The Ghost of The Kimo Theatre: The Most Famous Pueblo Deco Picture Palace
From Legends of America: Albuquerque Ghosts
Kimo Theatre "The Kimo Theatre, a Pueblo Deco picture palace, was opened on September 19, 1927. No institution stands through time without something bad happening and the Kimo is no exception. In 1951, a six year old boy named Bobby Darnall was killed when the boiler in the basement exploded, demolishing part of the original lobby. It is this boy, wearing a striped shirt and blue jeans that is often seen playing on the lobby staircase. But he is also known to play numerous impish tricks, such as tripping the actors and creating a ruckus during performances. To appease the spirit, the cast hangs doughnuts on the water pipe that runs along the back wall of the theatre behind the stage.
"Not only is the old theatre home to poor Bobby Darnell, who died in the 1951 explosion, but also to a mysterious lady who is seen walking along the hallways.
"This unknown woman, wearing a bonnet, has often been reported walking down the halls of the theatre, appearing to be just going about her business. Nothing more is known of this ghostly presence, but seemingly she doesnt disturb anyone, she just likes strolling about the old theatre.
"However, Bobby is a much more prevalent force and has been known to play all kinds of impish tricks upon staff and guests of the old theatre. Often seen playing on the lobby staircase, Bobby wears a striped shirt and blue jeans.
"According to legend, the impish spirit causes the performers problems by tripping them and creating a ruckus during performances. To appease the spirit, the cast hangs doughnuts on the water pipe that runs along the back wall of the theatre behind the stage. Often, the treats are gone the next morning. Of those that are left, bite marks made by a little mouth, can sometimes be seen.
"One year, a crew preparing for a Christmas production took down the stale doughnuts. Big mistake. No sooner were the doughnuts removed, when the technical rehearsal started to become a disaster, with everything going wrong, from lighting, to sound problems, and more. When the treats were replaced, things began to run smoothly again."
I took a tour of the Kimo Theater & the very knowledgeable docent, director of the KiMo Theater, called the ghost stories bunk. He said that there was a lull of about 25 years between the death of Bobby Darnall & the first sighting/prank on the cast & described other reasons why the myth was created, which seemed to fit the marketing of the theater at the time.
