Fox Performing Arts Center

This was a beautiful theater when I saw it was ten years ago and there was some move to restore it. The University of California Riverside and the Museum of Photography were putting on art film and classic movie nights once a week. It has a HUGE interior with three banks of seats on the ground floor and huge balcony. An incredible ceiling. I wish someone could find a way to restore it. If it was restored, it would make the recent theaters built by Edwards and AMC (which I love) to shame. If anyone has any ideas on how to go by restoring it, I'd love to hear them and would actively try to put them to use.

Good News!!! Someone just bought the Fox theater and intends to restore it!!

The Fox Riverside Theater Web Site no longer exists. Please update your links.

Thanks

The Fox Riverside Theatre was a very popular theatre with the studios. They used this theatre for many studio sneak previews. This is when sneak previews were real, not the sneaks we have now. No one knew the picture till it hit the screen. The best known sneak at the Fox was the sneak for "Gone With The Wind". It was the first public showing. The next sneak was held at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara.

I am a Riverside native and I am very interested in working on the renovation of the Fox Theater. If anyone knows how to get in touch with the person who owns it, I would greatly appreciate having that information. And in case anyone knows of other restoration projects in the works, I am currently a graduate student in a public history program and I would love work for the summer. Thanks!

I join the query: why is the "Friends of the Fox" website no longer viable and why does no one seem able to reinstate it? One would think that the new owner and the Riverside Arts council/Redevelopment, et al., would welcome any/all offers of donations and help.
Info I've found:
October 25, 2003: "Gone With the Wind" gala includes hors d'ouvres, libation, dessert, special seating for $50.00. First come, first seated general w/intermission desssert selections and libations is $15.00/ticket available at the ticket booth on the 25th.
Please note that the powers-that-be who slicked through a Kentucky Fried on the objecting homeowners of Canyon Crest is not terribly in love w/the new owner's plans to fully restore the theater. They were planning to either tear it down for the ubiquitous flat, environmentally crude parking lot, turning it into retail businesses - see the used-to-be beautiful De Anza theater on Market Street - or making it another multiplex theater by gutting the beautiful and historic interior.

The new owner has had one battle after another with our ever-thoughtful City Council and endured vandalism, break-ins and thefts of antique fixtures to his building but continues his efforts.
Let's give him a round of applause send your offers of help and questions to:
"Friends of the Fox/Riverside Arts Council"
3839 Brocton Avenue, Ste E
Riverside, CA 92501.
Ticket info: (909) 784-7095.
Good luck, peace, thanks for caring.

The Friends of the Fox website is up an running at www.foxriv.com The last event listed was on Nov. 28th. Some of the pages appear to be under construction with information "available soon" but there are contact names and numbers available. Check it out!

A preliminary comprehensive history of Fox Theater
By Marvin Powell, Historic Resources Assistant, Riverside Municipal Museum

Cultural Heritage Landmark # 39 is the local designation for the historic Fox Theater which is located in the Mission Inn District where it contributes to the Spanish architectural ambiance of the Downtown area. The theater was constructed in 1928 and served both as a cinema and vaudeville house, the latter was becoming a thing of the past as movies with recorded sound began to radiate theater. In the 1930’s it was one of the few buildings in downtown to have air-conditioning, a place to escape the sweltering heat. Since then it has undergone a number of changes, the most prevalent being ownership and operation.

Throughout the 1920’s, a chain of playhouses was being established by West Coast Theaters in many states and the construction of “Fox” theaters was rapidly taking place nationwide. The “Riverside Theater”, as it [Fox] was originally named, was one of 305 nationwide playhouses built by West Coast Theaters, a company operating under the aegis of William Fox of Fox Film Corporation. Fox

How wonderful to find this site! As a student at RCC, I worked for about a year as an usher at the Fox. I love old theatres like I love old churches! The Fox was very much a Southern California Cinema shrine of sorts. Frequent major studio previews with all of the associated Hollywood hoopla! It was fun. But what made the place so special to work in was its long time manager Mr David Lacky; a very tall and slender man, always immaculately attired in his Tuxedo, ever polite and soft spoken, he ruled with an erie omnipresence. Everything had to be perfect. We were required to be aware of everything from a burned out lightbulb, to the slightest tear in the upolstery of a seat. Every patron was special, and was to be accorded the utmost courtesy. Our uniforms were to be as immaculate as his Tuxedo, and were sent weekly for dry cleaning. There was a sence of pride in the place, and if one did not seem to feel and act on that pride, they were warmly advised that they ought to find something else more "fitting to your interests". He could wither one with a glance, if they were momentarily out of line, but always award something else with high praise shortly thereafter. That the Fox was such a unique place was a testimony to a very special showman! May God rest his soul! If there are theatres in heaven, Mr. Lacky's will be, as the sigh on every Fox West Coast Theatre claimed: "The Place To Go"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/state/la-me-fox17nov17,1,7888582.story?coll=la-news-state
Riverside Votes to Seize Fox Theater
The City Council agrees to force a sale for $1.667 million, saying promised restoration of the building is lagging. The owner vows to fight.
By Seema Mehta
Times Staff Writer

November 17, 2004

The Riverside City Council voted Tuesday to seize the Fox Theater, saying the current owner had failed to restore the historic vaudeville stage and cinema and turn it into a cutting-edge performing arts center.

The vote authorizes the city's redevelopment agency to use its power of eminent domain to force the sale of the theater to the city for $1.667 million, hundreds of thousands less than owner H.J. "Joe" Zivnak said would compensate him for what he invested in the theater.

"This is a difficult day — one I had hoped could be avoided," said Councilman Dom Betro before the 7-0 vote.

"I believe Mr. Zivnak should be commended for the heart and soul and effort he has put into the Fox Theater. But I also believe the Fox is the second most historical building in the city, and one that the City Council must move on."

Zivnak said the city ignored the theater for decades and became interested only after he was approached by a major theater producer about putting on Broadway-style shows at the Fox. He also said the city reneged on its promise to help him financially with the theater's roof and seismic retrofit, and he vowed to challenge the city in court.

"There is no question — I will fight them," he said before Tuesday's meeting. "I have done nothing wrong, and they have dealt [with me] in bad faith since the very early parts of this. I did everything in my power to work with them. And all that happened for my efforts was that I ended up losing a lot of money."

The Fox Theater opened in 1929 and screened the first public showing of "Gone With the Wind" a decade later. It has fallen into disrepair.

Zivnak bought the theater for nearly $1.4 million in March 2001 and said he spent $600,000 on renovations, including plumbing repairs, an upgraded sound system and organ installation, and refurbished office space.

Zivnak, 52, lives in Pomona and manufactures custom truck bodies. He said he bought the theater because of his memories of playing the pipe organ as a child at historic theaters.

"I basically purchased the theater to preserve it and install a pipe organ and preserve the way things were done back in the beginning — sing-alongs, concerts of organ [music], silent movies," he said.

"Of course, we weren't limiting ourselves to that — we were also attempting to restore the vaudeville stage and stage live performances."

Since he bought the Fox, Zivnak has hosted charity fundraisers, silent movies with organ accompaniment and a film festival.

Estimates of full refurbishment costs range from $7 million to $17 million, but such improvements could bring 10,000 people to downtown Riverside every week, greatly boosting the council's efforts to revitalize its downtown, Betro said.

The theater has apparently caught the interest of the Nederlander Organization, which owns the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles among other venues. Zivnak said he was approached by the company about the possibility of putting on Broadway-style shows six to 10 weeks a year at a refurbished Fox.

The company declined to comment.

Betro said the council's action was the best move for the city.

"The public benefit to be derived from the city taking charge of creating a performing arts center is really the main factor and most important at this time," Betro said.


If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at latimes.com/archives.

Article licensing and reprint options




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Copyright 2004 Los Angeles Times

The Riverside Theatre opened on 11th June 1929 with the W.S. Van Dyke directed movie "White Shadows in the South Seas" starring Monte Blue and Raquel Torres (This was the first MGM film where the sound of the trademark lion 'roared'). Star of the movie Monte Blue attended in person. Jan Sofer conducted the 12 piece orchestra and Warren Wright was on the 2 Manual/10 Rank Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.

Built for West Coast Theatres, the seating capacity at opening was 1,900.

I have a record that Lewis A. Smith (L.A. Smith) was the architect of the theatre, together with Balch and Stanbery. But being L.A. Smith died in 1926, it could be that Balch and Stanbery 'took over' and adapted his design for the theatre, similar to what is said to have happened at the Golden Gate Theatre in East Los Angeles.

I am wondering what became of the Lido Theatre, designed by Cliff Balch and built into the stage house of the Fox in 1941 or 1942, as a distinct theatre with its own entrance and lobby located in former shop space. Is it still there? If it is, and the Fox is to be restored for live performances, the Lido will have to be removed. This theater is not posted on Cinema Treasures. Does anyone have a description of it?

The Lido Theatre is still there, sitting empty, like the Riverside Theater. I believe the City of Riverside are making moves on the owner of theatres to get them up and running again (see the above posting from Eugene Davis taken from the LA Times).

I will add the Lido as a separate entry to Cinema Treasures.

I was thinking that if Nederlander, or anyone else, wants to mount Broadway-style shows in the theater, they would need to return the stage house to its original use. The lack of a proper stage house would probably prevent the theater from being fully usable as a performing arts center.

If the Lido does have to be removed, I do hope they document it fully first.

The theatre that was located in the stage house of the Fox Theatre, during it's last years was a Pussycat Adult Theatre.

From The Los Angeles Times: January 3, 2005

Riverside Sees Arts as Key to a Vital Core
Plans are to create a cultural hot spot to draw from the region's growing population.
By Seema Mehta
Times Staff Writer

January 3, 2005

When Riverside's Fox Theater screened the first public showing of "Gone With the Wind" in 1939, the landmark was a glamorous vaudeville stage and cinema, popular with Hollywood luminaries and featuring the rare luxury of air-conditioning.

More than six decades later, the Spanish colonial-style theater is faded and run-down, like the city blocks that surround it.

The city has spent $122 million trying to revitalize its downtown with limited success, leaving a mishmash that includes a four-star hotel within strolling distance of abandoned storefronts.

Now, Riverside leaders are staking downtown's revival on the creation of a cultural and nightlife hotspot for the booming Inland Empire; a place where people in Riverside and San Bernardino counties can go for a night on the town without driving to Los Angeles or Orange County.

If successful, the lethargic downtown center would be transformed into a lively, urban district with a performing arts center, art galleries, a Broadway-style theater, restaurants and upscale shops.

Before, "the time wasn't right for Riverside — the population base was too small, the demographics didn't quite work," said Joseph Gogas, the city's downtown project manager. "But the whole Inland Empire has transformed itself."

Steven Erie, director of the Urban Studies and Planning Program at UC San Diego, said Riverside's efforts are similar to what occurred in Orange County in the 1970s and 1980s. The result, the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, helped provide an identity for that onetime bedroom community.

"If [Riverside] can bring a performing arts center in, that will bring people back to the city — to work, to live," he said.

There are already signs of life: Workers jam Simple Simon's cafe on the pedestrian mall every weekday lunch hour, college kids gather at Back to the Grind coffeehouse and at art galleries, and BMW-driving couples nosh at Mario's Place and other restaurants on weekends.

But intermingled with these bright spots are bail bond offices, pawnshops and dusty tchotchke emporiums. Businesspeople and urban planners say downtown's prospects depend on whether more residents can be persuaded to dine, shop and play in the city center, and if the city is focused enough to achieve its goal.

There are doubters.

"No one seems to know where downtown is going. There's a lack of vision," said Ralph Megna, a consultant who was the city's redevelopment chief from 1990 to 1997. "The shame of all this is downtown Riverside has enormous potential, but it is going virtually completely unrealized."

The city's glory days were nearly a century ago, when it was the favored haunt of polo-playing citrus heirs and Hollywood stars.

Because of its citrus industry, Riverside was once the wealthiest city per-capita in the country, city officials say.

"We were the watering hole for Southern California," said Mayor Ron Loveridge. "Twenty-first century Riverside is different."

While Los Angeles rose with the glamour of Hollywood, the citrus industry in the Inland counties waned, leaving Riverside the "back lot of Southern California," he said. After World War II, downtown's residents fled to the suburbs. Montgomery Ward, Sears and other businesses abandoned Riverside's downtown in the 1960s. In 1971, the area was declared a redevelopment zone.

Since then, soaring housing prices along the Southern California coast started an inland migration. Riverside and San Bernardino counties, home to more than 3.7 million people, are expected to top 5 million by 2020.

Eric Van den Haute was looking for a location to open a branch of Cafe Sevilla, his popular San Diego restaurant, when he heard the population projections. He spent $2.7 million turning a vacant tractor dealership into a Spanish-themed restaurant in 1999, complete with a weekend flamenco show.

"People from Orange County and San Diego looked at me and truly asked if I fell on my head," he said.

Sales grew 16% last year alone and are on par with sales at the Gas Lamp District branch. "Regardless if [downtown revitalization] happens or not … we are there forever," he said.

Other prominent successes in downtown Riverside included turning the vacant Security Pacific Bank building into a state office complex; luring three federal and state courthouses and, most notably, restoring the historic Mission Inn.

The hotel where Richard and Pat Nixon were married and Ronald and Nancy Reagan spent their wedding night fell into disrepair and closed in 1985. When Riverside native and multimillionaire Duane Roberts bought it for $15.6 million in 1992, it was encircled by a chain-link fence.

The inn has undergone a $55-million restoration. Lush landscaping, stained glass and other eclectic features at the hotel are again drawing tourists and politicians such as President George W. Bush and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Megna faults current city leaders for scattering their efforts on a hodgepodge of projects, instead of focusing on "future-changing" developments such as the Mission Inn.

Councilman Dom Betro, who represents downtown, concedes that the city's tack must change.

"The [previous] approach was more of a small-town, plan-a-project-at-a-time approach," he said. "We're trying to ratchet that up, make it a little more sophisticated, more coordinated, more in sync."

In November, city leaders named six vital components to bringing downtown Riverside back to life: restoring the Fox Theater, creating the Barbara & Art Culver Center of the Arts, expanding the Riverside School for the Arts and building a shopping and residential complex on Market Street known as the Plaza at Mission Inn. They also called for the construction of 1,000 homes and 500,000 square feet of office space.

In December, the City Council voted to chip in $2.25 million of the $12-million cost of creating the Culver Center, a joint city-UC Riverside project that will be in the vacant Rouse's department store, which is next to UC Riverside's California Museum of Photography near City Hall. The center will house film screenings, gallery exhibitions, seminars, artists' studies and classroom and research space.

The City Council voted in November to seize the Fox Theater from its current owner. The Fox became famous when the producer of "Gone With the Wind" brought the classic to Riverside for a secret preview before the movie's premiere.

The theater has apparently piqued the interest of the Nederlander Organization, which owns the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles and approached the current owner about putting on Broadway-style shows.

Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said a performing arts district's success would hinge on regular performances at a variety of venues. "If you have a burst of activity followed by a dark period, that's difficult. It makes it tough for merchants to survive," he said.

But if the city is successful, it would be filling a void that encourages Inland Empire residents to drive elsewhere for a night on the town.

"Let's face it, given the freeways, going to downtown Los Angeles or going to Orange County is tough duty," he said. "Riverside does have some decent demographics that would seem to support [a cultural and nightlife district]."

Demographics has been a catalyst for revitalizations elsewhere. Efforts to create the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica floundered in the 1960s, but triumphed in the 1980s because of wealthy new residents and planning policies that concentrated movie theaters, cafes and shops there, said Bill Fulton, a senior scholar at USC's School of Policy, Planning and Development.

Downtown Riverside's keystone was supposed to be Villaggio, a proposal that included a movie theater, shops, restaurants and housing. The idea crumbled in September, with the developer complaining of rising concrete and steel costs. A city committee is considering four competing, scaled-back replacements to go in the area being called the Plaza at Mission Inn, but city leaders say their goal is not to compete with the malls and shopping centers that ring downtown. Modernization comes with a price, and some worry that something special may be lost in the city's zeal to revitalize.

A historic downtown building that houses a comic store, artists studios and gallery was nearly razed to make way for a law firm's garage, until the firm backed down last year. Built in 1886, the building was once a boarding house and restaurant operated by Jukichi Harada, who won a legal battle to overturn laws prohibiting the Japanese from owning property.

Artist Marian Semic, who painted the Harada family portrait on the side of the building, and who runs the People's Gallery on the second floor, cautioned officials to tread carefully.

"I remember when I was a kid, people wanted to tear down the Mission Inn. Where would we be if they had done that?" she said. "The whole downtown area has really started to go through a renaissance. If they are careful and do it right, it will be a wonderful thing."

I have always had a special interest in historic preservation since I was old enough to understand the importance of preserving all pasts, not just your own heritage. I am a twenty-three year old mother currently residing in Orange County. For me, the Downtown Riverside area is a unique place like no other. It’s a place I would like to return to someday. It is a place one does not stumble upon too often. Where else can you go to see the Historic Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights and ride a horse-drawn carriage around town or participate in the Dickens Festival; a three day weekend full of different events? In my personal opinion, if the historic downtown area was anything but historic, there would be nothing special about it. Its historic aspects add into all the fun events that take place there each year. Individuals such as me go there to see something different. I figure I can see an Edwards Cinema or a Krikorian Theatre anywhere; they’re all over the place. I believe the Fox Riverside Theatre would be a lovely addition to the already unique area. It would definitely add to that old fashioned feel. The thing that makes a particular site special is its history, as well as its unique architectural aspects, and the Fox Theatre has both. There are so many different things and events that can be held there. With each month containing its own special occasions or days for recognition of a certain person, place, or thing, I think there is quite a bit to work with. Each month the theatre can host shows pertaining to holidays and the celebration of actors and actresses of the silver screen era, along with the original plan to use the building as a performing arts center. I feel with all that to work with there won’t be too many dry spells of non-use. I have a lot of fun ideas for the whole year and I am only one person. I think with all the input of others who are also enthusiasts the current owner (if he still is) will have all the support of the community and others who want to help. I would volunteer my time in an instant if I could help in any way. We also have a Fox Theatre here in Orange County. It’s located in Downtown Fullerton. It too has gone through vandalism and old age. Recently last year sometime the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation set out to preserve it. “Save the Fox” turned out a happy ending. Now it will have its chance to be everything it once was before time and neglect took its toll. Here is the link if you’d like to take a look: www.foxfullerton.org I hope there is a happy ending for this Fox Theatre, too.

The architect is listed as Clifford A. Balch. Here is a more recent photo of the Fox Riverside Theater:
http://you-are-here.com/theatre/riverside.html

I remember changing buses once in Riverside and having time for a movie. I thought this was a beautiful theater. It is sad to see that it has gone the way of many the fine old houses we had here in Chicago. And so many of them are built in the Spanish style.

I have fond memories of my one visit to the Fox.

From the Los Angeles Times this morning (March 18, 2005):
"Chandeliers, Tiles Are
Stolen From Fox Theater"

"Thieves broke into the historic Fox Theater this month and stole chandeliers and tiles valued at $251,000, according to city officials.
"The thieves apparently pried open a side door and stole three Spanish-style chandeliers, 300 handmade 1920s-era Spanish tiles from a stairway and 85 tiles from the basement.
"The city sees the once-luxurious landmark as an integral part of its efforts to remake its faded downtown. Their goal is to turn the theater into a performance arts venue."

Tell me about the pipe organ
Paul

From you-are-here.com:

http://www.you-are-here.com/theatre/riverside.html

Its the same photo as 5 comments up!!

Nobody's perfect, Bill.

Nice to know the Fox is still there. Hopefully it can be restored and put to good use. I spent a lot of happy times here. Some of my favorite Fox memories include seeing Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon" on a night when the theater was giving away posters from the movie. The place was packed that night. I also recall the Fox staging a Beatles film festival where the four movies would run back-to-back. At that time, there was a acoustic guitar store in the complex near the entrance to the adult theater.

we are a nin profit and looking to by the fox and restore it

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/riverside/20060228-1656-foxtheater.html

RIVERSIDE – A project design for the long-stalled refurbishment of the historic Fox Theater was approved Tuesday by the Riverside City Council, acting in its capacity as the Redevelopment Agency.
“It's a wonderful treasure that will unfold itself,” said Councilman Dom Betro. “We are trying to create a modern performing arts center but maintain its historic heritage.”

The unanimous vote followed a discussion with project architect Richard McCann, who has restored about 30 historic theaters, including the Wilshire Theater in Los Angeles and the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle.

McCann and his staff displayed photos and concrete examples of their pre-design work, in which they painstakingly uncovered decorative tiles under stucco, stenciled patterns under layers of paint on kiosk beams and yet more patterns hidden away in closets or behind stage additions.

It's the first time in decades that much of original interior artwork of the theater, which was built in 1929 in a Mission Revival design, has been exposed.

Some observers sitting in the audience in the Council Chamber gasped with each revelation.

“This must be a labor of love for you,” Councilwoman Nancy Hart told McCann before she voted to approve the design plans.

Mayor Ron Loveridge pushed for a timetable from City Manager Bradley J. Hudson, who said the project could begin as early as this fall with completion by about April 2008.

The 1,600-seat venue is envisioned as Riverside's premier performing arts center, which would host Broadway-style shows, concert performances and ballets, according to the city's project manager, Robert Wise.

“The theater will be rehabilitated to its original design but will be enlarged in some areas and have other modifications,” he said.

The city's downtown area has struggled to develop an historic area with the restored Mission Inn as its centerpiece, despite the city's investment of more than $122 million in the redevelopment project.

The missing element has been the Fox Theater, which in its heyday was the site of a sneak preview screening of the 1939 Civil War epic “Gone with the Wind.”

By the 1980s, the theater had fallen into disrepair and was showing only Spanish-language films.

The building went through a succession of owners, who promised to return it to its original condition and show first-run movies.

City officials saw a glimmer of hope when Joe Zivnak purchased the theater in 2001 for $1.4 million with an eye toward restoration that never occurred.

The city began eminent domain proceedings to take possession in 2004. Last December, the city settled with Zivnak, purchasing the theater for $2.9 million.

Plans call for keeping the exterior of the theater virtually intact but enlarge the stage area and upgrade the upstairs offices, according to a city report.

“The auditorium will pretty much remain as it is, and the ceiling will remain original with a little touch-up,” Wise said. “But the lobby has been repainted three or four times over. We have had paint experts come and look at the original colors and matched them.”

Theater offices and retail shops that line the theater at Market Street and Mission Inn Avenue would also be restored, Wise said.

The theater is expected to complement the Fox Plaza, a nearby proposed project of 900 condominiums, 200 lofts, a hotel and 800,000 square feet of commercial space.

I grew up just off of Market St in Riverside. I rode the carrousel at Fairmont Park, rented paddle boats there. It was a beautiful park. I used to go and get lip gloss at the five and dime and then escape the summer heat in the old Mission Inn. I climbed Mt Rubidoux and actually made it to the cross at the top. And I had my very first boy girl date at the Fox we saw a double header of King Kong and Jaws. I saw Starwars there and all of its sequels, Saturday Night Fever and Grease. The Fox was a very important part of my life. I used to go to a little vintage clothing store located between the fox and the Pussycat Theater ( still to this day that name makes my face flushed hahahaaaa) I am so very pleased that the Fox is going to be given its due and restored into its very grand stature. I can recall the velvet curtains that used to be closed when the movie started and the great big curtain that drew open when it was showtime. These are all part of my memories and I am sure the memories of thousands of others. I would love to be there for its opening night.......thanks to all that will make it grand once again.

I grew up in Riverside from 1952 to 1964 when I left for college. I remember the Fox fondly. Walking from the box-office the 15 feet to the front doors, into the dim curving lobby with deep deep carpets, and then through the doors into the auditorium was intoxicating. But I remember most the huge movie screen. In proportion to the size of the auditorium, the screen was by far the largest I've ever seen. Sitting in the lower level, the screen towered over one with what felt like the height of a 5 or 6 story building. The screen was also wide, very wide. It was huge and overwhelming. Projection was excellent with a bright and steady image.

In the renovation, I hope above all else that the screen can be preserved at its full 1960 size.

After that, I would hope to see the thick carpets retained in the lobby, the deep dark lobby ceiling and light fixtures, and the interior as it was. BTW, I visited the Fox in the 80s and the screen and projection were still there as fine as ever, though the theatre was showing only Spanish language films.

Wow, a lot of cool memories going on here. I lived in Riv from 1964 to 1976, went to Ramona. I also remember going to the Fox for The Beatle movies and spending a ton of time at Fairmont Park in it's hey-day. Someof my most fond memories are that of romping around the Mision Inn and sneaking into all of the magical secret places it held. We ran the guards ragged. We probably had that place more memorized than the people who lived and worked there.
I think the "pussycat" Theatre was originally called the Californian Theatre. I live in Ohio now but most of my family still lives in SoCal.
I truly hope that they can restore the Fox and Downtown to it former greatness. It was an awesome time and place to grow up.

I had recently stopped in Riverside looking for restaurant space and happened to notice the gorgeous Theater. I was mind boggled that it was not in use. Reading everyone's comments I am more confused as to why this building is still not open to the public? It seems there are plenty of people willing to put in the effort to help open the Theater. What is the hold up?

Any current contacts or up to date info on what is happening with the Fox would be appreciated. I'm currently living in Riverside and am willing to volunteer my time and theatre operation experience with whomever is currently working to restore the Fox.

RIVERSIDE - Call it the 21st century Fox.

Silvia Flores / The Press-Enterprise
The city of Riverside is converting the Fox Theater, built in 1929, into a 1,600-seat performing arts center. It will be made earthquake- safe and will have an expanded stage and new lighting systems.

The City Council on Tuesday awarded a contract for up to almost $30 million to Santa Ana-based Bayley Construction to design and carry out the renovation of the historic Fox Theater downtown.

The city is converting the structure, built in 1929, into a 1,600-seat performing arts center. It will be made earthquake-safe and will have an expanded stage as well as the latest lighting, sound and video systems. It will be made accessible to the disabled.

The $29.8 million contract calls for Bayley to do the work in 21 months. It includes $22.5 mil- lion for design and construction, $2.3 million for optional additional work and a 20 per-cent contingency fund of almost $5 million.

The city's hope is that the past will represent downtown's future.

Officials see the Fox as the centerpiece of their downtown revitalization efforts, which focus on making the city an arts and culture mecca for the Inland region. It is one of the largest projects included in the Riverside Renaissance Initiative, the city's plan for $785 mil-lion worth of projects in the next five years.

"This is a major, major deal in terms of putting us on the map," Councilman Dom Betro, whose ward includes downtown, said about the Fox on Monday. "This is our breakthrough."

A Broadway show producer, the Nederlander Organization, has expressed an interest in bringing its touring productions to the Fox.

Concerts, conventions, graduations and performances by local arts groups are uses the city is considering renting the Fox for, officials said.

But the city does not expect the Fox to be a moneymaker by itself, Assistant City Manager Michael Beck said. Its economic value lies mainly in stimulating spending by its patrons at other locations, such as restaurants and bars, he said.

Plans call for a bank loan to pay for the construction, though the city initially expects to borrow some money from its $275 million cash pool so it can get the work rolling before the loan is in place, Beck said.

The city also hopes to obtain close to $4 million in federal tax credits.

The city ultimately plans to sell off more than $75 million in surplus property to help pay for the Fox and some other Renaissance projects.

La Sierra resident Yolanda Garland criticized the project and its cost, saying it would be better for a private investor to restore the Fox.

Downtown resident Chani Beeman recalled the people who mocked the plans to restore the Mission Inn and said the Fox rehabilitation will pay off for the city.

Demolition of portions of the building and removal of asbestos and other toxic materials will start in January, said Robert Wise, the city's project manager for the Fox. Construction is likely to being in April, he said.

Dave Kellstrand, director of theater facilities at UC Riverside, said 32 years ago he went on his first date to the Fox with the woman who is now his wife.

The $30 million renovation cost is not out of line, he said, especially considering historic buildings often have unforeseen problems.

"I'd just really like to see it succeed," Kellstrand said.

Preservation expert Knox Mellon, a Riverside resident, said the Fox is the last historic building in Riverside he expects to need such an expensive overhaul.

"I think it's going to be a showpiece," he said.

Reach Doug Haberman at 951-368-9644 or dhaberman@PE.com

My family lived in Corona California in the late '50's and we used to
go to the Fox because it had a lot of the best movies and was the best theater around. I liked it better than most of the Hollywood
theaters. I was 10 years old in 1958.

I remember seeing "Auntie Mame" "The Vikings" "Rio Bravo" and
"North By Northwest". The screen was huge and the picture was always
bright.It was a great experience to see a movie there.

For information and contributions to The Friends Of The Fox Theater, contact Janice Penner at the Riverside Downtown Partnership: (951)781-7339.

www.riversidedowntown.org

Here are a couple shots of the Fox, taken this year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/achangeinscenery/377820132/in/set-72157594514575526/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/achangeinscenery/377820133/in/set-72157594514575526/

After the City of Riverside took over the Fox Theater and under Dom Betro's authority all the original theater seats were removed and a large hole was punched through the screen of the Fox Theater to get the seating out. The projectors were removed and trashed. The Fox Theater will not show movies but host live events only. The Fox Theater has been basically ransacked and nearly all historical elements were removed.

It takes passion for something to get a project like this right. Looks like they may have missed the mark on this one unless the Fox was a live theatre before it was a movie theatre.

Here is a photo, circa 1970s:
http://tinyurl.com/34jkbc

Oh, God! was released in October of 1977.

Wow!, I went and saw Oh God! there!!
Amazing to see that pic

When that picture was taken the theatre was part of Mann Theatres chain. During the 60's National General Theatres re-marqueed many of their theatres. In the picture those two black circles once had the letters NG in them. You can se the old neon preview signage above the marquee too.

during the constrution of the fox theater in riverside, my friend is on the crew rebuilding the theater and will be taking photos of the history making of riverside ca.

Linda21, that is great! My husband has taken some photos of the work as well, he drives a cement mixer and has gotten a chance to pour there a few times so far.Hopefully you'll be able to share your friend's photos with us!


Here's a "behind the scenes" update from the Riverside Outlook's May/June issue:

"It's calm on the outside, but inside the Fox Theater there's a huge unseen construction effort to restore the historic theater while transforming it into a state-of-the-art performing arts center.

The 18-month construction period began in May 2007.

The most pbvious change is the new rear wall of the stage house. Large buttresses now support the sidewalls. At ground level, all concrete flooring of the back stage area is gone and the new stage house foundations are installed.

Along Market Street and Mission Inn Avenue, the concrete floors and dividing walls of the storefront shop area have been removed, leaving only exposed dirt floors and concrete encased steel supporting beams. The Market Street storefronts will be consolidated into a theater lobby with a concession lounge area.

On Mission Inn Avenue, hte space will become performer dressing rooms, a backstage support area and a ticket office. The space above the old storefront shop areas will accommodate additional dressing rooms, wardrobe and flex space for community meeting.

Within the auditorium, renovation efforts have gone into full swing. The concrete wall between the auditorium and the backstage area has been removed. All theater seats have been taken out and the tops of all the concrete air tunnels have been demolished to enlarge the air conditioning capability. Finally, the balcony projection booth has been removed [pardon me for a second.... gasp!!!!] to provide space for additional theater seats and to create space for a new center spotlight.

Scaffolding will soon fill the entire auditorium. The Theater's interior walls and ceiling will be cleaned and repainted to resemble the original designs and colors unique to the Riverside Fox Theater.

The exterior of the Fox will remain as Riversiders remember it, with only subtle change in the heating and cooling ducts and new roofing.

For more information, log onto http://www.riversiderenaissance.org

TimBuck, it was not a live theater in the past. Like you and Rootmedia mentioned, the mark is definitely being missed here. Good luck to them attempting to make a successful live theater venue, I am skeptical but look forward to see if I am proven wrong.

I don't think it would hold as a modern day movie theatre with just one screen. Even the multiplex Market Place Theatre (by the Metrolink station) had to shut it's doors (don't know what going there now). With the performing arts departments of both UC Riverside and Riverside City College expanding, the opportunity to change the Fox into a performing arts centre may be the only chance of this place seeing any life. And besides, if promises of this place becoming a world-class theatre are met, we may just see Performance Riverside (staging company currently housed at RCC's Landis Auditorium) and possibly The Riverside Philharmonic make a move to the Fox.

My Opinion, of course.

The option of showing films, though, like so many other theatres-turned-performing-arts places have done, would have been nice for the Fox. Hard to do with no projection booth.

There is no indication that a film cannot be shown after the restoration. It can be done if a party has interest in showing a cinema production, especially with today's technology in digital cinematography where large projector rooms are no longer necessary.

If such equipment would be purchased along with the other technology goodies needed for stage production is beyond me, though lobbying for a digital cinema projector (if it's not on the shopping list already) may not be a bad idea.
Something to possibly look into?

I am doing some research on the Fox Theatre and have some questions for anyone who might have a long memory:

1. When was the blue neon "Preview" sign put up?
2. Was it there in 1939 when Gone With The Wind was previewed? (
3. Was the original pipe organ still there when GWTW was previewed?
4. When was the pipe organ taken out?

The Preview sign has been trashed as part of the city's ongoing "restoration/rehabilitation." WAS IT THERE IN 1939?

Thanks, anyone, for your help. What a great website!

You may want to consult Historic Preservation with the Riverside City Planning Department. Call 951-826-5371 and ask for Erin Gettis. She'll probably be able to answer your questions!

By the way, photographer Michael Elderman is documenting the restoration with beautiful photographs. I think he's putting together his collection for a book. You can see his work at his studio: Division 9 Gallery on Lemon St, downtown Riverside.

Thanks, Corinne, we haven't had much luck with the City yet, that's why I was asking here. I know Mike Elderman (he did my wedding photos!), and I'll ask him, but I doubt if he knows the history of the Preview sign and the organ. So I'd still appreciate any "memories" from other people!

I do not believe that the "preview" sign was there originally. I recall seeing an old photograph without it. Let me see if I can find that photo and I'll get back to you.

In fact, the photo at the top of this page does not have the "preview " sign in it.

Preview signs were not original features to theatres. They were added once the studio liked the location for those out of town previews. Out of town previews started happening during the mid 30's. Most theatres had banners to hang under marquees for those previews, but theatres that the studios liked. Installed those neon preview signs on the facades of the building or on the vertical signs of the theatres. The Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA and the Fox Theatre in Inglewood, CA had them installed that way. Many popular preview houses had sound dummies installed in their booths since the films were still picture and track format.

Monika, Corinne and William, this is interesting information! So since the Preview sign obviously wasn't there originally (like the first photo above shows), when was it put in--and was it there by the showing of the GWTW preview?

Also, we still need info relative to the pipe organ and when it was taken out.

Thanks so much for all of your help.

National General Theatres the parent company for Fox West Coast Theatres started selling some pipe organs during the late 50's though the 60's. from their theatres. Some of the ones that did last till the sale to Mann Theatres were sold by Mann Theatres in the mid 70's. time frame before Mann Theatres sold the houses.

I AM planning a book, to be published at about the time the Fox has its grand reopening, probably about September-October, 2009. It will be primarily artistic photos made using light, shadow, color, geometry, but it will also have more literal documentation particularly of the features people associate with the theater -- the grand staircase going up from the lobby, the two curved stairway facades at left and right front of the theater, the tower, the "preview" sign (which I think will return when the theater is finished). It will be a hardcover coffee table style book. Anyone who has historic information about the uses of the theater over the years is invited to send me the information at mjelderman@earthlink.net If you would like to receive e-mailed information on how to purchase the book for yourself or your company, please let me know. This is such an exciting project and the changes in the theater inside are already spectacular. Submitted by MJ Elderman

Mike, I'll send you a separate email since I know you!! I'm so glad you are documenting the theatre. Count me in for one of your books!! As I know from my wedding photos, you are one great photographer!

The opening date for the theater has been pushed back to January 11, 2010, the anniversary of the grand opening gala in 1929. I understand that the "Preview" sign was pulled off the tower facade a few months back and unceremoniously thrown to the ground, where it shattered. There is a movement to see if the city will have another one made, but I don't know who is involved, or whether there will be a response. The theater itself is changing dramatically, and scaffolding near the stage has already been removed, while the scaffolding allowing workmen to repaint the ceiling will most likely come down within a couple of weeks. You can see some photos from my book project by going to my website at www.mjeldermanphoto.ifp3.com and scrolling down the "Gallery" to Riverside Fox (there are also some photos from documentation of the Pomona Fox here).

Anyone who has artifacts, photos or any other information about the Fox, including interesting stories of your memories or experiences there -- please send me your stories, info, and photos via e-mail, or to me at P. O. Box 55435, Riverside, CA 92517. --Michael J. Elderman

Here are some photos taken yesterday:
http://tinyurl.com/6sg38b
http://tinyurl.com/894856
http://tinyurl.com/7db4cp
http://tinyurl.com/8msdt4

Here are two photos from the LA Library, dated 1929 and 1970, respectively:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics08/00023562.jpg
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics08/00023561.jpg

Thanks ken mc for posting the photos. Interesting that you have listed two drive ins back east in New Jersey among your favorites -- I grew up in Atlantic City and went to the drive ins through high school with lots of my friends. Obviously you are here in Riverside now -- what do you do (or what DID you do, if you're retired). My e-mail address is above if you want to send a note.

Here is a December 2007 article and photos regarding the renovation:
http://tinyurl.com/d89ylm

What's going on in 2009?

This is a July 2008 article. I've been out there twice in the past few months, and as far as I can tell they are far from done.
http://tinyurl.com/cd8mul

Keep looking. Maybe you'll find something more recent.

Here are some photos from September of 2008.

This is a November 2008 video. Target date is October of 2009. You have to sit through a Ford commercial before the video gets to the theater.

Posting to get this theatre back on my "notifications" list....

1982 Photo

1983 Photo

1984 Photo

According to Broadway in Riverside, "Annie" will be the first production to show in the restored Fox, scheduled for February 2010, followed in March by "Jesus Christ Superstar", and "Hairspray" in April.

Here is a link to a substantial photographic history of the Fox with a November 2008 issue date:
http://www.riversideca.gov/redev/ppoint/FOX_files/frame.htm

Also, "the city has scheduled a Jan. 15 grand-opening gala fundraiser and free public walk-throughs Jan. 16-17, said Councilman Mike Gardner. He promised a big-name artist for the grand-opening performance on Jan. 22, though he said he did not yet know who it would be."

Hi does anyone know a phone number where I can reach someone who can tell me more about the fox theater, like when it will be opening again and reserving a date for it...I've tried calling the phone number above 909-684-2831 but a woman answered it who told me I had the wrong number. SO if anyone call help me with this I'd really appreciate it!! Thank you!!

relinking

First to Maureen951. The opening gala is January 15 (as described above) and if you call 951.826.5312 and ask for information about the Fox, they will connect you.

I posted in October, 2008 about a book I was planning about the Fox Theater. That book, which is titled "Riverside's Fox Theater: An Intimate Portrait," is about to go to the printer, and will appear in December, 2009 at many downtown museums and stores, at Barnes and Noble, at Borders, and at my gallery at 3850 Lemon St. in downtown Riverside.

I am still in the process of raising funding for this project, and if you are interested in advance purchase of boxed-set books, 10 or more regular books at a 30% discount, an art print from the collection, or just in donating to the project, for which you will receive books and a mention on the Donors Page, please contact me at mjelderman@earthlink.net This address is also good if you would like to reserve between 1-9 books at the retail price of $34.95 plus tax and shipping (where applicable). I will post a link to an image of the book cover as soon as it is available. Thanks to those who have given me encouragement all along with this exciting project.

Interested in knowing if any one has any idea when a copper souvenir
ticket was made for the Riverside Theater. It is a copy of an opening night ticket in 1928. here is a link to a photo...... http://www.twitpic.com/dtcfi Any information would be most interesting.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Maggie

turniipseeds@tx.rr.com

1-8-10 Press Riverside article on history & renovation:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_fox10.1d3cf04.html

The theater is offering free tours to the community this Saturday and Sunday January 16-17.