California Theatre of Performing Arts
562 W. 4th Street,
San Bernardino,
CA
92401
562 W. 4th Street,
San Bernardino,
CA
92401
2 people
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The California was used extensively in the TV series “Psych” season 7 episode 15, Psych the Musical from 2013. There are numerous,long shots of both the exterior and interior throughout the episode.
Per the Vintage St. Louis & Route 66 Facebook page. “Will Rogers made his last public appearance at the California Theatre in San Bernardino on June 28, 1935 at a benefit for the Salvation Army.”
August 15th, 1928 grand opening ad in photo section
What is the status of the Wurlitzer organ in this theatre? I just noticed that the theatre does not appear on the ATOS listing of organs in theatres.
The Three Stooges Fan Club is trying to verify a late 1936 appearance at the Fox California of the Three Stooges at a Salvation Army benefit, which featured Martha Raye, Leo Carillo, Bob Burns, along with the Three Stooges. Would like to verify the exact date(s) and any other information. My email is: Thanks, Frank Reighter
Stage Dimensions: 48" wide x 30' deep.
An article about the theater: http://www.sgvtribune.com/living/ci_14906538
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ygbpcxa
Here is a night shot:
http://tinyurl.com/y8u8w24
Four June 2009 photographs I took of the Fox California:
Building: View link
Marquee: View link
Ticket booth:http://www.flickr.com/photos/achangeinscenerymovies/3648263835/
Ticket booth: View link
Here are some April 2009 photos. The last is of the adjacent multiplex, which is not listed on CT.
http://tinyurl.com/dcodad
http://tinyurl.com/cf43jw
http://tinyurl.com/dhotld
http://tinyurl.com/cjy4b6
http://tinyurl.com/czwa58
http://tinyurl.com/cwbknj
http://tinyurl.com/cp4l7g
http://tinyurl.com/dhtf38
So it is. Thanks.
Ken, the first shot (c6thg5) is of the Crest Theatre.
Here are two 1983 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/c6thg5
http://tinyurl.com/cbpudq
A good 1930 image of this theatre may be seen if one scrolls to the bottom of the URL below.
Plus all information on the Wurlitzer 216 with Bob Salisbury playing the organ in a movie provided by
this web site.
http://www.californiawurlitzer.com/index.html
Here is part of an LA Times story dated 11/27/38:
Purchase of the California Theater building at 564 Fourth Street, San Bernardino, by the California-San Bernardino Theater Corp., a subsidiary of the Fox West Coast organization, from the San Bernardino Land & Mortage Company, for $150,000 marks one of the largest realty deals there this year.
The purchaser of the property has occupied it from the time the building was constructed about ten years ago. The two-story structure has a seating capacity of 1800.
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.
Here is a photo of the interior, circa 1942:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics07/00023436.jpg
From the LA Library:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics07/00023438.jpg
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics07/00023439.jpg
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics07/00023498.jpg
Nice recent photo:
http://www.pbase.com/image/34450761
Recent color photos of this theatre can be found on the site: “America’s Stunning Theatres” by photographer and stagehand Noah Kern at: http://www.pbase.com/affablebeef/theatres Comments and information may be left there without registration; such can be public view or only to Mr. Kern. Scroll down the page to find the name, and then click on the sample image above it to be taken to the page of photos of it.
This theatre still has its original organ.
The Fox California Theatre is located at 562 4th Street.