1942 photo as the Hester Theatre added.
Below history via Bob Emerson:
The Hester Theater opened in 1926 as a neighborhood theater in the Rose Garden district of San Jose.
The Theater name given as Hester theater in remembrance of Craven P. Hester, former district attorney for San Jose and then judge of the Third Judicial District in 1850. Christened the Hester Theatre, Its original neo-Egyptian/Spanish style façade, designed by architects Binder and Curtis, was modernized when the theater was renamed the Towne in 1952.
The Hester was the first neighborhood theater in San Jose. And Hester Elementary School is just across the street.
1926 photo added via Rudy Davila.
Easter Sunrise Service 1949 print ad added courtesy Jon Reed.
Underside of the Dattola marquee in a 1946 then & now photo added courtesy Matt Suzon.
1946 then & now photo added courtesy Matt Suzon.
Building is currently Top Shape Gym, the second fitness and yoga studio after a physical therapy outfit.
Facebook page devoted to saving the Regent.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/842383315899492/?tn-str=*F
Just to clarify, the theater portion opened in 1964. The rest of the complex opened in 1970.
1978 Firestone Super Stones print ad added, tied into “Grease” at the Pix Theatre.
Photo credit Sid Avery 1965.
https://www.mptvimages.com/images/128057/pix-theater-playing-cat-ballou-1965-1978-sid-avery
May 2, 2019 KIVI News update on the Pix Theatre.
https://www.kivitv.com/news/state-of-208/nampas-historic-pix-theatre-shows-new-beginnings-for-a-hopeful-encore
That official website link is dead, even when linked to from the Towne 3 Cinemas Facebook and Twitter pages below.
https://www.facebook.com/Towne3Cinemas/posts/2463985013635323
https://twitter.com/towne3cinemas?lang=en
1969 photo and below history added via Bob Emerson:
PRUNEYARD SHOPPING CENTER. San Jose.
It features three office towers built in 1970, one of which is the tallest building in the area outside downtown San Jose.
In the Center, there is an inn, many shops and a movie theater built in 1964 and renovated in 1994 and 2018.
1942 photo as the Hester Theatre added. Below history via Bob Emerson:
The Hester Theater opened in 1926 as a neighborhood theater in the Rose Garden district of San Jose.
The Theater name given as Hester theater in remembrance of Craven P. Hester, former district attorney for San Jose and then judge of the Third Judicial District in 1850. Christened the Hester Theatre, Its original neo-Egyptian/Spanish style façade, designed by architects Binder and Curtis, was modernized when the theater was renamed the Towne in 1952.
The Hester was the first neighborhood theater in San Jose. And Hester Elementary School is just across the street.
Undated marquee screen grab added via Andrea Thomas.
1970s image added via Dan Summers.
September 1992 closing article image added via Thomas Andrew.
Racine Misfit Band.
Six 1977 demolition photos added credit Douglas Gotch.
“What Price Glory” released 11/23/26, photo added courtesy 13 & Woodward Facebook page.
Converted into apartments with the former entrance as a driveway.
Update 1930.
Incredible December 1929 photo added, with illuminated domes.
Four images added credit Vintage News-Register.
August 11, 1949 photo as Lark Theater added, credit Vintage News-Register.
Parts Unknown Santa Fe is the current clothing store tenant. Link to a photo of the interior on their Facebook page below.
https://www.facebook.com/PartsUnknownSantaFe/photos/a.871830489560675/885204768223247/?type=1&theater