Liberty Theater

Here is a 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cgcslq

Here is a June 1947 ad from the Fresno Bee:
http://tinyurl.com/mcg84k

The former Liberty Theatre, following a $50,000 remodeling job by Gerald Hardy, opened on June 24, 1931, as Hardy’s. The Fresno Bee said as a result of an agreement with the union it would employ five union operators, the same as the other Fresno houses. The Liberty Theatre was closed about two years earlier by Fox West Coast when Fox took over the State Theater. The Einstein Investment Company was the owner of the building and they were presently suing Fox for default on the lease. The Bee’s profile of Gerald Hardy said he started as a film salesman in San Francisco in 1928 and went on to operate theaters in Northern California. Hardy said, “It was his liking for Fresno that brought him back to the theater field here.” “We looked over the theater field in every part of California and found conditions in Fresno better than anywhere in the state.” A packed house greeted the premiere attraction, a comedy called ‘Caught Cheating.’
— In 1944 Hardy purchased the theater outright for $90,000. Mr. Hardy at one time or another also operated the Fulton, Sequoia, Lyceum and Mayfair theaters.
Some highlights of the Hardy years, mainly from 40’s thru the 60’s:
— For years Hardy’s was known as Fresno’s exclusive showcase for MGM pictures. This policy appears to have started in late 1947. They had success with pictures other than MGM as they also played United Artists fare almost exclusively. In 1958 UA’s ‘The Vikings’ and in 1959 ‘Some Like It Hot’ were held over for a fifth week. In cases of holdovers at Hardy’s, Hardy’s Sequoia Theatre became the showcase for MGM first runs. When there were no other films to fill the bill Hardy’s used product from Allied Artists, mainly B movies.
— The longest running MGM film to play at Hardy’s was ‘Ben Hur,’ which ran for 10 weeks from October to December of 1960.
— The local Warner’s played all Warner Bros. and mostly Columbia and RKO pictures offerings.
— The Fox’s Crest and Wilson played 20th Century Fox, Paramount and Disney films, with their Tower playing art films, road shows or hold-over attractions.
— The rules were changed when Cinerama and 70mm came along. In July of 1963 Warner Cinerama held the Central California Premiere of MGM’s ‘How the West Was Won.’ In September of 1966 Warner Cinerama premiered MGM’s ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ which was advertised as being just a Panavision presentation. There is no indication that Hardy’s was ever equipped even for 70mm. By 1966 Hardy’s was still showing the regular MGM fare but usually day and date with the drive-ins.
— The last MGM-released film to premiere at Hardy’s before its sale was ‘The Dirty Dozen’ in July of 1967.
— On November 30, 1967, the Bee said that Trans-Beacon Theaters, owners of the Warnor Theater (the spelling of Warner had changed to Warnor), had purchased Hardy’s for an undisclosed sum. After being closed for redecoration, they were scheduled to begin a reserved-seat policy on February 7 with ‘Camelot.’ At the time of the sale Hardy’s had been reduced to almost a grindhouse with films such as ‘The Glory Stompers’ and ‘Thunder Alley.’
— On January 20, 1971, a Fresno Bee story was headlined: “Troubled NY Theatre Chain Closes Hardy’s, Warnor’s.” Because of their bankruptcy, the Trans-Beacon theaters were under receivership and Fresno was one of their casualties. Gerald Hardy said at this time that he would be interested in reopening Hardy’s, and would make a decision in a few weeks.
— On December 31, 1971, a Bee story was headlined “Hardy’s Will Feature Spanish Film.” Gerald Hardy, who had reestablished himself as owner had given a five-year lease to Carmen Lopez. Lopez was the operator of the Esquire Theater in San Jose. The theater underwent a general refurbishment but the Spanish films lasted just five months and in August of 1972 the theater was leased again to National Cinema of Beverly Hills who planned to use it as a subsequent run house.
On May 3, 1976, the Fresno Bee story was headlined “Hardy Theater Sold For Christian Center Use.” Gerald Hardy had sold the theater for a second timeâ€"this time for $200,000.

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yld63xh

KFSR 90.7 held an event, “The Fresno Grand Opry,” in May 2011 at the Liberty Theater (Hardy’s). They asked us to do a video tour of the balcony area since it would be closed to guests. Here’s our video if you’re interested in seeing what this amazing theater looks like inside!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS9eyhrd73A