Park Theatre
1375 N. Fair Oaks Avenue,
Pasadena,
CA
91103
1375 N. Fair Oaks Avenue,
Pasadena,
CA
91103
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I had occasion to travel along this stretch of Fair Oaks Avenue a number of times over the years, and I recall the Park Theatre building still standing in the early 1960s. I don’t recall what, if anything, occupied the building at that time. There has been some speculation that the theater was in the building now occupied by the Berry & Sweeney Pharmacy, but the Historic Aerials web site shows the building immediately south of the pharmacy, still standing in 1972 but gone in 1977, with what appears to be a small stage house at the rear. I’m pretty sure that’s where the Park Theatre was. It was somewhat larger than the pharmacy building, which looks too small to have housed a theater with 760 seats. The commercial building now on what I believe was the theater’s site appears in the aerial from 1980.
The Park Theatre launched on Christmas Day 1928 with the silent film, “Captain Swagger” with Rod La Rocque. The theater transitioned to sound films. In 1936, it received a major refresh and had a grand reopening on July 2d. Fox West Coast Theatres Circuit closed the Park permanently on March 18, 1951 with Lauren Bacall in “Bright Leaf” and John Wayne in “Dakota.” It appears to have been auctioned off and became an auto lot.
Southwest Builder & Contractor of May 13, 1928, reported that a permit had been issued for construction of a theater at 1373 N. Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena. The architectural firm responsible for the design bore the unusual name Orlopp & Orlopp. The only firm of that name to which I can find references on the Internet was based in Dallas, so that’s another probable connection between the Park Theatre and Texas.
Robv & Rowley was taken over by UA in the 1960’s.
This was listed under the Robb & Rowley listings in the 1940 Film Daily Yearbook. Robb & Rowley was the major chain in Dallas,TX. They also had the Pasadena and State.
Since the Park Theatre is listed in Pasadena I’m sure anyone posting on this theatre link is also aware of the Raymond Theatre in Pasadena. The Raymond is in it’s 11th hour so anyone who would like to show their support to save this historical theatre please come to a Final Design Review hearing on Monday, the 24th at 7 (All Saints Church, Sweetland Hall 132 N. Euclid). To learn more about the Raymond Theatre and its past/present history go to www.raymondtheatre.com Thank you.
The Fox Park Theatre was located at 1375 N. Fair Oaks Ave..