Arlee Theater
139 S. Main Street,
Mason City,
IL
62264
139 S. Main Street,
Mason City,
IL
62264
4 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Arlee Theater (Official)
Additional Info
Functions: Live Performances, Movies (Family)
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Nashville Sound Opry
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Oct 14, 2013 — Theaters continue to struggle with digital upgrade
- Mar 22, 2004 — Mason City's Arlee Theater Reopening This Week
The Arlee Theater opened on November 19, 1936 with Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in “Swing Time”. It initially had 450 seats. It operated as a movie theater until 1984. It was later reopened as a country music venue called the Nashville Sound Opry, but this closed in 2001.
In 2003, the Arlee Theater was acquired by John and Gaye Maxson who reopened the theater at the end of March 2004 with a mix of live performances and family-friendly movies. Following re-seating in 2015, the seating capacity has been reduced to 350.
Thanks to John and Gaye Maxson and Charles Van Bibber for the information on this theater.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
The theater is now open and is showing “family friendly” movies. Come and experience what a real big screen movie event is all about.
I just met a gal who grew up in Mason City. She told me about this theatre and was so pleased to learn of it’s restoration and grand reopening!
I absolutely love this theater. I am particularly pleased that every movie shown is family friendly, unlike my local theater. Makes a perfect date night, even spur of the moment!
According to the website, the theater will close down in December 2013 in order to install digital projection equipment.
Update with pictures on the Arlee Theater can be seen here: Link
I must have met Gaye when I passed through. I helped her carry some sodas from her car, and she showed me around. Sadly my picture toward the screen didn’t really come out, but the interior is very well preserved.
The official web site says that the Arlee Theatre opened on November 19, 1936 with the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical “Swing Time.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 19, 1955: “MOUND (sic) CITY, ILL. - The Arlee, 400-seater, owned by Arthur G. Struck, was reopened February 4 after being closed for three days for installation of a wide panoramic screen by Arnold & Cufaude.”