Arlington Theatre
1317 State Street,
Santa Barbara,
CA
93101
1317 State Street,
Santa Barbara,
CA
93101
27 people
favorited this theater
This Mission Revival/Atmospheric styled theater built for the Fox West Coast Theaters circuit in 1931 has been beautifully restored.
The Arlington Theatre seats over 2,000 and its Atmospheric style interior is just one part of its majesty. After walking past the free-standing ticket booth, under the marquee and through the spanish courtyard and fountains, visitors enter the small lobby on their way into movie paradise.
Entering the theater, the auditorium is flanked on both sides by faux-spanish villas while lanterns, windows and staircases adorn both walls. The ceiling is also filled with twinkling stars that give the illusion that the viewer is watching a film in an outside courtyard.
The Arlington Theatre is a can’t miss experience and a beautifully restored example of the great Fox palaces of the past.
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Recent comments (view all 84 comments)
The current Arlington Theatre was built as a movie palace in 1931, not as a church.
I did not say the building was built as a church. I said the present Arlington Theatre was changed from a church use to the present theatre use. The Arlington Theatre business was in a narrow building 2 blocks away when it moved to the present buildingfollowing the use of a church. What the present building was before what I knew it to be a church I do not know.You and I are talking about two different periods of time.
As William pointed out, this has always been the Arlington Theatre so not sure what you mean by another one with the same name 2 blocks away, or your church references. There are “Nearby Theatres” linked here, FYI. You are an architect? a decorator?
As I said, at one time the owners of the Arlington two blocks away moved the business. Considering what you say it is possible that the Arlinton was moved from the present location to the other location 2 blocks away and then back again. Or the Arlington is another business but of the same kind as the original movie house.For how long it was- I was told by a Presbyterian minister that the original business in the present Arlington Theatre was closed under a Red Light law. Maybe not. The Red Light law of the State of California was very vague.
A few 2012 photos can be seen here and here.
Opened May 22, 1931.
1931 but not in this building. Newbies are ignorant little boys that need attention by repeating what others say.
I sure hope you are not referring to me as a newbie and an ignorant little boy. I am far from a newbie and definately not a little boy. You have an attitude towards others that might not agree with you as you can see on this page. If you go to the beginning of the comment section and read you will see some comments from some old timers that remember THIS theatre from the 1930’s.
Chuck, if you read about some of bobbydias' accomplishments (designing the Los Angeles Civic Center at the age of nine, founding the Los Angeles County Museum of Art at the age of twelve, personally working with eight U.S. Presidents, etc.), I think you’ll quickly understand where he is coming from, and why there is no point in trying to contradict him.
Thanks Joe, I read what you are talking about and did get a good laugh.