Fremont Theatre

1025 Monterey Street,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

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Related Websites

Fremont Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Edwards Cinemas, Fox Circuit, Movie Experience, National General Theatres

Architects: Simeon Charles Lee

Functions: Concerts, Live Music Venue

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 805.329.5725

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News About This Theater

Fremont Theatre

Construction began in 1940 and the 1,060-seat Fremont Theatre opened May 29, 1942 with Tyrone Power & Joan Fontaine in “This Above All”. Appearing ‘In Person’ were Max Baer, Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy, Constance Bennett & Jackie Cooper. It has the large original main theatre that is painted inside with murals of flowers, charging steeds & women in gowns by the Heinsbergen Decorating Company of Los Angeles. By 1997 three more screens known as Mission Cinemas were added by Edwards Cinemas in an adjacent building (which have their own page on Cinema Treasures).

The Fremont Theatre was also used for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival and has been operated at different times by Fox, National General, Mann, and then Edwards Cinemas.

Last operated as a movie theatre by the independent ‘The Movie Experience’ chain and was closed by 2016.

Since 2017 it has operated as a concert venue.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 44 comments)

YMike
YMike on August 27, 2011 at 10:19 pm

On the DVD of the Laurel & Hardy film “A Haunting We Will Go” there is a “Movietone” newsreel showing the opening day for this theatre in 1940.

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on June 27, 2012 at 11:43 am

A few 2011 photos can be seen here, here and here.

SLOnative
SLOnative on April 15, 2013 at 8:42 pm

The Fremont opened during the war in 1942. Thanks for the tip on the “A Haunting We Will Go” DVD extra.

paulnelson
paulnelson on November 8, 2013 at 7:27 pm

Great neon on the Fremont marquee. Very impressive.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on July 28, 2016 at 11:10 pm

Surf Night photo added credit Coach Warnes.

Flix70
Flix70 on October 26, 2016 at 3:56 pm

I was in SLO last week and drove by the Fremont. No movie was listed on the marquee, just forthcoming concerts and music events.

According to the Fremont’s Facebook page, the last film screened was “Birth of a Nation” Oct. 7 – 11.

I visited the Movie Experience’s website and nothing comes up when you click on the Fremont icon.

Anyone know more? I’d have to think someone would have made a post here if indeed the Fremont had been repurposed.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on May 3, 2017 at 9:23 am

The website lists current films being shown at this theatre.

Movieman65
Movieman65 on August 22, 2017 at 8:17 pm

While I was stationed at Fort Hunter Liggett during the mid eighties,I watched quite a few movies here including Beverly Hills Cop,Ferris Buellers Day off,and a fantastic double feature of Teachers and Body Double. It was a beautiful theater with a gorgeous lobby. I see it pop up in films now and then.

Flix70
Flix70 on September 5, 2017 at 11:46 am

There are no films currently being shown at this theater. Visit the Movie Experience website, click on the Fremont icon and you get nothing, just blank space. Seriously, has anyone seen a movie here since last October? Do tell.

spectrum
spectrum on January 26, 2022 at 2:13 pm

2022: The Movie Experience no longer runs the Frem0ont Theatre. There was some ownership changes in 2017, and now the theatre is a concert venue. Their web page is at: https://www.fremontslo.com/

The Movie Experience still runs Downtown Center 7, at 888 Marsh Street.

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