Surf Theatre
121 5th Street,
Huntington Beach,
CA
92648
121 5th Street,
Huntington Beach,
CA
92648
1 person
favorited this theater
Scott’s Theatre was opened on May 20, 1925 with Mary Philbin in “5th Avenue Models”. It was renamed Roxy Theatre in 1937. It was renamed Surf Theatre in June 1941. It was closed in October 1979, and was razed sometime after 1989.
Contributed by
William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 28 comments)
I have learned the hard way not to trust the dates given by libraries. I’ve even found theater photos identified incorrectly.
We are paying tribute to the Surf Theater with an exhibit opening April 20th, this Sunday at the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum.
Please contact Jodi at with any information or photos.
Thanks
Here is an item from Boxoffice magazine, January 1938:
Having recently acquired Scott’s Theater, Huntington Beach, Mason Siler has changed its name to the Roxie. The house has been closed for several weeks getting a new marquee, seats, drapes, carpets and other equipment.
Is it Scott Theater or Scott’s Theater?
The entire stretch of Fifth Street from the beach to the 200 block is now part of some megadevelopment.
I asume that is why the status is demolished.
Here is a 1983 photo. The city is misidentified.
http://tinyurl.com/yb2g43r
I grew up in HB during the 50’s ad 60’s. We used to go to the Surf Theater every Saturday to watch westerns, Abbott and Costello movies, godzilla, and every B movie that hollywood made. The owner would play games with us inbetween movies. Throw candy, frizbees etc out to the audience. We had a blast. Afterwards we would go over to my dad’s drug store, Waite’s Main Drug and have hamburgers and ice cream at the counter. Hb was a great place to grow up. Lived at the beach during our teen years and now paying for it with my dermatoligists.
Dear mw8. I was there in the 50’s and 60’s as well. LOVED IT! It was a wonderful part of my childhood! I loved the intermission and the fun and games. Don’t forget the talent shows! Kids would get up on stage and mostly sing, but other talents would jump up from the audience as well. I remember a friend got up and sang a song. I was so proud of her. I remember Wait’s Main Drug – AND the ice cream. Yes, Huntington Beach was a wonderful place to grow up! I moved away in 1972 and have dreamed of the beach just about every day. Will be taking a trip to see it in September.
I grew up in HB during the 60’s and visited the Suff Theater many times as a kid. In those days the Surf had a PAL Club you could join where you would get admission, popcorn and a grab bag of goodies for about $.50 on Saturday, if I recall correctly. You also got in free on your birthday!
The Surf played a double-feature kids movies on Saturday – I saw everything that Disney produced and my parents were grateful that kids had a safe place to go while they got a break! Between shows there was entertainment and Surf owners would toss prizes and snacks to the kids in the audience. It was great fun. After the shows we would often walk down to the pier and have ‘strips’ from beach vendors.
I lived in HB between 1960 and 1976 and have a lot of find memories growing up in ‘old’ Huntington Beach!