Strand Theatre

One of three theatres frequented by George Lucas in his youth. I wonder what he saw there…

Fall ‘73 I was a freshman at Modesto Junior College in a Photo Journalism Class.
Class assignment: Photo Essay.
Topic I decided upon was “Modesto’s Downtown Decay”.

Strand Marquee at that time: “For Sale by Crismon” (some letters missing)
I was able to use an unhindered fire escape to climb to the top of the Strand Theatre.

From that vantage point: I have shots of the backside of the Covell Theatre (The theatre I thought would be standing long after the State (still standing) or the Strand (fire; possible arson for $)) and Hotel Hughson.

Long shots of much of the GONE 60’s classic downtown Modesto…showing Hotel Hughson sign, Topper, Town&Country, KRESS, Leed’s Shoes, Hartfield’s, Roger’s, BofA, Crocker Bank, Loebs. ALL GONE. Nichol’s News Sign – GONE The SEARS & Robuck store GONE, (now a Hotel…name changed to protect the guilty)
Bus Stop bench at 10&K Looking toward WoolWorth’s and the Strand. NOW is SmithBarney and Starbuck’s Ped. Mall and the Bus Stop Bench is a hotel grass lot.

J.C. Penney’s in downtown Modesto is now a City of Modesto Office Building.
Modesto Quiz: View link

I need to scan my photos and add them on-line or else history will be lost.
Europe keeps it’s buildings for centuries…California can only date it’s buildings by 5-10 years.
WTF?

He was at the beach with his wife and five children. For no reason he took off his bathing suit and began screaming and running around naked. He also tried to eat a bunch of sand. The cops showed up and after a half hour struggle they put him in the wagon and took him away.

Here is an August 1934 ad from the Modesto Bee:
http://tinyurl.com/qnxugh

Even urban renewal found its way to downtown Modesto according to the historical information at the top of this link.

Hello Billie J, My comment above yours regarding the old Strand in Modesto (JCL). My period of ‘sat. matinees’ was the late ‘40s early '50s. One of my local theatres, (growing up in Sacramento) always had great matinees. Your ref to 'Pepsi caps’: Theatres would cross promote with: Pepsi or Coca-Cola; Carnation or Dixie Cup ice cream, etc. Sponsors would pay for the film program and theatre would cross promote with ads on screen and/or lobby posters, etc. My local theatre always ran: 2-3 features, which always had 1-2 westerns + serial chapter + short like 3 stooges + several cartoons. Usually a halfway break would have a ‘stage giveaway’ of 10-15 toys, games; books, etc. The mgr or couple ushers would call out ticket stub numbers. Show would always be about 4hrs of fun. Keep those memories alive. JCL

The Strand memories: I recently found and signed on to this site, glad I did. I have been busy: looking thru; checking areas for places I have lived and theatres that I have worked over many years, starting at age 14 in my hometown of Sacramento. I now have started making some comments on some of the theatres.

I was working for Redwood Theatres, (George Mann started and son Richard carried on after his fathers death) at their house in Willits. I was given a promotion and transferred to Modesto in anticipation of managing his newest theatre being built, The
Briggsmore, a 70mm beauty. But while I was waiting I had to sub-manage at the State; Covell and the Strand. As a kid I always loved the old large movie palaces. Even tho by the time I got to the Strand, (1965) it was pretty dilapidated. We revived a ‘fri-sat’ art
and foreign film showings, (mostly for the college crowd). On
Sundays it was all Spanish films. In between we had a few live
concerts, including some very new groups such as: THEM; JEFFERSON
AIRPLANE; PETER WHEAT & THE BREADMEN, and Modestos own, (as I
recall) THE RATZ.

Above comment by ‘robertgippy’ is very accurate on complete description of theatre. I would wander over to Woolworths lunch counter for a quick bite or snack.

I can also add, that behind the stage it had 3 staircase levels of dressing rooms. Downstairs backstage also had several private shower stalls and one very large commune shower. Opposite those was the
orch pit entrance and exit. After closing late at night, this enormous theatre was indeed a bit “scary” to check and secure.

My great uncle, Bee Ho Gray, performed a wild west type show on Vaudeville for many years. I have an advertisment from the 1930s for an RKO Vodvil performance at The Strand. The ad can be seen at:
http://beehogray.com/strand.html
Be sure to click on the ad for the full view.

Thank you,
Clark Gray
www.beehogray.com

The Strand theater in Modesto opened in 1921, at a cost of $250,000. The theater had 1,800 seats, crystal chandeliers and murals in the lobby, rich carpets, a stage, orchestra pit, and a Wurlitzer pipe organ.

During its run, the Strand hosted silent films, vaudeville, plays, talkies, and community functions. Like so many of the downtown theaters, it slowly grew old and seedy. In 1971, the fire marshal closed the Strand. In 1984, talk of restoration ended when a fire closed the Strand for good.

Overzealous urban renewal leveled most of downtown Modesto, including both the Stand and the nearby Covell theater. Currently, there is a brand new Brenden Theatre18 where the Strand used to stand.