825 LaFarge Ave Historic Survey - Laserfiche WebLink

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POOL A�OATE u P II' K 7E Resource Number: 5BL 7993 Temporary Resource Number: 157508414004 a Saturday matinee. Obviously, the Rex Theatre under the ownership of Santino and Mary Biella from the 1920s to 1940s played a very important role in terms of recreational opportunities in the small coal mining town of Louisville. Directories for the late 1920s and 1930s indicate that the Biella family may have lived above the Rex Theatre for a time. However, the 1930 census clearly shows them living on La Farge. The candy store of Charles and Christine Zarini (now gone) was located right next to the Rex Theatre to the north. This was a convenient spot for audience members to buy candy before the show. Charles Zarini was a relative of Mary Zarini Biella. A colorfully painted canvas curtain from the Rex Theatre that was enjoyed by Rex Theatre and Senor T's customers until Senor T's closed in 2008 dates from the early ownership of the theatre by Santino Biella. The canvas is strongly believed to have been created in the period of the late 1920s, during the silent movie era, and it displays advertising for twenty-two different downtown Louisville businesses that operated at the time. The curtain advertised businesses operated by relatives of Santino and Mary Biella, such as the Charles Zarini confectionary store and Joe Biella General Merchandise, and also advertised businesses located on the same block as 825 La Farge, namely, the Eberharter Store located at 805 La Farge (5BL7984) and the Forte Store located at 804 Walnut (5BL11308). Today, this curtain is part of the collection of the Louisville Historical Museum. Louisville Elevat)r .MFALLlSTER 'k ^/ MUM MRTFRIALI MARiIfT ONWMalcolm - RIPS A ACE -Ps �e Biella Flnrxn .GENERAL.. IRS 1 SVIL Rex Theatre movie curtain, Louisville Historical Museum As the 1994 Louisville Historian article notes, "[The Rex] also hosted other forms of entertainment such as plays presented by a group of local amateur actors, talent shows, [and] baby contests ..." One of these plays from circa 1927-1930 is pictured. The painted canvas curtain can be seen at the top of the photo, and player piano rolls can be seen on the stage. It is likely that the piano sat just out of the picture below the stage. 5