Fox Theatre

The Fox Inglewood seated 1166 people. In it's later years it ran spanish film before closing. The last chain to run this theatre was Mann Theatres in the late 70's.

A wonderful cinematic experience was always to be had at this lavish and ornate cinema palace with the neon tower. Many times my family went there to see first-run Hollywood classics like "Journey To The Center of the Earth" in 1959.

The Fox Inglewood Theatre is located at 115 N. Market Street.

My mother frequented this movie house for many years with her mother and friends during the late 40's and thru the 50's. A beautiful
theater with treasured memories never forgotten. I will always remember
my grandmothers home and the Fox Theater in Inglewood. The class and culture of the old days - when you could
walk to the movies and dime stores without fear. Ahhh, so sad.

This theatre is one of some 200 that could be described as "Skouras-ized For Showmanship" which is the title of the ANNUAL of 1987 of the Theatre Historical Soc. of America. In the late 1930s through the 1950s, there occurred on the west coast of the United States a phenomenon known as the 'Skouras style' in recognition of the oversight of the Skouras brothers in their management of several cinema chains. They employed a designer by the name of Carl G. Moeller to render their cinemas/theatres in a new style best described as 'Art Moderne meets Streamlined.' The then new availability of aluminum sheeting at low cost was the principal material difference to this style allowing for sweeping, 3-dimensional shapes of scrolls to adorn walls and facades in an expression that would have been much more expensive and not at all the same in plaster. With the use of hand tinted and etched aluminum forms, the designers could make ornaments in mass production that allowed much greater economies of scale. The ANNUAL also show in its 44 pages how some 20 theatres were good examples of this combining of aluminum forms with sweeping draperies heavily hung with large tassels, and with box offices and facades richly treated with neon within the aluminum forms. Few of these examples survive today, but it was a glorious era while it lasted, and this collection of crisp b/w photos is a fitting epitaph by the late Preston Kaufmann.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
To obtain any available Back Issue of either "Marquee" or of its ANNUALS, simply go to the web site of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA at:
www.HistoricTheatres.org
and notice on their first page the link "PUBLICATIONS: Back Issues List" and click on that and you will be taken to their listing where they also give ordering details. The "Marquee" magazine is 8-1/2x11 inches tall ('portrait') format, and the ANNUALS are also soft cover in the same size, but in the long ('landscape') format, and are anywhere from 26 to 44 pages. Should they indicate that a publication is Out Of Print, then it may still be possible to view it via Inter-Library Loan where you go to the librarian at any public or school library and ask them to locate which library has the item by using the Union List of Serials, and your library can then ask the other library to lend it to them for you to read or photocopy. [Photocopies of most THSA publications are available from University Microforms International (UMI), but their prices are exorbitant.]

Note: Most any photo in any of their publications may be had in large size by purchase; see their ARCHIVE link. You should realize that there was no color still photography in the 1920s, so few theatres were seen in color at that time except by means of hand tinted renderings or post cards, thus all the antique photos from the Society will be in black and white, but it is quite possible that the Society has later color images available; it is best to inquire of them.

Should you not be able to contact them via their web site, you may also contact their Executive Director via E-mail at: execdir@historictheatres.org
Or you may reach them via phone or snail mail at:
Theatre Historical Soc. of America
152 N. York, 2nd Floor York Theatre Bldg.
Elmhurst, ILL. 60126-2806 (they are about 15 miles west of Chicago)

Phone: 630-782-1800 or via FAX at: 630-782-1802 (Monday through Friday, 9AM--4PM, CT)

Wow... I can't believe the three stooges were actually in that theater. It's going to blow my friends away when I tell them.

I actually just passed by the place and it's been boarded up to match the "new and improved" Market St., and it's STILL the best-looking building on the street! Ah, good times.

Is the big FOX vertical still there?

Oh yea, it's still there. The paint 'n such are obviously in bad shape, but the structure is still intact.

Is there anyone even talking about restoring or saving it?

The current L.A. Weekly paper has a long essay by writer Erin Aubry Kaplan about the city of Inglewood, what it used to represent, and its current hardships. The online version of this story has color photographs of the Imperial, Academy, and Fox theatres that can be enlarged with a mouse click. The story is at this address:
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/35/features-kaplan.php

This is a photo of the former Fox Theater.

The L.A. Weekly article can be viewed by doing a search for it's title, "Welcome to Inglewood-Leave Your Aspirations Behind"

The new Fox Inglewood Theatre opened on March 31st. 1949. The auditorium and theatre featured the then Skouras style. The auditoriums were very similar to the Fox Crest Theatres in Fresno and Sacramento, California. The theatre was built and operated by Fox West Coast Theatres.

This is another photo of the former Fox Theater.

The Fox Theater is for sale. Asking price is $1,800,000. Details are here.

Just drove past the Fox in Inglewood today. How striking it is, even like that. Oh, I wish I had 1.8 Mil!

We took a drive today that started out at Crenshaw and Adams at Phillips Barbecue, and then meandered down Crenshaw to Manchester where we drove past the Academy Theatre and then into Inglewood where we drove past the Fox.

I was struck by all the buildings along Crenshaw that looked like they once were theatres. i'm going through the site now to see which ones I saw.

What about the 5th Avenue? That's still standing, isn't it? It's near the Academy on Manchester.

Hi friends! Just FYI, The Academy of Independent Cinema Arts & Artists is looking into purchasing this theater and restoring it to its grand luster of the late 1940's. Development inspectors are going to look at it on Friday 06/29 to see what damage there is. I'll post some photos when I get them.

Opening date was March 31, 1949. Seating at the opening was 1008. Construction cost was $400,000.

My wife and I lived in Inglewood during the 1990's riots and, when it was finally "safe" to go outside, we managed to gain an authorized entry to take photographs.
A very kind lady managed to switch on a few lights for my old Kodak Brownie camera. If only digital cameras were out then I'd have some decent prints... sorry folks

Here are some photos from August 2007:
http://tinyurl.com/2o9o5m
http://tinyurl.com/337lyj
http://tinyurl.com/2lsg8b
http://tinyurl.com/2ksmxe
http://tinyurl.com/2ujkmp
http://tinyurl.com/2n2k7x
http://tinyurl.com/2t8sc7
http://tinyurl.com/2k6ps5
http://tinyurl.com/36ln6r
http://tinyurl.com/32md86

Here are three photos from the LA Library dated 1987, 1938 and 1925, respectively. The last shows the Granada in place of the Fox:
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics43/00041301.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics20/00019999.jpg
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics01/00020001.jpg

ken mc, that middle shot "00019999" , where is the Fox in that shot? The big F in that pylon is for that market, on the left side of the street.

You're right. An incorrect assumption on my part based on faulty photo review. Apologies.

There is a nice color photo of the Fox from 1958 on roadsidepeek.com:
http://tinyurl.com/2za6d5

There is a photo of a Fox Cinema II on the same site. It doesn't look like the Ritz. Any ideas as to where this theater was?
http://tinyurl.com/2c8vo9

Saw the original "Parent Trap" there in the early 60's and then went around the block and had dinner at Lupe's Mexican Village. Great memories of childhood...Inglewood and Westchester.

ken mc, The Fox Cinema II was the old United Artists Inglewood Theatre at 148 N. Market Street.

OK, thanks.

The Fox Theatre is for sale at $1,800,000. At this writing, the following is posted on the commercial real estate website www.loopnet.com

Property Use Type: Investment
Primary Type: Retail
Street Retail
Building Size: 12,090 SF
Lot Size: 0.25 Acres
Price: $1,800,000
Price/SF: $148.88
Year Built: 1949
Date Last Verified: 8/30/2007
Property ID: 14913144

Property Description:
This 12,090 square foot building stands as a historic, art deco landmark along Inglewood's scenic downtown thoroughfare, Market St. This theater served as one of the main sites for Hollywood premiers in the 1950's, with stars such as Marilyn Monroe and the Three Stooges gracing its plush seating and grandeous interior decoration. Situated on a larger parcel than most other buildings in the area, approximately 11,247 square feet, this vacant former movie theater provides a rare redevelopment or renovation opportunity. The property is in a redevelopment district with the flexible C1 zoning and an FAR of 6:1. This building offers a developer the opportunity to build almost any type of mixed use commercial/residential project. In addition to this offering, both buildings on either side of the Fox, including the signalized corner, are for sale through Sperry Van Ness as well. The property also benefits from having alley access at the rear of the building and public parking nearby.

Location Description:
Since 2000, the city of Inglewood has focused its efforts on revitalizing this section of its city through facade improvement programs and landscaping. The art deco buildings from the early 1900's, landscaped medians, fountains and access to public transportation make this a desirable location for retailers. The dense population of over 48,000 people within a 1 mile radius, with an average household income of over $47,000, is expected to grow more than 5 percent over 2005-2010. The subject property is within a mile from the Forum and Hollywood park, which are at the center of redevelopment plans for the city since the 378 acre site was purchased by Bay Meadows in 2004. The Renaissance housing development, located at the NE corner of Hollywood Pak, has proved the strong demand for new housing in the area. Within close poximity are national tenants such as Walgreens, Big 5 and Vons, two major hospitals, LAX, the 405 Freeway and Inglewood City Hall.

Does anybody know what happen to the theatre today? Is it still there? is it open? or is it gone to the way of retail?

It's still there. I took a batch of photos in August 2007, which are posted above. The building was for sale last September, per the preceding comment. Right now the building is unused.

thank you for reponding love the photos, Do you know if it still is a movie theatre inside or was it gutted out

That I couldn't tell you. You would have to arrange a showing with the real estate agent.

Some kind of damage happened to it before it was boarded up.

You can see the Fox Theatre in the 1987 movie "Wanted: Dead or Alive" , a bomb blast happens in the lobby area.

The Fox Theatre at one time was used for major studio sneak previews. Before they took the neon tubing from the Fox vertical sign and marquee. There was a second set of neon just over the large FOX letters that said "Preview". Not many houses had that type of neon treatment done to their fronts. The two Fox houses I remember it being done to were the Fox Inglewood and the Fox Riverside. Warner Theatres did it to their Granada Theatre's vertical sign.

The Crest in Long Beach had the neon "Preview" sign as well, but alongside the vertical name sign, as shown in this photo, dated March 27, 1947.

Here is a 2008 photo.

THIS WAS A THEATER I WENT TO IN THE EARLY 1970'S,AND BY THAT TIME IT WAS CONSIDER A INNER CITY THEATER,SO THEY SHOWED A LOT OF EXPLOITATION MOVIES,IN WHICH I REALLY INJOYED!MOVIES I SEEN AT THE FOX WAS,"3 THE HARD WAY,HAMMER OF GOD,ABBY,BUCKTOWN,BEYOND THE DOOR,TNT JACKSON,STINGRAY,AND MANY MORE TO LONG TO NAME.

To go with my March 7th post about "Wanted : Dead or Alive" the scenes happen at around 18 minutes and 31 minutes into the film.

To all who are concerned with the Fox theater...

My name is Ben Cherney. I was/am the listing agent for the Fox Theater at 115 N. Market St. in Inglewood, CA. It seems that there is a large number of people who are interested in the reviving of the Fox. If you would like more info on the sale or lease of the theater, please feel free to contact me at 310-903-4968. I also have the listing on the Miracle theater at 226 S. Market St.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Ben

Here is a December 2008 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/5fcc8j

Here is a 1961 view of Market Street:
http://tinyurl.com/ckx6o8

There is a nice shot of the Fox in the 2008 THSA Annual, which highlights the Fox West Coast chain. Photo is circa 1955. Many other good exterior and interior views of other Fox houses as well.

In Ken mc's post from Mar. 21, 2009, the films "The Young Savages" was playing at the Fox and "Konga" was playing at the UA Inglewood in that shot.

The building is just sitting there all boarded up with a for lease sign on it.

You can read the for sale sign and the for lease sign in this video.

This site has a 1983 photo when the theater was showing Spanish language films:
http://tinyurl.com/cb5gdo

Here is a 1975 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dl774p

Here's a 1955 photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71172705@N00/3370576223/in/photostream/

Here is antother 1955 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/qngh4q

Here is another 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/lxw7ug

Here are some June 2009 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/l9e8f7
http://tinyurl.com/lcytxb
http://tinyurl.com/marfgg
http://tinyurl.com/mav3sc

Something very different about the two 1955 photos one shows overhead wires and street cars (Trolleys for us older people) and the other shows no signs of wires or street cars. Did they do away with them in 1955? Also the 1975 photo doesn't show the United Artists Theatre, could be blocked by the Christmas decorations, but was it still in existance in 1975?
Ken, did you take the photos that you posted on Jun 16? If so they are some really good photos.

I took the 2009 photos. Thanks for the compliment.

Chuck1231, By the mid 70's the United Artists Theatre's facade had been remodeled and the tall vertical UA sign and marquee were replaced. And the theatre was leased to Mitchell Brothers for adult films along with the Four Star Theatre. Over on the United Artists Inglewood Theatre thread, on April 13th 2009 ken mc posted a picture of the final marquee style the theatre had.