Phillips County Museum News for July 24 , 2019

A fun time was had by ALL. The Fort Peck Theatre hosted “Pinocchio” at the PC Museum this week. A wonderful turnout of over 175 adults and kids. A talented group of actors kept our audience spellbound with their dramatic clothes and actions. The word Theatre brought back some high school memories for me. How many of you remember the drive-in Theatre in Malta? I can still smell the pizza and popcorn that came from that refreshment stand. How many of you stashed yourselves into trunks so that you didn’t have to pay admission charges? We’ll never tell!

The outdoor theatre was the dream of Carl Veseth and in 1956 construction began. It was located on the southern edge of Malta and was built to accommodate 200 cars. The plans included a 60 foot by 30-foot screen. The public was asked to contribute suggestions for names for the project. The long-anticipated first movie played on June 6, 1957. This was Mr. Veseth’s second construction project as in 1954 construction of the downtown Villa Theatre began. The Villa had opened its doors in June 1955.

Malta has had theatres since the early 1900s. Guests enjoyed a night out at the “Bison’ and “Orpheum” in those early years. And in 1916 the “Sunset Princess”, a movie taken near Malta that featured native son Wallace Coburn, played at a Malta Theatre. If you are looking for summer fun stop in and visit the PC Museum Monday through Saturday 10-5.