Landers Theatre
332 E. Main Street,
Batesville,
AR
72501
332 E. Main Street,
Batesville,
AR
72501
1 person
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The Gem Opera House opened in 1906 in a three-story structure located on Main Street. By the early 1920’s, the Gem had become a movie house, with only ocassional stage shows. It became the first movie theater in the area to screen sound films, in 1931. Will Rogers appeared on the stage of Gem, which by 1941 had been renamed the Landers for the family which would operate the theater for three generations, until it closed in the 1990’s. After it closed as a movie house, it was used infrequently for concerts.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Restoration news:
http://tinyurl.com/38qwnt
Here is another photo. The church was on its way.
http://tinyurl.com/ygy29tt
I saw the Empire Strikes back there back in 1980. I remember it was a pretty good theater, but my family preferred the one down the street.
1955 postcard added via Jan Burrow Qualls.
New interior photo of concessions added.