Melvin Theatre
2912 Chippewa Street,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
2912 Chippewa Street,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 30 comments
Joseph Halleman built the Melvin Theater for $20,000 opening in 1914. It was one of the city’s most enduring neighborhood venue operating for almost 80 years. It converted to sound to remain viable. It closed permanently on October 18, 1992 with John Ritter in “Stay Tuned.” The theater’s contents including seating and projection were auctioned off in 1993. It was used as an outreach center in 1994 and turned to a house of worship in 2017.
My family and I used to go to the Melvin Theater every Sunday. They used to have 2 for $1.00 movies there in the early 1980s. The women’s restroom was down stairs and the men’s was upstairs next to the projector room. We went there for years and it has an essential part of my childhood memories. I would love to own the building and bring back the movies as it used to be.
It is for sale now…
Theater should be listed as closed. Black garbage bags covering the doors, so I couldn’t see in. Still in fantastic shape. I don’t know why anyone thought the sign was freshly painted. Thankfully, it’s been untouched since it was installed.
I recall going to see NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET on a double bill with NIGHT OF THE COMET when I moved to St.Louis in 1984. It was super cold outside and I kept looking up to the roof thinking the tile was going to fall down on me. But I enjoyed the show and thought about this theater when I heard the director of NIGHTMARE had passed away.
I can be reached at
Hi David, I haven’t seen the theatre in over 35 years. we were family owned and operated from 1972 – 1978. What would you like to know?
I can be reached at also
Bill (and anyone else),
I am a part of a group that has recently taken responsibility for the development and use of The Melvin Theater building.
Our preliminary plans are to utilize the building as a community based and resourced center, including auditorium space, classroom space and possible business incubation space.
I would love to connect with anyone who has historical information or experience with the building.
Kyle : where in So Cal?
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.
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
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