide to keep us here by continuing to come to
shows, buy concessions and show their support.”
• For more information about the Ohio Theatre, or for information on becoming an investor, call (812) 273-4880.