California Theater
3310 W. Magnolia Boulevard,
Burbank,
CA
91505
3310 W. Magnolia Boulevard,
Burbank,
CA
91505
3 people
favorited this theater
The California Theater had it’s grand opening on December 8, 1950 with David Brian in “Breakthrough” & Jimmy Lydon in “Hot Rod”. The architecture was an Art Moderne style. There was a balcony for adults only and for a time this theater served flavored popcorn.
In the 1970’s, the Burbank Community Church took the building over and in the late-1970’s, re-constructed the theater. The building still retains traces of the old theater’s appearance today.
Contributed by
R. Christian Anderson
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
You can see the California Theater’s tower sign in this photo that was part of the 1959 time capsule that was recently opened:
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Trivia: On the commentary track of the “Back To The Future” (1985) DVD (released in 2002), Producer Bob Gale remarks about the “Town” theater façade as part of the Hill Valley town square set on the Universal backlot. He says “There was an old movie theatre in Burbank that had been changed into a church and that’s how we came up with the idea of making that movie theatre into a church in 1985.” This must be that theatre.
Used to go here a lot as a kid. Only two specific memories: (Odd how selective memories can be.)
1) Sobbing uncontrollably at the end of “King of Kings” (1961). (I was a sensitive kid!)
2) Sitting thru “PT 109” (1963) over and over.
Walked in a few years ago when I noticed the door was open. Very nice pastor showed me around the auditorium.
This opened on December 8th, 1950. Grand opening ad posted.