Fine Arts Theatre
4301 Fleur Drive,
Des Moines,
IA
50321
4301 Fleur Drive,
Des Moines,
IA
50321
No one has favorited this theater yet
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Davis Theatres, Dubinsky Brothers, Fridley Theatres
Previous Names: Wakonda Theatre, Movies
Nearby Theaters
The Wakonda Theatre was opened by Davis Theatres April 5, 1969 with Richard Burton in “Where Eagles Dare”. It was renamed The Movies on April 4, 1980 as a twin and operated by the Dubinsky Brothers. Fridley Theatres took over and renamed Fine Arts Theatre on September 3, 1983 screening classic movies. It was closed on December 6, 1987 with Sheila McCarthy in “I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing” & Yves Montand in “Jean de Florette”.
Contributed by
Logan 5
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
This reopened as The Movies on April 4th, 1980, with 2 screens and renamed Fine Arts on September 3rd, 1983, showing classic movies. closed 1987.
The Wakonda Shopping Center was announced way back in 1957. The project stalled but finally got contracts for building and its anchor tenant in 1963 with the Center finally opened theatre-less in November of 1964. Richard L. Davis' Davis Theatres teamed with Heartland Cinema Co. to build a venue here in 1969. Davis had the River Hills / Cinerama complex and the Eastgate twin. It was a luxury suburban venue seating 344 patrons opening in 1969.
The third operator of the venue, Fridley Theatres Circuit, closed the Fine Arts on December 6, 1987 with “I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing” and “Jean de Florette.” The theater had been scuffling closing temporarily in the summer of 1987 due to lack of business.