While I haven’t been in that neighborhood for at least two or three years, I was surprised to hear thatg the UA theater had burned down. The most forgettable movie, “Che” staring Omar Shariff and Jack Palance had its premiere there to a half-filled house. I was one of those present.
I’m surprised to hear how old that theatre was, considering how stark the interior was. Rather modern for a 20s movie palace.
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.
While I haven’t been in that neighborhood for at least two or three years, I was surprised to hear thatg the UA theater had burned down. The most forgettable movie, “Che” staring Omar Shariff and Jack Palance had its premiere there to a half-filled house. I was one of those present.
I’m surprised to hear how old that theatre was, considering how stark the interior was. Rather modern for a 20s movie palace.
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.