Norwalk Theatre

12039 Firestone Boulevard,
Norwalk, CA 90650

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Additional Info

Architects: John A. Norbak

Previous Names: New Norwalk Theatre

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NORWALK THEATRE - December, 1953

The Norwalk Theatre was opened around 1925. It was remodelled in 1954 to the plans of architect John A. Norbak, and renamed New Norwalk Theatre. It was twinned in 1972.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 32 comments)

pwhite4652
pwhite4652 on February 19, 2010 at 11:19 pm

Yes,,,,it was a XXX Porn Theatre in 1982….I know, because I worked there part time, selling tickets, and running the concession stand……good times…..even had to put up with relgious zealots supergluing the locks so no one could enter….“Doing the Lord’s Work”, even if it was destruction of property. It must’ve worked ‘cause I saw in 1984 it turned into a family theater, on this site. It was called Norwalk Twin Cinemas….they showed 70’s raunch porn….ah, the good ole daze…..seeing John C. Holmes on a Giant Screen. God Bless that old place. ;)

norwalksown
norwalksown on January 10, 2011 at 3:09 pm

wow memories i had there. from 49 cents to 59 cents to 99 cents is what i remember. also recieved my first kiss there. at age of 12. also became very popular with us kids during time hip hop movement started and break dancing was the thing. the theater was known to be the place to go to to see other kids break dancing so away i went with my ghetto blaster … wow to be young. I really enjoyed reading every ones memories

adamlove
adamlove on March 27, 2011 at 2:43 am

RE-POST

I am looking for pictures of the Norwalk Theater. I would like to talk to anyone who would be willing to share scans of their phots taken from any and all angles. I would like to build a model of the theater.

I have a scan of not-so-great photo of the theater taken in December of 1953 I am willing to share with any who respond. It is a panorama photo and shows the theater and the intersection where it stood.

I am a veteran of the 50’s kiddie matinees. I saw ALL of the now classic sci-fi movies from front row, center. Those are my happiest childhood memories.

I can be contacted at: adamlove(at)ca(dot)rr(dot)com

I would especially like to hear from Harold Taylor and Randy Henderson.

I’d also like to get copies of any pictures of the area across the street on Firestone. (Anyone else old enough to remember Roy’s Toys?)

Terrytaylor
Terrytaylor on April 21, 2013 at 11:04 am
I practically lived in the Norwalk theatre from around 1958 through the early 60's. I admit some memories may be foggy, but I fondly recall the William Castle stuff ("House on Haunted Hill" being my favorite), The "Abott and Costello Meets______" series, The Sinbad movies, and "Journey to the Center of the Earth," etc., along with those wonderful all afternoon cartoon marathons. Kids could be fairly rowdy back then during the showings....roughnecking and chasing each other around the theatre and throwing popcorn (and even popcorn boxes) at the screen. The manager would invariably stop whatever was showing, walk out and stand in the front of the auditorium where he would proceed to reprimand us by saying that if we kept up our rude behavior he would shut down the theatre and send us all home. We would be sufficiently shamed for a few minutes after he left and then the rowdier kids would start up again. That wonderful film loving manager never did make good on his promise to close things down. I recall (as someone posted earlier) that he got a kick out of creating a scary ambience whenever a horror film was playing by decorating the lobby with spider webs, coffins, and other assorted props. I do wish I could recall his name. He was a good man and, it goes without saying, a very patient one. 
                  I may be wrong about this, but I believe I saw Psycho at this same theatre (no ratings or age restrictions back then) and of course I was absolutely terrified and deeply disturbed. It's a big leap from watching Abbot and Costello being chased by the wolfman to a naked Janet Leigh being stabbed in the shower! 
                  All in all, that theatre gave me some of the best memories of my life and it is a joy to hear your recollections as well as to share my own with you. Keep it up because I never tire of it. : )   
                  
SPIKE62
SPIKE62 on June 18, 2014 at 6:28 pm

I WORKED THERE IN 1985 TILL THEY CLOSED I USED TO RUN MOVIES BACK THEN AND CLOSE AT NIGHT SOMETIMES WHEN I’M ALONE THERE I RUN FILMS THERE AND PIECE THE SCRAPS TOGETHER AND SOME TIMES SCARY IN THE DARK THEATRE

adamlove
adamlove on June 18, 2014 at 8:44 pm

I am looking for pictures of the Norwalk Theater. I would like to talk to anyone who would be willing to share scans of their phots taken from any and all angles. I would like to build a model of the theater.

I am a veteran of the 50’s kiddie matinees. I saw ALL of the now classic sci-fi movies from front row, center. Those are my happiest childhood memories.

I can be contacted at: adamlove(at)ca(dot)rr (dot) com

I would especially like to hear from Harold Taylor and Randy Henderson.

Anyone there when this theater was torn down? I wish I could have been there to grab a souvenir from the rubble.

adamlove
adamlove on June 18, 2014 at 10:19 pm

I just added a picture of a newspaper ad for this theatre from 1957.

Please note that it is being advertised as “The New Norwalk”.

Anyone know what this refers to? At one point the separate outside box office was eliminated and the lobby was expanded. Could this have been when these changes were made?

In the picture taken in 1953, the little box office was still there.

adamlove
adamlove on June 20, 2014 at 4:56 pm

ORCon:

What publication did you find that remodeling information in?

Are there any accompanying photos?

Thanks,

Adam

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 7, 2019 at 2:41 pm

1966 “Batman” promotion.

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM11234

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