Novato Theatre
924 Grant Avenue,
Novato,
CA
94945
924 Grant Avenue,
Novato,
CA
94945
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Here is another article:
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_18999018
Here are some articles dealing with the renovation of the theater:
http://novato.patch.com/articles/wanna-see-the-inside-of-the-novato-theater
http://novato.patch.com/articles/novato-theater-renovation-on-council-agenda-tonight
The Novato Cinema may re-open.
A non-profit group is trying to raise enough money to turn the old movie house into a place where they can show movies and have live stage performances. I wish the luck, I would love to see a movie in the old theater.
Check out Facebook page “Novato Theater”
The latest on the Novato. http://www.marinij.com/business/ci_16330462
This is a 2009 photo.
From the current text of the intro above: “In 1996, the theater was purchased by a non-profit, which intends to restore the theater as a performing arts center for Toledo’s small downtown.” What, Toledo doesn’t have a theater of its own to renovate?
On the photos: 1960s shingled mansardish roof extension. Ugh. If they renovate I hope they peel that thing off.
Don Donohue frequently wrote pieces for Boxoffice Magazine’s “The Exhibitor Has His Say” feature in the 1950s. Here’s a sample- from the December 8, 1951, issue, his comment on the Universal-International release “You Never Can Tell” with Dick Powell: “This is a real turkey— my poorest Sun., Mon. in many a week. I went along with U-I on top terms because of a saturation booking, but never again. My fingers will burn for weeks.” And that was one of his less acerbic reviews. I sure wouldn’t have wanted to cross Don.
1980 Photo
Here is a July 2008 photo.
I spent my childhood and teens in this theater under the iron
rule of Mr. Donohue who tossed me out a couple of times for
roudy behavior. I used to go up and visit with the projectionist
who was funny as hell and usually drunk. What a hoot. The little office next door was the taxi office.
This is a photo of the Novato Theater.
The following is a recent article that I found on the Novato Theater.
Novato Advance • Nov. 23 – 29, 2005
Marquee shines again on Grant
By Dan Stebbins
Executive Editor
“A rainbow of neon brightened Old Town last Thursday night when the marquee on the old Novato Theater was lit. The lighting event was a festive affair with representatives of the Downtown Novato Business Association and the City of Novato in attendance. Several dozen spectators added to the crowd and holiday songs were sung to the music of “The Swing Set,†led by bass player Rob Sundberg.
Novato businessman Ken Harth said, “We sang our hearts out.†Members of the crowd divided in two and alternated singing about “The 12 Days of Christmas.†Harth commented that it was too bad that they didn’t light the marquee years ago when the Novato Theater Restoration Committee was trying to raise money. The marquee lighting came off on time despite a last-minute glitch that was overcome with a long extension cord.
Switching on the marquee, combined with the lighting of the trees along the 12-block length of Grant Avenue, kicked off the holiday season in Old Town. The City of Novato owns the 59-year-old movie house on Grant between Machin Avenue and Redwood Boulevard. The last movie was screened at the Novato in 1991. The project to revitalize the theater’s appearance cost approximately $11,000.
The city contributed several thousand dollars and the DNBA, headed by President Steve Jordan, provided volunteer painters and the group facilitated $4,700 for the marquee lighting after receiving the money from the now-defunct North Bay Performing Arts Theater Association. That group, which evolved from the Novato Theater Restoration Committee, obtained the money as a result of an Oscar-party fund-raiser two years ago.
A Colusa developer has shown interest in renting and restoring the theater, but no contract has been signed. The holiday festivities in Old Town continue when the city Christmas tree, at the corner of Sherman and DeLong Avenues, will be lighted. The community is invited to join in singing carols at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3".