Melba Theatre
3608 S. Grand Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
3608 S. Grand Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
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After adding a long succession of neighborhood houses, Fred Wehrenberg acquired the Melba Theatre. The 1,600 seat house on Grand Avenue had an airdome next to it. During warm evenings, shows would be stopped in the auditorium, and film reels carried to the airdome. The movie would then continue in the cooler outdoors.
When built, the Melba had a park in front of it. Later, an office building with stores was constructed on the site of the park. It formed an arcade which led to the lobby of the theater.
When the theater was torn down, the office building remained. The marquee from the Melba Theatre was moved to the Melba Theatre in DeSoto, Missouri, another theater acquired by the Wehrenberg chain.
Contributed by
Charles Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The Melba and most of the theatres that bore that name were named after the very popular singer of the ealy 1900’s, Nellie Melba.
She is also famous for the other 2 things named after her, Melba Toast and Peachm Melba.
JamesGrebe
The correct address for the Melba Theatre is 3608 South Grand Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63118
Years of operation were 1917 to 1960.
The architect was R. A. Matthews.
This is a 1950s photo of the Melba Theater.
Here is an older photo of the Melba. It appears to be from the 1930s.
Where the theatre itself sat is now a multi-story apartment building.
Could someone please tell me the name and maker of the dishes handed out on “dish night” in the 1940’s/50’s. My family all grew up in St. Louis and that was an every Saturday night thing for them. I am trying to find the name so I may be able to start a collection of them. Thank you for any information.
Michele