Fox Oakland Theater

The story of this wonderful theater can be found at foxoakland.org and there are some amazing photos as well.

The restored blade sign on the Fox Oakland was re-installed last week.

The restored marquee arrived from Wagner Electric Sign in Ohio on Monday, 9/24 and should be installed by the 28th.

Official lighting ceremony for the gloriously restored sign is scheduled for late October or early November.

Check with the City of Oakland for the ceremony date.

Can the stories of the marquee restoration be true??? I haven't been by the building in months but if this is actually an indication of serious renovation efforts I applaud them..

I just returned from the exciting official lighting ceremony at the Fox Oakland. Last Thursday evening (11/29) Mayor Jerry Brown threw the switch that turned on the lights on this glorious blade and marquee. It has been meticulously restored by the craftsmen at Wagner Electric Sign Company in Elyria, OH. Several hundred cheered and gasped in amazement as the lights started to flash.

The Fox was my favorite theatre I saw movies in during the 1960's. I took a tour of the theatre when Mrs Duluchi purchased it at an auction. The theatre did not cease operation in 1965. The last major exclusive run film to play the Fox was "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968. The Fox then played soft porn with "I Am Curious Yellow" which had a very long run. This theatre deserves a complete restoration and would compliment the Paramount. I don't think its necessary at this time to equip the theatre to be a broadway house do to San Francisco.I do think the theatre should be equipped for film, stage and concerts. The "Fox" and the "Paramount" are the largest film palaces still standing in the State of California.I believe the auditoriums may be the largest west of the Mississippi. Its amazing that both of these theatres are located in Oakland along with the "Grand Lake". The City has three major assets in which to boast and use as a marketing tool. San Francisco tore down both the "Fox" and "Paramount" in the 1960's. brucec

I formerley lived in Oakland now reside in Concord. I was driving in oakland last week visiting mom and noticed the Fox theater just wondering what has become of it. It would be wonderful to have it alive again.

Thanks for making this site avalibale

Just a suggestion. Both Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks went to High School in Oakland. Maybe they could get involved in the restoration of the Fox. Maybe they could hold a benefit premiere at the Paramount of one of there upcoming films to benefit the Fox and also gain a lot of publicity for the Fox. Brucec

The very nice Friends of the Fox Oakland Theatre web site can be found at:
http://www.foxoakland.org

The restoration of the marquee by Wagner Sign Co. can be seen at:
http://www.wagnersign.com/fox01.html

In the late 1970's a friend of mine and I snuck inside the empty Fox. The open side front door down near the stage provided the only light inside the cavernous auditorium. All the seats had been removed but the two big gold Buddahs that flank the stage were still standing guard and it looked like homeless people were using the stage to camp on. And now with the marquee restored it looks like the Fox will be coming back to life.

Weeks and Day were also the architects for the Fox Oakland proper; though the 1930's remodel of the marquee and entrance was by Alexander Aimwell Cantin.

There was a major Fox-Oakland renovation benefit on May 1 which I found about on May 2 hosted by Mayor Jerry Brown. Hope it was a success. Plans are to place a Charter School in the building surrounding the theatre as this is a pet project of the Mayor.I saw a construction banner in front of the Fox for the first time on May 2. I hope after all these years (30) that some sort of renovation is started on the interior of the building.brucec

It should be noted that, though the Fox Oakland is often said to have been closed since the 1962 (or 1965 as noted above), its most recent run as a movie palace was about 1972 (saw "Villa Rides" there; all seats were 75 cents, if I recall correctly). It was subsequently a concert venue in 1973-74 (I remember a radio ad on the old KDIA for a Funkadelic concert there), and hosted the Dickens Christmas Fair in 1983 and 1984.

The Fox-Oakland had its last exclusive 1st Run With "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968. After this it showed Porno for awhile and 2nd run at 50cents in the early 1970s. The theatre was used for a short time for concerts and the the Dickens Fair.The Fox-Oakland Auditorium is larger than the Paramount but the Paramount has the larger lobby. Both theatres have fantastic vertical blade marquee's which are among the best in the nation. Many times theatres are renovated /restored and not much thought is given to restoring the great marquees of the 20's,30's,40's and 50's. The Wang in Boston has one of the most boring marquees today but when it was the Metropolitan is had a fantastic marquee.The Fox in Detroit has a wonderful marquee but the Fox in St Louis has a boring marquee. The fun starts on the sidewalk at some of our historic theatres. The biggest dissapointment is the loss of the great marquees in Times Square along with the theatres. I applaud the City of Chicago in putting verticals on the new Goodman, Oriental, and Palace. I hope when the Shubert is restored back to the Majestic that a beautiful marquee is restored to this theatre.brucec

"Amen" to the previous comment about fine versus boring marquees. Often the key factor is of course money. However, there is also the contingent of artsy-smartsy folks who think that if a theatre is going to become a performing arts center that festive things like neon and chaser lights are sinful.
The Fox Oakland's vertical sign is the last 20s vertical to be found anywhere in the Bay Area. Thank goodness it survived long enough to be restored. At one point in the early 80s, a renovation of the Fox Oakland was planned, and renderings were produced of it which showed removal of the vertical, and generification of the marquee. Fortunately that perticular scheme fell through. The last two verticals that disappeared were the Roxie in Oakland and the El Capitan in San Francisco. The El Capitan had been demolished save for its facade in the mid-60s, but the vertical remained until the mid-90s, when it was removed.

Just wondering---should this not be referred to as "FOX OAKLAND?"

The Wagner Electric Sign Co. did a great job repairing the fabulous Marquee and Vertical Sign of the FOX-OAKLAND, and it is a joy to see such fine regard by a city to recreate the night time excitement that such signage brought to our streets in days past. I must note, however, that the slang term 'blade' that some are using for the Vertical Sign is not appropriate, and diminishes the stature of such sign artistry and the history of our theatres. It was coined by someone ignorant of the fact that the word 'vertical' can be a noun, as well as an adjective. Let us call such vertical signs by their correct industry and architectural term: VERTICALS, as validated by the authorities at the Theatre Historical Soc. of America since 1969.

You can see pix of the restoration of the Fox Oakland's marquee and vertical sign at http://www.wagnersign.com/fox.html

Its to bad Oakland can't find a major patron the way the Fox California in San Jose has.It would be nice if the Port Of Oakland paid for half the restoration like the Silicon Valley has for the California. This is just an observation.Maybe Clear Channel may be interested because the Fox-Oakland is the size theatre they are looking for. Clear Channel helped with the restoration of the Baltimore Hippodrome and Boston's B F Keith Opera House.brucec

Gary Flinn: The wagnersign.com site is wonderful. Thanks.

One of the last houses opened by West Coast Theatres before that circuit was purchased by Willaim Fox, the Oakland was one of the first theaters to have the "Fox" name added to its marquee. The change was announced in Exhibitors Herald-World of March 23rd, 1929.

I read in the paper that the city council has recommended 27 million for the restoration of the Fox Oakland Building. The charter school will be housed in the building surrounding the theatre. The theatre will be restored into a cabaret space seating 650. This means only a portion of the theatre will be restored at this time.It would be nice if a corporate donor could be found to restore the Auditorium completely. If the city is spending 27 million along with state grants them maybe another 6-8 million is needed to restore the auditorium. I wish the Packard foundation would get involved like they did with the California in San Jose. I also hope the Fox Oakland will also show film as well as live performance. The City Council will vote in March. I think downtown would get a much needed boost with a combo of both the Fox Oakland and the Paramount. We must thank Jerry Brown for getting the ball rolling or it would have just sat there for another 20 years. I have wonderful memories of Downtown Oakland as a child. My Aunt and Uncle use to take us to the Paramount,Fox Oakland,Roxie and T&D downtown and the Grand Lake along the lake. I feel the City now has a chance to move ahead in a positive direction and the restored Fox Oakland along with other projects will revitalize Downtown Oakland.brucec

I WAS 17 AND VERY DISSAPOINTED WHEN THEY CLOSED THE FOX THEATRE. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN OAKLAND, AND AS A CHILD, IN THE SUMMER, MY COUSINS AND I WOULD PAY ONLY 50 CENTS TO SEE TWO FEATURE FILMS. WE WERE ABLE TO WATCH THESE FILMS AS MANY TIMES AS WE LIKED, SO WE WOULD SPEND THE WHOLE DAY AND PART OF THE NIGHT AT THE PARAMOUNT AND THE FOX THEATRES. OUR PARENTS LOVED IT, BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE HAVING A ALL DAY BABYSITTER AND THEY KNEW WE WERE SAFE, BECAUSE WE ALWAYS STAYED TOGETHER. I LOVED GOING BACK TO THE PARAMOUNT WHEN THEY REOPENED IT, BECAUSE IT BROUGHT BACK ALL THOSE MEMORIES OF THAT TIME IN MY LIFE, WHEN LIFE WAS SO SIMPLE!!! I AM HOPING THAT THE FOX THEATRE WILL RE-OPEN SO THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO GET THAT WONDERFUL FEELING AGAIN.

A photo for y'all at:
www.preservationdirectory.com/photodatabase_theaters.html

http://www.home-buy-sell.com/bayarea/cityinfo/oakland/downtown/moviefox.jpg

photo of exterior

Just the fact that the theatre have not been demolished and is waiting for restoration is a good news .

Some excellent and comprehensive reading on the Fox' "almost" current condition:
http://www.foxoakland.org/pdf/dreyfuss_report.pdf

What is the latest on the Fox Oakland? Have they started the ruins project, becuase I believe the City Council has approved it. I sure hope the project gets under way before Jerry Brown leaves office as Mayor of Oakland. Restoring the Fox-Oaklnad would give Downtown Oakland a huge boost along with the Uptown project and put a positive spin on the City which suffers an image problem.brucec

Here are more exterior photos of the Fox Oakland.

An issue of Architechural Digest (date uncertain, but probably late 1920's-early 30's [it was a page clipping]) listed the Fox Oakland's (original) architect as Thomas W. Lamb. Possibly this was a confusion on the writer's part, being that Lamb was the architect for San Francisco's Fox (Weeks and Day are generally credited as the Fox Oakland's architects, and A.A. Cantin as having done the 1935 renovation of the entrance and marquee), but the interior photos on the page were definitely of the Fox Oakland.

Just noticed something---in the second paragraph of the description, it says "Opened on October 36, 1928..." Obviously that should be "October 26, 1928(!)."

This website has some photos of the Fox Oakland Theater. Click on the Fox photo and then click the thumbnails to enlarge them.

the last listings on the FOX OAKLAND web site is in 2003. Does anyone know what is happening with the theatre these days of 2006?

There is a recent photo of the interior of the Fox Oakland at this website: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?o=7&f=/c/a/2006/04/23/MNGO8IDU1E1.DTL

It looks to be in decent shape. Amazing considering it has been sitting these many years.

And apparently set on fire at one point. What an amazing story! Looks like the preservation organization is still at it to me. There are Board Meeting listings for 2006 here:

http://www.foxoakland.org/events.html

This is another photo of the Fox Oakland Theater.

The Fox. Many Saturdays were spent there. My Grandmother worked practically across the Street at Capwell's. I would catch a matinee. Always great movies there. .25 got me in for the afternoon. As a young boy in the late forties and early fifties it was easy to be overwhelmed by the magnificant architecture of the theater itself. Although obviously built before the forties this theater was magnificant. After the matinee my Grandmother and me would go to eat and then often headed to the Paramount theater(just awesome) or down to the old T&D theater if something special was playing. It (the T&D)wasn't as "high class" but did play some good films here and there.

It's so unfortunate that the young will not have those meaningful experiences we all did during the hey days of this magnificant theater.

But at least they will eventually get to see the magnificent interior of this theater before too much longer---they're about to begin the process as of this writing.

Dear gsmurph,
I was glad to hear about that. Only because the great days of the theater has seemed to pass us. I am so happy that I was within those last heydays of the movies and the theaters. when going to the newer "cinemas" it is so discouraging to walk into a cold theater with no class of yesteryear. It's sorta like "Here you go. Here's a building with 4 or more small theaters combined. go in a watch a movie.... oh give us all that money we want too. And then only 1 film. Remember? we got Movietime News reels, Cartoons, a class "A" film and a class "B"(most of the time) or another "A" film. Everyone dressed for the movies. People were nicer to each other. I am happy for the restoration planning. The young can see the greatness, but will never experience our experiences of the whole entertainment.

Thanks For The Memories, Jack, even if we can't recreate those golden days of the 'Roaring 'Twenties.' For you and those wanting a nostalgic journey down our memory lane of theatres, there is no better book than the 1961 title: "The Best Remaining Seats, The Story of The Golden Age of the Movie Palace" by the late Ben M. Hall. It also had two later softbound editions, but these omitted the color plates. It can still be found at many libraries or sent to your library at their request via Inter-Library Loan. It is also often for sale at such as www.amazon.com It is a landmark publication and gave rise to www.historictheatres.org in 1969. This heavily illustrated volume will also be an eye-opener to those of us unfortunate enough to have been born too late to have witnessed this glorious chapter of history firsthand.

The Fox Oakland's last double bill was "Lady Sings The Blues" and "The God Father", it played there in 1973. From 1968 to 1973, the Fox showed movies for 50 cents, then changed to soft core porn showing movies like "All The Loving Couples" and "I am curious yellow". What was interesting the San Leandro Oakland Drive In showed the same movies as the Fox at the time. However, the Fox had live concerts during that time. The Oakland Tribune, attending the first concert starring Donny Hathaway and Ann Peebles, called the Fox a future "west coast Apollo Theatre". The tribune, said "the fox rocked and rolled like it never did before, despite several outages of the sound system". The Fox Oakland did quite well on those concerts, until a series of fires were deliberately set. It was rumored in the Oakland community where I grew up in, that the Black Panthers were responsible for it. But strictly rumor. There is a movie called "Nightmare In Blood" available on DVD, that was filmed in its entirety at the Fox Oakland during the seventies before the seats were removed. There are excellent interior shots as well as a wonderful nighttime shot of the Avenue Theatre in San Francisco, lit up in it's glory. I am pleased that the Fox is being restored.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979

Fox-Oakland Theater (added 1979 - Building - #79000468)
Also known as Fox-Oakland Theater & Complex
1807--1829 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Diggs,Maury L., Weeks & Day
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Architecture, Performing Arts, Commerce
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Music Facility, Specialty Store, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Specialty Store, Theater

For more current information regarding the Fox Theater renovation project, it's a good idea to periodically check the following websites, in particular the Friends of the Oakland Fox site.

Friends of the Oakland Fox:
http://www.foxoakland.org

City of Oakland Redevelopment Agency, Central District webpage:
http://www.business2oakland.com/main/centraldistrict.htm

Traffic Management Plan (tends to have more up-to-date construction pictures):
http://www.business2oakland.com/uptowntmp/

This is a 9/21/2001 article about the Fox Oakland Theater.

"Rotunda Building developer hopes to raise curtain on renovated Fox Theater.

Source: San Francisco Business Times
Author: MATERNA, JESSICA

A local developer known for turning Oakland's Rotunda Building into a $43 million showpiece wants to stage another rehabilitation down the street at the dilapidated Fox Theater.

Phil Tagami, managing partner at California Commercial Investments -- owner of more than 1 million square feet of commercial space in Oakland -- recently announced his hope to restore the 74-year-old building at 19th Street and Telegraph Avenue.

City officials plan to discuss the Fox property, said Rosie Rios, Oakland's director of economic development and redevelopment. Rios would not comment on Tagami's plan.

"I imagine we'll discuss what to do, whether to conduct a nationwide search for requests for proposals or whether to consider the theater a phased project," Rios said. "We'll have to see where everyone stands."

The Fox Theater, which shut down 30 years ago, has subsequently drawn and repelled a list of developers to revitalize the 2,250-seat theater. About 30,000 square, feet of office space and 29,000 square feet of retail are wrapped around three sides of the building.

In April, the Oakland City Council heard several alternatives to approach a rehabilitation. One $67 million plan proposed to transform the theater into a "roadhouse" by restoring the theater, building up commercial space, remodeling the basement, and creating an adjacent nightclub and storage area.

Other plans include a $19 million proposal to renovate existing storefronts, a $36 million plan for new storefronts, and a $69 million plan for a new arts center".

As a life long resident of Oakland, I often saw the Fox Oakland as a forgotten and neglected piece of theater architecture that demanded to be reborn. During the 60's and forward, I never considered the Fox to be what it was in its early days. Although I never went inside the Fox, I often thought that it must indeed been a sight to behold. When I first saw the inside, it was via the Internet and I was not disappointed at what I saw. The stage and auditorium are magnificantly grand. I also appreciate the history of the Fox Oakland during a time of, sad to say, discrimination in which minorities were not welcomed at other movie palaces. Yet, the Fox Oakland indeed had a no discrimination policy. Therefore, I think people of all races should take part in the restoration and future life of the Fox Oakland Theater. Also, the Paramount, which is I believe a triumph of art deco architecture, second to none outside of Egypt would give Oakland the tourst attraction appeal that it deserves. Lastly, I often wondered what was the reason for demolishing the Fox San Francisco. I saw pictures of it and it was absolutely awsome.

Exterior picture of the Fox block here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/424193832/

Two more recent photos of the Fox Oakland Theater can be seen here and another one here.

I am told that Oakland had 2 Fox theaters; Fox Oakland and Oakland Fox... how confusing.
Will someone please enlighten me on this situation

Link to long article:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-07-25/news/outfoxed/

I worked as Loge man at the Fox Oakland just before it closed. Still have my letter from the union and the crazy manager Jack Mc Dougal that the Theatre was about to close. When Jack left to go home for dinner we turned all the great neon on outside. The Fox west Coast people in LA loved Jack McDougal. He ran the Fox Oakland cheap. Turned off many lights and watched a tight ship in the candy counter. Even tried to put us kids on the National General Fox West Coast payroll for doing his yard work in his Piedmont home. A class act this manager was. Long passed on Jack did get invited the the grand opening of the Paramount when it re opened in the 70's. I will never forget the big hits the Fox Oakland had when I worked in this great Theatre. All the american Int'l Beach films played the Fox in the 60's. Lines around the block formed for Muscle Beach Party. Jack McDougal was also a great showman. He had a live Muscle Man Mr Oakland contest on the huge Fox stage with the showing of Muscle Beach Party. He had John Ashley and the girl Candy on stage for the showing of Bikini Beach Party. The biggest crowd was for little Stevie Wonder when he was in film. The time I watched What A Way To Go over and over I new all the lines. I hope the New people at the Fox Oakland will still show some 35mm movie prints. If the Paramount up the strret is no longer going to do it on some Fridays because they think the little outdoor movie nights in town are going to hurt there business. Go for it at the Fox Oakland put in a big curved cinemascope screen and fly it with a huge Dolby Digital sound system with hidden surround speakers, show classic science fiction, horror, or old musicals have theme nights you will pack them in at the Fox.People want to get out of the DVD world and when first timers see the inside of the new Fox Oakland with It's huge inside (I hope you replace all the color lights inside) under the balcony lit up blue or other colors during the movies. The ceiling had these great hidden dark blue lights that looked great. When new music bookers come into a old theatre like the Fox many just put in white lights bulbs. Please keep the great color lights the Fox had inside.

I passed by the Fox back in 2005.....has there been any work on it lately and what's happening to the restoration??? Their web site only goes back to 2004 and there's nothing new on it.........

Drove past the Fox yesterday and its undergoing restoration and renovation to the theatre building. The Uptown Condo development is also in full construction. Its amazing to see all this constuction going on in a area that hasn't changed in over 50 years.Im keeping my fingers crossed on the Fox that it will be a first rate restoration as it deserves. There is a lot of construction going on in Downtown Oakland the most I have ever seen in so many different locations. I hope all this development gives a big boost to Downtown.brucec

I took a private tour of the Fox Oakland a few months ago. Had to put on a hard hat! This will be a super fine remodel. The place doesn't look to bad on the inside. I took some photos, will try to post some next week.

Here is another recent photo of the Fox Oakland Theater.

This is a more recent close-up view of the Fox Oakland Theater.

I was in town for a few days and took a trip Downtown Oakland and see how the Fox was coming along. I talked to a few people involved with the contractors working on the Fox project. I was told Evergreen was currently painting the ceiling of the Fox which is a good sign, since they have been invlolved with many theatre restoraitons and do quality work. I was told the Fox will be ready in the fall of 2008. There is a lot of construction across the street on the Uptown project which is transforming the whole neighberhood. I can't wait to see the finshed project. I think the Fox and the Paramount will compliment each other and bring many people downtown at night. It is amazing that Oakland has two of the largest theatres still standing in the West along with the Portland in Oregon and the Paramount in Seattle. The Fox and the Paramount were the two largest theatres ever built in California except for the Fox in San Francisco and Paramount in LA, both demolished in the early 1960's. Im so happy that both of these magical theatres of my childhood are still here, the Paramount having been restored in the early 1970's and the Fox Oakland in 2008. Thanks again to Jerry Brown,after bringing her back from her long sleep of nearly 40 years.brucec

Friends of the Fox need to do a better job of updating there Home Page. The Fox is currently under renovation/restoration and updates would be welcome. Pictures and posts of the progress being made would be very helpful.brucec

Here is a 1956 ad from the Oakland Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/38eoam

Ken would love to see more adds of the Fox,Paramount,T&D,Roxie and Grand Lake. I remember all the adds advertising the great Fox West Coast Theatre Chain in Oakland Tribune.Thanks for the Ad. brucec

Sure, any time. Lots more where that came from.

The article that states the 68 Million restoration of the Fox is nearing completion is a little misleading. A huge portion of the funds is being used to build a charter school which wraps around the Fox. I would like to know how much was actually spent on the theatre.Im glad the Fox is getting the restoration it deserves it is my favorite surviving movie palace in the Bay Area. I can't wait to see the restored auditorium. I saw many movies at the Fox which had its last exclusive run with "Rosemary's Baby".The restored marquee of the Fox is beautiful along with the marquee at the Paramount.I hope the Fox gives Downtown a much needed boost along with the Uptown project next door. I wish my parents were still here to see the final result it took nearly 40 years. The Fox and the Paramount represent the heday of Hollywood and helped a genaration cope with the Depression and WW11. The Fox and the Paramount are the two largest surviving movie palaces in California and the among the four largest West of the Mississippi along with the Paramount in Seattle and the Portland in Portland. I hope classic film will be shown at both theatres from time to time.brucec

I wonder if anyone has any restoration pictures of the restoration work going on in the Fox?brucec

Here is a January 2008 photo.

I got to spend a few hours inside the Fox last week while was daughter was doing a fashion shoot for Oakbook magazine, I've put some photos up here and have many more to go through/add in the next couple weeks.

I wasn't able to go into the orchestra level/stage area, but got to explore the mezzanine and upper levels, and walked around the walkway that encircles the top of the theater and get real close to the ceiling. The foreman [?] said they were half done cleaning the ceiling -- the nicotine's 1/8" thick! -- and had just returned half the scaffolding [he said just scaffolding rental is $30,000/day, I assume this is before they took half of it out, I *think* he said the ceiling alone is a $40 million job but don't quote me on that]. Went into the dome, one side of it is badly earthquake damaged/collapsed. Much of the detail paint is badly peeling but still beautiful. All the seating and carpet have been removed.

The issue of Oakbook with the fashion spread inside the Fox comes out February 7, there's info about where to pick up a free issue here.

Thanks for the photos. Looking forward to seeing more. The ceiling is being painted by Evergreen which has worked on restoration projects around the country. The ceiling is not costing 40 million that is near the price of the entire restoration project.Keep those photos coming. The side walls look a lot different to me than I remember.brucec

I hope they salute the past of the Fox when they reopen in the Fall of 2008. It would be great if they did a salute to 20th Century Fox with a film retrospective since this was the company that built the Fox and ran the theatre during its heyday. It would be great if they ran a film retrospective from Shirley Temple to Star Wars.They could end the retropspective with a brand new Fox film. I think this would be a classy way to salute the restoration of the Fox and its past before it starts its new life as a stage venue for live concerts.brucec

Friends of the Oakland Fox video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnaLUSNw1t8

I would like to see more movie ads of films that played the Fox over the decades. A few of the movies our family saw at the Fox included "The VIP's","The Unsinkable Molly Brown","Von Ryans Express","Hombre","Valley of the Dolls" and the "Planet of the Apes".The last film to have an exlusive run was "Rosemarys Baby". After this the theatre ran Porn,50 cent movies and the Dickens Fair.The Fox started opening and closing from 1965-1969 due to a lack of First Run Exclusive films as the studios had cut back on production and concentrated on the big roadshow films of the day that would play the smaller Roxie and Grand Lake theatres. I hope as stated before that the Grand Opening in October would salute its historic motion picture past as well as its future with live performances.brucec

Major structural work is in progress on the stupa dome at the top of the theater. Restoration work to the terra cotta facade over the marquee is nearing completion and shines like new.

Question about the Dome. Are they restoring the Dome where you can again see it from the Lobby of the theatre, it would add a nice restored touch to the theatre. What are they planning for the gala reopening in the Fall? I drove by the theatre last week while I was in town and the facade looks beautiful and with that wonderful restored marquee make my heart skip a beat. The Fox will bring some happy news for Oakland because the media is always talking about crime in Oakland and never anything positive. I have never had any problem going Downtown for the last 50 years which has very little crime.I hope the Fox gives Downtown the boost its needed. brucec

This is a b/w photo of the Fox Oakland.

A girlfriend of mine, who had a fortune telling business on 8th street, and I went there and to see the Pit and the Pendulum. We sat down and the statues up front scared her, she said the place had a entity in it, got up, and walked out in fright. I was in there for a whole 20 minutes. Haven't been in it since.

I would love to see more posts about the Fox and films that played there and more up to date info on the restoration.I believe the Fox is the largest theatre currently under restoration in the United States. The Grand Re-opening I believe is in October. THS conclave will be visiting the Fox in July and see the restoration in progress.brucec

I remember seeing Molly Brown at the Paramount down the street from the Fox Oakland. They got a mono print and the manager Mr Apple was very upset as the big Hollywood sneak preview was held a few months before at the Paramount with a 4 track stereo print shown. It sounded so great with all the many surrounds on the Paramount walls. The only stereo print I remember seeing at the Fox Oakland was a nice 4 track stereo print of The Music Man. The screen at the Fox Oakland was not as big as the semi curved Oakland Paramount. At the Fox they dropped down black masking to make Cinemascope but did open the side masking a little. The Fox screen was still large and very impresive for it's day. I hope the Fox will show some films/video when they open. If the Paramount down the street won't show movies. then the New Fox needs to offer some classic or first run film features. Have some big Hollywood type sneak previews like the old days. Fly up the stars from Southern CA and let them see what a classic movie palace looks like. I worked at both the Fox Oakland till it closed and then over at the Paramount when I was in High School. Mr Apple the manager at the Paramount was a super nice manager as Mr McDougal the head guy at the Fox Oakland was a very hard person to work for. Too bad they are both gone now. They will both miss the big Fox Oakland opening this Oct. I will be at the Fox when it opens along with my friend Ed Jacklich the former manager of Oakland's Fruitvale and Fairfax Theatres run by Golden State Theatres. Fox West Coast Theatre ran most of the big downtown theatres in Oakland. They went downhill when they changed to more of property business called National General Corp. At least the Fox Oakland, Paramount and Grand Lake are still arround today in 2008 for a new generation to enjoy!

Great to read about the renovation of the Oakland Fox theater. As has been commented on many posts for many different theaters, it isn't enough to come up with the money to do the actual restoration. That's hard enough. But they also have to come up with a way that the restored theater can support itself without further subsidy. Has it been determined specifically what the Fox will do program wise? Will films be part of this mix?

Also, what is the area like around the Fox? Based on the google earth map, the surrounding streetscape looked pretty bleak with little street retail or pedestrian activity.

How far is the Paramount from this theater? Cleveland was able to save five of its historic theaters (which happened to be in close proximity) and create a district called "Playhouse Square". With 10,000 seats, they claim that it is the country's second largest performing arts center. Second only to New York's Lincoln Center.

In New York, the future is quite bright for old palaces like Loews Paradise in the Bronx, Loews 175th Street in Manhattan, The St. George on Staten Island and Loews Jersey in Jersey City. All of these restored gems are in neighborhoods that continue to gentrify, have become safer and are now able to draw the needed crowds to operate in the black. The city is even pursuing the renovation of the fabled Loew's Kings in Brooklyn, truly one of the most beautiful theaters ever built and sitting empty for the last 30+ years.

The Paramount is about two blocks away. The downtown Oakland area is coming back to life. New places to eat and many new condos. The people that will run the Fox are music people. They will be open for music type entertainment for the new Fox. We all hope it won't just be Rock. I think after they test out the place they will find they need to put in some 35mm or video projectors and offer some film things. With the bars set up on different levels It will be more like a night club. Not a disco type place but a classic place to see what you don't see in San Francisco. With the Fox Warfield now closed for a big remodel job and new renters in San Francisco the Fox Oakland will have to come up with some different things. Bart is just one block away from the Fox Oakland. If they have the right type of event It will bring in people from all over the Bay Area. At this time the downtown part of Market St in SF is way worse then the Fox Oakland location on Telegraph Ave. The two new people that will run both the Warfield and Fox Oakland will need to have good security out front and around the parking areas. Bring plenty of change If you go to the Fox Warfield in SF, as the street people are not out as much in the Fox Oakland area yet.

Thanks Terry, glad to hear about the gentrification of the area around the Oakland Fox and Paramount. On a recent trip to San Francisco, I was absolutely horrified at the conditions on the streets surrounding the Warfiled and Golden Gate theaters. I don't understand how the city of San Francisco (one of the world's most beautiful cities) allows this to go on.

New York was able to sweep out almost all of the porn establishments and get the homeless off the streets and that led to the incredible reincarnation of Greater Times Square that we have today. As a result, the neighboring area of Hell's Kitchen is actually a booming trendy neighborhood that is now a highly desired place to live.

These theaters need to project a "safe" environment to get a large amount of patrons for whatever kind of programming they plan to have, especially if they expect them to come via BART.

New York is still a liberal city and yet they were able to do it. What's the big issue to San Francisco?

No one could be happier about the news about the Fox Oakland than I; I used to walk by it when was rather derelict, then saw it's gradual rebirth, first with the restoration of its marquee and vertical sign to now.

I do worry though about its successs, especially in the short term; the Paramount just a few blocks away has sure had its ups and downs over last few years and is frequently dark. It used to have a regular program of classic films, but I haven't seen any listings over the last year or so. The problem for me is that there is so little open in terms restaurants or shopping when the theatre is open. Now, with two grand old palaces open so close together, is there a chance that they will compete over the same kind of attractions and make it hard for both to survive? I sure hope not.

I know some people sill think of downtown Oakland as dangerous, but I have never had any problems there. As LuisV said about Market Street around the Warfield and the Golden Gate, that area is far seedier and intimidating.

Thanks for the info CWalzak!

I'm glad to hear that the potential is there in downtown Oakland and, more importantly, that the homeless/drug addict scene is not much of an issue. Seriously, I still can't believe the amount of derelict people I saw on Market Street and environs. What was even more apalling was the agressiveness of the panhandling.

I hate to say it, but when people panhandle on the subway in New York, they at least sing, play a musical instrument or do a little dance. One guy even has a stand up comedy routine. (He's actually pretty funny). The situation on Market Street is decidedly NOT funny.

What turned Times Square around was a determination of both the publc and private sector to turn the area around. Laws were changed and the new laws rigorously enforced. The New 42nd Street Development Corporation was created to develop and put into motion a new master plan that would restore historic structures but also allow them to sustain themselves. Finally, the private sector came in. Companies like Disney committed to the incredible New Amsterdam theater which (arguably) is the most beautiful theater in New York, if not the country. AMC and Loews committed to building huge multiplex cinemas and companies like Madamme Tussauds joined in as well. Once the ball started rolling it couldn't be stopped. The public voted with their feet and came back to 42nd Street in droves.

I can't stress enough how dire the situation was on 42nd Street in the early 90's. It was truly, the most dangerous block in America. Today, it is a family theme park with its own Hello Kitty store. (That's a bit much for me!) but I love that we were able to get rid of the crime, filth, stench and derilects from the area. In return, the city has reaped probably billions in added property taxes as property values have sky rocketed and new office, retail and condominium towers have been built. Thousands of new prople have moved to the area.

I wish Oakland the best of luck and the next time I'm in San Francisco, I intend to get on the BART and visit!

Downtown Oakland has never been a dangerous area. Broadway is much cleaner than Market Street. The area around the Fox is coming back in a big way with the Uptown project right next door to the Fox. I think the one two punch of both the Fox and the Paramount will help bring nightime activity back to downtown. Classic film should be brought back to one of the theatres.brucec

The latest projected time for the opening of the restored Fox is either September or October 2008. The theater itself will serve as the flagship live music venue for Another Planet Entertainment http://www.anotherplanetent.com/ well known for bringing outstanding live entertainment to the Greek Theater, Paramount Theater, and other popular Bay Area venues. Their bookings are extremely diverse; from Stone Temple Pilots to An Evening with Bill Maher and Dollie Parton's current Back Street Barbie tour.

To date there has been no indication of any film presentations to be incorporated into its operation. An earlier post on June 16th, 2008 from Terry Wade seems to indicate no projection equipment is being installed as a part of the restoration.

One aspect of the original theatre design will probably not be replicated. When first opened, the Fox Oakland boasted it was the largest theater on the west coast. Among its many decorative touches are two huge Hindu deity statues, one on either side of the proscenium, sitting cross legged, each holding a bowl in their lap. During the heyday of the Fox Theater, bursts of steam were shot up through bowls in the Hindu deities laps', giving the illusion of smoke rising from the bowls as the house lights dimmed and the curtain opened.

That sounds so cool! Why wouldn't they NOT replicate it? The goal of any establihment/business is to make itself unique from anything else in the market. A steaming Buddha Bowl goes a long way!

The Theatre Historical Society 2008 Conclave Tour got to tour the Fox Oakland two weeks ago. There is still much work being done, but I must stress that the decorative painting work--indeed the whole restoration--is absolutely first-rate, and sticks to the orgiinal opulance of the 1920s Hindu/Islamic fantasy that is the interior of this showplace. The effect is breathtaking.

It looks like the Fox Grand Opening has been delayed from Oct 2008 to January 2009. I was in the theatre in July and I didn't think they were far enough along to be open by October. I liked what I saw they are doing a first rate job restoring the theatre.brucec

I think a proper film series should be part of the Fox or the Paramount after the theatre opens. There should be enough dark nights between the two theatres to achieve this goal. I think the theatres should focus on Berkeley to attract an audience for the film series. I think they should talk to either the Pacific Film Archive or the Packard Foundation in helping book a classic films series from all decades. I watched a Chaplin film at the Stanford theatre in July which was packed with people under 30 which attracts a large Audience of Students who attend Stanford. I think UC Berkeley students could due the same in the East Bay.brucec

This is a recent close-up view.

The restored Fox Oakland reopens 2/5/2009. It has been leased by Bill Graham productions for a year and will serve as a venue for live productions only. No plans for any use involved with films.

Here is a December 2008 photo.

Two photo galleries of the Fox Oakland, done by Nathaniel Bennett Photography Studio, from May and September 2008 retrospectively:

http://www.nbphoto.com/data/slideshow/1/FOX/index.html

http://www.nbphoto.com/data/slideshow/3/Fox_Theatre_9-11-08/index.html

The restored Fox Oakland will not be leased by Bill Graham productions, that company no longer exists. The Fox will be leased by Another Planet which employs many of the people who worked at Bill Graham. I just hope the rockers are gentle with the theatre. brucec

Awesome. Too bad no plans for a single movie screen. Still, glad to see a movie palace is saved.

The Fox Oakland didn't stop showing first run films after 1962. The Fox showed exclusive First Run Films up to 1968, with the last being "Rosemary's Baby". The Fox did close in 1965 due to a product shortage and would open when an exclusive First Run Film was available such as "Planet of the Apes". Starting in 1969 and thru the early 1970's the Fox played Porn and and second run films.brucec

Thanks, Brucec, I've noted all that now in the Intro.

The THSA have a lot of photos of San Francisco area theatres from their 2008 Conclave at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/sets/72157606184953729/


Here are links to their photos of the Fox Oakland (taken summer, 2008):

They are all of the marquee and vertical sign:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2682550881/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2682554861/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2682556063/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2682562333/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2682563705/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2683367982/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2683370480/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2683372036/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2683376008/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2683377164/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2683378540/in/set-72157606184953729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2683379570/in/set-72157606184953729/

Here are three more from the Conclave:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2723423439/in/set-72157606184953729/ - closeup of Fox Office Bldg entrance
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2724243660/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Proscenium
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2724244624/in/set-72157606184953729/ - organ screen detail

This is a February 2009 photo. It looks like the Fox is open again.

Here are more of SheffieldStar's photos of the Fox Oakland grand opening:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonfisher/3257770250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonfisher/3257771808/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonfisher/3256940755/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonfisher/3256942417/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonfisher/3258861154/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonfisher/3258859280/

The official website (www.thefoxoakland.com) has a nice gallery of construction photos. Also, it looks like they've got a busy schedule of shows over the next couple months!

Another photo can be seen here.

The Fox Oakland is a jewel again!
Thanks to Jerry Brown, Phil Tagami, Jeff Chew, Patricia Dedekian, the Friends of the Fox Oakland and a cast of 1000's.

Please see the 100's of images of the re-construction and galas of this wonderful theater reborn on my community website-
http://www.nathanbennettphoto.com

I think I got the 'cinema' bug, I want more
(I just saw the Fox Detroit- wow!)

Cheers- Nate

This is a recent close-up view.

Another recent photo is here.

Here are some 1986 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Mentioned in NYTimes. http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/travel/03hours.html?em&emc=eta1

A real jewel of a theatre! Even before restoration, the Fox Oakland grabbed attention from blocks away. A "little bit of Bagdad" on Telegraph Ave., as Ben Hall might have said. But---when do we get
an interior tour...? Any hopes of a tour sans the modern loud musick...?

Was allowed inside to take a look around. Beautiful, but why was there a red curtain put on the stage? The original curtain was green that matched the jade grillwork behind the buddahs. I bought the DVD Nightmare in Blood and a interior shot shows this. I also want to know when the management will start having performance acts that cater to an older audience, so that we can enjoy the theater as well. And what about movies? They just showed the big lebowski, on a makeshift smaller screen. So the Paramount will rule as the big screen theatre in downtown Oakland, and the Fox will be slowly torn apart by 20 to 30 year olds. Wonderful

2005 photo of the Fox Oakland courtesy of Tom Spaulding.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tspauld/29618518/in/set-675202/
photo of the verticle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tspauld/29618519/in/set-675202/

This is a nice shot of the Fox Oakland at night.