Vista Theater
215 N. Central Avenue,
Phoenix,
AZ
85004
215 N. Central Avenue,
Phoenix,
AZ
85004
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Circuit
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 17, 2013 — “South Pacific” 55th Anniversary – The Roadshow Engagements
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
- Nov 18, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Ben-Hur"
The Vista Theater was opened September 30, 1944. It was torn down in 1970 for the Valley National Bank Tower that took up the entire city block. The Vista Theater was a small theater sandwiched between an alley and small jewelry store. The only thing fancy about it was the marquee that was topped by scrolling polychrome neon lights.
Movies were shared with the Fox Theater on Washington Street. The films were run back and forth between the two theaters and all the employees wore the same uniforms. One of the last movies shown at the Vista Theater was “I Am Curious Yellow”, which pretty well sums up the end of the entire Phoenix downtown area.
Contributed by
Ron Heberlee
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t the Vista the first 70mm roadshow reserved seat theater in Phoenix during the late 1950s and 60’s? I know it played BEN HUR, SPARTACUS, MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. MUSIC played for over 2 years in the Vista. It was operated by Fox West Coast.
Ennis, You are correct.
Much of The Vista success is owed to Manager Fred McSpadden.
Mr Mac, as he was affectionately known. He was the best.
I saw the Blue Gardenia here in 1953, and Abbott and Costello in Hit the Ice in 1948.
September 30th, 1944 grand opening ad in photo section.