Melba Theatre
3608 S. Grand Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
3608 S. Grand Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63118
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Wehrenberg Theatres
Architects: R.A. Matthews
Nearby Theaters
The Melba Theatre was opened on November 29, 1917. After adding a long succession of neighborhood houses, Fred Wehrenberg acquired the Melba Theatre. The 1,190-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 Theatre 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
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 3 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
Years of operation were 1917 to 1960.
The architect was R. A. Matthews.
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