Please note spelling of theatre, in neon, above marquee. There is an ACCENT mark between the L & O. It would be pronounced the same as COLOGNE.
This theatre has nothing to do with the human bowel system.
This theatre was recently purchased by a new investor who promises to re-open the theatre by mid-summer of 2010. Will be used for live/civic attractions. No showing of films was mentioned in article..(Peninsula Examiner,5/10)
I was too young to remember the Baywood (operated by Fox West Coast), but I remember the manager and his asst. , who were then at the Fox San Mateo Theatre talking about how they still missed being there at the Baywood. And I always had to laugh, because the Baywood had been gone by then for 25 years!! I only can remember when it was Thrifty, and that’s been long gone for years.
Ward was still trying to hang in there with the Encore in the early 70’s while he was in the maint. dept. with National General/Mann Theatres. It would seem he finally closed it around 72 or 73. It never reopened after that.
However said, the name MANN has been the largest moving force of closing/selling theatres since 1971, and I mean 100’s of them nationwide. Must have been evil forces involved when he removed the name GRAUMAN from the CHINESE and added his name. Poor choice for trying to power out fame from a name. Not only is Mann himself gone, so is his “what’s left” legacy of theatres.
In regards to above comments in regard to Schniders and Reinharts, I have made an error, I confused Jefferson Ave, with Middlefield Rd. Sorry about that.
At one time, that sight was known as SCHNIDERS CLOTHING STORE. It was in business there for many years. Prior to Schniders, I believe that REINHARTS JEWELRY was in part of that space..
I am not positive of this, but I heard that the CENTURY 12 at Bayshore Blvd. finally closed. It was the last remaining Peninsula theatre that was still owned and operated by SYUFY.
Tons of pressure was put out to Syufy from Redwood City and the downtown Century Theatre to cease operation. However, I am not positive that it actually closed yet.
Many thanks for the above photo you mention. I received it thru your personal Email. If you scroll up this site,look for comments from Joe Vogel. He has posted several great pictures of this little theatre. Also check out Fox Theatre, Redwood City on this site, you’ll find more great comments and pictures of that once beautiful theatre!!
In the 60’s, I don’t think there was any Bay Area theatre that did'nt have the same thing going on EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT.
Kiddie Matinees you mention was a standard at ALL Bay Area Fox Theatres. Some Fox houses ran those “strip ticket” shows even in the winter, but only on Saturday mornings before regular matinee shows.
Better yet, do you remember when Broadway Markets sponsered Kiddie Shows, when they gave the tickets away for free???
I was confused by the location of this multi-plex because there was a second Mann’s Old Town (no E) 6 plex in Reno NV. It was small, boxy, and the auditoriums were strictly shooting galleries. Lobby was strictly functional with no personality. This theatre was supposed to be the “replacement” for the demolished CREST THEATRE downtown. It was no match, and did not last long. This was the end of Mann Theatres in Northern Nevada.
The Starlite Drive-in was operated by United Artists Theatres. There was also a sister drive-in located in Palo Alto known as the Palo Alto Drive-in Theatre, which was located near Bayshore Freeway (101).
The Tower Theatre was located on Virginia St. between Liberty St. and Pine St. The Pioneer Center is located at Virgnia St. and State St. A huge Wells Fargo Bank building sits where the Tower Theatre would have been. Sorry for the error.
Jock I think you just juggled my memory, the Tower Theatre must have been where the current PIONEER EVENTS CENTER/THEATRE now sits, which would be across the street from the old Riverside Hotel (now Riverside artist lofts). One block south would be the old post office. This seems correct, as the Pioneer would be the only change in that area for years.
Midway Drive-in was later demolished for a pod like Century Theatres, (remember when Century had those ugly pods??) Now the entire area is the huge Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The United Artists GRANADA THEATRE on W. 1st St. was operating as a twin theatre up until the flood of 97, which devastated the theatre and every business around it. Every building on that side of the street was torn down due to unrepairable damage. My wife and I got an inside view of the Granada from the front door and the entire lobby was in 3 to 4 feet deep in silt. We were unable to pass through the front doors. It was soon demolished and replaced with a beautiful 14 floor condo building. A new 12 plex CENTURY CINEMA sits directly across the street, entrance facing the Truckee River.
Such a nice little theatre, as few seats as it had, compared to larger downtown Reno theatres,ie Majestic at 1st & Center and the Granada on 1st St. the Crest was always the “big hit” house. It most certainly was re-done by Carl G. Moeller. It definetly had his style of the typical Skouras Fox house of the time. The Skouras-ized theatre will always be my favorite.
One thing I wonder about is the original name of Wigwam because on the corner of 2nd & Sierra St. was a Wigwam Coffee Shop which at the time was a chain of restaurants in the Nevada area. I wonder if there was a connection between the two in regards to ownership.
Before my time, there was also a TOWER THEATRE in the south Virginia St. area, I am not sure exactly where that was. I do remember the MIDWAY DRIVE_IN where Peppermill Hotel Casino now sits, on So. Virginia St.
Joe I think the name change/remodel must have took place in 1948 , as the Nevada Theatre ads seem to run thru the 40’s. As far into 1946, the theatre was still advertising under the Nevada Theatre.My info came from a long time Reno guy who thought the change occured in 1950-51. I know it was Skouras-ized, more like in 48 than 50. It operated as the Crest since that time, until it closed in the early/mid 70’s.
tisloews……..You’re absolutely right, a whole lot better!!
Please note spelling of theatre, in neon, above marquee. There is an ACCENT mark between the L & O. It would be pronounced the same as COLOGNE.
This theatre has nothing to do with the human bowel system.
This theatre was recently purchased by a new investor who promises to re-open the theatre by mid-summer of 2010. Will be used for live/civic attractions. No showing of films was mentioned in article..(Peninsula Examiner,5/10)
ken mc
Yes, this is the old Baywood Theatre. Located on B St. between 3rd and 4th St. See my earlier post above in regard to location.
This theatre was operated by National General Theatres, later Mann Theatres who closed it.
Thanks for the update, Gary.
I was too young to remember the Baywood (operated by Fox West Coast), but I remember the manager and his asst. , who were then at the Fox San Mateo Theatre talking about how they still missed being there at the Baywood. And I always had to laugh, because the Baywood had been gone by then for 25 years!! I only can remember when it was Thrifty, and that’s been long gone for years.
Ward was still trying to hang in there with the Encore in the early 70’s while he was in the maint. dept. with National General/Mann Theatres. It would seem he finally closed it around 72 or 73. It never reopened after that.
Gary.
What is going on with that building now??? I know it is no longer a THRIFTY Drug.
Does anyone remember when Ward Stoopes owned and operated this theatre?? I’m sure he was the last operator of this wonderful little showhouse.
Only in Arkansas.
However said, the name MANN has been the largest moving force of closing/selling theatres since 1971, and I mean 100’s of them nationwide. Must have been evil forces involved when he removed the name GRAUMAN from the CHINESE and added his name. Poor choice for trying to power out fame from a name. Not only is Mann himself gone, so is his “what’s left” legacy of theatres.
In regards to above comments in regard to Schniders and Reinharts, I have made an error, I confused Jefferson Ave, with Middlefield Rd. Sorry about that.
At one time, that sight was known as SCHNIDERS CLOTHING STORE. It was in business there for many years. Prior to Schniders, I believe that REINHARTS JEWELRY was in part of that space..
I am not positive of this, but I heard that the CENTURY 12 at Bayshore Blvd. finally closed. It was the last remaining Peninsula theatre that was still owned and operated by SYUFY.
Tons of pressure was put out to Syufy from Redwood City and the downtown Century Theatre to cease operation. However, I am not positive that it actually closed yet.
Redwood Red,
Many thanks for the above photo you mention. I received it thru your personal Email. If you scroll up this site,look for comments from Joe Vogel. He has posted several great pictures of this little theatre. Also check out Fox Theatre, Redwood City on this site, you’ll find more great comments and pictures of that once beautiful theatre!!
Current Bank of America is on corner of Jefferson Ave. and Marshall St., with the parking lot on corner of Broadway and Jefferson..
I notice that the old Montgomery St. that changed in the mid 50’s was renamed WINKLEBLECK ST.
In the 60’s, I don’t think there was any Bay Area theatre that did'nt have the same thing going on EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT.
Kiddie Matinees you mention was a standard at ALL Bay Area Fox Theatres. Some Fox houses ran those “strip ticket” shows even in the winter, but only on Saturday mornings before regular matinee shows.
Better yet, do you remember when Broadway Markets sponsered Kiddie Shows, when they gave the tickets away for free???
Lost Memory
What a great picture!
I was confused by the location of this multi-plex because there was a second Mann’s Old Town (no E) 6 plex in Reno NV. It was small, boxy, and the auditoriums were strictly shooting galleries. Lobby was strictly functional with no personality. This theatre was supposed to be the “replacement” for the demolished CREST THEATRE downtown. It was no match, and did not last long. This was the end of Mann Theatres in Northern Nevada.
The Starlite Drive-in was operated by United Artists Theatres. There was also a sister drive-in located in Palo Alto known as the Palo Alto Drive-in Theatre, which was located near Bayshore Freeway (101).
The Tower Theatre was located on Virginia St., between Liberty and Pine. A Wells Fargo Bank highrise is now at that site.
Correction to above location…..
The Tower Theatre was located on Virginia St. between Liberty St. and Pine St. The Pioneer Center is located at Virgnia St. and State St. A huge Wells Fargo Bank building sits where the Tower Theatre would have been. Sorry for the error.
Jock I think you just juggled my memory, the Tower Theatre must have been where the current PIONEER EVENTS CENTER/THEATRE now sits, which would be across the street from the old Riverside Hotel (now Riverside artist lofts). One block south would be the old post office. This seems correct, as the Pioneer would be the only change in that area for years.
Midway Drive-in was later demolished for a pod like Century Theatres, (remember when Century had those ugly pods??) Now the entire area is the huge Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The United Artists GRANADA THEATRE on W. 1st St. was operating as a twin theatre up until the flood of 97, which devastated the theatre and every business around it. Every building on that side of the street was torn down due to unrepairable damage. My wife and I got an inside view of the Granada from the front door and the entire lobby was in 3 to 4 feet deep in silt. We were unable to pass through the front doors. It was soon demolished and replaced with a beautiful 14 floor condo building. A new 12 plex CENTURY CINEMA sits directly across the street, entrance facing the Truckee River.
Such a nice little theatre, as few seats as it had, compared to larger downtown Reno theatres,ie Majestic at 1st & Center and the Granada on 1st St. the Crest was always the “big hit” house. It most certainly was re-done by Carl G. Moeller. It definetly had his style of the typical Skouras Fox house of the time. The Skouras-ized theatre will always be my favorite.
One thing I wonder about is the original name of Wigwam because on the corner of 2nd & Sierra St. was a Wigwam Coffee Shop which at the time was a chain of restaurants in the Nevada area. I wonder if there was a connection between the two in regards to ownership.
Before my time, there was also a TOWER THEATRE in the south Virginia St. area, I am not sure exactly where that was. I do remember the MIDWAY DRIVE_IN where Peppermill Hotel Casino now sits, on So. Virginia St.
Joe I think the name change/remodel must have took place in 1948 , as the Nevada Theatre ads seem to run thru the 40’s. As far into 1946, the theatre was still advertising under the Nevada Theatre.My info came from a long time Reno guy who thought the change occured in 1950-51. I know it was Skouras-ized, more like in 48 than 50. It operated as the Crest since that time, until it closed in the early/mid 70’s.