The Tower Theatre was located on Virginia St. between Liberty St. and Pine St. The Pioneer Center is located at Virgnia St. and State St. A huge Wells Fargo Bank building sits where the Tower Theatre would have been. Sorry for the error.
The United Artists GRANADA THEATRE on W. 1st St. was operating as a twin theatre up until the flood of 97, which devastated the theatre and every business around it. Every building on that side of the street was torn down due to unrepairable damage. My wife and I got an inside view of the Granada from the front door and the entire lobby was in 3 to 4 feet deep in silt. We were unable to pass through the front doors. It was soon demolished and replaced with a beautiful 14 floor condo building. A new 12 plex CENTURY CINEMA sits directly across the street, entrance facing the Truckee River.
Such a nice little theatre, as few seats as it had, compared to larger downtown Reno theatres,ie Majestic at 1st & Center and the Granada on 1st St. the Crest was always the “big hit” house. It most certainly was re-done by Carl G. Moeller. It definetly had his style of the typical Skouras Fox house of the time. The Skouras-ized theatre will always be my favorite.
One thing I wonder about is the original name of Wigwam because on the corner of 2nd & Sierra St. was a Wigwam Coffee Shop which at the time was a chain of restaurants in the Nevada area. I wonder if there was a connection between the two in regards to ownership.
Before my time, there was also a TOWER THEATRE in the south Virginia St. area, I am not sure exactly where that was. I do remember the MIDWAY DRIVE_IN where Peppermill Hotel Casino now sits, on So. Virginia St.
Joe I think the name change/remodel must have took place in 1948 , as the Nevada Theatre ads seem to run thru the 40’s. As far into 1946, the theatre was still advertising under the Nevada Theatre.My info came from a long time Reno guy who thought the change occured in 1950-51. I know it was Skouras-ized, more like in 48 than 50. It operated as the Crest since that time, until it closed in the early/mid 70’s.
Nevada Theatre was Skouras-ized with name change to CREST around 1950-51, if my sources are correct. I do believe info is correct, as the Skouras style was in line with the type of remodel done in the early 50’s. The jewel type box office told the whole story at time of remodel. Operated by Fox West Coast/National General Theatres for many years. Mann closed the Crest in early 70’s.
If information I received is correct, The Nevada Theatre was changed to the Crest Theatre around 1950-51. Operated by Fox West Coast Theatres, not sure if FWC operated during the time it was Nevada Theatre. It most certainly is the same theatre. It was also Skouras-sized at the same time of name change. That was all part of the grand opening. Not a huge theatre, but FWC maintained it as a first class theatre for years. Later closed by Mann, and demolished for a short lived casino expansion ( Mapes Money Tree Casino).
I am sure the JW’s did not need to make “an offering” to their god. The theatre was restored for a meeting place. They have no obligation to you or anyone else to offer free tours then spend the whole tour time fixated on the theatres past. They did not buy/restore it for its past. They purchased and restored for their use now and future.
I confirm with my last post, You have issues with the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a faith more than with what they are doing with their building. You are entirely to fixated on this topic. Move on.
Great pic, Lost Memory!! Loved the TEXACO gas station. The theatre was probably fairly new when this photo was taken. I always enjoy your photos!! Thanks again.
In reading all of the posts from SCHMADRIAN, it would appear she takes more issue with the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a faith, than what they have done to preserve the theatre as a whole. It still looks like a theatre, most beautifully restored. It is their purpose to use it for their purpose as a meeting place, nothing else. The JWs did not purchase and restore the theatre to ballyhoo the movie theatre industry, that is not what they are about. They are not film exhibitors, they are a faith that showed enough respect to preserve and restore the theatre, keeping it from a wrecking ball. It’s sad that SCHMADRIAN accepted the hospitality of the FREE TOUR, then have so many posts of complaints. I would say she is not a very gracious guest.
Overselling yes! However, we referred to them as an “overpunch”. New cashiers were great for that. We would end up filling out special overpunch forms for EACH ticket, which in turn had to be submitted with the daily box office report to LA. I can still hear the sound those AUTOMATICKET machines made every time a ticket was punched.
Correction to above comment, After visiting the CT Palm Theatre site, it was noted that porno was running there for a long time. It doesn’t seem possible that Westside/Valley had let that theatre go so long ago. A first run house for so many years. I guess time got away from me. It must have been sold or leased back in the early 70’s, when porno was the main attraction there.
Joe, You are probably correct. As I now recall, it would seem when Westside/Valley Theatres closed the Laurel Theatre in San Carlos, there was an attempt to re-open the theatre with porn films. This may have been an outfit known as San Carlos Cinemas. The Laurel was a FIRST CLASS theatre while Westside/Valley operated it for many years. Since the Laurel is in a upper class neighborhood, residents threw a complete fit at the thought of porno in the beautiful Laurel. The city listened, and it never happened. It was eventually torn down, and upper scale condos replaced it. The Palm in San Mateo was in the same situation, also operated by Westside/Valley. It would seem porn did go on there for a while, but not long. However, when it comes to the Carlos Theatre and the San Mateo Theatre it was operated by National General Theatres and previous Fox West Coast from the beginning to the day they closed. The San Mateo closed first in about 73, while I was still managing the Fox Skyline in San Bruno. The Carlos closed around 75 or 76. The Fox Skyline and Fox Burlingame and Carlos all closed, by Mann Theatres by 1976. No other operator was ever involved with the Carlos or Fox San Mateo.
The Laurel Theatre in San Carlos was operated by Westside/Valley Theatres. The Carlos Theatre was operated by National General Theatres. The San Mateo Theatre was operated by National General Theatres. The Palm was operated by Westside Valley Theatres. The Palm Theatre may have changed owners in the 70’s as I seem to remember, but not positive. There was no connection to “San Carlos Cinemas”, to above mentioned theatres author lists. In fact, I have never even heard of San Carlos Cinemas as ever being a chain of any kind. May have been Paris Theatre by itself. The Paris Theatre was originally opened by a local married couple, they may have sold it in later years.
Those are definetly AUTOMATICKET machines!! They came out sometime in the late 40’s and were the standard for most theatres until the advent of computers. I would like a nickel for every day through the years I threaded those machines, prior to box office opening time!
Old Town Mall 3 Cinemas was built to replace the beautiful Crest. However, it was nothing to brag about, VERY small, unadorned, and funtional at best. Mann was not much for building attractive theatres. He seemed to be into functional only shooting galleries with seats. I am sure Charlie Skouras has turned over a few times after Mann bought the nationwide chain of FOX THEATRES.
In regards to above news article, I remember well when Charlie Mapes opened the MONEY TREE ON Virginia St. When he later bought the entire block for his expansion, he put a lot of long time busineses out. It was a VERY short time after that, that he lost everything due to poor business. He even lost his flagship MAPES HOTEL AND CASINO. What’s so funny about the whole deal, is that the original MONEY TREE CASINO on Virginia is STILL CLOSED. It’s too bad that the beautiful little Crest Theatre was demolished for one of Mapes failures. Mapes also pleaded with the City of Reno for control of the MAJESTIC THEATRE which was on the corner of First and Center St.s. He wanted the property to demolish for a parking area which was located right behind his MAPES HOTEL. Of course, he eventually got it. Another beautiful theatre lost. Now that entire block is nothing more than a huge cement park, that is just a “hang out” for homeless and bad ass teenagers.
FOX TOWN AND COUNTRY THEATRE was originally owned by National General Theatres.It was sold to CENTURY THEATRES in the early 70’s when Mann took over and sold or closed all the Bay Area theatres under the FOX/NATIONAL GENERAL banner.
How well I remember Ward Stoopes, he was a true showman. During the 70’s, he was working for National General Theatres in the maintenance dept. He and Marvin Atkinson did all the theatre maint. for the SF/Bay Area NGT. I was managing the Fox Skyline at the time. Ward and I became such good friends. At the time, he was struggling to keep the Encore Theatre in Burlingame going. He eventually had to close it and was he heartbroken. I lost track of Ward after I left the Fox in 75. Was so disturbed to hear he had passed away. He will always remain in my thoughts.
Also just noted, CT incorrectly listed operator as National General Amusements. It was actually built and operated by National General Theatres a division of National General Corp.
Comments above are somewhat correct, however Rancho Cordova is one of many “districts” of many names, but still considered Sacramento. I did error in stating I-80, theatre was actually right off Highway 50, east of downtown Sacto.
Does anyone remember when Jim Sutton managed this theatre in the early 70’s? He later left there to become district manager for No. Cal. division for National General. I remember working under him when he was DM, what a great guy he was. Would like to hear from anyone who would know where he is now.
What a great website for BRENDEN THEATRES. It would appear that these are first class theatres. The auditoriums and lobbys appear to be ornately decorated, with a “classic theatre” appearance. No shooting gallery appearence here!
Was also surprised that Brenden is the grandson of Ted Mann. The newer MANN THEATRES built in the 70’s and 80’s certainly do not look like the BRENDEN THEATRES of today.
The Tower Theatre was located on Virginia St., between Liberty and Pine. A Wells Fargo Bank highrise is now at that site.
Correction to above location…..
The Tower Theatre was located on Virginia St. between Liberty St. and Pine St. The Pioneer Center is located at Virgnia St. and State St. A huge Wells Fargo Bank building sits where the Tower Theatre would have been. Sorry for the error.
The United Artists GRANADA THEATRE on W. 1st St. was operating as a twin theatre up until the flood of 97, which devastated the theatre and every business around it. Every building on that side of the street was torn down due to unrepairable damage. My wife and I got an inside view of the Granada from the front door and the entire lobby was in 3 to 4 feet deep in silt. We were unable to pass through the front doors. It was soon demolished and replaced with a beautiful 14 floor condo building. A new 12 plex CENTURY CINEMA sits directly across the street, entrance facing the Truckee River.
Such a nice little theatre, as few seats as it had, compared to larger downtown Reno theatres,ie Majestic at 1st & Center and the Granada on 1st St. the Crest was always the “big hit” house. It most certainly was re-done by Carl G. Moeller. It definetly had his style of the typical Skouras Fox house of the time. The Skouras-ized theatre will always be my favorite.
One thing I wonder about is the original name of Wigwam because on the corner of 2nd & Sierra St. was a Wigwam Coffee Shop which at the time was a chain of restaurants in the Nevada area. I wonder if there was a connection between the two in regards to ownership.
Before my time, there was also a TOWER THEATRE in the south Virginia St. area, I am not sure exactly where that was. I do remember the MIDWAY DRIVE_IN where Peppermill Hotel Casino now sits, on So. Virginia St.
Joe I think the name change/remodel must have took place in 1948 , as the Nevada Theatre ads seem to run thru the 40’s. As far into 1946, the theatre was still advertising under the Nevada Theatre.My info came from a long time Reno guy who thought the change occured in 1950-51. I know it was Skouras-ized, more like in 48 than 50. It operated as the Crest since that time, until it closed in the early/mid 70’s.
Nevada Theatre was Skouras-ized with name change to CREST around 1950-51, if my sources are correct. I do believe info is correct, as the Skouras style was in line with the type of remodel done in the early 50’s. The jewel type box office told the whole story at time of remodel. Operated by Fox West Coast/National General Theatres for many years. Mann closed the Crest in early 70’s.
If information I received is correct, The Nevada Theatre was changed to the Crest Theatre around 1950-51. Operated by Fox West Coast Theatres, not sure if FWC operated during the time it was Nevada Theatre. It most certainly is the same theatre. It was also Skouras-sized at the same time of name change. That was all part of the grand opening. Not a huge theatre, but FWC maintained it as a first class theatre for years. Later closed by Mann, and demolished for a short lived casino expansion ( Mapes Money Tree Casino).
Looks like a REAL theatre in 1957. It doesn’t now. What happened??
SCHMADRIAN
I am sure the JW’s did not need to make “an offering” to their god. The theatre was restored for a meeting place. They have no obligation to you or anyone else to offer free tours then spend the whole tour time fixated on the theatres past. They did not buy/restore it for its past. They purchased and restored for their use now and future.
I confirm with my last post, You have issues with the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a faith more than with what they are doing with their building. You are entirely to fixated on this topic. Move on.
Great pic, Lost Memory!! Loved the TEXACO gas station. The theatre was probably fairly new when this photo was taken. I always enjoy your photos!! Thanks again.
In reading all of the posts from SCHMADRIAN, it would appear she takes more issue with the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a faith, than what they have done to preserve the theatre as a whole. It still looks like a theatre, most beautifully restored. It is their purpose to use it for their purpose as a meeting place, nothing else. The JWs did not purchase and restore the theatre to ballyhoo the movie theatre industry, that is not what they are about. They are not film exhibitors, they are a faith that showed enough respect to preserve and restore the theatre, keeping it from a wrecking ball. It’s sad that SCHMADRIAN accepted the hospitality of the FREE TOUR, then have so many posts of complaints. I would say she is not a very gracious guest.
Overselling yes! However, we referred to them as an “overpunch”. New cashiers were great for that. We would end up filling out special overpunch forms for EACH ticket, which in turn had to be submitted with the daily box office report to LA. I can still hear the sound those AUTOMATICKET machines made every time a ticket was punched.
Correction to above comment, After visiting the CT Palm Theatre site, it was noted that porno was running there for a long time. It doesn’t seem possible that Westside/Valley had let that theatre go so long ago. A first run house for so many years. I guess time got away from me. It must have been sold or leased back in the early 70’s, when porno was the main attraction there.
Joe, You are probably correct. As I now recall, it would seem when Westside/Valley Theatres closed the Laurel Theatre in San Carlos, there was an attempt to re-open the theatre with porn films. This may have been an outfit known as San Carlos Cinemas. The Laurel was a FIRST CLASS theatre while Westside/Valley operated it for many years. Since the Laurel is in a upper class neighborhood, residents threw a complete fit at the thought of porno in the beautiful Laurel. The city listened, and it never happened. It was eventually torn down, and upper scale condos replaced it. The Palm in San Mateo was in the same situation, also operated by Westside/Valley. It would seem porn did go on there for a while, but not long. However, when it comes to the Carlos Theatre and the San Mateo Theatre it was operated by National General Theatres and previous Fox West Coast from the beginning to the day they closed. The San Mateo closed first in about 73, while I was still managing the Fox Skyline in San Bruno. The Carlos closed around 75 or 76. The Fox Skyline and Fox Burlingame and Carlos all closed, by Mann Theatres by 1976. No other operator was ever involved with the Carlos or Fox San Mateo.
The Laurel Theatre in San Carlos was operated by Westside/Valley Theatres. The Carlos Theatre was operated by National General Theatres. The San Mateo Theatre was operated by National General Theatres. The Palm was operated by Westside Valley Theatres. The Palm Theatre may have changed owners in the 70’s as I seem to remember, but not positive. There was no connection to “San Carlos Cinemas”, to above mentioned theatres author lists. In fact, I have never even heard of San Carlos Cinemas as ever being a chain of any kind. May have been Paris Theatre by itself. The Paris Theatre was originally opened by a local married couple, they may have sold it in later years.
Those are definetly AUTOMATICKET machines!! They came out sometime in the late 40’s and were the standard for most theatres until the advent of computers. I would like a nickel for every day through the years I threaded those machines, prior to box office opening time!
Old Town Mall 3 Cinemas was built to replace the beautiful Crest. However, it was nothing to brag about, VERY small, unadorned, and funtional at best. Mann was not much for building attractive theatres. He seemed to be into functional only shooting galleries with seats. I am sure Charlie Skouras has turned over a few times after Mann bought the nationwide chain of FOX THEATRES.
In regards to above news article, I remember well when Charlie Mapes opened the MONEY TREE ON Virginia St. When he later bought the entire block for his expansion, he put a lot of long time busineses out. It was a VERY short time after that, that he lost everything due to poor business. He even lost his flagship MAPES HOTEL AND CASINO. What’s so funny about the whole deal, is that the original MONEY TREE CASINO on Virginia is STILL CLOSED. It’s too bad that the beautiful little Crest Theatre was demolished for one of Mapes failures. Mapes also pleaded with the City of Reno for control of the MAJESTIC THEATRE which was on the corner of First and Center St.s. He wanted the property to demolish for a parking area which was located right behind his MAPES HOTEL. Of course, he eventually got it. Another beautiful theatre lost. Now that entire block is nothing more than a huge cement park, that is just a “hang out” for homeless and bad ass teenagers.
FOX TOWN AND COUNTRY THEATRE was originally owned by National General Theatres.It was sold to CENTURY THEATRES in the early 70’s when Mann took over and sold or closed all the Bay Area theatres under the FOX/NATIONAL GENERAL banner.
How well I remember Ward Stoopes, he was a true showman. During the 70’s, he was working for National General Theatres in the maintenance dept. He and Marvin Atkinson did all the theatre maint. for the SF/Bay Area NGT. I was managing the Fox Skyline at the time. Ward and I became such good friends. At the time, he was struggling to keep the Encore Theatre in Burlingame going. He eventually had to close it and was he heartbroken. I lost track of Ward after I left the Fox in 75. Was so disturbed to hear he had passed away. He will always remain in my thoughts.
Also just noted, CT incorrectly listed operator as National General Amusements. It was actually built and operated by National General Theatres a division of National General Corp.
Comments above are somewhat correct, however Rancho Cordova is one of many “districts” of many names, but still considered Sacramento. I did error in stating I-80, theatre was actually right off Highway 50, east of downtown Sacto.
Does anyone remember when Jim Sutton managed this theatre in the early 70’s? He later left there to become district manager for No. Cal. division for National General. I remember working under him when he was DM, what a great guy he was. Would like to hear from anyone who would know where he is now.
The above photos are a sad commentary to what was a pretty decent movie theatre. Very haunting, in a sense.
What a great website for BRENDEN THEATRES. It would appear that these are first class theatres. The auditoriums and lobbys appear to be ornately decorated, with a “classic theatre” appearance. No shooting gallery appearence here!
Was also surprised that Brenden is the grandson of Ted Mann. The newer MANN THEATRES built in the 70’s and 80’s certainly do not look like the BRENDEN THEATRES of today.