The Strand Theatre

Construction on this theatre was begun in August 1915. It opened for movies in March 1916 as The Strand Theatre with 800 seats. William C. Meloy was the original owner, who passed away in 1938. His sons ran it until 1951 when they sold it to the Switow Brothers.

About 1973, the theatre changed hands again. By this time, the Switows had changed the name to Cinema. The DeWitt family became the new owners. In the early 80s, in response to ever-increasing competition from the multiplexes of nearby Indianapolis, the Cinema had two more screens added, thus becoming Cinema 3. In May of 2004, with competition from the multiplexes, including a new local ten-screen multiplex, the Dewitt family reluctantly closed the doors.

In August of that same year, the theatre was purchased by Main Street Shelbyville to save the theatre. The name was changed back to The Strand Theatre. Ownership was again transferred in November 2006 to The Strand Theatre of Shelbyville Inc., a new non-profit organization with the sole mission of preserving and operating the Strand. Renovation began to provide a building for the performing arts. It reopened in January 2008.

Except for the transition period from 2004 to 2008, The Strand has been in continuous operation since opening in the spring of 1916.

Skyline Drive-In Theatre

The Skyline Drive-In opened Memorial Day Weekend (June 6) 1950 with Gary Cooper in Good Sam. In the same year, the Shelby Drive-In also opened. The original Skyline Theater stood on the east side of town, between East State Road 44 and East Michigan Road. but the owner (Siebert) wanted that land for a car lot. In 1971, the DeWitts purchased the business and equipment from the Skyline and moved it to 3986 E. Michigan Road, the former Shelby Drive-In location, and renamed the Shelby as the Skyline.

We have had films submitted from around the world, including:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • China
  • Columbia
  • Croatia
  • England
  • Finland
  • France
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • India
  • Iran
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Portugal
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • United States