Hi Stuart,
I remember going to a Berkeley foreign auto salvage yard with you… you were looking for some parts for your Rover, while I was looking for parts for my Renault. I enjoyed working at the El Rey. When people my age reflect on their “good old college days” I tend to reflect on my time at the El Rey (we were all pretty young and eclectic ourselves). Walnut Creek has changed quite a bit since then. Lots of chain stores (upscale, but chains nonetheless). I wonder what happened to some of the folks who used to frequent Rocky Horror. -Terry
Hi there! I had the pleasure of being the Assistant Manager at the El Rey from late 1979 to its final days in 1981. Its address was 1649 North Main Street, and was indeed near the corner of Civic Drive. There was a Volvo dealership next door. We showed the original Cage Aux Folles (not II) and for awhile it played with Harold & Maude. What a gut-splitting double-bill! We also showed House of Wax in 3-D, The Last Waltz, My Brilliant Career, and other great movies. Several coworkers remain my good friends to this day. I don’t have an actual photograph to post, but I drew a fake postcard from a vintage photograph of the theater (from the 30s or 40s I believe) and I’ll try to post that image. I have lots of pictures I took inside the lobby, of myself and my friends working, plus some of the old equipment. Anyone have any questions or comments about the El Rey during its Swan Song, email me at
Hi there! I had the pleasure of being the Assistant Manager at the El Rey from late 1979 to its final days in 1981. Its address was 1649 North Main Street, and was indeed near the corner of Civic Drive. There was a Volvo dealership next door. We showed the original Cage Aux Folles (not II) and for awhile it played with Harold & Maude. What a gut-splitting double-bill! We also showed House of Wax in 3-D, The Last Waltz, My Brilliant Career, and other great movies. Several coworkers remain my good friends to this day. I don’t have an actual photograph to post, but I drew a fake postcard from a vintage photograph of the theater (from the 30s or 40s I believe) and I’ll try to post that image. I have lots of pictures I took inside the lobby, of myself and my friends working, plus some of the old equipment. Anyone have any questions or comments about the El Rey during its Swan Song, email me at
Hi Stuart,
I remember going to a Berkeley foreign auto salvage yard with you… you were looking for some parts for your Rover, while I was looking for parts for my Renault. I enjoyed working at the El Rey. When people my age reflect on their “good old college days” I tend to reflect on my time at the El Rey (we were all pretty young and eclectic ourselves). Walnut Creek has changed quite a bit since then. Lots of chain stores (upscale, but chains nonetheless). I wonder what happened to some of the folks who used to frequent Rocky Horror. -Terry
Hi there! I had the pleasure of being the Assistant Manager at the El Rey from late 1979 to its final days in 1981. Its address was 1649 North Main Street, and was indeed near the corner of Civic Drive. There was a Volvo dealership next door. We showed the original Cage Aux Folles (not II) and for awhile it played with Harold & Maude. What a gut-splitting double-bill! We also showed House of Wax in 3-D, The Last Waltz, My Brilliant Career, and other great movies. Several coworkers remain my good friends to this day. I don’t have an actual photograph to post, but I drew a fake postcard from a vintage photograph of the theater (from the 30s or 40s I believe) and I’ll try to post that image. I have lots of pictures I took inside the lobby, of myself and my friends working, plus some of the old equipment. Anyone have any questions or comments about the El Rey during its Swan Song, email me at
Hi there! I had the pleasure of being the Assistant Manager at the El Rey from late 1979 to its final days in 1981. Its address was 1649 North Main Street, and was indeed near the corner of Civic Drive. There was a Volvo dealership next door. We showed the original Cage Aux Folles (not II) and for awhile it played with Harold & Maude. What a gut-splitting double-bill! We also showed House of Wax in 3-D, The Last Waltz, My Brilliant Career, and other great movies. Several coworkers remain my good friends to this day. I don’t have an actual photograph to post, but I drew a fake postcard from a vintage photograph of the theater (from the 30s or 40s I believe) and I’ll try to post that image. I have lots of pictures I took inside the lobby, of myself and my friends working, plus some of the old equipment. Anyone have any questions or comments about the El Rey during its Swan Song, email me at