Liberty Theater

The Hardy's Liberty seated around 1600 people and it operated from 1917-1990.

Pop singer Michelle Branch used exterior shots of this wonderful theatre for her "Goodbye to you" video in 2002!

As of this posting,the HARDY'S theatre is currently a mexican church...Lobby has been all painted over in white (yikes!).If you look closely,you can see that the old "Liberty" name still survives,painted in the bricks on the side of the building.

In childhood, I loved this theatre. Close to where my parents worked at Gottschalks on the Fulton Mall, I attended this theatre often. "Some Like It Hot," "Love Me or Leave Me," "Kismet," "West Side Story," and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?","Ben-Hur," "King of Kings," are a few of the hundreds of motion pictures that I saw at the Hardys, 1953-1969.

The church moved out of this theatre around 6 months ago and the building is currently closed/unused.

This website has a photo of the Liberty Theater.

The Liberty Theatre originally contained a 3 manual 18 rank Robert Morton pipe organ. Since the Robert Morton Company began building piep organs in 1917, this organ must have been one of their earliest instruments.

Photos of the unusual console are published in the various Claude "Pop" Laval books on historic Fresno. The console sat on a lift in the orchestra pit. The console had two full stoprails and large, shorter, partial rails on the right and left bottom under the main stoprails. This is very unusual to find in three manual 17 rank instruments. The bottom manual of the console also contained two rows of stop combination pistons. I know of only one other theatre organ where there were two rows of pistons on such a manual--the 1929 6 manual Barton that was once in the Chicago Stadium.

Photos in the various "Pop" Laval books show the Liberty console in both the "up" position and down at the bottom of the orchestra pit. The theatre was massively remodeled in the late 1940s at which time the fly loft was cut off the top of the stage house.

Unlike later Robert Morton organs (and theatre organs in general), the stopkeys on the Liberty organ were all ivory colored and not in the later usual ivory, red, amber, brown, and black colors found on later Mortons such as Warnors Theatre in Fresno.

The organ had a huge traps and effects dept. used to accompany the silent films. The late Richard S. Villemin of Porterville removed the Liberty organ just before the theatre was massively remodeled in the late 1940s. There were pipe chambers at either side of the stage at stage level. The original organs screens have largely been covered over with later plaster. However, from behind, the original screens can still be clearly seen. The various sound effects mentioned earlier, were scattered about back stage, unenclosed. According to Richard Villemin, there were such unique effects as typewriter, tower chimes, owl hoots, thunder and so on.

Richard told me he stored the remains of the organ (the console was long-gone by the time he removed the rest of the organ) were stored in a barn in Strathmore, CA. I never did learn if this material was still stored there or not. Mr. Villemin passed away in October 1987, so it is now impossible to know what became of the remains of the Fresno Liberty Robert Morton pipe organ.

Under the stage, the major windlines to the organ from the organ blower space were still intact in the early 1980s. The painted-on, black paint-framed silent picture sheet was still in-place on the rear wall of the stage. The Liberty has what has to be one of the steepest balconies ever in the Fresno area. It was understood that the uppermost part of the balcony was not used onve movies came in full-time as the picture sheet could not be seen from the upper balcony. The projection room was on the main floor.

The sign on the marquee in Lost Memory's photo says "Stop the Suffering". I think the theater is crying out for help as it doesn't know if it's supposed to be a department store, a Mexican church or a movie theater.

It is too late. That poor theatre "got it" back in the late 1950s when the stagehouse was chopped off and the interior covered over with blase' 1950s plaster. The best one could hope for is for the wonderfully preserved facade to remain as part of a new building.

Here is a recent photo of the Mexico/Liberty theater.

The name chronology is roughly this:

1917-1949 Liberty Theatre
1949-1980 Hardy's Theatre (Liberty name not used)
1990-present Mexico Theatre (Hardy and Liberty names not used)

These dates may be off a year or five, but it is the order of names used on the old Liberty. I suspect much of the original decore is still in the Liberty under the drab 1950s plaster job. From the space formerly occupied by the organ chambers on each side of the stage, clearly shows the original "wagon wheel" style organ screens with the plaster applied over the original screens. A small part of the screens are still ope to the auditorium, presumably for ventilation.

This is a 2007 photo of the Hardy's, Mexico, Liberty Theater.

In 1963, Hardy's Theater was part of the Hardy Theater chain, headquartered in San Francisco. Gerald Hardy was the president. The chain had houses in Fresno, Oakland, San Francisco and Pismo Beach. Hardy Theaters also operated the Sequoia in Fresno at that time.

Does anyone Know what the Theater is presently being used for? Any Info on the owner and also if there has been any progress on downtown revitaltion?

The Liberty/Hardy's/Mexico Theatre is, I think, still used as a Mexican Apostolic church. I have no idea as to the actual owner of the theatre.

The downtown revitalization is coming along quite well. As a former resident who now gets back to town several times a year, I can see the changes for the good. The biggest stumbling blosk in downtown Fresno is the Fulton Mall.

The city needs to wake up to the fact the Fulton Mall needs to be reopened as a slow speed, one-way street much like Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. Once the City takes the initiative to clean up the central part of the former Fulton Street, flush out the winos, get rid of the petty 1 hour parking fees and meter maides, the downtown will really come back to life. As it stands right now, there is nothing to bring anyone to the Fulton Mall. Couple that with the snotty parking rules and you can see why the north Fresno shopping malls and free parking thrive.

Mr. Delay thanks for commenting back. I'm glad to see the City of Fresno is begining to see what a true gem their downtown can be!If ever you find out who the owner is Please pass it along. I've read some of the past posts, are the organ lofts still useable and could a organ be successfully re-installed? Is the original interior of the auditorium hiding behind the 50's additions or was it destroyed in the remodeling? Would Fresno support a silent/art film house? Would love to hear some feedback...Thanks!

AS I recall, the organ screens are completly intact but are covered over with "modernization" plaster. Just a tiny portion of the original screens are visible--presumably to act as a ventilation duct. The chamber space was still on each side of the theatre.

Now you have to understand, this is how the theatre was in the early 1980s. Who knows what the endless parade of churches have done to the interior.

The windlines from the blower location in the basement were still intact in the early '80s. I had always heard that the upper portion of the blacony was not used because it was too steep. I can believe it. The original picture sheet, actually a framed in area of white plaster was still there on the rear of the backstage wall. When the upper part of the fly loft was torn out, somehow this "picture sheet" was allowed to remain.

I will be in Fresno next week and shall see what I can find out.

Also bear in mind, most of the building has a great deal of brick. In California, that 5-letter word can spell death to a building even though Fresno is relatively free of heavy seismic activity.

Tom I would appreciate anything you can find out, Owner, state of interior etc. So what do you think of my crazy notion about showing Silents/classic/art films ? Maybe the Key is a organ for not only films but for concerts... Maybe the timing is two early? The Brick is a concern...Hmmm. I know theres a gem here! Fresno is so lucky to have so many classic theaters, I would love to get my hands on one or steal one!!

We looked into the idea of possibly putting an organ back into the Liberty. But, with the lack of fly loft anymore, the stage use is not so great. The idea was that if the stage were useable for live programs the place would be a bit more versatile. The Wilson is now a church and not likely to be a "road house" again. Warnors is, and always has been, THE movie palace in town. So anything at the Liberty has to be new, fresh, and something to stand on its own. None of us wanted to put that much time into such a project.

There are photos of the original Liberty Robert Morton in a couple of versions of the "As 'Pop' Saw It" by "Pop" Laval. It was a very unusual and early Robert-Morton organ. I would not be surprised if it was not among the first half dozen organs the company built.

I had read and noticed the lack of flys when I visited and I agree it does limit some live shows. But with that said flys along with curtians are some what "old Fasioned" and not always used. Most modern shows are more concerned with floor space than flys. But I agree something "fresh" and innovative should happen with the Liberty. It may not be the "palace" that the Warnor is but it could be brought back as a viable venue, after all it was the First! Even with the renovations and alterations the fact that it remains is important.Money,imagination,luck and love not to mention insanity is the pillers of any theater restoration/renovation. Tom I appreciate your insight,I had the pleasure of meeting you years ago at the Fox Theater Bakersfield. You remain vary much my first impression of you, a straight shooter who is passionate about old theaters and the organs that were their voices....I hope you still would be willing to hound some info for me. Thanks D.

If you want to contact me directly try tdelaycalifornia@att.net This is my secondary and generally unused address. It forwards to my main address which I won't post here. I will make some calls and see what comes up regarding the Liberty.

At least in 1982, if you knew where to look, some of the original 1917 design was still in the theatre. The organ screen are really neat--all you can see is the "negative" from where the chambers used to be, but they had a distince half wagon-wheel design to the top of the screen. The organ must have really gotten out as there was nothing in its way.

A further point, if I ever get back into the Liberty again, I want to see if the remains of the organ lift are still in the orchestra pit someplace. As I recall, when we were in there in 1982, we did not know there had been a lift for the organ console. The Pop Laval books clearly show the console in up and down positions. It would probably have been an ancient city water pressure hydraulic system rather than a "professional" Otis system such as is at Warnors. (BTW, KMJ radio, www.kmj580.com in Fresno is celebrating its 85th anniversary on October 19 at Warnors. They are going to have a Las Vegas "Rat Pack" recreation which is supposed to be very good. The Warnor RObert Morton organ is the entire pre-show!)

The Golden State Theatre in Monterey had such a system. When we put the organ back into that theatre in 1992, we built a rig with which to pull out the lift piston. It was found to be in remarkable shape, considering it had been sitting in brackish water for decades--the outside was made of brass and did not rust. It was repacked and is still in use.

Thanks again Tom. I'll use the alernate address in the Future. I'll be planning a day trip up to Fresno soon to get a feel of downtown and hopefully talk to other people envolved with its proposed re-development!! If I was end up with the theatre I hope you guys might re-consider installing an organ, I'd give it a wonderful home! I feel the organ could be part of that fresh approach, everything old is new!! I still need to work on a good concept for the venue but the addition of a "voice' would be most welcome...D

Ill attend the concert at Warnors!! I hate to admit I've only heard recordings of old organ concerts, never been to a live show. I look forward to my first real experiance hearing a live organ and the bonus of seeing the inside of the Warnor....I hope you are able to get inside to do a little investigation @ Liberty!! D.

"D", I have a name for you...and a phone number.

Here is part of an LA Times article dated 8/28/43:

Man Confesses Taking $1306 in Fake Robbery

Asst. District Atty. Melvin Gibbs today announced Norris W. Ott, manager of a Fresno theater, has confessed to stealing $1306 in theater funds Monday morning and then striking himself on the head with a length of pipe to simulate a robbery.

Approximately $600 of the money has been recovered by Gerald Hardy, owner of the theater, from hiding places where it had been secreted by Ott.

Ott told Gibbs and Hardy he stole the money to replace $500 which he had taken from theater receipts to replace another $500, which Ott said he lost in a bookie establishment.

When he struck himself with the pipe, Ott inflicted a brain concussion which necessitated him remaining in a hospital for two days.

Interesting. Thanks.

Here is the original story from four days earlier, before the hapless Mr. Otto confessed:

Bandit Takes Theater Cash

Victim for the second time in 14 months of a daring daylight robbery, Norris W. Otto, theater manager, was beaten on the head with an iron pipe and robbed of $1200 in receipts as he was leaving for the bank today.

Since the robbery of $500 last year, the office door has been kept locked. Today Otto counted the money, placed it in a sack and left the office. He had descended the stairs a short distance when he was struck from behind. He was knocked unconscious and did not recover until a half-hour later, when he dragged himself to the office. The pipe with which he was struck was found on the stairway by E.H. Schultz, a theater confectionary operator. Otto could not give police a description of the bandit.

I don't know why it was Otto in the first story and Ott in the second. Maybe he knocked a letter off his name when he hit himself with the pipe.

Maybe he couldn't remember his name, or maybe he didn't want to.

showman - To answer your question from Sept 07... YES, I definitely think Fresno could support an independent/art house theater. But the city needs someone to spearhead such an effort. We have a local film group that shows art films monthly at the Tower Theater, but they don't have an interest in starting a regularly operating art house theater. Feel free to contact me at bryanharley AT comcast DOT net

Hello,

Does anyone have information about Clarence Lauren Hartsough? His calling card, circa 1920, 1921 says that he was an organist and "estimator on organs" and gives his address as the Liberty Theatre, Fresno. Thanks LMD

A photo of the Liberty Theatre.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67661849@N00/3308246118/in/pool-cinemasignage/

Here is a 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cgcslq

1982 Night Photo

Here is a June 1947 ad from the Fresno Bee:
http://tinyurl.com/mcg84k

Here is another 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/nfo35c

The former Liberty Theatre, following a $50,000 remodeling job by Gerald Hardy, opened on June 24, 1931, as Hardy’s. The Fresno Bee said as a result of an agreement with the union it would employ five union operators, the same as the other Fresno houses. The Liberty Theatre was closed about two years earlier by Fox West Coast when Fox took over the State Theater. The Einstein Investment Company was the owner of the building and they were presently suing Fox for default on the lease. The Bee’s profile of Gerald Hardy said he started as a film salesman in San Francisco in 1928 and went on to operate theaters in Northern California. Hardy said, “It was his liking for Fresno that brought him back to the theater field here.” “We looked over the theater field in every part of California and found conditions in Fresno better than anywhere in the state.” A packed house greeted the premiere attraction, a comedy called ‘Caught Cheating.’
-- In 1944 Hardy purchased the theater outright for $90,000. Mr. Hardy at one time or another also operated the Fulton, Sequoia, Lyceum and Mayfair theaters.
Some highlights of the Hardy years, mainly from 40’s thru the 60’s:
-- For years Hardy’s was known as Fresno’s exclusive showcase for MGM pictures. This policy appears to have started in late 1947. They had success with pictures other than MGM as they also played United Artists fare almost exclusively. In 1958 UA’s ‘The Vikings’ and in 1959 ‘Some Like It Hot’ were held over for a fifth week. In cases of holdovers at Hardy’s, Hardy’s Sequoia Theatre became the showcase for MGM first runs. When there were no other films to fill the bill Hardy’s used product from Allied Artists, mainly B movies.
-- The longest running MGM film to play at Hardy’s was ‘Ben Hur,’ which ran for 10 weeks from October to December of 1960.
-- The local Warner’s played all Warner Bros. and mostly Columbia and RKO pictures offerings.
-- The Fox’s Crest and Wilson played 20th Century Fox, Paramount and Disney films, with their Tower playing art films, road shows or hold-over attractions.
-- The rules were changed when Cinerama and 70mm came along. In July of 1963 Warner Cinerama held the Central California Premiere of MGM’s ‘How the West Was Won.’ In September of 1966 Warner Cinerama premiered MGM’s ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ which was advertised as being just a Panavision presentation. There is no indication that Hardy’s was ever equipped even for 70mm. By 1966 Hardy’s was still showing the regular MGM fare but usually day and date with the drive-ins.
-- The last MGM-released film to premiere at Hardy’s before its sale was ‘The Dirty Dozen’ in July of 1967.
-- On November 30, 1967, the Bee said that Trans-Beacon Theaters, owners of the Warnor Theater (the spelling of Warner had changed to Warnor), had purchased Hardy’s for an undisclosed sum. After being closed for redecoration, they were scheduled to begin a reserved-seat policy on February 7 with ‘Camelot.’ At the time of the sale Hardy’s had been reduced to almost a grindhouse with films such as ‘The Glory Stompers’ and ‘Thunder Alley.’
-- On January 20, 1971, a Fresno Bee story was headlined: “Troubled NY Theatre Chain Closes Hardy’s, Warnor’s.” Because of their bankruptcy, the Trans-Beacon theaters were under receivership and Fresno was one of their casualties. Gerald Hardy said at this time that he would be interested in reopening Hardy’s, and would make a decision in a few weeks.
-- On December 31, 1971, a Bee story was headlined “Hardy’s Will Feature Spanish Film.” Gerald Hardy, who had reestablished himself as owner had given a five-year lease to Carmen Lopez. Lopez was the operator of the Esquire Theater in San Jose. The theater underwent a general refurbishment but the Spanish films lasted just five months and in August of 1972 the theater was leased again to National Cinema of Beverly Hills who planned to use it as a subsequent run house.
On May 3, 1976, the Fresno Bee story was headlined “Hardy Theater Sold For Christian Center Use.” Gerald Hardy had sold the theater for a second time—this time for $200,000.

After considerable delay, during some of which they showed movies at the White Theatre under the name Liberty Theatre Photo Plays at the White, the Liberty Theatre opened on November 27, 1917 with _When a Man Sees Red_.

When it reopened on June 24, 1931, the photo in the Bee shows the marquee as "Hardy's Fresno Theatre," with "Hardy's" and "Theatre" in small print at the top and bottom horizontally, and "Fresno" in larger letters vertically.

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yld63xh

Here are a few recent photos of the Liberty, sans Mexico sign...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakeight/4791945417
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakeight/4791945309
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakeight/4791933837