I grew up in Redlands from ‘67 – '84. I still vividly remember walking from my grandmother’s house on Nordina Street to see the new Disney movies in the 70’s, and then – something like Star Wars or Chariots of the Gods!
We saw the marquis, glowingly announcing the current double feature. Colorful neon lines (I think red and green?) bordered the marquis with a big fluer-de-lis-like gold moulding at the top of the front center.
There would always be a long line of people along the front street – waiting to get tickets from that free-standing center console ticket booth, just inside the marquis. How cool it seemed to have been the royal ticket concierge (kids view)! As we waited we would eagerly gaze at the posters of the upcoming features held within beautiful large, elegant viewing frames, embedded into both sides of the entryway.
Once inside the main lobby, I always felt welomed by the large expanse of carpet, with its pink and green and yellow ?floral?/?feathered? swirls on the black background. The chandeliers and the carpeted wide center stairway leading to the split stairs to the right and left always made a big impression on me.
The strong, so nostalgic smell of popcorn came from the side concession center – sadly, the only detail there I can remember is a vague image of a big, flat glass popcorn display.
As I excitedly went into the main screen room, there were thick, deep red velvet curtains to push aside before you entered the dimmed theatre. Time to choose a seat. The seats flipped up to allow easier passage – that sound of kids playing with flip-flop of the seat – then annoying, now echoes fondly in my thoughts. I believe at first they were of a reddish-brown leather, but as they aged and cracked, they were replaced with deep reddish-orange velvet seats.
The times I went up to the balcony, I always took in the awe of the beautifully painted half-columns framing the stage housing the screen. Again, that mysterious swirl effect carried the majestic feeling of the theater throughout its interior. I think, the front of the balcony gently curved to allow great viewing from all sides.
There were two giant curtains, on either side of the screen – of a faded reddish orange (or green?? – my memory fails me) velvet. In my earlier years at the Fox, I remember them being closed between showings – separating only to reveal the thrill as the feature began. In my teens, when these curtains remained pulled to the side at all times, I missed seeing the large designs intricately laid out: an oval image on each half, and another flowing, floral-type pattern repeated along the borders. I had actually forgotten this until I saw the picture on one of your listings (thank you!).
Even the walls and ceilings boasted decorations throughout – some painted, some moulded – a lot to feast my eyes upon while I waited for the movie.
The movies generally came in two’s. One children’s movie (Disney, of course) and one more adult type feature. Once you were in the theater you could stay as long as you wanted. I still remember one night when my brother and I went – first delighted through Cinderella, then Star Wars, we called mom, pleading “Can we stay and see them again, PLEEEAASE?” And we did.
Thank you to the Redlands Fox theater – you’ve given me memories that I can have again and again. My gratitude and compliments to all who have worked to keep it going!
I grew up in Redlands from ‘67 – '84. I still vividly remember walking from my grandmother’s house on Nordina Street to see the new Disney movies in the 70’s, and then – something like Star Wars or Chariots of the Gods!
We saw the marquis, glowingly announcing the current double feature. Colorful neon lines (I think red and green?) bordered the marquis with a big fluer-de-lis-like gold moulding at the top of the front center.
There would always be a long line of people along the front street – waiting to get tickets from that free-standing center console ticket booth, just inside the marquis. How cool it seemed to have been the royal ticket concierge (kids view)! As we waited we would eagerly gaze at the posters of the upcoming features held within beautiful large, elegant viewing frames, embedded into both sides of the entryway.
Once inside the main lobby, I always felt welomed by the large expanse of carpet, with its pink and green and yellow ?floral?/?feathered? swirls on the black background. The chandeliers and the carpeted wide center stairway leading to the split stairs to the right and left always made a big impression on me.
The strong, so nostalgic smell of popcorn came from the side concession center – sadly, the only detail there I can remember is a vague image of a big, flat glass popcorn display.
As I excitedly went into the main screen room, there were thick, deep red velvet curtains to push aside before you entered the dimmed theatre. Time to choose a seat. The seats flipped up to allow easier passage – that sound of kids playing with flip-flop of the seat – then annoying, now echoes fondly in my thoughts. I believe at first they were of a reddish-brown leather, but as they aged and cracked, they were replaced with deep reddish-orange velvet seats.
The times I went up to the balcony, I always took in the awe of the beautifully painted half-columns framing the stage housing the screen. Again, that mysterious swirl effect carried the majestic feeling of the theater throughout its interior. I think, the front of the balcony gently curved to allow great viewing from all sides.
There were two giant curtains, on either side of the screen – of a faded reddish orange (or green?? – my memory fails me) velvet. In my earlier years at the Fox, I remember them being closed between showings – separating only to reveal the thrill as the feature began. In my teens, when these curtains remained pulled to the side at all times, I missed seeing the large designs intricately laid out: an oval image on each half, and another flowing, floral-type pattern repeated along the borders. I had actually forgotten this until I saw the picture on one of your listings (thank you!).
Even the walls and ceilings boasted decorations throughout – some painted, some moulded – a lot to feast my eyes upon while I waited for the movie.
The movies generally came in two’s. One children’s movie (Disney, of course) and one more adult type feature. Once you were in the theater you could stay as long as you wanted. I still remember one night when my brother and I went – first delighted through Cinderella, then Star Wars, we called mom, pleading “Can we stay and see them again, PLEEEAASE?” And we did.
Thank you to the Redlands Fox theater – you’ve given me memories that I can have again and again. My gratitude and compliments to all who have worked to keep it going!