Fox Theatre

The original CALIFORNIA metal and milk glass marquee sign from 1923 has been brought up from the Fox’s understage basement and is now on display high on the wall of the restaurant which occupies the former outer lobby area. There are also framed historic photos below it on the same wall.

I managed to see one movie while it was reopened. “Bangkok Dangerous” with Nicholas Cage was the only flick I had time to see after work one night,but I figured if it gave me a chance to see the interior why not.
Unfourtunately, I couldnt see much. The main auditorium (possibly because I was one of 3 people there) was almost completely dark with just the lobby light and the light of teh screen to guide you in.Not only giving the place an omnious spooky air but making the big drafty room seem even colder. The screen and projection was good quality tho the sound was way to loud! I could feel the gunshot blasts rattling tehf loor underneathe my feet.

The seats were worn but not uncomfortable. A wooden structure, painted white (?) and gold(?) about 4 feet high was on the floor maybe 10 feet away from the screen. The screen seemed to be framed with soem kind of lightly painted proscenium set piece. I was curious if it matched the great locally themed art in the lobby but without a flashlight there was no way to tell.

The interior signage seemed to be from a couple different decades. Restroom signs of one era auditorium signs from another. But it gave teh place a kindve homey feel.

I hope at some point it can be reopened and that until then the owners are able to keep up the place. Though as busy as they seem to be at Green Valley Cinema that might be difficult.

This theater is REOPENING NEXT WEEK!!! Please see more information here – this festival is also the re-launch of this lovely venue:

http://watsonvillefilmfest.org/2016-festival-program/

How sad this big cinema just sits empty in downtown Watsonville year after year. The old marquee sign taken off no longer with the big front FOX neon sign. You would think someone would come along and turn the former cinema into a night club, comedy club or Spanish entertainment music venue or run some classic movies from time to time. No It just lays empty and closed up. I guess waiting for another big earthquake to come along.

A time lapse 1 minute 49second YouTube video of the 2016 restoration:

Fox