Fox Van Nuys Theatre
6417 Van Nuys Boulevard,
Van Nuys,
CA
91401
6417 Van Nuys Boulevard,
Van Nuys,
CA
91401
11 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 71 comments
My sister went to Winnetka about that time. Her name then was Sharon Gade. This is the best website. It’s nice walking down memory lane. Poor Van Nuys Blvd. That place use to be so nice now its a mess.
Boy, that was quick! No on the schools – I’m way older. When we lived at 15048 Sherman Way between Sepulveda and Kester I went to Hayvenhurst Elementary 1945 to 1948. We moved to Canoga Park that year and I went to Winnetka Elementary ‘til 1952 and then to Sutter Junior high to 1955 and off to Canoga Park High School to 1958. Then Pierce 'Junior’ college and then off to manage various motion picture theatres. As I recall the Fox theatre had some kind of a platform or raised area in the back possibly for handicapped.
Gary, did you go to the same schools? Where did you live?
Seems the question about A&W has been answered. It was in the 7300 block east side of Van Nuys Blvd. between Sherman Way and Valerio St. My friend smashed his Corvair on a post in the back while watching a girl on roller skates! To Marilyn. I went to the Rainbow Roller rink at 14318 Calvert between Sylmar Ave and Tyrone Ave from 1956 until Stan and Roy closed it and it reopened as an Ice skating rink called Iceland as I recall. Stan went on to build what was called the Cinnamon Cinder and Roy opened the Northridge Skateland at 18140 Parthenia in Northridge.
Did anyone go to Van Nuys Elementary from 1951 to 1956, Madison Jr High from 1956 to 1959 and then Van Nuys High after that? Does anyone remember Rainbow Roller Rink on Calvert and Charlie’s store on Bessemer and Hazeltine? Coffee Dan’s on Van Nuys Blvd. I don’t remember the cross Street. Our Sutton’s drug store?
That puts it in the 7200 or 7300 Block – On the EAST side of VNBL
Nope,
It was further up the boulevard almost to Panorama City. It was near the Big 5 store at Sherman Way & Van Nuys Blvd, across the boulevard from Valley Hospital, Sherman Circle (where Farrell’s was) and McDonalds.
Jim Rowe (or anyone else who might remember):
Can you tell me where the old A&W was located? Perhaps you remember a cross street—or an address? Having just watched Hollywood Knights recently with a couple of old friends, we went cruising Van Nuys Blvd. afterwards, late on SuperBowl Sunday night, to see if it was possible to locate where the drive-in once stood. We think it may have been between Vanowen & Victory, on the east side o'Van Nuys; but can’t be sure.
If it was indeed within sight of the Fox' 6417 Van Nuys Blvd. address, that would give me a pretty good idea of where to look.
Jim, though I’m younger than you(born ‘64 in the Valley then family left Van Nuys ten years later), I also recall seeing the air raid sirens around Van Nuys in late Sixties/early Seventies. Then on Fridays around 10 am there was a Civil Defense drill(?)siren, if I recall correctly…
Alma Lopez
Yes, I remember ….
What a GREAT Site !! … Looking for “Sight & Sound” and stumbled across this !!
I was born at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital (1940) and lived in Van Nuys for 28 years.
Got my first parking ticket at Sight and Sound, and my first speeding ticket “Drag” Racing on Van Nuys Bl… burned rubber comming out of the FOX Theater parking lot on our way to Bob’s. (1957).
We used to run over to “BEEP’S” (Sherman Way & Woodley) if Bob’s was too crowded. – (BEEP’S was restored to all it’s pink and purple glory (2004).
The AW was restored for the movie “Hollywood Knights”, then it was torn down – what a waste.
Watched them film “Francis Joins The Wacs” on the S.E. lawn of what was Birmingham Jr. Hi. – still part of the ARMY then. Birmingham wasn’t a High School yet. (1953)
Graduated Birmingham, then went to Reseda Hi when it was new – (1956)
Remember all the air raid sirens around Van Nuys?? Some are still there ….
Went to the Fox Theater all the time … and the La Reina and Encino – saw “Mr. Roberts” – (sneak preview).
Jim Rowe
Here is an April 1972 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/3a37gq
rick a. about a year ago you posted something about andy andrews and dick landy. andy andrews is my father. he is 86 years old now and i am not sure how much longer he going to be around.
i am his youngest son(21) from his second marriage. i can remember growing up he always telling war and racing stories. i am trying to find any memorabilia with him in it from those days. the divorce with his first wife cost him all the trophies, medals, and photos of him and landy/drag racing and so forth.
please contact me. my brothers and i will appreciate it.
I am currently looking for any Old Theatres in which to lease or possibly buy in Reseda, Van Nuys, Hollywood or North Hollywood. It has been my Long life Dream to renevate and own my own Theatre/ Venue. Please e-mail me at or call me at 310-597-9398 if you live here!! Thanks.Rick
P.S. If you also live in the areas in which I am looking and want to help please contact me as well!!
johnmk, I saw that Grass Valley Gary(see post above)worked at GM at same time my dad did, so now I am wondering if our dads knew one another at GM! My dad(Herbert Sanchez)worked there from ‘61 to about '71 or '72 and then he went from there till his retirement to one of the parts divisions(I think that’s what it was)in Santa Fe Springs. My dad remembers still a lot of people from many different departments at GM in Van Nuys. What is your dad’s name so I can pass it on to my dad to see if he knew who he was? If you like, you can write me at
I too attended Van Nuys Elem…from ‘69-'74 till we moved out of area:( I have fond memories of that school! And of course, of Van Nuys:)
My parents moved from Ohio to Van Nuys in mid 1948. They were living in a rented apartment above the old Bush’s stationary store (the one on the east side of Van Nuys Blvd) when I was born. My father worked at Fisher Body from 1948 until 1971 and a total of 38 years with GM. I went to Van Nuys Elem, Fulton and Van Nuys High. Sight and Sound was on Victory, just around the corner from the Fox Van Nuys…..bought a lot of 45’s in there. Curries Ice Cream was at Victory & Sylmar…great Cherry Cokes. House of Chrome was at Burbank Blvd and Van Nuys. Mashak Motors, Valley Dodge, Bob’s, Praise Water……long since gone and forgotten. Saw a lot of early 50’s Sci-Fi at the Van Nuys (Fox). We rode our mini bikes on the San Diego freeway on weekends while it was in the early earthwork stage. Vacant lots still scattered along Ventura Blvd through the mid 60’s. Van Nuys has certainly taken a beating since those wonderful old days. It’s good to find people that still remember it as it was then. I’ve lived in Arizona since 1993 but always think back on what a great place it was to grow up. I visit friends in the Valley a couple times a year and we always spend much time reminiscing about those days.
Hey everyone…..I enjoyed reading all of your posts. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Why is the a latino swawp meet that is in the shell of the old Fox Van Muys theateer have a conflicting addreess, 6455 Van Nuys Blvd, with the address, of the theater, which is listed here as 6417? I know the swap meet is the same spot in what once was the theater. Tis a pusslement! I made some photos to prove it, but the site would not let me post them. (I, too, remember Cupids Hot dogs a few a few blooks a way and miss them as well.
Stepale 11
My family lived on Friar St. between Noble and Columbus. My mother still lives in that house that was built in 1947. Does anyone remember “Doc” Sloan the manager when I worked at the Fox Van Nuys Theatre?
I cannot believe I found this site. In 11th grade I started as an “usher” at the Fox Van Nuys Theatre (Sept. 1967). I went to Birmingham High School. By June I was assistant manager. As a senior I was manager (and continued until Sept. 1973).
I remember Bob’s Big Boy, June Ellen’s, Hody’s, Dale’s grocery store at Victory and Sepulveda, Wednesday nights when I was working and everybody else was cruising. I had a 68 Camaro SS 396 I never could show off. I spent four years living at Corky’s on Van Nuys Blvd. from 12:00 midnight until 4:00 AM. (Otto’s Pink Pig across the street.)
The theatre was refurbished about 1958. There was a small room next to the projection booth where we stored the marquee letters. The gold leaf from the 1920’s was still on the walls (the old ceiling).
I went through one fire in the candy room (we still had “candy girls”). It was a Sunday night, Rachel Rachel, staring Joanne Woodward. An earthquake, February 9, 1971. “Curious Yellow”, the first X rated movie at a local theatre (the Capri)when I was a senior in high school.
Until next time.
Rich, Fox Van Nuys
Gary, you say you worked at the GM plant in Van Nuys in 1963. By any chance do you recall working with someone by the name of Herbert Sanchez? He may have been better known at work as Herbie or Herb. That is my dad. He started working there in ‘61 and so was still at the Van Nuys plant in '63. If you like you can drop me a line at
BTW, I had posted a comment above about the Fox Theatre but I may have been mistaken…I think I really meant the Capri Theatre, since I believe that was the closest to Calvert St. where we lived.
Where do I start? Ok, while going to the Rainbow Roller Rink on Calvert two blocks east of Van Nuys Blvd. If anyone has any info on the rink, please let me know. I started cruising Van Nuys Blvd. in my 1941 Plymouth in 1956. I stopped cruising in my 1963 Silver lowered Lincoln in 1969 when the police clamped down on cruising. I also parked my motorcycle at June Ellen’s in 1967. I basically hung out at Oscar’s at Van Nuys Blvd. and Saticoy from 1962 until closing (then bought paint as Sinclairs!) I worked at GM in 1963 and Banes Brakes and the Crossbow was across the street and down from Blythe St., the Peyton Place of the Valley. I met my first wife at Oscar’s in 1967. I remember most of what’s listed above as Andy Andrews, Dick Landy, etc. I managed the Americana Theatre in 1965 and made nice with the Satan’s Slaves at the Panorama Bowl. Curious as to who Larry the duck is as I also went to CPHS but from 1955 to 1958 and also worked at Mike’s Pizza – in 1958. (Skipping around…) I bought Levi’s at King’s Western Wear for $3.25/pair – wow, am I old. That’s it for now although many more thoughts could be written.
“To my knowledge there are only three of these structures left in Southern California. Randy’s, Kindle’s Donuts, (the first Wendell’s BiG DoNut) on South Normandie Avenue and West Century Boulevard in LA and Donut King: 2214 West El Segundo Boulevard, Gardena.”
Larry, your info is a little off. It’s not the Donut King on El Segundo, it’s the Donut King II at 15032 South Western Ave in Gardena.
And, there are at least two more Big Donuts still with us:
Dale’s Donuts at 15904 South Atlantic Ave, Compton
and
Bellflower Bagels at 17025 Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower. The design of this location is a little different than the other four. And they’ve painted purple raisins on the big donut sculpture, but there’s no disguising its true origins.
la.thomas – the answer is yes to everything, check your email. Our buddy Larry Babyak was KIA 11/29/69
Small World
Hi, SalvageSailor,
My name is Larry, as a matter of fact, and I grew up at the corner of Columbus and Clark. But I think the Larry you’re referring to was Larry Babiak—at least I think his first name was Larry (it’s been a while!). The Babiaks moved in the early Sixties directly across Clark from my family, and Larry’s sister, Mary Jane (or M.J., as she goes by now) and her husband, Dan, still live in the house. Larry joined the Marines and became a chopper pilot right in the midst of the VietNam war, which wasn’t very good timing. He was killed in a chopper crash, and of course the whole neighborhood was in shock.
As for Burnett, I knew (and still am friends with) the Hishes at 5401, who lived back-to-back with our family. Carol, who still lives there, was my Mom’s best friend for 56 years. I also remember the Himilfarbs, the Brooks family, the Bornsteins, and the Hershausers (if I got that right). Ring any bells?
Now, the question is, what’s your real name? Rather than take up any more of Cinema Treasure’s precious space, why not drop me a line at
Looking forward to hearing from you.
By the way, do you remember Maria’s corn stand on Sepulveda? How about Hody’s Drive In at Ventura and Sepulveda?
Aloha Thomas,
We probably know each other, my family grew up at 5416 Burnet, literally around the corner from your folks. Did you know Larry on Clark?
I rememember the Fox Van Nuys well, along with the other local area theaters—the Capri, the Rivoli, and the Panorama on Van Nuys Boulevard, and the Sherman, the La Reina, the Encino, and to the east, the Studio City Theater, all of course located on Ventura Boulevard. But doesn’t anyone else remember the Rivoli? About a year ago, I made the only Cinema Treasures entry for the Rivoli Theater. Granted, it was no La Reina, but it had wonderful neon and terrazo floors and all the things that we all miss so much.
I also grew up in the Fifties, specifically on the border of Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks (in fact, we just sold my folks home at 5400 Columbus after my Mom passed away—we owned that home for 56 years). I attended Kester back when it was just an ordinary school, along with Van Nuys Junior and Senior High Schools. I ate at the Big Donut Drive In at Kester and Sherman Way, mentioned above, enough times to get fat, and my family attended the wonderful Van Nuys Drive-In, the Victory Drive In, and the not-so-wonderful Sepulveda Drive In, which is now the huge park and ride lot for the new Metro Orange Line busses, the World’s slowest rapid transit line. And I ate at Chris and Pitts on Victory dozens of times,although there was a much better restaurant on Victory a bit further east called Ludlow’s, which was the best place to eat in the Valley.
I live in Burbank now, but still totally relate to Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks, having spent so much time there. And, by the way, I remember cruising on Van Nuys Boulevard on Wednesday nights and stopping in at Bob’s late at night like it was yesterday.