Click images to enlarge
Description
I am honored for to offer many treasured mementos in my E-Bay store from the estate of “Buddy’ Arnold the late beloved co-owner of the legendary Arco Theatre in Bardstown, Kentucky. Please use my store search tab by typing in (Buddy Arnold) to see a complete list. This particular item is an exceedingly rare signed 8 x 10 original photograph of Slim Miller personally inscribed to "Buddy” Arnold .
Brief Bio: "Slim" (1898 to 1962) was the dean of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance cast back in its early days. The legend goes that John Lair had told Slim about the dream he had for Renfro Valley. And on top of that, when it became reality, Slim would play the first song on the its debut. Well, Slim stuck around ten years to wait and see if it would happen with John Lair. And it did. He got to play the first fiddle tune on the opening broadcast from Renfro Valley. Listeners liked him so much, he'd probably have to be there to play the last tune if it ever stopped.
Slim was an everyday person. He always said he wouldn't get "too big fer his britches".
Don't know if this true or not, as we're telling you this from a scrapbook souvenir book of sorts, but Slim was the main 'bullwhacker' of the 'taxi' service in Renfro Valley. It consisted of a couple oxen pulling a cart.
Historical reference: The 750 seat Arco Theater opened January 16, 1942 with the movie "Tarzan’s Secret Adventure". It was built by C.D. Arnold and Pope Sisco at a cost of $60,000.00. The name comes from the first two letters of their last name. Seating was staggered for excellent site lines. The Melody Theater was located next door at 218 N. 3rd Street. The Arco Theater had a balcony which was designated for African Americans. By 1950 it was operated by Affiliated Theaters Inc. of Indianapolis, IN.
The Arco Theater closed December 31, 1965 with the last feature shown being "Mary Poppins". In 2002 the Arco Theater and the Melody Theater next door were bought by Dzevad Kresco and a two year remodel and restoration took place. In 2004 the former theaters were reopened as the Kresco Restaurant. Many of the theater's features were preserved and are in use in the restaurant.
*This is an excellent article online in Kentucky living magazine concerning Buddy’s widow named Si Arnold who at age 97 in 2017 is a legend in her own right as a theatrical costume designer.
