Anaheim Theatre

Anaheim, CA

132 W. Lincoln Avenue

, Anaheim, CA 92805 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed/Demolished
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	735
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	M. Eugene Durfee
Firm:	Unknown

The Anaheim Historical Society says that the Fairyland was built in 1917 by John Cassou and designed by Eugene Durfee as a theatre primarily for motion pictures. An article dated May 18, 1922 from the Anaheim Gazette on file at the Anaheim Public Library, noted that the previous Saturday evening during vaudeville night a fire started in the operating room from a box of film. The audience of 800 in the sold-out house didn't panic and in fact they refused to leave until finally persuaded to do so by the stage manager after the firemen had entered the building. Damage was $2,000 and the manager said the theatre would be up and running again in about a week.

The Historical Society says that during the early 1920s the Fairyland was the scene of many Klu Klux Klan rallies. These rallies finally stopped in 1924 with the recall of four city trustees, alleged members of the Klan.

Sources say that of the four downtown theatres, including the Fox, the Grand and the Star, the Fairyland was the most "ornate and original". The theatre was taken over by Fox West Coast in 1933 and renamed the Anaheim Theatre. It continued its operation until 1951 when Fox closed it because of declining attendance. The Fox Theatre, just a block away, would remain open for about another 25 years until it was demolished in the middle 1970s.

From the date of the Fairyland's closing until 1973, when demolition plans were announced, its old lobby was used as a jewelry store and the auditorium, with its seats removed, was used for storage.

Contributed by Ron Pierce

YOUR COMMENTS

Is this the same as the Anaheim Theatre, operating 1925 - 1950 and listed at 132 West Center?

posted by MagicLantern on Sep 20, 2004 at 11:24am

Yes. Center Street was later renamed Lincoln Avenue.

posted by ronp on Sep 20, 2004 at 12:24pm

The Fairyland and the Fox were both demolished in 1973, when the city razed over 3/4 of the old downtown for a fancy new mall; which turned out to a plain strip shopping center I was in the jewelry store many times; and when it was demolished, I went inside the theater part; and took out a chandalier; and donated (left it at the back door) of the city museum. The Anaheim Bulletin reported at that time, that the fancy trim around the inside of the theater, which was thought to be metal or something fancy turned out to be plaster. I do can tell you that instead of a sloped floor in the theater, it was stepped; which I had not seen previously, nor have I seen since. My high school ring and band pendant both came from the jewelry store in the lobby. I knew of the KKK meetings from my grandparents. I guess way back when, my grandfather went to one of the meetings, though he was not a member; nor was he ever. If I remember right, the stage had a cement floor. It was on the South side of the street; with it's entrance facing North. The information above says 800 seats; but, I thought it looked awful small for 800 seats. It was not that wide of a theater; nor was it deep.

posted by Don L. Kirk on Jul 29, 2005 at 11:39pm

Film Daily Yearbook's in the 1940's give a seating capacity of 735.

posted by KenRoe on Jul 30, 2005 at 12:07am

I originally submitted this theatre as the Fairyland because of it's interesting and original name. Also, I thought it was more historically accurate than than just plain "Anaheim Theatre." The Disney-esque name was unintentionally 38 years ahead of Disneyland.

posted by ronp on Jul 31, 2005 at 4:17am

Ron:
I agree that Fairyland Theatre is a much more interesting and historic name for this theatre. The site managers here though prefer to title theatres by their last/latest name or occasionally by the name it held the longest length of time and is most known by.

I think it's amusing that a theatre named Fairyland and the 'campyness' of Disneyland should come together at all in Anaheim, Orange County, given the red-neck reputation that the area has world-wide. lol

posted by KenRoe on Jul 31, 2005 at 5:04am

1947:

http://www.oac.cdlib.org/affiliates/images/cana/kt2199p9w7/hi-res/P16536.jpg

posted by ken mc on Dec 18, 2005 at 2:06pm

Fox West Coast reopened this house as the New Anaheim Theatre on Thursday, July 8, 1937, according to Boxoffice Magazine of July 10 that year. The item said that the house had "...been closed for several months, undergoing extensive remodeling."

posted by Joe Vogel on Apr 10, 2009 at 6:16pm

Note: Please read our comment policy before posting. Comments which are off-topic, obscene, spam, or personal attacks will be removed. Help us keep the discussion productive!

Search

Theater Guide

Add Your Cinema Treasure!

Newest Theaters

Recent Comments

Updated Theaters

Anaheim Theatre

YOUR COMMENTS

Notify me when someone replies to my comment?