Hayward Theatre
22577 Mission Boulevard,
Hayward,
CA
94541
22577 Mission Boulevard,
Hayward,
CA
94541
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Glad to know the Hayward’s Wurlitzer organ still exists and is in use!
According to “The Encyclopdia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, the “Hayward Theatre” in Hayward had a two-manual Smith theatre pipe organ installed at some point.
The size of the organ (# of ranks), year of installation, and other info (blower info etc) are not given in the book.
I would imagine that the Wurlitzer model E probably replaced the Smith, as Wurlitzer, then as now, was usually considered the “end-all, beat-all” of theatre pipe organs (although I know several Robert-Morton and Barton enthusiasts who tell me that those respective makes were the “end-all, beat-all” of theatre pipe organs!!! They’re all great, it’s strictly in the ear and personal taste of the beholder).
Does anybody know what became of this Smith organ, or its parts? I would imagine that it was probably taken by Wurlitzer in trade for the new organ, IF the book is correct and this theatre did in fact have a Smith organ.
(1926 is pretty close to the advent of sound movies for the organ to have TWO theatre organs in quick succession, but I do know that Smith organs have not been well-liked by many).
Thanks a lot for any info!
Just downloaded a photo of the Hayward, taken in august 1976, the day right after the fire.
My sister and I spent many weekend afternoons at the Ritz.Drop us off at noon and pick us up at six. Must have been a slice of heaven for my single mother as well. Triple features and lots of cartoons in between with worn cushy seats and greasy popcorn. From about 1969 till it closed and became a porn theater. Festival Cinemas was not enchanting even to an eight year old.
Here is a June 1974 ad from the Hayward Daily Review:
http://tinyurl.com/ootmfe
Here is an October 1964 ad from the Oakland Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/cue5rm
The Hayward Theatre contained a 2 manual 7 rank Wurlitzer style E.
The organ was removed and installed in the Sacramento area home of the late Larry Weid. Larry sold the organ to Sierra Chapter, American Theatre Organ Society in the early 1970s. Sierra Chapter installed the organ in the Golden Bear Playhouse on the California State Fair grounds. The organ was later moved, almost doubled in size and installed in the Fair Oaks Club House in Fair Oaks. The original console from the Hayward has also been replaced with a console of Robert Morton manufacture.
The Hayward theatre was a great porn theatre during the early seventies competing with the Ritz down the street. The last movie to be shown there was the “50 thousand dollar climax” before it was destroyed by fire. It had a stadium style seating and a green interior with no murals, I assume they were all painted over. The lobby was small, but very long. I took pics of the marquee. Funny how the theatres were either becoming churches or porno, and the Hayward was one of them. Torn down, but not forgotten!
Seating capacity for the Hayward Theatre is given as 1,235.
Ironically, the last movie house in Hayward, the Festival Cinemas 9(originally a 4 screen that opened in 1971) will be closing at the end of this month, as the city of Hayward pulled that theater’s lease. Hayward is looking to build a multiplex on city-owned land in its downtown area as part of a downtown revitalization project. The proposed site is 3 blocks from where the Hayward theater stood.