Regal Ukiah Stadium 6

Actually the place was remodeled in the early 90s and that is when auditorium 5 & 6 were added. There was another remodel in 2004 but no auditoriums were added. They just added stadium seating to all the auditoriums in 2004. They also got rid of the arcade in 2004. The tower on State street, the outer walls of auditorium 1&2, and the “mushroom” pillars that are in the snack bar are all historical pieces and are not allowed to be altered. Before the remodel in the early 90s the pillars were put back to back and were in the center of a round snack bar that was centered in the front lobby. I worked there for over a decade and am familiar with the history. It is not owned by the city, it is still owned by George Mann. When George Mann sold Signature Theatres to Regal Cinemas he kept the locations in Montana and refused to sell the building located in Ukiah. Regal leases it from him. This was his favorite building and he would not part with it. At least this was still the case when I left in 2012. The old wooden stage (“Back stage” as we call it) is still there behind the screen of #1 and #2. There is also an apartment above the front lobby that used to house actors and actresses but is now occupied by the former GM’s husband. At least he still lived there in 2012.

I spent the happiest hours of my childhood and adolescence (1955-1970) in this theater. After not having been there in over forty years, I attended it about a year or so ago. Although I miss the experience of a single-screen venue, I was pleased to see how the theater has been cared for.

A 2012 photo can be seen here.

Here is a contemporary view:
http://tinyurl.com/dgwzfp

My first job: Back in 73'-74' I was nine years old and bored. I walked into the Ukiah theatre while it was closed and asked the manager for a job. He handed me a coffee can and a putty knife and said scrape as much gum and candy off the floor as possible. I remember filling that can more than a few times.
I was paid in free passes and soda. It felt like I did that job for a year; it was probably more like a few weeks. I was very proud that I could take my family to the movies with my pay. I love that theatre.

Pretty odd to see “Barbara Geddes” on the marquee in the pic above. Do you suppose they thought “Bel” was her middle name?

An expanded view of the top photo:

View link

The Ukiah Theatre has recently been modernized. I have not been inside yet but do know that the last remaining component of the original auditorium was removed (the handrail for the raised seating in the back of the auditorium). The City of Ukiah underwent a giant tree planting campaign a few years ago and planted trees in the sidewalk right infront of the vertical sign. There are also powerlines and poles that make it hard to see the marquee unless you are very close to it.

The website for the Ukiah Theatre, which is now operated by Regal Entertainment, is http://www.regmovies.com

Designed by William B. David who also did the Eureka Theatre in Eureka, California and the Tower Theatre in Klamath Falls, Oregon. For information on these theaters check out:

http://www.rediscoveredpaper.com/eureka.html