I went to the theatre as a kid in the 50s. Every Saturday for probably 2 years. Walked from home on Maple saw two features, cartoons, a newsreel probably and a serial. I think admission was $0.10 but can’t be sure. I don’t recognize the facade but probably wouldn’t after all this time.
I was driving by Sunnyvale in the late 80’s and made a detour. The area was rundown, and my favorite theatre was now a porno theatre. Nice to see it’s been fixed up with the resurgence from the computer industry.
Hadn’t seen your comment when I first posted. I was nostalgic for days gone by and was tracking down some landmarks from college years. Most are gone now of course. I was sad to see what the Americana Building looks like now. I remember Phil Ahn’s restaraunt next door, and the vacant lot where they set up a Santa’s Village every year.
I was an usher when it opened and then asst manager when Gary(?-it’s been a while) left. It was a good job to have for a college student.
I have a memory that’s been with me all this time. I stood in the lobby and took tickets sometimes. When they built the theatre, they didn’t put a clock in the lobby. On Saturday matinees, I could tell when a child wanted to know what time it was when they came into the lobby. I would sneak a glance at my watch, and then when they asked me, look up a the tall wall behind the candy counter, and then say 4:15. The kid would look at the wall but couldn’t see a clock, then walk away puzzled.
I worked at the Americana from before it opened-got hired to be an usher, but worked getting the theatre ready for its opening. I worked there for a couple of years while I was in college. It was a great job.
I went to the theatre as a kid in the 50s. Every Saturday for probably 2 years. Walked from home on Maple saw two features, cartoons, a newsreel probably and a serial. I think admission was $0.10 but can’t be sure. I don’t recognize the facade but probably wouldn’t after all this time.
I was driving by Sunnyvale in the late 80’s and made a detour. The area was rundown, and my favorite theatre was now a porno theatre. Nice to see it’s been fixed up with the resurgence from the computer industry.
Cheers
Charles ctbishop at earth link dot com
Cate,
Hadn’t seen your comment when I first posted. I was nostalgic for days gone by and was tracking down some landmarks from college years. Most are gone now of course. I was sad to see what the Americana Building looks like now. I remember Phil Ahn’s restaraunt next door, and the vacant lot where they set up a Santa’s Village every year.
I was an usher when it opened and then asst manager when Gary(?-it’s been a while) left. It was a good job to have for a college student.
I have a memory that’s been with me all this time. I stood in the lobby and took tickets sometimes. When they built the theatre, they didn’t put a clock in the lobby. On Saturday matinees, I could tell when a child wanted to know what time it was when they came into the lobby. I would sneak a glance at my watch, and then when they asked me, look up a the tall wall behind the candy counter, and then say 4:15. The kid would look at the wall but couldn’t see a clock, then walk away puzzled.
Cheers,
Charles ctbishop at earthlink dot net
I worked at the Americana from before it opened-got hired to be an usher, but worked getting the theatre ready for its opening. I worked there for a couple of years while I was in college. It was a great job.
Charles