Not a member yet? Register now.

Search

Theaters News Links

Advanced search
 

Theater Guide

Now listing 26,499 theaters & 1,598 photos… more
Browse by...
• Architect
• Chain
• Firm
• Function
• Location
• Newest
• Photo
• Screens
• Seats
• Status
• Style
• Updated
• VR
 

Add Your Cinema Treasure!

Add Theater
Add Photo (offline)
Add Theater News
 

Newest Theaters

Nov 07 Jewel Theatre
Nov 06 American Theater
Nov 06 Palace Theater
Nov 06 Huber Opera House…
Nov 06 G & M Theatre
Nov 06 A-Mus-U Theatre
Nov 06 Collegetown Twin
Nov 06 Mt. Pleasant…
Nov 06 London Palladium
Nov 05 Pine Drive-In
more new theaters
 

Recent Comments

Nov 07 Rialto Theatre (15)
Nov 07 Geauga Cinema (14)
Nov 07 Yucca Drive-In (10)
Nov 07 El Rey Theatre (62)
Nov 07 Lido Theatre (73)
Nov 07 Carolina West (16)
Nov 07 Warner Theatre (50)
Nov 07 National Hills… (73)
Nov 07 Regency Mall… (19)
Nov 07 Loew's Vendome (10)
 

Updated Theaters

Nov 07 BFI London IMAX…
Nov 07 AMC Pacific Place…
Nov 07 National Hills…
Nov 07 Loew's Vendome
Nov 07 Fountain Theater
Nov 07 Olympic Theater
Nov 07 02 Academy Brixton
Nov 07 Paramount Theatre
Nov 07 Eric Twin at…
Nov 07 Destinta…
more updated theaters
 
 
   Discover. Preserve. Protect.
Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Arkansas » Batesville » Melba Theatre

Melba Theatre

Batesville, AR
115 W. Main Street
, Batesville, AR 72501 United States
(map)
870.698.9252
Status: Open
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Art Moderne
Function: Movies, Movies (Film Festivals)
Seats: 779
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown
Add a photo for this theater!
The Melba opened in 1940, a Streamline Moderne style movie house on Batesville's Main Street. The theater features a large vertical sign flush to the facade and a triangular marquee, both spelling out the theater's name in neon-lit letters.

Though the Melba closed in the early 90s, it was renovated and reopened in 2000 and today functions both as a concert venue and movies on weekends. It has also been a host theater for the Ozark Foothills Film Festival.
Contributed by Bryan

YOUR COMMENTS

 
Small color photo on this link (don't try to expand without a password:
http://www.arkansasmediaroom.com/news-releases/listings/display.asp?id=280
posted by TC on Mar 14, 2005 at 12:38pm
The Film Daily Yearbook, 1950 gives a seating capacity of 779.
posted by KenRoe on Mar 14, 2005 at 1:03pm
Here is another photo of the Melba Theater.
posted by Lost Memory on Oct 17, 2005 at 3:26pm
This is a recent photo of the Melba Theater.
posted by Lost Memory on Apr 5, 2006 at 8:28am
Here is an interesting article about the renovation of the Melba:
http://tinyurl.com/mnc2r
posted by ken mc on May 27, 2006 at 7:51am
In the early 1950's, I saw Tex Ritter and his band live on stage at the Melba. He sang songs he had made famous. The one most requested by the youngsters was "Rye Whiskey." Before the show was over, he led his horse, White Flash, upon stage and had him do tricks, such as counting to ten and shaking his head yes or no to questions Tex asked him. Around 1958, a live magic show was held on stage at the Melba with audience participation. In 1956, the local radio station, KBTA, staged a talent show on the Melba stage every Saturday just before the matinee. The most popular attraction was always the owl show at midnight on Saturday nights which gave teens a good excuse to stay out late.
posted by krorie on Oct 1, 2006 at 6:26pm
Here is a larger photo of the Melba Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 12, 2006 at 7:44am
As I remember, the first CinemaScope film, "The Robe," starring Richard Burton, played at the Landers, not the Melba, in 1953.
posted by krorie on Nov 12, 2006 at 10:00am
A more recent photo of the Melba Theater can be seen here.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 9, 2007 at 9:31am
This building dates back to 1875. It was renovated into a theater in 1939. Source.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 10, 2008 at 6:54pm
Here is another photo of the Melba.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:01am
1962 photo of the Melba Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c4%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=23346
1984 photo of the Melba Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c4%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=23347
1985 night photo of the Melba Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c4%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=3&ProductID=23350
posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 11, 2009 at 4:28pm
This is another 1984 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 4, 2009 at 11:58am
Does anyone know if the theatre was renovated ater the heavy rain and ground settling causing a partial collapse of the theatre in 2006?
posted by Chuck1231 on Aug 5, 2009 at 8:00pm
Chuck....It might have been renovated. The exterior looks good in this 2009 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 27, 2009 at 5:42pm
Comment
*

Notify me when someone replies to my comment?
Note: Please read our comment policy before posting. Comments which are off-topic, obscene, spam, or personal attacks will be removed. Help us keep the discussion productive!