Orinda Theatre
Moraga Way and Brookwood Road,
Orinda,
CA
94563
Moraga Way and Brookwood Road,
Orinda,
CA
94563
17 people
favorited this theater
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The Orinda Theater opened on 27th December 1941 with a seating capacity of 834.
This is one of the finer examples of deco in the Bay Area. The vertical neon sign, and the theatre’s main auditorium have been beautifully restored. The lobby is warm and inviting, with it’s etched-glass doors, plush carpeting, and chandeleirs. The main (original) auditorium is stunning. Beautiful original murals adorn the walls. A classy plush curtain hangs in front of the stage and the colors and lighting inside, remind you that you are indeed going out to see a movie (not in front of a TV).
The other two, added, auditoriums are not quite as impressive. The decoration in them is nice, but does not stand out like the main one’s does. Their screens are quite small, and frankly, if the movie I wanted to see was not playing in the main auditorium, I wouldn’t bother. Regardless though, this is a true class act of a theatre. A good example of an older theatre being tastefully rejuvinated.
Love the Orinda. Always the first choice to see a first run in the East bay. Also the sithe of the two year old Orinda Film Festival, which has guested Faye Dunaway and Jacqueline Bisset in its first two years!
Walt and Pat Sonnenstuhl, of the Art Deco Society Northwest, lived in Orinda, CA from 1973-1983 when the “Save the Orinda Theater” group was able to save this historic building from the wrecking ball. We were both members of group, and Walt contributed his musical talent to fund raisers. Bob and Lois McKim did yearly musicals, and in 1982 “Sly Masterful' played by Dale Lindholm was the villain of "That’s Entertainment”.
Razzmatazz provided musical support for the musicals, and Walt was part of this group. This musical was a spoof on the issue and increased awareness of the Save the Orinda Theater efforts. Once
the theater became a historical landmark it was saved. The theater is currently being used as a cinema. The photos below were taken by Walt Sonnenstuhl, and these Art Deco images would have been lost without saving this priceless piece of Art Deco.
Walt was the proprietor of Orinda Electronics which was across the street from this glorious structure. Our thanks to Walt Sonnenstuhl of the Art Deco Society Nortwest, and John Gerecht a local Olympia area photographer for helping the Webmidwife create these graphics. Walt can be reached by email: . More information and pictures:
http://www.artdeconw.org/restororinda.html
Thanks to all those wonderful people (and you know who you are) who contributed funds or efforts to restore and preserve this marvelous Art Deco Moderne picture palace – one of the Bay Area’s finest. We must have something of real artistic value to leave our posterity more than strip malls and cineplexes. If you want a first class cinema experience, visit the Orinda Theater, and you will not be disappointed!
errata: My comment above SHOULD say, “Court of the Moon towers at the 1939-1940 (NOT 1930-1940) Golden Gate Exposition…”
Even when new, it can be argued that the Orinda was one of the finest theatres built in the Bay Area during the 40s. It is one of only two theatres I know of which drew their exterior inspiration directly from the Court of the Moon towers at the 1930-1940 Golden Gate Exposition on Treasure Island (the other theatre to do so was the Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, a 1939 remodel of a 1920 theatre—still standing as an office/retail building, but minus its tower). The architect of the Orinda was Alexander Aimwell Cantin. The theatre is in beautiful shape, inside and out, and is currently operated by Renaissance Rialto Theatres. Two additional screens were added in a deco bank building next door, utilizing elements from other lost theatres, most notably the gutted Garden Theatre in San Jose.