DeKalb Theatre

306 Gault Avenue N,
Fort Payne, AL 35967

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Related Websites

DeKalb Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Functions: Performing Arts

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 256.845.2224

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DeKalb Theatre

The DeKalb Theatre was opened on July 1, 1935 with Jeanette MacDonald in “Naughty Marietta”. It had a seating capacity of 350. In 1950, it is listed with with a seating capacity of 500. It is still in use and has been gracefully restored as a multi-purpose venue.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

alabamablues
alabamablues on August 2, 2007 at 5:49 pm

Our band is performing at this Theatre Saturday Aug 4th, 2007. I plan on taking several pics of the inside and posting them soon…
Justin www.TheAlabamaBluesBrothers.com

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 20, 2009 at 4:06 am

The increased seating capacity in 1950 over 1941 was probably the result of a rebuilding that took place in 1950. The January 7 issue of Boxoffice said that the DeKalb was being “torn down” to make way for a new theater that was expected to open within four months. The project apparently took longer than expected, as Harry Hart’s column in the August 26 issue of Boxoffice reported that the DeKalb was expected to open about August 31.

From the various photos linked above I suspect that the building was not torn down, and that the new theater was probably built within the existing walls. That classic facade looks like it would date from the 1920s or earlier, though in parts of the south old styles lingered long after they were discarded in most other places, so maybe it really was rebuilt to look like that in 1950. Harry Hart’s column said the rebuilt DeKalb would have a porcelain front, but that must refer to the panels on the ground floor. The upper part of the building appears to be faced in terracotta.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on June 30, 2016 at 2:41 pm

Website: http://www.fortpayne.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&Itemid=270

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on July 1, 2016 at 2:19 am

The July 13, 1935, issue of Motion Picture Herald had this item:

“Colonel Thomas E. Orr, operator of several houses in northern Alabama, opened a new one at Fort Payne, Ala., known as the DeKalb.”

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on May 27, 2019 at 12:29 pm

After a June 28, 1935 free open house, the Dekalb Theatre launched July 1, 1935 with “Naughty Marietta.”

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