Alhambra Theatre
1101 Alhambra Boulevard,
Sacramento,
CA
95818
1101 Alhambra Boulevard,
Sacramento,
CA
95818
10 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox West Coast Theatres, United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.
Architects: Edward Flanders, Leonard F. Starks
Styles: Moorish
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 18, 2013 — “South Pacific” 55th Anniversary – The Roadshow Engagements
- Nov 18, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Ben-Hur"
- Oct 30, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Sleeping Beauty"
Moviegoers once entered this theatre, known as the ‘Showplace of Sacramento’, through a beautiful garden with fountains. So great was its splendor that the City of Sacramento even renamed adjacent 31st Street ‘Alhambra Boulevard’ in honor of the theatre. The Alhambra Theatre was opened September 23, 1927 with Rod LaRocque in “The Fighting Eagle”. It was equipped with a Robert Morton unit 11 ranks organ.
The Alhambra Theatre was closed September 4, 1972 with “A Man For All Seasons” and “Nicholas and Alexandra” In 1973, however, the Alhambra Theatre was demolished to make way for a Safeway grocery store, catalyzing the local historic preservation movement.
Today, the only remnant of the Alhambra Theatre is a one story fountain and a plaque located on the side of the Safeway’s parking lot.
Contributed by
Jeremy Sanford
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Recent comments (view all 63 comments)
I was also a part of the protest movement. Most everyone in our group (The Magic Theatre) joined. It was a sad day when we lost.
I was only 2 when this was torn down but what a magnificent building! I have heard a lot of long time Sacramentians talk about the drama that surrounded destroying this theater and the movement of trying to save it. Why was such an old and historic building torn down for a grocery store?
I booked the theater in it’s last year and it was spectacular and if I remember correctly it did have D-150.
I saw Fantastic Voyage there as a kid. It was the “go to” event for birthday parties. I was very sad to see it torn down and to this day will never shop at a Safeway.
Can anyone confirm what the last film showing at the Alhambra was? I saw Nicholas and Alexandra in late 1972. I believe I was there on the last night before they turned out the lights. Grand old place, for sure.
The last movie shown at the Alahambra Theatre before it closed on September 4, 1972 was a double feature (A Man for All Seasons and Nicholas and Alexandra).
http://www.centerforsacramentohistory.org/Resources/Sacto-Facto
Scroll down to the “Sacramento Trivia” section, Question 10.
I don’t believe D-150 was ever installed at the Alhambra although it possibly was planned to do so. United Artists Theatres did build a D-150 house in the Sacramento suburbs (Carmichael) named Cinema 150 (later Crestview Cinema), very similar if not identical to it’s identically named D-150 theatre in Santa Clara CA. That Carmichael theatre opened in September 1966. Norelco DP70 projectors were initially planned to be installed there but never were, so that house remained 35mm only until closing day.
The Alhambra did have 70mm (Norelco DP70) capability and showed a few films including “My Fair Lady” in that format, but all on it’s flat screen.
We ask for your memories, photos and ephemera, a tease of things to come in our documentary now in production, Alhambra: Sacramento’s Palace of Fantasy. PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO! Thanks. Contact us at: https://vimeo.com/220408233
AlhambraTheatre #documentary #MoviePalace #TheatreOrgan #SavetheAlhambra
The Safeway store has now been there longer than the theater was.
I worked at the Alhambra as an Usherette from September of 1957 to July of 1959. Mr. Mears was the Mgr in charge but I do not remember the names of the other employees. A tall blonde fellow and a slim lady who was the Assistant Mgr. These two had eyes for each other even though he was married to another. I remember hurrying from the parking lot and seeing young people ‘making out’ in the gardens.I loved working here even though Mr. Mears was very strict with the employees. I made $1.50/hr back then.