Alhambra Theatre
1101 Alhambra Boulevard,
Sacramento,
CA
95818
1101 Alhambra Boulevard,
Sacramento,
CA
95818
6 people
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Depicted in this 1928 trade ad for the Robert Morton Unit Organ: archive
I often wondered, for years, what happened to the “save the Alhambra” donation money that the people in Sacramento put into the fund back then to save it.The Alhambra obviously was not saved. So where or who got the money? There are pictures of the interior around. I saw one in the local PBS documentary “Sacramento:a nice place to live.” I will try to capture the picture and upload here.
To Leonard and all the awesome folks who tried to save this theater Thank you, however 40 years later you wonder if the measure succeeded if the Theater would still be with us today, As much as I loved this place I don’t think so, The Problem with the Alhambra was simply it was built in the wrong place, it’s facilities was grand but not anything like the Paramount in Oakland or the Fox in San Francisco it was a neighborhood theater and a BIG one at that, Way Too Big, for those that knew this theater I think the Gardens outside were more beautiful than the inside, The Ceiling was not anything special and wasn’t the walls Stone? I do remember the Big Isle down the middle of it but again what do we remember about the interior. There is Not ONE picture of it anywhere on here or the Net.
To be very honest Sacramento really does not have any real Cinema Treasures, ok The Crest is nice but again it was a “Work Horse” theater in its day, The Tower, Century’s, State and Capitol Theaters were beautiful the day they open but we know there fate, split degraded and destroyed in the name of Progress, We now have the Megaplex’s, Imax behind what’s left of the Esquire and Like the National in LA, Good theaters torn down only to see the vacant and parking lots, (Cinema 1 and 2 and the Showcase) This Week we heard that the Woodland City Council is Saving the State BRAVO at least someone cares :)
I was one of the people who locked themselves in the Alhambra in the final days to try and save it. I was involved with the Save the Alhambra movement for about 6 months or longer, prior as well. I have historical information and even a few items I was able to get out with. I know that fountain was saved, but I am unsure where it is. I was also one of the people who set up and put on concerts and shows at the theatre to try and raise money to save it. If anyone is interested I can relay the information I had gathered back then. I was fortunate enough to be able to climb all through the theatre and marvel at its secrets.
Leonard Bernsdorf,
I grew up a few blocks from the Alhambra in the 50’s. Us girls would descend the staircase imagining we were royalty going to a ball. it was our giant playhouse!! I worked on the Save the Alhambra committee with John Roberts who later incorporated his memorabilia into his restaurant, Harlows. I have several paintings of it from William Tuthill and G. Reynoso. I am actively pursuing several leads for photographs of the interior. I saw Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz there when I was very young. I freaked out when the Witch disappeared except for her shoes and my grandmother took me outside into the garden to calm down. Does anyone know what the last movie shown there was?
In a ad from Motion Picture Exhibitor for United Artists Theatres it said that this was a D-150 equipped theatre.
This site has a photo of the Alhambra. Below the theater name it reads “Alhambra Theatre Effects Auction Sept. 23 and 24”. The photo might be from 1973.
When I was a little girl of kindergarten age, my mother wanted to show my father and a visiting ex-boyfriend that women could get jobs too. This was 1958. The next day my mother went out and got a job as a ticket taker at the Alhambra Theater. Her boss was dear Mr. Mears. I can remember many a Saturday when Mom would take my sister and I with her to work as Dad had to work too. The “musicals” became our babysitters. There was “South Pacific” and “GiGi” and many more musicals and movies that I watched hundreds of time. (Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but it was a lot). Between films, my sister and I would go outside to play “movie scenes” by the fountain and in the beautiful gardens in the front of the theater. I am saddened that this wondrous treasure has been destroyed, but it will always stay in my memories and I’m sure in many others.
Here is a 1930 photo.
Can anyone tell me what was the name of the band measure which sealed the fate of the theatre in 1973?
Please can anyone tell me what year the “Alhambra Theatre Went Dark” (closed). I was an usher at the Alhambra 1966-1967, my first job out of high school. A great theatre, and it was a great experience to work there, great memories.
Recent photos taken (by me) at the site of the Alhambra:
Fountain (you can tell from the peeling paint at the base that it used to be blue)
Plaque detail
Tile detail
Safeway (anyone know the story on the remodeling of the building?)
Found quite a few photos of the Alhambra on the Sacramento archives website. Just go to http://www.sacramentoarchives.org and search the catalog for “Alhambra Theatre”. There are plenty of photos of the exterior, some of the gardens, and quite a few detail shots.
I am trying to locate some color photos of the theatre. Does anyone know where I might be able to find these?
Got it. Thanks.
I’m glad to help, but do notice that I got those dates wrong. Most of the palace was actually built between 1353 and 1391. The Moors had already been driven out of Spain by 1533.
Thank you very very much – that helped a lot!
An interesting question. Ultimately, all Alhambra Theatres are named after the original Alhambra, a Moorish palace near Granada, Spain (lots of theatres are named Granada, too.) Most of the palace was built between 1533 and 1553. Here is a web page about it.
The name Alhambra means Red Castle in Arabic. The original Alhambra was the subject of a popular book by American author Washington Irving in the mid 19th century. Irving portrayed the palace and its gardens in a very romantic way, and that romanticism probably had a lot to do with making the name popular with theatre builders. Irving’s book is now in the public domain and can be read on-line.
Does anybody know where the name comes from?
There are so many “Alhambra” theatres in the world, why is that? What’s the idea?
Re: Alhambra & National Register
This just points up an ongoing problem in historic preservation: Many, if not most people think that putting a building on the National Register protects it from demolition. Actually it affords no, nada, zilch protection. Nothing prevents the owner of a national register landmark from demolishing it, or altering it for that matter. (Alteration may be grounds for delisting, but can’t be prevented.) Also, a building can’t be listed without the owner’s consent. So the ONLY and BEST protection for historic structures is a strong LOCAL historic preservation ordinance, especially one with two components (California ordinances usually have these): local listing does not depend on owner consent, and demolition requires a review and hearing. In California this usually means at least an EIR (Environmental Impact Report), which if nothing else, gives the public time to rally the troops. But ultimately, if the local public doesn’t give a hoot, the building is a goner. If there’s a building you care about, start agitating to get it listed on your local register of historic places, get on the mailing list for your local historic commission and city government, and show up every time something to do with your building is on an agenda.
Ironstone Vineyards, owners of the Robert Morgan pipe organ formerly in the Alhambra Theatre, built the Alhambra Music Room at their winery to house it.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999
Alhambra Theatre (added 1999 – Building – #73002250)
1101 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Starks & Flanders
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Architecture, Art, Entertainment/Recreation, Landscape Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater
Here is an especially evocative nocturnal view of the Alhambra Theatre from the late 1920s.
If you are looking for photo’s from the Alhambra you can get them at a store in Old Sacrmento called Stage Nine, these photo’s are right off the original plate or neg. ask for Dawna if you need help…
The Alhambra Theatre was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres, along with the Capitol, Hippodrome (later to be remodeled as Crest, Rio and the Senator.
My grandfather built this theatre :) Vernon Nichols. He also built the Ahwanee Hotel in Yosemite. This is the first picture I’ve seen of the theatre; if anyone has found anymore please e-mail them to me at (my name is Rance Nichols).