Buena Vista Theater

251 S. Wilmot Road,
Tucson, AZ 85711

1 person favorited this theater

The Fox Buena Vista Theater originally opened in February 1967, by National General Theatres. It was an 802 seat single screen. A second 554 seat auditorium was added in 1972.

It was demolished in 2008.

Contributed by Lost Memory

Recent comments (view all 21 comments)

IA on May 6, 2010 at 9:20 pm

Kirk,70mm projectors were never installed in BV.

Coate on May 7, 2010 at 7:49 am

The Buena Vista did have 70mm projection capability…at least according to trade reports and projector manufacturer ads. As well, Dolby installation records show a CP100 was installed in the late 1970s.

TLSLOEWS on May 20, 2010 at 1:18 pm

Thanks Micheal.

IA on May 31, 2010 at 2:37 pm

I was projectionist at BV and installed projection equipment in BV I
and BV II. No 70mm. Maybe you are thinking of El Dorado around corner and up the street.

BV I and BV II: Simplex XL 35 projectors
Simplex sound
JBL speakers

El Dorado: Century 35/70 projectors
Altec tube amplifiers
Dolby CP 100

Coate on May 31, 2010 at 3:03 pm

Dolby’s install records indicate a Dolby CP-100 was installed at Buena Vista in late 1978. “Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom” (1984) was advertised as a 70mm presentation.

Coate on July 18, 2010 at 9:54 pm

IA: Why do you believe Buena Vista was never equipped with 70mm projection capability? During what timeframe did you work there? Are you familiar with the theater’s entire history? And why do you list (in the comment above) that El Dorado was equipped with a Dolby CP100 when they opened in 1967 (they got the CP100 in 1979)?

IA, please email me if you’d prefer to discuss in private rather than clutter up this page with a bunch of back-and-forth chatter.

rdub on December 17, 2010 at 8:23 am

Hi all, we’re working on a film/documentary and are looking for some pictures of the Buena Vista. Besides what I’ve found online (mostly pics of the theater after closure), would anyone know who I could contact for some pictures of the theater in its day? I.E. Owners, etc.

Any assistance would be appreciated! Thanks