MikeRogers……‘Cause we lived it, not dreamed it’ How right you are. Unfortunatly, I have learned that there some of us who actually get theatre exhibition in “the blood”, but others, the majority of course, who had nothing more than a job that really means nothing to them. It seems their lives go in different directions and never really share the same feelings others do. People who I thought shared my “theatre feelings” usually change the subject whenever I bring up the good old theatre days. Very sad.
Mann was a major player in SoCal And a lot of other places. However, he claimed his “major play” in MOST of Caifornia off of his aquisition of National General Theatres, which was at the time the major player. After selling/closing most of the original chain of NGC Theatres, he sold or closed most of the theatres he built. You can count on one hand MANN THEATRES still under that banner.
Please note spelling of theatre, in neon, above marquee. There is an ACCENT mark between the L & O. It would be pronounced the same as COLOGNE.
This theatre has nothing to do with the human bowel system.
This theatre was recently purchased by a new investor who promises to re-open the theatre by mid-summer of 2010. Will be used for live/civic attractions. No showing of films was mentioned in article..(Peninsula Examiner,5/10)
I was too young to remember the Baywood (operated by Fox West Coast), but I remember the manager and his asst. , who were then at the Fox San Mateo Theatre talking about how they still missed being there at the Baywood. And I always had to laugh, because the Baywood had been gone by then for 25 years!! I only can remember when it was Thrifty, and that’s been long gone for years.
Ward was still trying to hang in there with the Encore in the early 70’s while he was in the maint. dept. with National General/Mann Theatres. It would seem he finally closed it around 72 or 73. It never reopened after that.
However said, the name MANN has been the largest moving force of closing/selling theatres since 1971, and I mean 100’s of them nationwide. Must have been evil forces involved when he removed the name GRAUMAN from the CHINESE and added his name. Poor choice for trying to power out fame from a name. Not only is Mann himself gone, so is his “what’s left” legacy of theatres.
Many thanks for the above photo you mention. I received it thru your personal Email. If you scroll up this site,look for comments from Joe Vogel. He has posted several great pictures of this little theatre. Also check out Fox Theatre, Redwood City on this site, you’ll find more great comments and pictures of that once beautiful theatre!!
In the 60’s, I don’t think there was any Bay Area theatre that did'nt have the same thing going on EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT.
Kiddie Matinees you mention was a standard at ALL Bay Area Fox Theatres. Some Fox houses ran those “strip ticket” shows even in the winter, but only on Saturday mornings before regular matinee shows.
Better yet, do you remember when Broadway Markets sponsered Kiddie Shows, when they gave the tickets away for free???
I was confused by the location of this multi-plex because there was a second Mann’s Old Town (no E) 6 plex in Reno NV. It was small, boxy, and the auditoriums were strictly shooting galleries. Lobby was strictly functional with no personality. This theatre was supposed to be the “replacement” for the demolished CREST THEATRE downtown. It was no match, and did not last long. This was the end of Mann Theatres in Northern Nevada.
The Starlite Drive-in was operated by United Artists Theatres. There was also a sister drive-in located in Palo Alto known as the Palo Alto Drive-in Theatre, which was located near Bayshore Freeway (101).
William………… Many thanks! That was one busy theatre in the 60’s and 70’s. Believe it or not, there were times when it out-grossed the Fox Warfield.
Unable to find link to the Crest Theatre which was located right next door to the Warfield. Anybody know?
MikeRogers……‘Cause we lived it, not dreamed it’ How right you are. Unfortunatly, I have learned that there some of us who actually get theatre exhibition in “the blood”, but others, the majority of course, who had nothing more than a job that really means nothing to them. It seems their lives go in different directions and never really share the same feelings others do. People who I thought shared my “theatre feelings” usually change the subject whenever I bring up the good old theatre days. Very sad.
GREAT MARQUEE. LIGHTING DESIGN UNDER CANOPY MUST BE VERY UNIQUE WHEN LIT!!
I think it’s great when these classic houses upgrade to Spanish language format.
Mann was a major player in SoCal And a lot of other places. However, he claimed his “major play” in MOST of Caifornia off of his aquisition of National General Theatres, which was at the time the major player. After selling/closing most of the original chain of NGC Theatres, he sold or closed most of the theatres he built. You can count on one hand MANN THEATRES still under that banner.
Amazing how many theatres were built and operated by Mann Theatres. What’s more amazing is how fast they closed up and were demolished.
Even though the theatre changed name to BOB HOPE THEATRE, It was good they still recognized, and left the original name on the building.
tisloews……..You’re absolutely right, a whole lot better!!
Please note spelling of theatre, in neon, above marquee. There is an ACCENT mark between the L & O. It would be pronounced the same as COLOGNE.
This theatre has nothing to do with the human bowel system.
This theatre was recently purchased by a new investor who promises to re-open the theatre by mid-summer of 2010. Will be used for live/civic attractions. No showing of films was mentioned in article..(Peninsula Examiner,5/10)
ken mc
Yes, this is the old Baywood Theatre. Located on B St. between 3rd and 4th St. See my earlier post above in regard to location.
This theatre was operated by National General Theatres, later Mann Theatres who closed it.
Thanks for the update, Gary.
I was too young to remember the Baywood (operated by Fox West Coast), but I remember the manager and his asst. , who were then at the Fox San Mateo Theatre talking about how they still missed being there at the Baywood. And I always had to laugh, because the Baywood had been gone by then for 25 years!! I only can remember when it was Thrifty, and that’s been long gone for years.
Ward was still trying to hang in there with the Encore in the early 70’s while he was in the maint. dept. with National General/Mann Theatres. It would seem he finally closed it around 72 or 73. It never reopened after that.
Gary.
What is going on with that building now??? I know it is no longer a THRIFTY Drug.
Does anyone remember when Ward Stoopes owned and operated this theatre?? I’m sure he was the last operator of this wonderful little showhouse.
Only in Arkansas.
However said, the name MANN has been the largest moving force of closing/selling theatres since 1971, and I mean 100’s of them nationwide. Must have been evil forces involved when he removed the name GRAUMAN from the CHINESE and added his name. Poor choice for trying to power out fame from a name. Not only is Mann himself gone, so is his “what’s left” legacy of theatres.
Redwood Red,
Many thanks for the above photo you mention. I received it thru your personal Email. If you scroll up this site,look for comments from Joe Vogel. He has posted several great pictures of this little theatre. Also check out Fox Theatre, Redwood City on this site, you’ll find more great comments and pictures of that once beautiful theatre!!
Current Bank of America is on corner of Jefferson Ave. and Marshall St., with the parking lot on corner of Broadway and Jefferson..
I notice that the old Montgomery St. that changed in the mid 50’s was renamed WINKLEBLECK ST.
In the 60’s, I don’t think there was any Bay Area theatre that did'nt have the same thing going on EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT.
Kiddie Matinees you mention was a standard at ALL Bay Area Fox Theatres. Some Fox houses ran those “strip ticket” shows even in the winter, but only on Saturday mornings before regular matinee shows.
Better yet, do you remember when Broadway Markets sponsered Kiddie Shows, when they gave the tickets away for free???
Lost Memory
What a great picture!
I was confused by the location of this multi-plex because there was a second Mann’s Old Town (no E) 6 plex in Reno NV. It was small, boxy, and the auditoriums were strictly shooting galleries. Lobby was strictly functional with no personality. This theatre was supposed to be the “replacement” for the demolished CREST THEATRE downtown. It was no match, and did not last long. This was the end of Mann Theatres in Northern Nevada.
The Starlite Drive-in was operated by United Artists Theatres. There was also a sister drive-in located in Palo Alto known as the Palo Alto Drive-in Theatre, which was located near Bayshore Freeway (101).