Fremont Theatre

This was a magnificent house and, in the '70s at least, the presentation was pure showmanship. The lights would dim and the curtain would open to reveal not a bare screen but a design slide being projected on it. If memory serves, a second transparent curtain would rise and as the theater went dark the slide would fade away and the film begin. My memory may be a little off, but it was very impressive. Leave it to Edwards to chop up this beautiful building.

The original building has *not* been chopped up and turned into a multiplex -- it is still one theater with a big screen. There is another building next door with three screens under the same ownership, thus a total of four screens. Still a beauty!!

I just recently visited this theatre and saw Spiderman 2. What an awesome place! This is a perfect example of what these older style theatres can do to upgrade themselves to compete with the new megaplexes. They installed a larger screen and upgraded the sound system. The sound and projection blew me away, while still conserving the theatres original charm. More older movie palaces need to live by this wonderful example! Otherwise, we are just going to contiune to lose them. I'd rather visit an older theatre with charm and character rather than a boxed drab uncharacteristic megaplex anyday! Great Job Fremont! Keep it going....

Incredibly beautiful at night - "The Village" was playing and the wildly flashing marquee was a sight to behold. Possibly even more inspired a vision than the Academy in Inglewood or the Alex in Glendale...

What a wonderful place. I'm about to move from UK (Liverpool) to San Luis Obispo, and this clinches it! Max Price

I was happy to read the the Fremont's auditorium has not been chopped up. When I was a student at Cal Poly in the mid 70's the Fremont, for probably the first time in its history, began to offer independent and more arty films on a one-night-only basis to attract the college crowd. I went to the first program, which was a double feature of Neal Young's "Journey to the Past" and "Steppenwolf" along with a short subject about early television which included the famous Jayne Mansfield/Mickey Rooney scene at the Oscars podium. I also saw the re-released "Fantasia" at the Fremont, which couldn't have been a more appropriate venue considering it was built the year "Fantasia" came out. I remember the stepped ceiling in the auditorium and the way it was backlit with recessed neon, and just being impressed with the fact that this theatre had not been touched architecturally since the day it was completed. I'm happy to see this theatre has survived intact and continues to be a successful operation.

I have recently seen photos of the auditorium since the remodel and it seems to make room for the larger screen the impressive curtains I discussed above are now history. I am pleased this theater was not carved up but unfortunately it did not survive intact. Probably the one thing even harder to find than a classic movie house today is showmanship.

I remember visiting San Luis Obispo on vacation during the late 80s and marvelling at this beautiful theatre. It's one of the most charming interiors I've seen and I was amazed at the swirling murals on the walls. I'm glad this theatre survives.

Also glad the theatre has a bigger screen, but sorry if it no longer has any curtains, or are they simply smaller? "Manwithoutname" is right though, the way a movie starts is as important as the house it plays in, and is as important as the movie itself. Forget DVDs!

In 1993, Edwards took over the Fremont from Mann Theatres, closed it down for a period and performed a major restoration of its Art Deco interior and gorgeous neon marquee. The Fremont was re-opened on a Thursday night with two screenings of JURASSIC PARK (the night before the movie's official release), a major event in SLO. Edwards no longer operates the Fremont; twelve years later, I can only hope that the current operators are taking care with Edwards' good work.

When the Fremont opened my mother took me to my first movie there in my stroller. I grew up in SLO, and I saw most of the movies of my youth at the Fremont, the Obispo (just down the street, now demolished), and the Elmo, long gone, known as the Flea Bag. The Fremont was the queen, full of fact and fantasy for me. For my photograph of it, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/busterken/25707954/in/photostream/

The Fremont is now operated by The Movie Experience. And stepping into the lobby is an experience. The interior is beautiful. It is in operation as a regular first run theatre - but once a month it screens classic films that are very well attended. A recent screening of "Rebel Without A Cause" brought in over 600 fans. The town really supports this theatre. On the opening night in 1940, among the attending stars were Laurel & Hardy.(The photo hangs in the managers office to this day) This theatre is one of the most photographed and painted buildings in California. A real S. Charles Lee beauty.

Here is another photo of the Fremont Theater.

This is a larger photo of the Fremont Theater.

This is one of the most beautiful theaters in America. Recently when driving through SLO we stopped in downtown so I could take some photos. The Fremont was showing Corpse Bride that Sunday and was open so I walked in and took some interior photos. I told the manager what I was up to and about CT and she was very friendly about it. Unfortunately the auditorium was dark so couldn't see that part.

Color photo of the Fremont Theatre.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96445164@N00/73008025/

Here is a close up photo of the Fremont Theater.

This is a night view of the Fremont theater in San Luis Obispo.

Here is another night view of the Fremont Theater.

The Fremont is currently showing the DiVinci Code. It opened in 1942, right after the war had started and was used for live shows which sold War Bonds to the public. Mel Venter, a Bay Area morning radio show host came down a couple of times to do live broadcasts of his west coast morning variety show. I still remember him using a local reference on one of his broadcasts--"Monterey Heights". He asked his drop-dead beautiful girl singer. "Pretty Polly, Have any of the Cal Poly boys (no coeds then) showed you Monterey Heights?" (a famous lover's lane parking spot that looked out over the city).

The Fremont is currently showing the Da Vinci Code. It opened in 1942, right after the war had started and was used for live shows which sold War Bonds to the public. Mel Venter, a Bay Area morning radio show host came down a couple of times to do live broadcasts of his west coast morning variety show. I still remember him using a local reference on one of his broadcasts--"Monterey Heights". He asked his drop-dead beautiful girl singer. "Pretty Polly, Have any of the Cal Poly boys (no coeds then) showed you Monterey Heights?" (a famous lover's lane parking spot that looked out over the city).

Quoting from "Images of America, San Luis Obispo: A History in Architecture" by Janet Penn Franks.
"The 1942 Memorial Day grand opening of the heralded Fremont Theater attracted Hollywood celebrities and local residents who gathered to support our troops, watch stars Tyrone Power and Joan Fontaine in the preview screening of "This Above All", and celebrate the birth of San Luis Obispo's "theater of tomorrow." Opening night was glamorous and exciting - San Luis Obispans crowded the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of stars like Carol Landis, Constance Bennett, John Carroll, and Charlie Ruggles. The actors and actresses arrived by bus to sell war bonds at a rally that began in from of the courthouse across the street from the Fremnt."

continuing with the above...
"When the rally moved to the theater, attractive, uniformed usherettes wearing wide-legged trousers and brass-buttoned jackets showed guests to their seats. The celebrities then took the stage to welcome the crowd. The Memorial Day fundraiser brought in $778,000 in bond pledges, and all theater proceeds went to the local USO. Built in 1941, the Art Deco Streamline Moderne-style Fremont Theater was designed by theater architect Charles Lee."

On page 63 of the same book.
"Inside this 1,060 seat theater, 100 foot murals covered the walls. The ceiling held ultraviolet bulbs that created a "black light" effect on the patterned carpet, which was woven with fluorescent thread. When the house lights dimmed and the ultraviolet lights were turned on, the carpet looked like a painting on glass, drawing oohs and aahs from the delighted moviegoers."

That must have been pretty cool! The murals are still there and the ceiling looks amazing despite a little water damage in some spots. I'll have to check out the carpet next time I go! I think it's just kind of ordinary though.

In 1996 the newly re-united rock group Yes performed 3 nights in the Fremont. You can see the concert, and the theater, on their Keys to Ascension DVD. Not exactly the best concert film I've ever seen, though they played excellently. Just horribly and annoyingly edited. The concerts also spawned two 2 disc live cds as well.

Here's a nice shot of the front of the marquee at night. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7-how-7/352551117/in/pool-slocounty/

This is another 2007 night view of the Fremont Theater.

During a recent visit to the SLO area, 3 generations of my family enjoyed "The Simpsons" movie at a Wednesday matinee. It was a delightful experience. The ambience, interior design, projection, sound, and seat comfort were of a high quality rarely found in these days of chopped-up multiplexes. I almost felt transported back to the '50s. The Fremont is an example of how to keep intact a large movie house. Long may it last.

Here is another photo of the Fremont Theater.

This is a more recent photo of the Fremont Theater.

Here is a night image of the Fremont Theater.

Another recent night view of the Fremont Theater can be seen here.

One of my top ten favorite theaters of all-time.

I lived in San Luis for two years and I caught many a show here, my most favorite screening being "The Fifth Element", a GREAT movie to see on a screen like this with beautiful sound.

Downside: the cheap owner either has no A/C and won't pony up the cash for it or he won't turn it on. The theater gets VERY warm, especially in the summer. Of course, I haven't been there in about ten years, so perhaps, it's changed. Anybody know?

On the DVD of Laurel and Hardy's "A-Haunting We Will Go" is a short Fox newsreel of the grand opening of the Fremont Theater. There are great shots of the exterior with the marquee showing the first film to be Tyrone Power and Joan Fontaine in "This Above All" and the date of May 29th at 7pm. That film was released in 1942. Shown selling bonds at the theater to the mayor of SLO are none other than Laurel and Hardy who had just shot "Haunting" but it was not yet released. Also seen are Carol Landis, Max Baer, Charlie Ruggles, Constance Bennett, Jackie Cooper and a fellow named Lou Rosenberg who is identified as the theater manager. There was a huge crowd and the marquee also said "Hollywood Stars come to SLO". Very short but pretty cool.

Here is a close-up view of the Fremont marquee.

I work across the street from the Fremont - it's sure a pleasure to see it every day. Have some good memories of seeing the 'Deer Hunter' there in 1979, what a long and strange movie!

A fellow named aroid has some old pics that have the Fremont in the background from 1961:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selago/25497721/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selago/25496268/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selago/25504088/
Wonderful to read everyone's posts about their memories of this beautiful landmark!

1997 photos including wonderful looking auditorium, by Ken Roe:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=fremont%20san&w=53257210%40N00

The current operator, "The Movie Experience", was formerly known as So Cal Cinemas and Sanborn Theatres. The chain has been around since 1918 and has operated a number of notable theatres. Owned by the Sanborn family, the chain was once a significant player in the southern California market, but appears to be on it's "last legs" these days, with only five locations remaining.

Here is another exterior view.

Another recent photo can be seen here.

This is an August 2008 photo.

Fremont Theater photo

Here is a 2008 shot of the Fremont at night.

Here is a 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cfbg5q

"Legend Of The Lone Ranger"? what crap.

This is a 1984 photo.

Young Louis (son of local Chinese pioneer merchant Ah Louis) was for many years the projectionist at The Fremont. He was also the occasional personal projectionist to William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies at Hearst Castle. slowalkingtours.com talk about the history of The Fremont and Young Louis on their walking tours of San Luis Obispo.

Two photos from November '08:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakeight/3018679996
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakeight/3017850303