California Theatre of Performing Arts

562 W. 4th Street,
San Bernardino, CA 92401

Unfavorite 2 people favorited this theater

Showing 23 comments

JRHagan
JRHagan on May 3, 2020 at 6:53 am

The California was used extensively in the TV series “Psych” season 7 episode 15, Psych the Musical from 2013. There are numerous,long shots of both the exterior and interior throughout the episode.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on August 16, 2019 at 7:58 pm

Per the Vintage St. Louis & Route 66 Facebook page. “Will Rogers made his last public appearance at the California Theatre in San Bernardino on June 28, 1935 at a benefit for the Salvation Army.”

rivest266
rivest266 on May 25, 2015 at 2:53 pm

August 15th, 1928 grand opening ad in photo section

JAlex
JAlex on March 4, 2014 at 10:04 am

What is the status of the Wurlitzer organ in this theatre? I just noticed that the theatre does not appear on the ATOS listing of organs in theatres.

nonsportsnut
nonsportsnut on June 24, 2012 at 3:28 pm

The Three Stooges Fan Club is trying to verify a late 1936 appearance at the Fox California of the Three Stooges at a Salvation Army benefit, which featured Martha Raye, Leo Carillo, Bob Burns, along with the Three Stooges. Would like to verify the exact date(s) and any other information. My email is: Thanks, Frank Reighter

JAlex
JAlex on August 9, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Stage Dimensions: 48" wide x 30' deep.

monika
monika on June 21, 2009 at 6:10 pm

Four June 2009 photographs I took of the Fox California:
Building: View link
Marquee: View link
Ticket booth:http://www.flickr.com/photos/achangeinscenerymovies/3648263835/
Ticket booth: View link

William
William on April 16, 2009 at 2:40 pm

Ken, the first shot (c6thg5) is of the Crest Theatre.

petermetzke
petermetzke on February 15, 2009 at 8:25 pm

A good 1930 image of this theatre may be seen if one scrolls to the bottom of the URL below.
Plus all information on the Wurlitzer 216 with Bob Salisbury playing the organ in a movie provided by
this web site.

http://www.californiawurlitzer.com/index.html

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 10, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Here is part of an LA Times story dated 11/27/38:

Purchase of the California Theater building at 564 Fourth Street, San Bernardino, by the California-San Bernardino Theater Corp., a subsidiary of the Fox West Coast organization, from the San Bernardino Land & Mortage Company, for $150,000 marks one of the largest realty deals there this year.

The purchaser of the property has occupied it from the time the building was constructed about ten years ago. The two-story structure has a seating capacity of 1800.

cornermoose
cornermoose on January 27, 2007 at 8:40 pm

I am told that in the mid 60’s a young man asked manager Raymond Pankow for permission to work on the organ so he could play it. When parent company National General Corp (Fox West Coast Theatres) tried to give the organ away to a church, Mr. Pankow said they were still using it (The organ was used during a Wednesday night telephone hookup game called Miss Fortune) and they couldn’t have it.
As of this writing, 1/2007, I believe Mr. Pankow is still living in Grand Terrace, CA. Maybe someone could find him and verify this story. I’m grateful to him for saving this wonderful organ.

JimRankin
JimRankin on June 10, 2005 at 9:47 am

Recent color photos of this theatre can be found on the site: “America’s Stunning Theatres” by photographer and stagehand Noah Kern at: http://www.pbase.com/affablebeef/theatres Comments and information may be left there without registration; such can be public view or only to Mr. Kern. Scroll down the page to find the name, and then click on the sample image above it to be taken to the page of photos of it.

GaryParks
GaryParks on July 31, 2004 at 1:45 pm

This theatre still has its original organ.

William
William on November 12, 2003 at 7:25 pm

The Fox California Theatre is located at 562 4th Street.