Stanford Theatre
221 University Avenue,
Palo Alto,
CA
94022
221 University Avenue,
Palo Alto,
CA
94022
24 people
favorited this theater
The Stanford Theatre, a beautiful Greek/Assyrian style movie palace, first opened on June 9, 1925 with Reginald Denny in “I’ll Show You the Town”. It had an original seating capacity of 1,454. Operated by Fox West Coast Theatres, some remodeling was carried out in 1956 to the plans of Gale Santocono.
In 1987, the David and Lucille Packard Foundation purchased the theatre (located in downtown Palo Alto, California) to preserve the historic building and provide a proper setting for exhibiting films from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
The Stanford Theatre Foundation was established for the purpose of operating the theatre and promoting the preservation and public appreciation of classic films. Today, the theater’s programming consists of 100% classic films, primarily from the years 1920 through 1965.
Contributed by
Cynthia Mortensen
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Recent comments (view all 72 comments)
August 2008 photo fo the Stanford courtesy Julia.
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The zone code for the street view should be 94301.
Heatherwind, I served with your grandfather, Capt. Guy Wathen on the PAPD back in the 60s – he was an amazing, one-of-a-kind man!
Thank you pedalmasher! That’s very kind of you to say. Sadly I only had the opportunity to meet him once before he passed away, but it was a day I’ll never forget. I greatly appreciate your taking the time to respond! :)
If you have the time, please write me at . He was such an amazing person who everyone respected. I’m curious as to when he retired, when he passed away, etc. Did he stay in Palo Alto after retirement? Thanks. Sandy
A few 2011 photos can be seen here and here.
The Stanford Theatre will be celebrating Universal Pictures 100th Anniversary with a festival that will go on the rest of 2012 and into 2013 a bit I am sure.
The first part of the festival, from 1930 to 1935 (and even some pre 1930) are running now until November 2nd.
Here’s the link for information with the schedule..
http://www.stanfordtheatre.org/calendars/Universal%20Part%201.html
Heres a few photos of the interior, bits and pieces from the balcony.
http://s227.photobucket.com/user/Dramatrauma/library/Pasadena%20Rialto%202008/Stanford%20Theater?sort=3&page=1
Thanks so much for the photos, especially the marquee shot. Might be my 2nd favourite one of the Stanford’s fare. (The first being from an Olsen and Johnson movie playing there)
The Mighty WurliTizer Theater Pipe Organ in the Stanford, Opus 1825, a 4/20 (manual/ranks, keyboards/sets of pipes). It was originaly shipped to the Loews Theater in Syracuse, New York on January 13, 1928. In 1964 it was sold to a private owner in Glendale, California and in 1965 it was sold to another private owner in San Lorenzo, California. In 1995 it was sold to the Stanford and it is played all the time. Does it now have more ranks?
WurliTizer Church Pipe Organ Opus 274 Shipped to the San Francisco WurliTzer Store on January 16, 1920 and then on to the 1st Baptist Church in Martinez, California was also been sold to the Stanford several years ago, much to the chagrin of a former 1st Babist Church organist. He believes “they bought it for augmenting the installation there”.
There was an organ in the theater when it opened and it was removed. Anyone know anything about that organ or what happened to it?
MK