Fairfax Theatre

5345 Foothill Boulevard,
Oakland, CA 94601

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Showing 26 - 31 of 31 comments

AndyT
AndyT on April 12, 2004 at 1:22 pm

Okay, I am drawing a blank on this one. I grew up in the area but now live far too far away for a visit. Was this theatre operated under a different name in the 50s and 60s? The address isn’t helping me to remember it —– what else was in the neighborhood? Jeez —– getting old can be painful!!!

gsmurph
gsmurph on February 15, 2004 at 9:16 pm

Uh, probably this entry should be updated to “Fairfax Theatre,” theaddress to 5345 Foothill Boulevard, the architect to Reid Brothers and the seating capacity to 1493. Just a suggestion (from the one who originally entered this theater).

William
William on December 3, 2003 at 3:24 pm

The Fairfax Theatre is located at 5345 Foothill Blvd. and it seated 1493 people when it was a movie theatre.

unknown
unknown on October 28, 2003 at 3:24 am

I am in the process of a renovation of a spanish revival theatre in Eureka Ca that was done by reid bros.Richard Sweasey.any idea if old plans were archieved somewhere we have a few pages but poor quality and incomplete…thanks…kurt

GaryParks
GaryParks on April 3, 2003 at 11:26 pm

A plan to include this church/theatre in this year’s American Theatre Organ Society Convention’s program fell through. An Allen electronic theatre organ was to have been temporarily installed in the organ chambers for a concert. That this isn’t going to happen is truly a disappointment.

GaryParks
GaryParks on January 8, 2003 at 9:37 pm

The architects were Reid Bros. The interior of this theatre is kept wonderfully intact by the church. Even the original curtain has been retained.

The auditorium is a near twin to Reid Bros.‘ Golden State in Monterey (see “UA State” in Cinematreasures’ Theatre Guide—California). The front edge of the balcony however is more ornate, using the same plaster ornament found on that in the Grand Lake, Oakland. The lobby spaces of the Fairfax are completely different and less lofty than those in the State. Reid Bros. loved to include flag poles on the facades of their theatres. The Fairfax is one of very few to have these still extant, at least when I was there a few years ago. The marquee is a later (1930s) remodel.

My thanks to the Fairfax Lighthouse Deliverance Center’s Rev. Billy Sheard, who allowed me to see and photograph the interior in detail, when he learned that I was involved in the revival of the Fairfax’s “sister” theatre in Monterey. Should any fellow Classic Cinemaphiles be given access to this lovely theatre, I know they’d appreciate a donation as a Thank You.