Thanks! We had lunch at a place that had a little flier about things around the community, including the “historic Desert Theatre.” You are right about general community interest in most preservation activities: and the smaller the community perhaps the smaller the subgroup of people into preservation/community history. However, in Oregon there is a LOT of pride in history, stemming perhaps from their pioneer roots. Yes…it would be interesting to see how many Burnians (Burners?) would show up to save the cinder block palace were it imperiled!
I have definitely seen less “compelling” theatres. Burns is a place where architectural detail is a real luxury: the high desert weather (hot sun, high wind, snow, sleet, hail etc.) eats away even solidly utilitarian buildings. The Desert Theatre is as spartan as its surroundings but its owners have done nicely with their cinder block showcase.
Aside from looks, I think it is important remember that our Cinema Treasures are not always the Paramounts and the Foxes! I think The Last Picture Show is the sentiment of this on film: an important gathering place in a dying windswept Texas town. I read enraptured comments on the homely theatres so close to many peoples' hearts on CT all the time and while I only passed through Burns I know that its residents feel as strongly for their own “historic” theatre.
Visiting friends over the weekend of March 19, 2010 and overheard them making plans for “dropping the teenagers off at CineArts.” Went by the theatre later on and they appear to be doing just fine. Long may it be so! In architecturally nondescript Concord, even this relatively later (though I must say very nice) theatre building provides the community landscape with some interest!
This is a pretty interesting testament (no pun intended) on California’s history of municipal development and its impact on historical structures in general and theatres more specifically. We know why theatres have this repeated trajectory: Main-stream movie house, porn house, church. In Concord this trajectory is emphasized by the fact that this 1938 theatre is built ON THE TOWN SQUARE! Water was widely hooked up to the area in the 1960s…development really got going after that. In the 70s, when this became a Pussycat, there was the typical California town rebuilding itself (turning away from its history). Pardon me, if you are now living in Concord, but this place is a subsequent strip mall suburban Nowhere. There still is a square with some quaint old buildings (and the Showcase, now “Vinyard Community Center,”)but Concord is mostly nondescript buildings from the 1970s to present that lack any architectural interest and any historical soul. No offense to the CT porn crowd ;) but what kind of place would allow a porn theatre on its historic town square? (I have a Google Earth pic posted…it should be up in the next few weeks.)
It is pretty clear from satellite imagery that this theatre is no longer there. Status should be closed/demolished. The site currently appears to be a park and playground.
History from the theatre’s website (provided by LostMemory above) states that this theatre was built in 1910, and only became the Vogue in 1939 (the era of most of the Vogue theatres). Also alternate names: Elite Theatre from 1910, at some point was also known as the Rex, then the Vogue. I can’t wait to check this theatre out next time I’m in SF!
When this address is entered in Fresh Logic Atlas a barnlike structure on the corner of Ventura Blvd. & S. Glen Dr. appears to have a fantastic checkerboard sidewalk extending both east and west beyond it’s street frontage. Interestingly, this pattern is nearly undecipherable when viewed in bird’s eye or on Google Earth.
BTW, it this the Valley Theatre, or some other strange apparition?
The UC was such a great place to see a film!
Growing up in 1970s Montana I did not have much of an opportunity to see anything but mainstream Hollywood movies. Moving to Berkeley in ‘86, it was the UC that made me a lover of the independent cinema. I too have been saddened when I have happened by there in recent years.
We were in Willows two weekends ago. This theatre is across the street from the National Historic Landmark Willows Post Office—Main. While taking in the ambiance from the steps of the post office, I noticed the theatre, but had not mapped it yet. It looks horrible, like a really poor candidate even for conversion to another use. But I am no expert! Sorry I didn’t get pics, will try to the next time through.
Last time we passed through Suprise Valley, it looked like someone had the ambition of fixing this one up. Though it is a small building, it looked like it would take a lot of work (there was daylight falling between one of the walls that ran the theatre’s length!) We like to go up there at least once a year: it is such lonesome, beautiful country. Will check up on it next time, take some pics.
I am wondering if the sculptor Joseph Mora was also the illustrator Jo Mora who worked in similar subject manner. My grandfather, the late Western-Americana collector James G. Layne, gave me a poster dated 1933 which depicts all sorts of goings on at the rodeo. At the poster’s top center is the “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” the same illustration that was much later featured on the Byrds album cover. Same Mora, or family of artistic Moras? My guess would probably be the illustrator is son to the sculptor, but any elaboration on this minutia would be appreciated!
I would like to comment on the satellite/aerial photo comments above. The point is indeed taken as to the age of these photos as accurate representations of the current address (the map is not the territory) but I think that they do represent an important aspect that is not available from facade shots of these buildings. There is not only the (relatively)current view of the neighborhood, but the shape of the building, which can reveal additions and relationships with its surrounding buildings. Plus, I have seen some things happen between different maps (see my comments on the Marysville Drive-In). I am someone interested in neighborhoods as well as theaters, and in demographics, so the mapping also reveals nearby historical landmarks…But that’s just me!
Indeed, Fresh Logic Atlas shows the projection booth and screen, but Google Earth shows only the landform with no structures. A sad look at this change we so frequently discuss. Goodbye to a drive-in.
Wow. That’s a great postcard, ken mc…a golden age in Nevada, the 1950s; and a theatre named Sage fits right in there!
Looking at Google Street View, I draw the conclusion the building in Ken’s tinyurl has been demolished.
Thanks! We had lunch at a place that had a little flier about things around the community, including the “historic Desert Theatre.” You are right about general community interest in most preservation activities: and the smaller the community perhaps the smaller the subgroup of people into preservation/community history. However, in Oregon there is a LOT of pride in history, stemming perhaps from their pioneer roots. Yes…it would be interesting to see how many Burnians (Burners?) would show up to save the cinder block palace were it imperiled!
I have definitely seen less “compelling” theatres. Burns is a place where architectural detail is a real luxury: the high desert weather (hot sun, high wind, snow, sleet, hail etc.) eats away even solidly utilitarian buildings. The Desert Theatre is as spartan as its surroundings but its owners have done nicely with their cinder block showcase.
Aside from looks, I think it is important remember that our Cinema Treasures are not always the Paramounts and the Foxes! I think The Last Picture Show is the sentiment of this on film: an important gathering place in a dying windswept Texas town. I read enraptured comments on the homely theatres so close to many peoples' hearts on CT all the time and while I only passed through Burns I know that its residents feel as strongly for their own “historic” theatre.
When was this built?
The trees don’t seem to be too oppressive to the view at this point in time. My GoogleEarth pics should be on the map shortly…
Visiting friends over the weekend of March 19, 2010 and overheard them making plans for “dropping the teenagers off at CineArts.” Went by the theatre later on and they appear to be doing just fine. Long may it be so! In architecturally nondescript Concord, even this relatively later (though I must say very nice) theatre building provides the community landscape with some interest!
This is a pretty interesting testament (no pun intended) on California’s history of municipal development and its impact on historical structures in general and theatres more specifically. We know why theatres have this repeated trajectory: Main-stream movie house, porn house, church. In Concord this trajectory is emphasized by the fact that this 1938 theatre is built ON THE TOWN SQUARE! Water was widely hooked up to the area in the 1960s…development really got going after that. In the 70s, when this became a Pussycat, there was the typical California town rebuilding itself (turning away from its history). Pardon me, if you are now living in Concord, but this place is a subsequent strip mall suburban Nowhere. There still is a square with some quaint old buildings (and the Showcase, now “Vinyard Community Center,”)but Concord is mostly nondescript buildings from the 1970s to present that lack any architectural interest and any historical soul. No offense to the CT porn crowd ;) but what kind of place would allow a porn theatre on its historic town square? (I have a Google Earth pic posted…it should be up in the next few weeks.)
It is pretty clear from satellite imagery that this theatre is no longer there. Status should be closed/demolished. The site currently appears to be a park and playground.
If Elvis was a Negro.
Poor little Weed. It isn’t even in Humboldt County!
History from the theatre’s website (provided by LostMemory above) states that this theatre was built in 1910, and only became the Vogue in 1939 (the era of most of the Vogue theatres). Also alternate names: Elite Theatre from 1910, at some point was also known as the Rex, then the Vogue. I can’t wait to check this theatre out next time I’m in SF!
The address should be 209 Main Street, Vista, CA. According to this pdf View link
the building dates from 1940.
Well, duh to me…I think The Valley is probably the one two bldgs. to the east with the MARQUEE, LOL!
When this address is entered in Fresh Logic Atlas a barnlike structure on the corner of Ventura Blvd. & S. Glen Dr. appears to have a fantastic checkerboard sidewalk extending both east and west beyond it’s street frontage. Interestingly, this pattern is nearly undecipherable when viewed in bird’s eye or on Google Earth.
BTW, it this the Valley Theatre, or some other strange apparition?
Is this the multi-screened drive in that appears at 33.2211°N 117.3402°W (TopoZone coordinates cutnpasted into Google Earth)?
The UC was such a great place to see a film!
Growing up in 1970s Montana I did not have much of an opportunity to see anything but mainstream Hollywood movies. Moving to Berkeley in ‘86, it was the UC that made me a lover of the independent cinema. I too have been saddened when I have happened by there in recent years.
Well, maybe they are a nice family called Prime Cinemas (a little belated I read the earlier post:)
Owned by a very nice family who are selling attractive T-shirts featuring this historic theatre in the lobby.
We were in Willows two weekends ago. This theatre is across the street from the National Historic Landmark Willows Post Office—Main. While taking in the ambiance from the steps of the post office, I noticed the theatre, but had not mapped it yet. It looks horrible, like a really poor candidate even for conversion to another use. But I am no expert! Sorry I didn’t get pics, will try to the next time through.
Last time we passed through Suprise Valley, it looked like someone had the ambition of fixing this one up. Though it is a small building, it looked like it would take a lot of work (there was daylight falling between one of the walls that ran the theatre’s length!) We like to go up there at least once a year: it is such lonesome, beautiful country. Will check up on it next time, take some pics.
teh green m&ms make you horny
I am wondering if the sculptor Joseph Mora was also the illustrator Jo Mora who worked in similar subject manner. My grandfather, the late Western-Americana collector James G. Layne, gave me a poster dated 1933 which depicts all sorts of goings on at the rodeo. At the poster’s top center is the “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” the same illustration that was much later featured on the Byrds album cover. Same Mora, or family of artistic Moras? My guess would probably be the illustrator is son to the sculptor, but any elaboration on this minutia would be appreciated!
I would like to comment on the satellite/aerial photo comments above. The point is indeed taken as to the age of these photos as accurate representations of the current address (the map is not the territory) but I think that they do represent an important aspect that is not available from facade shots of these buildings. There is not only the (relatively)current view of the neighborhood, but the shape of the building, which can reveal additions and relationships with its surrounding buildings. Plus, I have seen some things happen between different maps (see my comments on the Marysville Drive-In). I am someone interested in neighborhoods as well as theaters, and in demographics, so the mapping also reveals nearby historical landmarks…But that’s just me!
Indeed, Fresh Logic Atlas shows the projection booth and screen, but Google Earth shows only the landform with no structures. A sad look at this change we so frequently discuss. Goodbye to a drive-in.