Garfield Theatre
9 E. Valley Drive,
Alhambra,
CA
91801
9 E. Valley Drive,
Alhambra,
CA
91801
5 people
favorited this theater
Contributed by
William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 40 comments)
When I was a regular relief projectionist here, I was dating the assistant manager. She was Linda Ronstadt’s cousin.
Cha Cha Cha
There’s finally a photo on the Internet showing the back wall of the Garfield’s stage house, with the Bard Circuit’s sailing ship logo still visible, though faded, decades after it was painted. You can make out the words “Vitaphone” and “Movietone” at upper left, and a bit lower, “Stage Plays” in this 1983 shot.
That combined with the vintage rooftop signage is a true throwback to another era. Thanks for posting that.
Thanks Joe. Brings back a lot of memories. I recall there was a bar next to the Garfield at the corner called “Tabu Isle.” I know that because when I worked there in the mid 70’s I had to go there and collect the manager who would have a few drinks until the second feature was over. I remember when the remake of King Kong played there in 1976 it did sell out business. Belongs to a totally diffrent era and I have to remind myself that these theaters once existed.
Some friends dragged me to see the King Kong remake at the Garfield. I think it was the only time I ever saw the place packed. I’d have liked to see the original King Kong there.
I also remember the Tabu Isle, which was already looking pretty seedy in the 1950s. It must have been a favorite haunt of people who drank too much, as I can recall several occasions when, walking back to the car after a movie, we would find that some hapless bar patron had thrown up on the sidewalk.
Here is another photo from 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/d5ol5v
Here is a photo circa 1980s:
http://tinyurl.com/yga42ec
My best cinematic experiences were had in this theatre in the early 90’s with my pal, Jeff, watching fantastic HK double bills and choking on BBQ shrimp crackers washed down with a Janlibo.
back in the late 70’s my parents brought me here and we saw “Alien” and I vividly recall seeing Battlestar Galactica here. After seeing Alien we ate dinner at Pepe’s down the street (which is still in business today). Alhambra has changed quite a bit since those days.
I remember this theater well and loved watching movies here. I distinctly remember watching several of the original THE PLANET OF THE APES movies here and Irwin Allen disaster films like THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE and TOWERING INFERNO. If you grew up in Monterey Park/Alhambra in the 70’s, this is where you went to the movies. And, of course, the Monterey Theatre further south on Garfield. Also, the original THE HAT location was just across the street. Still is. And if you like pastrami, it’s the place to go.