Center Theater

407 Main Street,
Little Rock, AR 72201

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rivest266
rivest266 on November 5, 2017 at 11:30 pm

Reopened as Center on April 17th, 1949

rivest266
rivest266 on November 5, 2017 at 10:52 pm

This opened as Royal on September 13th, 1910. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on January 26, 2015 at 5:48 am

National Register information

Status Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 2003 Reference number 03000422 Architectural style Modern Movement: Moderne Area of significance Architecture Level of significance Local Evaluation criteria C – Design/Construction Property type Building Historic function Theater Period of significance 1925-1949 Significant years 1948; 1949

Chris1982
Chris1982 on May 25, 2014 at 2:59 am

This theatre has been demolished. The site is now a parking lot.

DaddyMac
DaddyMac on January 23, 2014 at 1:49 am

I saw Fantastic Voyage in 1966 at this one. Small, but it had a balcony. I’d heard channel 7 purchased it in the 70’s.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 20, 2012 at 10:35 am

The Royal Theatre dates from around 1910. The June 21, 1917, issue of Engineering News-Record said that the Royal Theatre was to be rebuilt at a cost of about $150,000. Plans for the rebuilding were being prepared by local architect T.M. Sanders.

dcbohn
dcbohn on May 10, 2012 at 9:15 pm

So sad. Saw lots of good movies, there. The first one I remember is ‘Zulu’, with Stanley Baker, and Michael Caine, in 1964, when I was 9. Also saw ‘Patton’, there, in ‘70, 'Big Jake’, in ‘71, and 'The Exorcist’ in ‘73, and many, many others.

Zycrow
Zycrow on August 3, 2011 at 2:31 pm

I am fairly certain it is completely gone now.

jamestv
jamestv on June 2, 2010 at 9:13 pm

The last time I passed by the Center in May 2009, the theater was still there. The buildings immediately across the street had just been demolished and might have been confused for the Center. During my formative years in the 60’s, I saw a number of Elvis and Disney movies there; they also played the Bond films there.

larry
larry on May 12, 2009 at 9:19 pm

how silly is that?

alancwray1
alancwray1 on May 12, 2009 at 7:23 pm

Being on the register doesn’t prevent the owner from doing whatever they want as long as no federal money is involved.

jaxsunst
jaxsunst on April 29, 2009 at 5:18 pm

How did it get demolished if it is on the national register of historic places?

alancwray1
alancwray1 on April 23, 2009 at 4:28 pm

It has been demolished.

AndyT
AndyT on March 26, 2009 at 4:12 pm

Unfortunately, colder hearts are prevailing. A demolition permit has been issued for the Center. Apparently part of another attempt to “revitalize” downtown Little Rock.

AndyT
AndyT on August 12, 2008 at 6:11 pm

There has been some consideration of incorporating the Center into a fine arts block that would include at least two new venues for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. The local investor who owns the Center has a terrific reputation for projects that maintain their historic integrity. He also has a reputation for playing his cards close to his chest until a “real” project can be announced, complete with funding and a timeline. There is realistic hope here.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on May 23, 2008 at 2:31 pm

A 1994 view of the Center Theater in Little Rock.