Blue Heaven Theater

Here is a 1983 photo of the building. This article refers to this theater as the Blue Haven Theater which was a second run theater for African-Americans.

LM, the Arkansas Historical Society magazine lists the theatre as one of two in Mariana, the other being the Imperial. They list it as the Blue Heaven and opening in November 1941 specifically for an African American audience. The address given is 284 W. Chestnut and also list it as demolished and the site of a Family Dollar Store.

Okay, then the aka name of Blue Haven isn't necessary. The Imperial is listed in 1955 with 659 seats so it was larger than this theater.

LM, in the book it doesn't mention that the theatre was known by any other name. I have the info on the Imperial and I will submit it later in the evening. The only difference was the seat count, difference by one seat, they liste4d it at 660.

The name Blue Haven came from an article based on someone's recollections of this theater. That person was probably mistaken. Maybe this theater was named after the song "My Blue Heaven".

The July 19, 1941, issue of Boxoffice mentioned Mr. L.M. Fong, who was opening the Blue Heaven Theatre in Marianna.

The May 23, 1942, issue of Boxoffice reported that L. Man Fong was putting on a "Chinese Relief Show" at the Blue Heaven Theatre on the 26th and 27th. Chinese movies would be shown, with English translation provided. Film exchanges were asked to make donations to the Chinese Relief Fund.

The Blue Heaven Theatre was offered for sale in a classified ad in the July 4, 1953, issue of Boxoffice. That's the most recent I've found it mentioned in the magazine.