Sterling Cinemas
2373 Sterling Avenue,
San Bernardino,
CA
92404
2373 Sterling Avenue,
San Bernardino,
CA
92404
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This was originally announced as another automated franchise by United General Corporation in August of 1972. United General was racking up lawsuits about the time of the groundbreaking. It opened March 28, 1973 with “1776” on Cinema I with “Snowball Express” and “The African Lion” on Cinema II
The Family Twin Cinema I & II launched on a 20-year lease with “1776” on Cinema I with “Snowball Express” and “The African Lion” on Cinema II. The theatre had two identical 240-seat auditoriums which featured automated equipment and promised family fare. American Family Theatres Circuit took on the operation in 1991 taking it to end of lease.
Family then spent $2 million converting the theatre to a six-plex called the Sterling Cinemas. It re-launched the venue with a benefit screening of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” on November 16, 1994 followed by a full slate of films at the grand opening to the public the two days later.
At the half-way point of the its second 30-year lease, Regency Theatres bought out the Sterling Cinemas location in November of 2009 giving it another modern refresh. It was still operating into the 2020s
November 18th, 1994 grand opening ad in photo section
The web site of Seattle architectural firm The Henry Architects lists the Sterling Cinema 6 in San Bernardino as one of their projects. There is one photo of it in their slide show.
This cinema is now operated by the independent chain known as Regency Cinemas. They seem to be a respectable operation which seems to take over smaller more depressed cinemas to keep them from closing.