Fine ArtsTheatre

1225 S. Maple Avenue,
Fresno, CA 93702

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Westland Theatres

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Mayfair Theatre, International Theatre

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Fine ArtsTheatre

The Mayfair Theatre was opened on July 17, 1947 by the San Francisco based Westland Theatres chain. One of many theatres located in Fresno that is closed.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

ChuckVanBibber
ChuckVanBibber on October 28, 2003 at 8:59 pm

Ihe International Theatre was also known as the Mayfair and Fine Arts Theatre during its tenure as a motion picture theatre.

reflectionscs
reflectionscs on December 3, 2004 at 5:26 pm

As a naughty teenager, I remember seeing “racy” European movies at the Fine Arts Theatre, though I do not remember its International and Mayfair Theatres incarnations.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on June 17, 2009 at 12:20 am

Here is a June 1973 ad from the Fresno Bee:
http://tinyurl.com/manp8z

hotdog125
hotdog125 on September 23, 2012 at 6:40 pm

Started watching saturday and sunday movies there in 1949 or 50. Was the only movie theater except for downtown and drive in’s. Had kids shows on stage on saturday’s, would bid squirt bottle caps for prizes.

davefox
davefox on April 20, 2016 at 7:00 pm

The Mayfair was outside the city limits and customers could smoke. The Fox Tower, managed by my cousin at Olive and Wishon, was also a second-run, double-feature theater that attracted some Mayfair customers. Those who attempted to smoke were scolded and, if persistent, kicked out.

rivest266
rivest266 on January 30, 2021 at 1:04 pm

This opened as Mayfair on July 17th, 1947 by Westland Theatres. Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on January 30, 2021 at 2:44 pm

Reopened as the Fine Art on December 25th, 1961. Another ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 9, 2021 at 5:51 pm

Closed as Fine Art in 1988.

davidfelthous
davidfelthous on January 27, 2023 at 7:43 pm

In the 1950s, as the Mayfair, it was a second-run double-feature house that often showed the same movies as the Fox Tower. The Mayfair was outside the city limits and smoking was allowed. The Tower is inside the city and you couldn’t smoke there. My cousin was the Tower’s manager and the staff had to deal with customers who smoked, since it was allowed at the Mayfair.

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