Noyo Theatre
57 E. Commercial Street,
Willits,
CA
95490
57 E. Commercial Street,
Willits,
CA
95490
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Not only identical to the Lark in “Larkspur”, CA, but also the Park in Lafayette, CA. the architect was also responsible for many other Art Deco theatres scattered throughout Northern CA & Southern OR. Sam Francisco’s Vogue, Bridge, and Lakeside (repurposed) also have facades with identical features.
Identical building to the Lark Theater in Lakespur California.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5378
Hi, Lois. (Sounds like the title of that great classic comic strip-“Hi & Lois”…but I digress).Good to see your participation here. I had the honor of working @ the Noyo & helping with a revamp in 1990-91, also kicking of the 50th Anniv. with a mailer campaign & film festivals. I know a good deal about its history. Please see my comments via the Theatre’s reviews at Google Maps. You can also contact me with questions @ my e-mail: . Cheers!
Hello Lois, Jeff,
Have tried contacting you this past few weeks. All email returned stated your mail was full/no capacity or mail client not plugged in.
I am listed above in 2nd posting: JCL, dated 4-24-09.
If you would like to make contact:
Best wishes, Jim
Hi Cinema Lovers, This is Lois Hoover….. My husband, Jeff and I bought the Noyo Theatre from CinemaWest in 2012. This year will mark the 75th anniversary of its grand opening in May of 1940. We have been interviewing former owners, employees and customers of this lovely theatre and collecting artifacts, pictures and news articles for a short film that we are putting together in its honor. Please get in touch with me if you have any items of interest to share or would like to be interviewed on film. I’d love to meet and or talk to all of the above and more! I can be reached at . Thanks!
A few photos can be seen here, here and here.
Cinema West recently sold this theatre to a local couple. I helped remodel this theatre from one to three screens and now it’s being handed off. I used to drive there to teach the managers to build up movies on Thursday nights. Took them forever to get the hang of it. I remember driving home to Petaluma at 2:00am. Anybody who knows the area knows that Petaluma is a long way from Willits.
The Willits News reported on June 3 this year that the city council had approved a resolution to change the name of Commercial Street to Seabiscuit Parkway. The date the name change will go into effect has not been set.
Ridgewood Ranch, just south of Willits, was the final home of the racehorse Seabiscuit, whose grave on the ranch has become a tourist attraction. The Noyo Theatre hosted a special premier of the movie “Seabiscuit” on the afternoon of July 19, 2003, a few hours before the official world premier took place at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington.
Tisloews,Glad you are back.I had the same problems.
Good info Mike i AM FINALLY back on-line after a month of internet problems,just checking out what I have missed.
The Noyo Theatre has reopened under the management of Frank Hughes,who operated the movie house three years ago. First run movies will be played. {Boxoffice March 4 1974}
Here are some 1986 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/om7y5d
http://tinyurl.com/oec2kx
Here is a 1985 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/pb7hcx
Owned by Redwood Theatres from the 1930-70s era. Redwood was started by George Mann and later passed to his son Richard. They had offices in S.F. Also in same building was theatre owner-film producer Robert Lippert. Mann owned a number of house’s thruout N. Calif: Ukiah; Ft. Bragg; Novato; Modesto, etc.
I managed the Noyo in 1964-65 era, then was transferred to Modesto theatres. The Noyo during that era was a nice family oriented programmed house. Still able,(at that time) to ‘pack’ the auditorium mid-week with a $1 family nite. We still promoted special ‘kid shows’ on saturday matinee’s. Had special holiday events, (easter giveaways; christmas special with Santa; fun shows with magicians and clowns). Altho a bit ‘rowdy’ when the BEATLES in Hard Day’s Night came for a showing..we had to shut down film until I got the kids back to a normal amount of “controlled hysteria”. JCL
correct chain-site URL is http://www.cinemawest.com/noy.html
It was a shock to see that when this classic Art Deco theatre was remodled, the owners chose to use victorian style molding and ligth fixtures in the lobby. All that remains of the original lobby is the cornice molding. What a shame they did not choose to restore/enhance the buildings art deco origins.
This theatre, The Noyo, is in the town of Willits, CA., not Willis.
Thank you,
William French