Bijou Theatre
1229 Hermosa Avenue,
Hermosa Beach,
CA
90254
1229 Hermosa Avenue,
Hermosa Beach,
CA
90254
8 people
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A guy with some sort of European (French?) accent managed the place in the second half of the ‘80s. I can remember the dude’s voice clearly on the telephone message recordings.
I saw “Henry and June” there in 1990, but it was already kinda going downhill by then. During the movie I felt something wet splash on the back of my neck, and I turned around and yelled at the guy behind me, who freaked out. Only later did I realize that water was dripping from high up on the ceiling, on to the back of my chair. It was an old building.
Anybody know about the Bijou Theater in VISALIA, CA from say 1920’s to whenever, ie 1950’s and maybe later? Would like to verify address OR at least north or south side of Main Street AND east or west of Center St. Opening and closing dates would also be great.
Saw “Barton Fink” here when it first came out but never went back, much to my endless regret. It’s now an art gallery; not much of the original interior is intact but the acoustics are still great, reminiscent of the basement ballroom of the Los Angeles Theatre on Broadway.
The architect of this theatre was Richard D. King. His plans for it were announced in the January 26th, 1923, issue of Southwest Builder and Contractor. The building was owned by First Bank of Hermosa Beach, and contained the Metropolitan Theatre, the banking rooms, three shops and ten offices. It measured 95' by 130'.
You can see a photo of this when it was the Hermosa at: http://www.moviepalaces.net/
At midnight screenings during the late 1970s, I saw John Waters films here, as well as “Reefer Madness” and other cult favorites. I lament its passing, and the new stores that exist in the theater building haven’t the charm, character, and dignity of the Bijou and the Hermosa.
The Hermosa Theatre at one time was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres chain.
I was fortunate enough to have seen “Emma” here in the late 1990s. It was a very nice old theater. Even though I did not live in the area it was nice to have a theater in South Bay where art/independent movies could be seen when I visited friends nearby. It is sad this theater is gone.
The Bijou Theatre is located at 1229 Hermosa Ave. and when it was a single screen theatre it seated 864 people.