Melvin Theatre
2912 Chippewa Street,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
2912 Chippewa Street,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
1 person
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Showing 1 - 25 of 26 comments found
I recently watched the Disney remake of Mighty Joe Young. I saw the original at the Melvin Theater back in the 1950’s. Back then, the Melvin was showing double features of older movies. My great aunt used to take my sister and me there when she was “babysitting”. It’s a cherished memory.
Kyle, the neighborhood was safe in the 70’s and small businesses flourished. There was an ice cream parlor on one corner, a small barbershop, and a convenient store all within 1 block of the theater. I was 8 years old when my father appointed me as the projectionist. I worked 7 days of week alongside my family.
Jaws was our biggest turnout. I believe that was the only show we extended 1 or more weeks to satisfy our customers.
Thanks for the info — perhaps I contact them for a tour.
Bill, you can also go to the Melvin Theater’s website (http://themelvintheater.com) and go to the Contact link. That might be the best way to get hold of them. Again, keep my posted.
Bill,
Unfortunately, I don’t know the owners (I live in Southern California), so the only information I can give you is the Melvin Theater’s Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/themelvintheater
There’s a phone number and an email address on there. Give that a try an let me know how it goes…
By the way, how was the Melvin back when your family ran it? Was the neighborhood decent? What kind of turnout did you get? How were the crowds? What really brought them in?
Kyle, I would be interested in touring the facility and would apprectiate if you would be willing to send contact info from the owner(s). My family reconditioned the theatre in the 70’s and I was the projectionist from 1972 – 1976. Best regards, Bill Miller
UPDATE: Not only is the Melvin operating as a concert venue, it appears they will start showing movies again in the fall. Keep in mind, my only source for this is a posting in one of the photo albums in the Melvin’s Facebook page, but it sounds legit. Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=184056031650216&set=a.184056004983552.61090.172459656143187&type=1&theater
I hope everyone enjoys the recent photo of the Melvin that I have added to this page. As you can see the old place still carries it’s charm.
I know the Melvin was independent, but I believe I read in Wehrenberg’s 100th Anniversary book that they ran the Melvin for a while. Is that true? Or did they make another mistake?
It appears the Melvin Theater is now operating not only as a church, but also as a Christian concert venue!! They’ve even got their own page on Facebook…which has pictures of the interior in the Photos section!!! Check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Melvin-Theater/172459656143187
My sister-in-law, Rhonda Graves, used to work at the Melvin in the ‘80s. I only went there once when I was a kid (in the late 80s). I still remember, it was a double feature of “The Seventh Sign” and “Friday The 13th Part VII”. It cost me a whopping FIFTY CENTS. :)
My research shows the final day (night) of operation was October 18, 1992.
Another 1985 photo is here.
1985 photo of the Melvin Theatre
View link
The same church is still in the Melvin today although the building that Bill Miller and his family lived in has been demolished.
Here is a 2000 photo of the Melvin Theater building being used as a church.
This is Melvin in 1986.
My niece’s stepfather Tom managed the place before it closed in the 90’s…I seem to recall the last film I saw there was “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”.
the Melvin theater was last owned (before being sold to the church)by Herman carnell,who also owned the kingsland,and still ownes the melba in de soto.the melvin was still running in the early 90’s as a $1 house.
Charles. I believe we met as I recall helping my father with the pageant and we met with you and a partner of yours at your theatre. The Melvin Theatre was home for me for 4 years and my roomates were two enormous (remember I was 9-12 years old) carbon arc Peerless Projectors operating 20 minute cast iron reels that were as loyal as friends could be and I remember licking the tip of my fingers between reels so I could replace the carbon rods. Life was good when I had a full carbon rod but many times I had to pull from the bucket. I’ve searched for newspaper or any media during our run but I was unsucessful. I am appreciative of any suggestions.
Bill Miller
Bill M. I knew your father rather well. He helped put on the Miss Granite City Pageant at the Washington Theatre during the early 70’s.
He also went on to manage the Granada Theatre for the short time that is was operated by BAC. Drop me an email sometime.
Also here a link to a photo of the Melvin Theatre.
View link
My father (Bill Miller) purchased the Melvin in 1972 and we opened in ‘73. I believe the first movie was the Poseidon Adventure. We sold the theatre in 1977. A lot of work for a 9-year-old projectionist, but good memories that I will never forget!!!
Bill M
My mother went to the Melvin as a young woman and took us there as children. As I grew up, I used to go with my classmates at school. I used to love to eat the kosher dill pickles sold from a big jar at the concession counter. Wonderful memories…
Connie C
he Melvin was one of those theatres that used to give out dishes and things as attendance prizes (Tuesday or Wednsday). My aunt & uncle used to go there just to collect the dishes. Yes. it was called the “Smelvin”.
JamesGrebe
September 1981 the night before my first day in high school I saw Clash Of The Titans for $1. That was the last time I ever saw a film at the Melvin. My friends and I fondly referred to the place as the “Smellvin”.
The Melvin dates from 1914.
The original owner was Joseph Hallaman who named the theatre after his son.
Building permit lists architect as Theodore Degenhardt.