Arlee Theater

The Arlee Theater is a historic single-screen movie theater in Mason City, Illinois, United States. It opened on November 19, 1936, in a building that had originally been constructed as the Midway Garage. Local entrepreneur Art Struck purchased the garage after being told about it by Roy Gardner, the original builder, and spent three months expanding and converting it into an Art Deco theater that was considered lavish for its time and place. The name "Arlee" was suggested by Struck's sister-in-law Jessie Struck, blending the first names of Art and his wife Leah. Opening night featured Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in "Swing Time," and the theater seated 500 patrons, with lines forming for the second showing. Tickets cost 10 and 25 cents, and snacks were initially forbidden to protect the carpet and furnishings. Over the decades the Arlee operated as a community cinema and at one point was known as the "Nashville Sound Country Opry," offering only live shows for a brief period. Projectionist Dale Fancher, who also owned the nearby White Front Café, worked closely with Struck and eventually became manager; he persuaded Struck that selling refreshments would improve profits. After Struck's retirement, the theater was occasionally reopened for special programs. The building's history is tied to Mason City's Main Street, which before Route 66 was part of the Lone Star Route connecting Chicago and St. Louis to Brownsville, Texas. The Arlee underwent restoration of its seats and held a grand reopening in 2015. Today it continues to screen first-run and classic films, typically on weekends, and hosts community events such as tabletop gaming nights and special friendship events. The theater's official website lists upcoming screenings with showtimes on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, and notes open-caption screenings when available. As a locally owned, independent cinema, the Arlee serves as a cultural anchor for Mason City and the surrounding region.

The Arlee Theater traces its origins to a building on Main Street in Mason City, Illinois, that was originally constructed as the Midway Garage. Before Route 66 existed, Mason City's Main Street formed part of the Lone Star Route linking Chicago and St. Louis to Brownsville, Texas, and the Midway Garage served travelers who could dine at the Midway Café and other local eateries. Roy Gardner built the garage with acoustics in mind, intending it to be suitable for a theater. In 1934 Gardner gained a moment of fame as a star attraction at Ripley's Chicago Odditorium at the World's Fair, performing with his eight-instrument one-man-band. Gardner's booking agent was Lou Herman, the son-in-law of Frank (a local figure). After Art and Leah Struck purchased the Liberty Theater, Gardner told them about the unusual garage across the street. Art Struck bought the building in 1936 and within three months expanded it and converted it into an Art Deco theater considered lavish for its time and place. Struck's sister-in-law Jessie Struck suggested blending Art and Leah's names to create the name "Arlee." The grand opening took place on November 19, 1936, with a program billing Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in "Swing Time." The Arlee seated 500 people, and patrons waited in line for the second showing. Tickets were priced at 10 and 25 cents. Peanuts, gum, and other snacks were initially forbidden in order to preserve the beautiful carpet and other appointments. Projectionist Dale Fancher, who owned the White Front Café just north of the old Liberty Theater, worked closely with Struck over the years and rose to the role of manager. It took Fancher several years to convince Struck that selling refreshments would help him turn a better profit. On occasions after his retirement, Struck reopened the theater for special programs. For a brief time, the Arlee was known as the "Nashville Sound Country Opry" and offered only live shows. The theater later underwent restoration of its seats and held a grand reopening in 2015. In its current operation, the Arlee continues to function as a movie theater, screening films on weekends and hosting community events. Its official website lists upcoming screenings such as "Forgotten Island" and "Practical Magic 2," with showtimes on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, and notes open-caption screenings on Fridays and Sundays when available. The venue also hosts events like a Tabletop Gaming Night and a Special Friendship Event, reflecting its role as a community gathering place in Mason City.

• 2015

  Grand reopening after the seats had been restored.

• 1936

  Art Struck buys the former Midway Garage and converts it into the Arlee Theater in three months.

• 1936

  Grand opening on November 19 with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in "Swing Time"; theater seats 500.

• 1934

  Roy Gardner performs as a star attraction at Ripley's Chicago Odditorium at the World's Fair with his eight-instrument one-man-band.

A historic, community-oriented independent movie theater and local cultural venue.

• Movie screenings

• Live shows (historically as Nashville Sound Country Opry)

• Community events (e.g., Tabletop Gaming Night, Special Friendship Event)

1. 1Arlee Theater official websitearleetheater.com
2. 2About The Arlee — Arlee Theaterarleetheater.com
3. 3Arlee Theater - Wikidatawikidata.org