Arlington Theatre

This is a knock-out of a theater - huge and in good shape. It's worth a visit when in Santa Barbara

The postcard depicts the original arch-shaped proscenium arch which lasted until wide-screen movies came along in the 1950s at which point the arch was replaced with a conventional rectangular proscenium arch in the same Spanish mission style of the rest of the auditorium.

Please send information about the Nutcracker play.

Thank You,
Norma

What an outstanding theatre. Architecture superb! What a true delight and change of pace from the Mega Plexes.

Thank you.

While walking on State Street in Santa Barbara, we came across a huge Church, at least we thought it was. What a magnificent surprise to see that this was not a Church, but a wonderful theater!! I spoke with one of the locals who told me this place had always been a theater and he gave me some pointers. You can only image a theater that has a spanish courtyard and stars inside!! From what I've heard it used to have a moon which traversed the screen before the show. If that weren't enough, management advised me that every Sunday the matinee viewers are treated to a short pipe-organ performance. After a quick scan, I could see where the organ popped out of the stage. This theater is best described as a visit to the "Pirates of the Carribean" ride while watching a movie, the architecture and ambience are the same. Anyone who is in the Santa Barbara area should definitely make time to see this historic building. It's beyond belief.

this was built on the site of the old Arlington hotel. It offered 3 levels, orchestra, balcony, and 2nd class. The 2nd class has been walled off, used as the tech booth, to this level you could only access from the outside. There is a club / restaurant over the auditorium, no longer used. The spire used to rotate with a neon 'FOX'. Metropolitain theaters runs the property and occasionally offers 'walking tours' in the summer on the weekends. The programs alternate between the cinema (summers and in between) the symphony (school season) the ballet (winter and spring), concerts (in the rainy season) and the occasional road / touring show. The event ticket office is to the right of the theater doors, after the courtyard, this is the best place to inquire about tours.

I am A local and dgidez is wrong...The arlington theatre was a hotel until the big earthquake in the twenties.

The Arlington Theatre was never a hotel. It was always built to be a theatre, with retail around it. However, the site was once the location of the earlier (19th Century?) Arlington Hotel.

The present organ in the theatre is originally from Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City, a theatre which is itself undergoing restoration, and is utilizing yet another identical organ from Loew's Paradise, the Bronx.

During the the 40's seating would be reduced to 1810 seats.

Not listed in city directories until 1932, the Fox Arlington Theatre became the Arlington Theatre in 1961.

Is it possible that the spire atop the theatre is just a cover / enclosure for the Fox logo - that it was never actually taken down after all?

some excellent modern photos of the Arlington are at http://www.quovadimus.org/sbarlington03/thumb.html

As of a few years ago you could still see a outline on the spire, that had the neon letters that spelled FOX.

It should also be added that the part of the tower that had the FOX lettering used to turn.

I was hoping to find a [detailed] seating chart for the Arlington, any suggestions? [One in local phone book is lacking.]

KaeKae, here is the seating information for the Arlington:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/seatingchart/73731/182

The faint white letters spelling "FOX" vertically against a reddish-brick color on the spire's cylinder were only painted over within the past year. I am a resident of Santa Barbara, and I kept hoping that the letters would reappear, but, alas, they are not there.

The Fox Arlington Theatre opened on the 22nd May 1931 with the movie "Daddy Long Legs" starring Janet Gaynor and Warner Baxter.

The Architectural Firm responsible for the design were architects William Edwards & Joseph J. Plunkett and the original seating capacity is given as 1,776 in 1931. This was increased to 1,825 in 1973 with the removal and replacement of the loge seating. In 1976 the theatre was completely restored for live performance use and additional rows of seating was added, increasing the total capacity to 2,010.

The Arlington was supposed to have an organ installed when it was built. Meanwhile, the depression intervened, talking pictures arrived and it never happened. It wasn't until the late 1980's that the Arlington finally got it's organ....the Wonder Morton from Loew's Jersey. I had a chance to hear it being put through it's paces by the crew working on it while on a whirlwind trip through Santa Barbara. I wish I'd had more time. The theater is fabulous.

The Arlington was my favorite theater growing up and the ambience is great, but now that I'm 6'3" the seats aren't very comfortable...my knees hit the seat in front of me and you rub shoulders with the person next to you. It also VERY hot and stuffy when it's full to capacity. I'll still go for special events, but not often to watch a regular movie. I've been twice this year, once for the Film Festival and once for the La Conchita Benefit concert.

Interior photo:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PALACE/atmosphere.jpg

Organ information:
http://theatreorgans.com/arlngtn.htm

This is indeed a wonderful theater! I worked there on occasion in the early 80's and met a lot of famous people who played there. The coolest thing about the decorations is the Trompe l'oeil mural work around the proscenium. It looks three dimensional until you get a few feet away. Mind boggling. If you visit, be sure to walk all the way up to the front.

There was a rumor that there was a tunnel leading from the box office to somewhere inside the theater, like some banks have from the ATM islands to the bank itself, but I never got a chance to look.

Two things the Arlington taught me:

Always check the door of the restroom you are going to enter. During some rennovation work, they swapped the men's and women's restrooms, with the predictable results from long-time patrons.

You can't judge greatness by the size of the show. Linda Ronstadt showed up with busloads of crew, hundreds of lights, speakers, amps, and her own generator to power all the junk. They repainted parts of the proscenium so the color would look better on TV. You could hear the show for blocks around, and we had lots of trouble with drunks, gate crashers, pushy fans, and general hassle. When Andre Segovia played, he showed up with his assistant, his guitar, and his stool and footrest. He did not use a mic, and the acoustics in the Arlington let even the last row hear perfectly. Of course, you could have heard a bee sneeze during the performance. The audience were perfectly behaved. I never saw Linda Ronstadt through her wall of bodyguards; Segovia stopped on his way out to shake my hand.

This place is gorgeous. After doing relief projection in the early 80s here, I almost was ready to move from Hollywood.

Another exterior photo of the Arlington Theater is here.

Here is another photo of the Arlington theater in Santa Barbara.

One more view of the Arlington Theater can be seen here.

Lots of good info here about the Arlington. I remember as a kid when FOX was not only visible, but NEON. Can't remember when they took the neon down, but they did. One of my favorite memories of the Arlington was seeing the first STAR WARS there back in `76 (I think). Anyhow, I hadn't heard a thing about the movie when we went to see it. Imagine the opening scene when the ships come from over top your head, and you're in a theatre that appears to be under the night sky! It was awesome!!

Here is the Arlington Theater at night.

I am writing an architectural history Masters thesis on California theatres with courtyard entrances, using the Fox Florence, SB's Arlington, and Palo Alto's Varsity Theatre as examples. Right now the discussion rests upon the convergence of Spanish Revival style trends and exotic theatre design in CA in the later '20s and early '30s, local architectural context, and practical conditions for the use of courtyards (ie to place auditoriums farther back on the lot, works with climate, etc.). Any insights into this seemingly rare typology would be welcomed.

This is a 1/30/2007 article about digital projection. It claims that the Arlington Theater is the "sole cinema in the area with digital capabilities".

"Movie theaters set to enter high-definition, digital age.

Source: Santa Barbara News-Press
Byline: Steve Bonser

Jan. 30--The Santa Barbara International Film Festival showcases some of the best films Hollywood has to offer before the Oscars are handed out. And one would think that in the high-definition-TV-in-every-living room age, movie theaters here would be showcasing those films in the same crystal-clear image quality filmgoers can now get at home. However, that has not been the case on a large scale.

But hold on to your popcorn; good news is on the way, promises David Corwin, president of Metropolitan Theatres Corp., the company that operates most of the movie screens on the Central Coast.

Beyond obvious improvements such as upgrading existing theaters with stadium seating and entirely new facilities at Fairview Shopping Center, the Camino Real Marketplace and Paseo Nuevo, Mr. Corwin said the audience experience will be even more enhanced by what's going on behind the scenes in the projection booth.

And it's already starting to happen. Last July, the area's first digital projection system in a movie theater was installed at the Arlington Theatre on State Street, the company's flagship venue. Despite some minor glitches, the debut went smoothly, said Karen Killingsworth, the theater's manager.

"We load a hard drive that is shipped to us and then build a playlist like you would with an iPod," she disclosed. "There's no scratching or burning of the film. The first image of the run is just as good as the last screening."

Although the 2,011-seat Arlington Theatre remains the sole cinema in the area with digital capabilities, Metropolitan said its lower-capacity theaters will follow as the technology improves and more films are issued in digital. Because of the cost savings potential, the major studios and film distributors are wasting no time in making available as many titles as possible in both film and digital formats. A single film print can cost more than $1,200 to produce, compared with a reusable hard drive that is returned to the distributor. Ms. Killingsworth said that in December, all the films shown at the Arlington were screened digitally, except for one.

Throughout the movie exhibitor industry, the pace of switching projection booths from analog to digital is picking up.

According to data supplied by the National Association of Theatre Owners, in 2005 there were a mere 192 digital projection systems in use. As of Jan. 10, there were 1,934 screens showing digital, according to Texas Instruments, developer of DLP technology, an all-digital chip used in virtually every commercial digital projection system sold. Nationally, there are approximately 38,400 screens, meaning that just over 5 percent of all screens are digital.

The average cost of upgrading to digital projection amounts to a one-time investment of approximately $120,000 per screen, said Rafe Cohen, CEO of Galaxy Theatres, LLC, a regional chain with eight locations. "The whole point of digital is to provide the audience with a better experience," he said. Half of Galaxy's 85 screens are now digital, and it expects to convert the rest by the end of February.

Veteran sound technician and television executive producer Richard Corwin (no relation to the Corwin family that owns Metropolitan Theatres), has been promoting digital film locally for years as executive director and co-founder of Santa Barbara's Digital Days festival.

"The main reason I've been so active in showcasing digital tools and content is that I saw its advantages and knew it was the future," Mr. Corwin said. As one of the first technicians in the industry to work on a digital workstation, Mr. Corwin won an Emmy Award for Sound Editing for the futuristic "Max Headroom" series in 1987.

Recently, he's been redirecting his passion for digital technology with an interactive kiosk company he founded. Using standard PC hardware and touchscreen flat panel monitors, Mr. Corwin's company, Vital-Signz, has installed digital display systems at three prominent area locations.

At the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens, visitors can view an interactive map of the gardens and zero in on topics of interest simply by pointing at the map or menu. Professionally produced high-definition videos pop onto the screen, highlighting various plants and the terrain of the gardens. Users of the system can also see information about the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce, the other two Vital-Signz locations.

In addition to the Arlington's new Kodak Digital Cinema system, Metropolitan also installed REAL D technology, an adaptor that projects films shot in a new 3D process. The first film screened with the new system was the animated children's flick "Monster House," followed by a special 3D re-release of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in November.

Audiences were receptive and ticket sales strong, according to the theater chain.

To cover the cost of the giveaway glasses that provide the illusion of depth, ticket prices were boosted by $2, with matinee showings priced at $8 and prime-time performances at $10.75.

Metropolitan officials said that to date, the Arlington is the only theater between Thousand Oaks and San Jose to feature the REAL D system.

Other digital films featured at the Arlington recently have included "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Dreamgirls" and "Happy Feet."

"People noticed the higher ticket prices, but thought it was worth it for the added enjoyment," said Ms. Killingsworth".

The last time I saw the VARSITY in Palo Alto it was being converted into a book shop. The marquee was still in position and the auditorium had not been chopped up.

If you are interested in "courtyard" theaters, have a look at the current restoration of the FOX in Fullerton. That place will be magnificent when completed. Plaudits for Fullerton!

The one time I was in Santa Barbara was in 1982, and we made sure to go to the Arlington. The film playing was Busby Berkeley's The Gang's All Here. I was so mesmerized by the theatre itself that I hardly paid attention to hte film (which I had already seen a couple of times).

Does anyone know if the Arlington was a revival house during this period, or was Gang's a one-shot showing of an old classic?

Check their website with your valid question in the "mail" section.

The Fox-Arlington is thriving in a city that appreciates this house.

While in S.B. in March we noted that the fabulousl old Granada Theatre had been "saved but destroyed!"
What I refer to is that the outer shell of the building remains while the original auditorium has been pulverized like a bomb went off -nothing left of the stage but a vast hole in the ground with a gaping hole allowing in the sunlight.
The sidewalk display of the Granada's "new" future will resemble an open style boxy-looking, boring-to-look-at stage. I forget what the auditorium's new look will offer because I was so dissapointed that the past was NOT preserved for future generations to come... How sad!

Simon,
Don't dismay about the Granada so much quite yet. I'm just a local who reads the local paper, but my recollection is the intent is to restore the feel of the old theater. If you look inside the shell thru the open back wall (last I looked 6 months ago) you could see they've uncovered the original ornate ceiling. I think there was an article in the paper last year about the marquee coming down because a faux original will be going up. I believe the stage and dressing rooms were ripped out so they can be enlarged and modernized so the symphony can move there (from the Arlington) and other feature events can be accommodated. Such compromises to history were done to bring enough performing orgs and benefactors on board to fund the renovation/alteration. See next post about the A.

A few memories of the Arlington, on the 30th Ann of Star Wars. While I saw that premier opening night in a multiplex in Montalvo (Ventura suburb), I saw a few midnight premiers of other SW episodes, STrek IV, and Indian Jones III. But my favorite event at the Arlington was watching Safety Last with Gaylord Carter accompanying. This probably was during the first season of the Organ Series. These 4? films per year series ran the first few years after the 80's restoration when the Loew's organ was added. Don't quote me if GC was the accompanist for SL; I may have the wrong film for GC's appearance. Suffice to say to experience a classic silent comedy brought to life by a master's acoustic expression of notes, voices, stops, and the organs special sound effects, is a treasure to remember. (I know this is a theater site, but I can't resisting plugging Harold Lloyd, who I think is greater than Charlie C and Buster K (and so did a majority of their generation); but whose reputation diminished because he kept the rights to his films and didn't want them over exposed or mass marketed.) The Organ Series also included Lon Chaney Senior's The Phantom of the Opera and I think Korla Pandit accompanied.

Many thanks "SB Hobo" for your encouraging remarks regarding the Granada's future. I'll pay another visit when the old lady reopens!

Glad you enjoyed the Arlington's silent films with organ.
My favourite memory is of TWO GREATS who played at San Francisco's fabulous "Silent Film Festival" hosted at the CASTRO THEATRE; Denis James was outstandingly fabulous while the late and great Bob Vaughn received a deafening ovation as the over eighty-year old staggered out of the jam-packed auditorium. I had tears of joy both nights.

This is a 2007 photo of the Arlington Theater.

My wife and I moved to Santa Barbara in 1971, we lived a few bloks from the theater, the first time we went there was a summer night, when we entered we believed we were in a courtyard! We have recently moved away, but we would always go to the Arlington to see the great epic movies (all the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman), there was just no place better to enjoy them.. we miss it.
D.Goff

I grew up in Santa Barbara during the 30s and remember that the alcoves on either side going into the theater used to contain live parrots in the trees and on perches. The highlight of our Saturdays was to go the Saturday morning serials (10 cents) and see the parrots lining the walkway. It is the most beautiful theater I have ever seen. As I remember, the walls inside were of some soft fibrous material that you could stick your fingernails into. The ceiling was beautiful with all the stars shining.
Posted by C. Dickerson on July 22, 2007 at 9:48 a.m.

I have been to many of the old movie palaces in Los Angeles so I could not miss an opportunity on my recent trip to Santa Barbara to see a film at the Arlington Theatre. It is great that this theatre still runs first-run films so that I was able to see a film - "Hairspray" - without waiting for some special screening as is the case with the movie palaces that are still intact in Los Angeles. The auditorium of the Arlington Theatre is truly spectacular.

Here is another recent photo of the Arlington Theater.

http://www.camasb.org/arlington-about.shtml

Movie info:

http://www.metrotheatres.com/locations.htm

Another photo of the Arlington Theater can be seen here.

This is a December 2007 photo.

Here is a night view of the Arlington Theater.

One of my favorite memories is my grandmother taking me to see "The Sound of Music" at this theatre in the 1960s. I will never forget it. And then we saw "mary Poppins" at The Granada. Two fantastic theatres.

From the LA Times, November 18, 1931:

Santa Barbara Theater Robbed

A nervous bandit late last night held up the box office at the Fox-Arlington Theater, and escaped with $127, taken from the cashier, Mrs. Alice Thuresson. The bandit shoved a note through the grating, reading, "Turn over all your money or I'll drill you".

More desperate people during the Depression.

Just saw 'Coraline' in 3D on a Sunday afternoon. Great crowd. Beautiful theater with stunning interior design and an excellent price. Definitely recommended.

Here is a 2007 photo from the U of Washington collection:
http://tinyurl.com/dgg5kw

Another photo of the Arlington.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettlove/1398933788/sizes/o/

Chuck....That link could be the new record holder for dead Flickr links. :)

This might be the same photo in a smaller size.

LM, it works fine for me. It is the same pic from the same person though.

When I click on that link, I'm asked to enter a password. I don't know why.

Here is a photo from 2002. No password required (I hope).

LOL maybe they think your name is Warren.

With all of the traffic that I send to that site, they have some nerve asking me for a password. That problem usually occurs with the expanded photos and not the regular size photos.

This is a nice 2009 close-up view of the Arlington.

1981 Photo

1984 Photo

The mandatory fire evacuation area is now only three blocks from the Arlington. Eek.

Now one block away.

Here is a May 2009 photo.

Here's an auditorium view showing changes from the original decor displayed in the postcard in the introduction:http://members.cox.net/sbtos/pictures/arlington_overview_edt.jpg

I wonder if the postcard view at top was an architect's rendition made during the planning stages. The decor shown in your image looks original but is drastically different.

I think the Arlington's original "gateway" type proscenium was replaced when the wide screen was installed.

When did that happen?

The stage alteration took place in 1955, according to David Naylor's "Great American Movie Theaters." However, most key theatres around the USA switched to wide screens in 1953. One might wonder why the Arlington waited two years (if, indeed, it did).

That is a really nice job. Compared to some other renovation projects done in movie palaces during the 50's this one is very respectful.

Unfortunately, the postcard in the introduction shows only half of the original proscenium arch, which resembled a stone bridge connecting the two sides of the auditorium. Further helping the illusion was a magnificent hand-painted safety curtain showing a river winding off into the distance through mountains. A B&W photo can be found on page 219 of David Naylor's "Great American Movie Theaters."

The original Arlington Theater was elsewhere in Santa Barbara until the early 1960s when it was moved into this closed church. In the late 1950s I helped my mother's father, Frank Silva, move 3 loads of pews to a new church in San Luis Obispo County. Today you can still see the church steeple on top of the front of the church, with a flat platform where the cross was. I planted most of the trees by the back parking lot for the Arlington Theater people, for which I received two tickets for the grand opening- I gave those tickets to my parents.

This theatre has always been the Arlington from 1931 till now. It was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres and then by Metropolitan Theatres.

You speak of the theater as a business. I spoke of one building that has had, in my lifetime, two different uses, or businesses and, I spoke of one business that has been, in my lifetime, in two different locations. You are ignorant of personal experience with the two different buildings and both uses of the two buildings. Your aim is listings of theaters as tropies to show people. I live life without caring about people such as you.