Fox Theatre
2215 Broadway,
Redwood City,
CA
94063
2215 Broadway,
Redwood City,
CA
94063
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In regards to the above question regarding the PARIS THEATRE, it was located in downtown Palo Alto, about 7 miles south of Redwood City. It was in operation for years. It was classified as an art house. Very popular with the Stanford University crowd. They also served espresso style coffees which were available in the lobby. You could enjoy coffee there without obligation of admission ticket if you chose. Not very big.
I’ve come across another Redwood City puzzler. Under the headline “Opens Redwood City Paris” in the August 21, 1961, issue of Boxoffice Magazine is a brief item saying that Jean Renoir’s “Picnic On the Grass” had been the opening attraction at the new “…Paris Theatre and espresso house….” No address is given, but the owners were named as Mr. and Mrs. Harold Snyder of Redwood City.
Anybody know anything about this theater? Boxoffice sometimes got details wrong, so the new theater might have actually been in a nearby town.
Looking at recent photos of the Fox Redwood marquee reminds me when that total marquee was covered in animated neon, colors consisted of pink, green, and white. The removal of all that neon leaves just a tired, old worn out sign that probably should just be removed and buried, with the rest of that wonderful history that theatre once had. Even the interior, though recently redone still does not even come close to the real beauty that theatre once had. Very sad.
This is a September 2008 close-up view.
This is a nice July 2008 photo.
The various thumbnail pages for photos of the New Sequoia/Fox Theatre at the historical photos website usually include the information that the original Sequoia Theatre was located at 2114 Broadway and operated from 1917 to 1929. I can’t find any photos on that site showing a close view of the original Sequoia Theatre. However, in this 1947 aerial view in which you can see the New Sequoia dominating the center of the picture, note that in the next block closer, and on the right side of Broadway, there’s a dark building with a slope-roofed rear section, which I surmise is at, or very near, the old Sequoia’s address.
In satellite views fetched by searches on 2114 Broadway, Redwood City, at Google Maps and TerraServer, it looks as though this building still exists. Could this be the original Sequoia Theatre? The building was already there in this 1925 aerial photo, seen from the west side, just above and to the left of the Courthouse dome. The building could date from 1917, the original Sequoia’s opening year.
Thanks to Joe Vogel I found 2 great pictures of the old Redwood Theatre located on California St. on the SMC photo website. Great pics of the Fox also!! Thanks Joe! Check out the Redwood Theatre listed under the FOX THEATRES CHAIN ON CINEMA TREASURES.
From the San Mateo County Historical Photos website:
On June 22, 1950, the plaster ceiling above the balcony of the Sequoia Theatre collapsed during the show, injuring 30 people.
The theatre was repaired and reopened as the Fox Theatre on September 15, 1950.
Several other photos of the Fox can be seen in the Redwood City Library section of the website.
The Fox Theater can be seen in this 1950s postcard.
Does anyone remember the Redwood Theatre located on California Ave. (bordered by El Camino)?? It later became Bank of America, later Andersons TV/Video store. It was owned and operated by Fox West Coast Theatres. It closed around 1953. Anyone with any history/info would sure be appreciated.
Those draperies were like that 20 years ago, but what you describe, (which is probably true) could have been left in place as they were. No one could see the “filth” from above the stage area.If they found the draperies “crumbling”, they should have left them alone. Even through the 60’s to mid 70’s (Still owned by Fox/National General Theatres,during this period) The theatre was even more beautiful than it is today. A total remodel was done in the very early 50’s,due to auditorium ceiling caving in due to vibration of trains. The Skouras style was then done. The company maintained everything very well through the years.
I have met the owner of the Fox, and what he has done with the place is nothing short of amazing. I asked him about the drapes and their removal. He said he would have liked to kave kept them, but they were not only filthy, but so water and nicotine damaged that they crumbled when handled.
The box office was removed circa 1986 by previous owners. It was still extant in 1985 when I first saw the Fox, which was running porn at the time.
Another recent photo can be seen here.
I noticed with all the remodeling done, the powers to be removed all the sweeping, beautiful and colorful drapery around the stage area. What a shame. It appears the once beautiful auditorium at the Fox Redwood now looks like a plain plaster/cement shell. Looks very cold. Also noticed that beautiful teal colored drapery was removed from archway at mezzanine entrance. This was all part of the history and beauty of the Fox. WHERE’S THE BOXOFFICE????? L. Goldsmith
This is a recent view of the Fox Theater.
A Robert-Morton theater organ size 3/13 was installed in the Sequoia (Fox) Theater in 1928.
Here is a recent close-up view of the Fox Theater.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994
New Sequoia Theater Building (added 1994 – Building – #94000431)
Also known as Fox Theater Building
2211—2235 Broadway, Redwood City
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Reid, James W., et al
Architectural Style: Late Gothic Revival
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Business, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Business, Theater
A recent interior photo of the Fox Theater can be seen here.
A recent interior photo of the Fox Theater can be seen here.
This is a recent photo of the Fox Theater.
The remodeling that took place in the 1950s, the reopening date was September 15th 1950.
Here is another link:
http://www.noehill.com/sanmateo/nat1994000431.asp
Photo of the Fox Theatre at this link
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Here are some photos of the Fox Theatre.
Theatre Front
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Entrance
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Lobby
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