“‘Return Of The Jedi’ played at the UA Redwood 6 in Redwood City around 1983. That theatre had 70mm capability, and was able to play ‘Jedi’ in that format.”
I don’t doubt that.
What I’m saying is Return of the Jedi was not shown in the 70’s, since it was first shown in 1983.
I recall seeing movies at the UA Redwood City in 1984 (when it first opened?), so it seems was just there for 10 years and gone.
“The Hillsdale Cinema was just a typical 70’s looking building that housed a movie theatre lacking any of the charm of the aformentioned REAL THEATRES.”
I can agree with that statement.
Not a lot of charm like the other theaters in the area.
Funny you mention Ward’s, they are still in business, but they only ship their products like Amazon does.
Toysrus opened December of 1997 (just in time for Christmas)
The company that purchased the land that was Fashion Island Mall won the bid at 40 million. I believe it cost around 300 million to get everything up and going. They were paying $15,000 a day in interest, so that is the reason they did a quick demolish and rebuild of the land. Torn down in late 1996 and new retail stores open in a year is pretty amazing. The condos were not ready at that point. I remember seeing truck after truck hauling away what was left of the mall down 3rd ave. It is amazing who much more productive the private sector is compared to the government. :)
Also, it is really cool to see the new Century theater next to the Fox theater in that pic.
The last Movie I saw in the UA was “The Shadow”, I think it was around 1994 or 1995.
I do remember seeing the Laster Star Fighter and D.A.R.Y.L. during the summer of 1984 at the UA in Redwood City.
Yes, all the big chain stories “backs” are facing HWY 92, so not to be missed.:) Target, ToysRus, Staples, Pectco, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, etc.
They have added a few new streets that goes through the old mall location.
The Home Depot is in the general area where the old part of the mall that housed Montgomery Ward, maybe a tiny bit south but very close. Also the Pier 1 Imports (the very first one ever was located in the Fashion Island Mall) is in the same parking lot as the Home Depot across the street from the ice rink. Also, right next to the ice rink is Red Robin my former employer.
The “Fashion Island Target” is not only stated on the receipts for shoppers, it’s stated on Target.com if you do a search on their store locator.
Regarding your hometown Redwood city? Lots of changed. They have done a lot of upgrading. They have a new downtown theater (as does San Mateo). The UA Theater is gone. The Century theater is really falling apart, it’s a matter of time before it closes.
Just in case you have not seen any of the new look Redwood City.
I go to the old Fashion Island Mall location often, but this past week was the first time I entered the building with the ice rink. I always knew the ice rink was original, but I didn’t know that so much of the interior was unchanged! When I saw the entrance to the ice rink, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like traveling back in time!
Also can see a lot of the old structure from inside of the new Asian buffet. It’s pretty massive. In the dining area looking up, you can see many of the old windows that let light in the mall.
Also if you shop at Target at the old Fashion Island location, the receipt says on the top, “Fashion Island Target”, not “Bridgepointe Target” I thought that was pretty cool :)
The last memory I have of Fashion Island was eating at the “Greek Isle” at the food court late 1996 or so with my girlfriend. I ran into a old childhood friend that worked at the theater also. The next time I attempted to go to Fashion Island for a bite to eat a few weeks later, there was a cyclone fence around the entire parking lot. I knew the mall was going to close, but I had no idea when. It was a pretty sad day. It’s a real shame that mall had to go. I think if the mall had a Target, ToysRus, and a big name fast food place like MCDonald’s or Burger King it would still be there today.
By the way, when the new owners took over and they had the place razed, they were debating over opening a new movie theater or a Home Depot.
By the way, I next time I go to the Japanese Buffet that is next to the ice rink, I can take pics and post them here if anyone wants to see them of the old theater location from inside the last standing part of Fashion Island mall.
“The moved the Ice Capades Chalet Ice Rink into its own building after the mall shut down.”
Not true.
The ice rink is in the original location and the building itself is the same as when the mall was there. The tiles on the floor and ceiling are original Fashion Island construction. They did remove those drapes that used to be over the ice rink. The entrance to the ice rink for the skaters is the same glass structure also.
Getting back to the theater. I remember the movie posters that were behind the glass windows between the ticket window and the Gold Mine arcade. I saw Rambo II, Beverly Hills Cop, Jurassic Park, Etc there.
Great to see these photos of the theater (photos taken by John Tarantino)
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/2963.html
“‘Return Of The Jedi’ played at the UA Redwood 6 in Redwood City around 1983. That theatre had 70mm capability, and was able to play ‘Jedi’ in that format.”
I don’t doubt that.
What I’m saying is Return of the Jedi was not shown in the 70’s, since it was first shown in 1983.
“What’s there now and what about the parking garage that was next to the theatre, is it gone too??”
It’s an office building now.
Return of the Jedi was released in May of 1983.
Hey Larry,
I recall seeing movies at the UA Redwood City in 1984 (when it first opened?), so it seems was just there for 10 years and gone.
“The Hillsdale Cinema was just a typical 70’s looking building that housed a movie theatre lacking any of the charm of the aformentioned REAL THEATRES.”
I can agree with that statement.
Not a lot of charm like the other theaters in the area.
Larry,
Funny you mention Ward’s, they are still in business, but they only ship their products like Amazon does.
Toysrus opened December of 1997 (just in time for Christmas)
The company that purchased the land that was Fashion Island Mall won the bid at 40 million. I believe it cost around 300 million to get everything up and going. They were paying $15,000 a day in interest, so that is the reason they did a quick demolish and rebuild of the land. Torn down in late 1996 and new retail stores open in a year is pretty amazing. The condos were not ready at that point. I remember seeing truck after truck hauling away what was left of the mall down 3rd ave. It is amazing who much more productive the private sector is compared to the government. :)
Also, it is really cool to see the new Century theater next to the Fox theater in that pic.
The last Movie I saw in the UA was “The Shadow”, I think it was around 1994 or 1995.
I do remember seeing the Laster Star Fighter and D.A.R.Y.L. during the summer of 1984 at the UA in Redwood City.
I forgot to mention.
Target was never in San Mateo until that store opened in 1997.
Hey Larry,
Yes, all the big chain stories “backs” are facing HWY 92, so not to be missed.:) Target, ToysRus, Staples, Pectco, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, etc.
They have added a few new streets that goes through the old mall location.
The Home Depot is in the general area where the old part of the mall that housed Montgomery Ward, maybe a tiny bit south but very close. Also the Pier 1 Imports (the very first one ever was located in the Fashion Island Mall) is in the same parking lot as the Home Depot across the street from the ice rink. Also, right next to the ice rink is Red Robin my former employer.
The “Fashion Island Target” is not only stated on the receipts for shoppers, it’s stated on Target.com if you do a search on their store locator.
Regarding your hometown Redwood city? Lots of changed. They have done a lot of upgrading. They have a new downtown theater (as does San Mateo). The UA Theater is gone. The Century theater is really falling apart, it’s a matter of time before it closes.
Just in case you have not seen any of the new look Redwood City.
http://redwoodcitynow.com/images/century_big.jpg
http://redwoodcitynow.com/renaissance.html
P.S. I miss the old Marine World Africa USA that closed in 1986.
View link
Hey Larry,
Not a problem.
I go to the old Fashion Island Mall location often, but this past week was the first time I entered the building with the ice rink. I always knew the ice rink was original, but I didn’t know that so much of the interior was unchanged! When I saw the entrance to the ice rink, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like traveling back in time!
Also can see a lot of the old structure from inside of the new Asian buffet. It’s pretty massive. In the dining area looking up, you can see many of the old windows that let light in the mall.
Also if you shop at Target at the old Fashion Island location, the receipt says on the top, “Fashion Island Target”, not “Bridgepointe Target” I thought that was pretty cool :)
The last memory I have of Fashion Island was eating at the “Greek Isle” at the food court late 1996 or so with my girlfriend. I ran into a old childhood friend that worked at the theater also. The next time I attempted to go to Fashion Island for a bite to eat a few weeks later, there was a cyclone fence around the entire parking lot. I knew the mall was going to close, but I had no idea when. It was a pretty sad day. It’s a real shame that mall had to go. I think if the mall had a Target, ToysRus, and a big name fast food place like MCDonald’s or Burger King it would still be there today.
By the way, when the new owners took over and they had the place razed, they were debating over opening a new movie theater or a Home Depot.
As we know, Home Depot was their choice. :(
Just to think what could have been…
And here is a markings I made on the photo showing where the theater was and some of the stores.
http://models-games.com/fashionisland4.jpg
Hey Misha,
I used to work right across from you at the Red Robin in Fashion Island from 1989-1991. :)
I knew a guy named Eric that used to work at Round Table Pizza.
I have so many stories/memories about that mall I could right a book about it. :)
Here is the only pic I can find of the Fashion Island Mall back in the day and it’s a view from above, very cool pic!
http://models-games.com/fashionisland3.jpg
Seen a lot of movies in the Burlingame Drive in over the years.
Cannonball Run
Indiana Jones
Superman II
Demolition Man
Cable Guy
The Rock
Etc…
I was able to stop by and take the pics today.
http://models-games.com/fash.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash1.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash2.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash3.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash4.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash5.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash6.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash7.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash8.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash9.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash10.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash11.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash12.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash13.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash14.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash15.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash16.jpg
http://models-games.com/fash17.jpg
I also can’t find info on the UA Redwood City theater.
Maybe Larry knows???
“I think it had more character than some of the new megaplexes we see on the peninsula now a days.”
True, theaters of today are just cookie cutters with no real thing that stands out from others.
Off subject, do you know when the new downtown San Mateo theater opened? 2000? 2001?
Ok, the next time I go to Fashion Island/Bridgepoint, I will take some pics and post them here.
Just give me a few weeks.
“This theatre had to be the ugliest,functional use only building I have ever seen.”
I wouldn’t call it ugly.
It was just plain and simple.
It was nice and clean.
Seen a lot of movies here over the years.
Rocky III, Star Trek IV, Commando, Tommy Boy, Mortal Kombat, etc…
It was a box outside, but it was rather nice inside.
I really like the Belmont theater and Fashion Island theater.
By the way, I next time I go to the Japanese Buffet that is next to the ice rink, I can take pics and post them here if anyone wants to see them of the old theater location from inside the last standing part of Fashion Island mall.
“The moved the Ice Capades Chalet Ice Rink into its own building after the mall shut down.”
Not true.
The ice rink is in the original location and the building itself is the same as when the mall was there. The tiles on the floor and ceiling are original Fashion Island construction. They did remove those drapes that used to be over the ice rink. The entrance to the ice rink for the skaters is the same glass structure also.
Getting back to the theater. I remember the movie posters that were behind the glass windows between the ticket window and the Gold Mine arcade. I saw Rambo II, Beverly Hills Cop, Jurassic Park, Etc there.
I remember seeing The Empire Strikes Back at “The Manor” in San Mateo back in 1980. Great Memories!