Encore Theatre

1157 California Drive,
Burlingame, CA 94010

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox West Coast Theaters Corp.

Architects: James Reid, Merritt Reid

Firms: Reid Brothers

Previous Names: Broadway Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Encore Facade

The Broadway Theatre was opened March 21, 1930. By 1941 it was operated by Fox West Coast Theaters Corp. It was renamed Encore Theatre in April 1965 and closed in 1972. It became a church. The outside of this theatre gave no indication of what was on the inside. For years this theatre lay dormant while a man known as ‘The Rev’ worked inside restoring this old structure. It was a wonderful theatre with red carpets, a mural of the daytime sky on the ceiling, and angels looking down from their perches high above the floor.

Despite its adornments, one thing this theatre lacked was luck. The city of Burlingame deemed it unsafe and condemed the Encore Theatre saying it would not survive a earthquake. Despite its supposedly flimsy construction, it took the city a full three days to demolish the building in 1998.

Contributed by Michael

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on August 4, 2006 at 5:38 am

My photograph of the ENCORE View link

larrygoldsmith
larrygoldsmith on September 12, 2009 at 7:17 pm

Does anyone remember when Ward Stoopes owned and operated this theatre?? I’m sure he was the last operator of this wonderful little showhouse.

tarantex
tarantex on September 12, 2009 at 8:28 pm

Larry, it was 1968 he was the last operater there

larrygoldsmith
larrygoldsmith on March 2, 2010 at 5:07 pm

Ward was still trying to hang in there with the Encore in the early 70’s while he was in the maint. dept. with National General/Mann Theatres. It would seem he finally closed it around 72 or 73. It never reopened after that.

Johnny_B
Johnny_B on June 16, 2014 at 8:25 pm

Greetings Larry! I knew Ward F. Stoopes. Worked for him 7.5 years (1965-1972)first as janitor, candy counter sales and eventually became the projectionist when I was only 13 years old! Many stories/memories @ the old Encore. Hope connecting with you. John Baldini

larrygoldsmith
larrygoldsmith on June 17, 2014 at 5:27 pm

John……Your name rings a bell from my past. Contact me direct at .

James_Douglas
James_Douglas on January 17, 2026 at 6:52 am

Does anyone have a set of photos of the interior of this theater? I can find nothing on the internet.

Thanks, James

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