A brief history of Arlington Theater and Arlington Music Hall

I love an old movie theater. The nostalgia, history, architecture, aesthetics, atmosphere, and sense of community—it’s a relic from a bygone era. Despite today’s modern multiplexes with their HD screens, immersive experiences, and endless creature comforts, we’ve lost some of the movie-going magic. It’s just not the same. Thus, it’s a bonus and a blessing when old theaters are preserved and repurposed into music venues or other uses. And that’s precisely what has happened with Arlington Theater—now the Arlington Music Hall—a staple of Downtown Arlington for over 75 years.

Arlington Theater

February 10, 1950 | Arlington Theater opened with a double screening of “The Story of Seabiscuit,” starring Shirley Temple. It was a Friday night, and much of the town came out to see the new, exciting theater. Arlington Mayor B.C. Barnes cut a ceremonial ribbon before the opening. There were also spotlights outside, fireworks, and live entertainment—this was an event!

Arlington Theater on opening night, 1950 (Photo Credit: Cinema Treasures)

“The Story of Seabiscuit” starring Shirley Temple (Photo Credit: IMDB)

The new, luxurious theater had plush seating for 1,200 people, a balcony, a ‘cry room’ for upset children, air conditioning, and a 20-foot snack bar with a soda fountain. It became a popular place to see movies—that is if you and your date weren’t too busy “necking” in the balcony. Or perhaps the secluded balcony is why it became popular!

Newspaper clipping from Fort Worth Star-Telegram – February 11, 1950
(Photo Credit: Newspapers.com)

From double features to Saturday matinees to midnight screenings and everything in between, many people have fond memories of visiting Arlington Theater. The 50s and 60s had some iconic movies that would have been a real adventure to see on the big screen in small town Arlington.

“Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” at Arlington Theater, 1955
(Photo Credit: UTA Libraries – Digital Gallery and J. W. Dunlop Photograph Collection)

Arlington Music Hall—home to the Johnnie High Music Revue

After the movie theater closed in 1974, it was converted into a church and used as such for over a decade. The building sat empty for a number of years until it was purchased by Johnnie High—a country music promoter, impresario, and showman with a popular and well-established weekly revue.

After extensive renovations, the theater became the Arlington Music Hall and home to the Johnnie High Music Revue in 1995. A crowd of 1,200 people attended the sold-out show on opening night. Downtown Arlington hadn’t seen that much action on a Saturday night in many, many years. It began a much-needed boost to the area—with the momentum still continuing today.

Johnnie High Music Revue and the man himself
1) Photo Credit: Arlington Insider
2) Photo Credit: UTA Libraries – Digital Gallery and J. W. Dunlop Photograph Collection
3) Photo Credit: Dorothy Hamm and Texas Escapes.com

The weekly show featured various country, bluegrass, and gospel acts, with experienced regulars and up-and-coming guests. High boasted a good, clean, family-friendly show that grew in popularity with its new location. Much of the audience was regulars. Some never missed a show, and hadn’t for years, saying it rivaled entertainment in Branson or Nashville. Part of the appeal was the charismatic host himself, who introduced performers and interacted with the audience. He also occasionally sang and played guitar.

Fun fact: When I was a kid, I saw a very young LeAnn Rimes perform there before she was famous—and it’s possible this photo was from that night. I remember the older folks in the audience simply enamored with her like she was their granddaughter.

Photo Credit: musicrow.com

Johnnie High died in 2010 and the show briefly continued in his honor. Later that year, the venue became home to Symphony Arlington and was recognized as a City of Arlington Local Landmark.

City of Arlington Local Landmark plaque

Arlington Music Hall—Today

Today, the Arlington Music Hall is an intimate venue for live music, comedy, and other performances, with over a dozen monthly shows, including ones still from Symphony Arlington. The marque is a charming, nostalgic reminder of the good ol’ days and is an iconic sight downtown. With reasonably-priced tickets, free parking, and plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, a performance at Arlington Music Hall can be part of a fun night out in Downtown Arlington. (Support your small businesses and historic sites!)

Arlington has been criticized and chastised for tearing down most of its old buildings, so we’re thankful that this one is still with us. The Arlington Music Hall still has much of its former glory, and if you listen very carefully, perhaps you can hear the faint whir of a reel-to-reel movie projector in the distance.