The Fairfax opened on June 16, 1926. Except for the 1930’s addition of the marquee and renovated entrance (as noted by Gary Parks) and the (seemingly inexplicable) covering over of the proscenium and sidings on either side of it by curtains (at least by the 1960’s), it appears to have remained essentially the same architecturally; while many other theaters had had their exteriors (at least!) adapted to Art Deco or Art Moderne, this never occured with the Fairfax. (Perhaps because it was essentially part (albeit the main part) of a “mixed-use” building????)
The Hopkins opened its doors on July 7, 1939 and was christened by Alan Hale Sr (father and namesake of “Gilligan’s Island’s” Skipper). and Sally Rand. It closed in 1950.
The Century 21 seated 960 people when it was a single-screen theater. During its construction, a time capsule was reportedly placed within it to be opened on January 1, 2000, the first day of the 21st century for which it was named. (But obviously this one didn’t quite make it; wonder what became of that capsule???????)
The Granada was built and originally owned by L.J. and J.C. Toffelmier, who were prominent businessmen in the Elmhurst district. Opened November 20, 1924, it originally had a Spanish atmospheric style and was apparently smaller than it later became. It was after the fire that it was enlarged (reopening on October 28, 1939) and became predominately Art Moderne.
The Dufwin opened on October 8, 1928 and was named after Henry Duffy, a theater producer, and his wife, actress Dale Winter (combining the first syllables of their surnames). It was one of eight theaters owned by Duffy which featured the Henry Duffy Players. The opening play was Vincent Lawrence’s “In Love With Life.” Actor Leo Carrillo (who would years later be known as Pancho on “The Cisco Kid”) served as Master of Ceremonies at the theater’s opening. Sadly, Duffy went bankrupt in the early days of the depression, resulting in the Dufwin’s closure (and subsequent rebirth as the Roxie).
The Chimes (its original name, by the way) was built by the Beach-Krahn Amusements Company and opened in December 1917. Originally a Period Revival structure, it was the first US theater to feature a row of chimes (hence, its name) on a projecting bay 40 feet above the ground. The first of many remodels was by architect James Plachek in 1920; the projection room was re-equipped on February 14, 1929 from plans by Allen J. Yerrick. In 1931 it received a new Moderne exterior by Alexander Aimwell Cantin and was renamed the Uptown; Cantin would do a subsequent exterior remodeling in the 1940’s. By the late 1930’s the theater was once more called the Chimes (though the row of chimes was by then gone). By the early 1950’s the Chimes had closed as a theater.
In February 1958 a a skating rink was installed on the second floor; ads read in part “Chimes Skateland—-Just a Little Nicer.” A short-lived trampoline studio was aded in 1960, and in 1961, a bowling alley, “Chimes Lanes,” was built. But about 1963, a fire occured that closed the building for good, and in April 1965, the Cleveland Wrecking Company finished the job to make way for the Grove-Shafter (William Byron Rumford) Freeway.
A correction to (my) earlier post—-the Senator opened on September 28, 1925 and was a Spanish Cathedral style theater. Alexander Aimwell Cantin was the designer. It was demolished in 1961 to make way for the BeBee Memorial C.M.E. Church, which was in need of larger quarters (from a much smaller facility).
Weeks and Day were also the architects for the Fox Oakland proper; though the 1930’s remodel of the marquee and entrance was by Alexander Aimwell Cantin.
Uh, probably this entry should be updated to “Fairfax Theatre,” theaddress to 5345 Foothill Boulevard, the architect to Reid Brothers and the seating capacity to 1493. Just a suggestion (from the one who originally entered this theater).
The Fairfax opened on June 16, 1926. Except for the 1930’s addition of the marquee and renovated entrance (as noted by Gary Parks) and the (seemingly inexplicable) covering over of the proscenium and sidings on either side of it by curtains (at least by the 1960’s), it appears to have remained essentially the same architecturally; while many other theaters had had their exteriors (at least!) adapted to Art Deco or Art Moderne, this never occured with the Fairfax. (Perhaps because it was essentially part (albeit the main part) of a “mixed-use” building????)
The Hopkins opened its doors on July 7, 1939 and was christened by Alan Hale Sr (father and namesake of “Gilligan’s Island’s” Skipper). and Sally Rand. It closed in 1950.
The Pussycat closed for the last time in 1986.
The Golden State opened on February 13, 1926; it became the Gateway in 1936.
The Century 21 seated 960 people when it was a single-screen theater. During its construction, a time capsule was reportedly placed within it to be opened on January 1, 2000, the first day of the 21st century for which it was named. (But obviously this one didn’t quite make it; wonder what became of that capsule???????)
The Granada was built and originally owned by L.J. and J.C. Toffelmier, who were prominent businessmen in the Elmhurst district. Opened November 20, 1924, it originally had a Spanish atmospheric style and was apparently smaller than it later became. It was after the fire that it was enlarged (reopening on October 28, 1939) and became predominately Art Moderne.
The Dufwin opened on October 8, 1928 and was named after Henry Duffy, a theater producer, and his wife, actress Dale Winter (combining the first syllables of their surnames). It was one of eight theaters owned by Duffy which featured the Henry Duffy Players. The opening play was Vincent Lawrence’s “In Love With Life.” Actor Leo Carrillo (who would years later be known as Pancho on “The Cisco Kid”) served as Master of Ceremonies at the theater’s opening. Sadly, Duffy went bankrupt in the early days of the depression, resulting in the Dufwin’s closure (and subsequent rebirth as the Roxie).
The Cine 7 briefly operated in the mid 1990’s as the Laurel Community Theatre.
The Laurel’s architect was Alexander Aimwel Cantin.
Rockridge Showcase West seated 610 people total (275; 175; 160 respectively in the individual cinemas).
The Chimes (its original name, by the way) was built by the Beach-Krahn Amusements Company and opened in December 1917. Originally a Period Revival structure, it was the first US theater to feature a row of chimes (hence, its name) on a projecting bay 40 feet above the ground. The first of many remodels was by architect James Plachek in 1920; the projection room was re-equipped on February 14, 1929 from plans by Allen J. Yerrick. In 1931 it received a new Moderne exterior by Alexander Aimwell Cantin and was renamed the Uptown; Cantin would do a subsequent exterior remodeling in the 1940’s. By the late 1930’s the theater was once more called the Chimes (though the row of chimes was by then gone). By the early 1950’s the Chimes had closed as a theater.
In February 1958 a a skating rink was installed on the second floor; ads read in part “Chimes Skateland—-Just a Little Nicer.” A short-lived trampoline studio was aded in 1960, and in 1961, a bowling alley, “Chimes Lanes,” was built. But about 1963, a fire occured that closed the building for good, and in April 1965, the Cleveland Wrecking Company finished the job to make way for the Grove-Shafter (William Byron Rumford) Freeway.
A correction to (my) earlier post—-the Senator opened on September 28, 1925 and was a Spanish Cathedral style theater. Alexander Aimwell Cantin was the designer. It was demolished in 1961 to make way for the BeBee Memorial C.M.E. Church, which was in need of larger quarters (from a much smaller facility).
Weeks and Day were also the architects for the Fox Oakland proper; though the 1930’s remodel of the marquee and entrance was by Alexander Aimwell Cantin.
By 1972 the Airport Auto Movie had been split into a two-screen complex.
Surely one HAS to know that the Paramount is a most attractive single-screen theater!
The Paramount is very much a single-screen, despite Allan Michaan’s quixotic plan to build a four-screen annex there a number of years back.
The UC Theatre’s address is 2036 University Avenue.
The Fox Orpheum’s architects were Weeks and Day, the same ones who did the present-day Fox Oakland.
Albertsons vacated its store in the former Dimond some time ago; the space has recently reopened as a Crazy John’s.
The Pantages is a single-screen theater.
The Verdi was a single-screen theater.
The Royal’s address was 9411 East 14th Street (now International Boulevard).
The Ghirardelli was a single-screen theater.
Uh, probably this entry should be updated to “Fairfax Theatre,” theaddress to 5345 Foothill Boulevard, the architect to Reid Brothers and the seating capacity to 1493. Just a suggestion (from the one who originally entered this theater).
The Cannery was a single-screen theater.