Camelot Theatres

The original 625 seat Camelot Theatre located at the Palm Springs Shopping Center was opened on February 4, 1967 by then President of Metropolitan Theatres Sherrill Corwin at a cost of $750,000.00. The heralded state-of-the-art cinema, equipped to the standards of only three other theatres in the United States, debuted with a star-studded screening of “Dr. Zhivago” for the United Fund.

Celebrities in attendance for that sold out performance included Barbara Rush, Suzanne Pleshette, Mr. and Mrs. David Jansses, Bill Bixby, John Shubeck, Lily Pons and Jolie and Eva Gabor. For those unable to obtain the heady $100.00 per couple tickets to this major event, two radio stations in town, KDES and KCMJ broadcasted the evening’s event live.

That evening set the stage for what was to become nearly two decades of success for Camelot Theatre as well as the growing chain of Metropolitan Theatres. In the early 1970’s Camelot was expanded to include a second theatre screen and then became a tri-plex in the late 70’s when the second auditorium was split to seat 202 and 214. The theatre and its owner Metropolitan continued their successful run through the 70 and 80’s. But as competition began to take shape in the valley in the early 90’s and the era of multi-plexs was born, market conditions began to change.

Citing tough economic conditions from competition, diminishing attendance numbers and high operating costs for the then 25-year-old building, Metropolitan Theatres closed Camelot Theatres on January 15, 1992 after the Third Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. Saved from the wrecking ball by the Palm Springs Shopping Mall management as it searched for another tenant, the theatre remained closed and dormant for several years. Many various uses were considered including new theatre operators and even discussions that the City of Palm Springs should buy the building, but no firm offers came for nearly 8 years.

Then in November of 1999 Ric and Rozene Supple, the owners of KPSI / KDES Radio purchased the building and renovated the three-screen theatre complex as the new Festival Of Arts Theatres. The theatre herald once more the emergence of a state-of-the-art theatre beautifully designed and laden with the finest sound and projection equipment offering an overall movie experience unmatched in the desert valley.

Seizing on the opportunity for a growing market niche, programming for the new Festival Of Arts theatres was to be community driven, offering foreign and art films that appealed to the eclectic appetite of surrounding residents. The theatre also once more became the home for The Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs Festival of Short Films and an ever-growing list of other prestigious annual events.

Noting the exciting yet confusing list of film events springing up throughout the Coachella Valley theatre management contemplated a name change in the later half of 2001. The idea was to better distinguish the year-round theatre from numerous similarly named events in the desert. They reflected fondly with many long time residents on the theatre’s glory days while focusing on the exciting future that lay on the horizon. On February 1, 2002 it was announced that the Festival of Arts banner was to be retired to once again resurrect the name Camelot!

Over it’s brief new history Camelot Theatres has shown such acclaimed films as “O Brother Where Art Thou”, “Big Eden”, “The Deep End”, “Monster’s Ball”, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, as well as the local box-office phenomenon “Sordid Lives”. The quality presentation as well as the tailor made programming of unique films put the theatre on the map as the deserts first choice for superior entertainment offering rare, fun and intelligent films to be enjoyed by old and young alike.

Camelot Theatres is located on the South side of the Palm Springs Mall parking lot at 2300 Baristo Road, Palm Springs. Camelot Theatres is a three-screen movie house and entertainment complex specializing in first-run art film, foreign film, independent film features and special events. Newly renovated in 1999, it is one of a handful of theatres in the country with its level of technical sophistication. The large house (548 seats) also contains a performance platform live performances and the small house (152 seats) contains a lecture stage. The theatre is programmed 52 weeks a year and is also available for group sales and rental.

The facility also contains Ric’s Cafe serving a large canopied outdoor patio, offering a complete menu of fresh salads, sandwiches, bakery goods, beer and wine, and gourmet coffees. Camelot Theatres also has a full liquor license and offers complete catering services for groups and special events.

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

trooperboots on January 1, 2005 at 5:30 pm

January 6-17 is the PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. The stars coming for this event are amazing. The official website is http://www.psfilmfest.org

This is one of 3 venues for the festival this year. The others are the Signature Theaters on Taquitz Canyon and Palm Springs High School auditorium. All theaters are located within a few blocks of each other.

stanleydiaz on March 16, 2005 at 4:02 am

I was one of the projectionists of the camelot from about 1973 to 1977 when it had a D-150 screen 70mm and 6 channel sound. It was run by F. Hugh Thomas, a third generation Master showman with standards unmatched in the industry. To go from the small “flat” previews and then open the huge 70 foot screen while the picture was projecting on the giant curtain while it was opening was a magnificent event to behold. It was as if the heavens were opening up. Stanley Diaz

trooperboots on May 25, 2005 at 10:11 pm

This theater is about to have a FILM NOIR FESTIVAL on June 2-5…

I recommend a call to the theater the day of the event to confirm guest appearances. Some of these films are being shown on one of only 1 or 2 prints remaining. It is not to be missed if you are in the area.

Thursday June 2nd 7:30 pm – OPENING NIGHT with actress Salome Jens
SECONDS (1966)

Friday June 3rd 10:00 am
BLONDE ICE (1948)

Friday June 3rd 1:00 pm w/ Special guest Paul Picerni
I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE F.B.I. (1951)

Friday June 3rd 4:00 pm
with special guest James MacArthur & Ray Bradbury book signing
CRIME WITHOUT PASSION (1934)

Friday June 3rd 7:30 pm
an evening with Mamie Van Doren on stage
GUNS, GIRLS, AND GANGSTERS (1959)

Saturday June 4th 10:00 am
TRY AND GET ME (1950)

Saturday June 4th 1:00 pm
THE GLASS WEB (1953)

Saturday June 4th 4:00 pm w/ Special guest Stanley Rubin
THE NARROW MARGIN (1952)

Saturday June 4th 7:30 pm w/ Special guest Robert Forster
JACKIE BROWN (1997)

Sunday June 5th 10:00 am
GUILTY BYSTANDER (1950)

Sunday June 5th 1:00 pm
Actress Nancy Coleman in a special guest appearance.
SUDDENLY (1954)

Sunday June 5th 4:00 pm
DESTINY (1944)

Sunday June 5th 7:30 pm – Special Guest director George Englund
THE NIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING DAY (1969)

For complete info on films and prices, go to: http://www.palmspringsfilmnoir.com/

lostmemory on October 29, 2006 at 5:46 am

1967 photos of the Camelot Theater can be seen here.

William on August 3, 2010 at 6:22 am

When this theatre opened as a D-150 house the full screen was 30 feet high by 68 feet wide.

RobertAlex on October 14, 2010 at 5:15 pm

In September 2010, The Camelot Theatres added digital projection in their main house on the large screen, and one of the smaller auditoriums. Theater #3 is still 35mm.

RogerA on July 3, 2012 at 10:47 am

And the Norelco 35/70 projectors were removed making it no longer possible for the big theater to run 70mm.

Tinseltoes on July 25, 2012 at 6:53 am

Described in this 1967 trade article: Boxoffice

jeremyproctor on July 26, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Official Information: In June 2011, Camelot Theatres upgraded Aud #1 to allow for Digital Cinema Projection by installing a Christie Solaria CP2230 projector. All existing equipement in Aud #1 remained, with the exception of 16mm. The Norelco 35/70mm projectors are still operational and we are still capable of running reel-to-reel, two projector changeovers. 70mm can only be ran if it has a DTS soundtrack. By the end of August 2012, we will have fully upgraded to Digital Cinema, leaving existing 35mm equipment in Aud #1 and Aud #3. Aud #2 will be exclusively digital, due to space contstrains. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me directly at . – Thank You :)