An outdoor movie screen in the heart of historic downtown Guthrie, Mini Melba Cinema offers a unique blend of entertainment and local culture, making it a vibrant attraction for residents and visitors alike.
Mini Melba Cinema is an outdoor movie screen prominently located in historic Downtown Guthrie, captivating local residents with innovative and unique programming. This innovative feature attracts residents and tourists alike, providing an engaging way to learn more about Guthrie and its businesses while enjoying quality entertainment.
Mini Melba Cinema takes its name from the historic Melba Theatre (pictured below), which once entertained crowds by showing indoor movies at 122 W. Harrison, now the Pollard Theatre.
Approved by the Guthrie Historical Commission and City Council, Mini Melba Cinema screens a variety of content, including advertisements for local and regional artisans, products, events and services. The screen also screens classic movies, short films, documentaries, TV shows, cartoons, clips from movies shot in Guthrie and original productions 24 hours a day. Feature films are shown nightly at 7:45 pm, adding a touch of movie magic to downtown Guthrie.
Due to licensing agreements, specific screening schedules for feature films remain unknown, but theaters have been delighting fans with playful hints about upcoming screenings. Venerable Investments, which operates Mini Melba Cinemas, is committed to providing local communities with superior moviegoing experiences. With Guthrie as its flagship location, two more theaters are scheduled to open in Oklahoma this year, with additional locations planned for 2025 in Ponca City, Enid, Bartlesville and Fredericksburg, Texas.
As a testament to the region’s thriving film scene, the theater will host an International Film Festival nightly from 10-11pm, showcasing short films by aspiring filmmakers. Known as Oklahoma’s “Hollywood,” Guthrie is known for its diverse geography, vibrant tourism industry, Victorian neighborhoods and artsy vibe, making it the ideal setting for this unprecedented venue.
As Oklahoma continues to gain recognition in the film industry with recent films like “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Stillwater” and the biopic “Reagan,” Mini Melba Cinema stands as a testament to the town’s film appeal. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit short films for consideration, and the selected works will be screened nightly for a month.
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Historical Society.