Noyo Theatre

57 E. Commercial Street,
Willits, CA 95490

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Related Websites

Noyo Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Redwood Theatres Inc.

Architects: William Bernard David

Functions: Movies (First Run)

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 707.459.6696
Manager: 707.354.3295

Nearby Theaters

Noyo Theatre

The 650-seat Noyo Theatre, constructed by Redwood Theatres, opened May 4, 1940 with Claire Trevor & John Wayne in “Dark Command”, a Southern California premiere presentation. In 1976 the Noyo Theatre screened Linda Lovelace in “Deep Throat” and the police confiscated the print. Taken to court, the case was dismissed, but soon afterward an arsonist set fire to the theatre. Repairs were carried out and in the 1990’s “The Rocky horror Picture Show” became a firm favorite attracting large audiences.

In 1996, the theatre was renovated by Cinema West, who restored the main auditorium to its original glory. Additionally two smaller theatres were constructed in back of the original large auditorium. It reopened in January 1997 with It was taken over by independent operators in 2012. In 2022 the seats one auditorium were removed and replaced by 33 electric luxury loungers which have beer/wine service.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

Recent comments (view all 16 comments)

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on February 3, 2010 at 2:54 am

Good info Mike i AM FINALLY back on-line after a month of internet problems,just checking out what I have missed.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on February 6, 2010 at 2:34 am

Tisloews,Glad you are back.I had the same problems.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 6, 2011 at 9:51 pm

The Willits News reported on June 3 this year that the city council had approved a resolution to change the name of Commercial Street to Seabiscuit Parkway. The date the name change will go into effect has not been set.

Ridgewood Ranch, just south of Willits, was the final home of the racehorse Seabiscuit, whose grave on the ranch has become a tourist attraction. The Noyo Theatre hosted a special premier of the movie “Seabiscuit” on the afternoon of July 19, 2003, a few hours before the official world premier took place at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington.

Scott Neff
Scott Neff on June 23, 2012 at 3:57 am

Cinema West recently sold this theatre to a local couple. I helped remodel this theatre from one to three screens and now it’s being handed off. I used to drive there to teach the managers to build up movies on Thursday nights. Took them forever to get the hang of it. I remember driving home to Petaluma at 2:00am. Anybody who knows the area knows that Petaluma is a long way from Willits.

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on June 27, 2012 at 5:27 pm

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

lahoove
lahoove on February 26, 2015 at 9:42 pm

Hi Cinema Lovers, This is Lois Hoover….. My husband, Jeff and I bought the Noyo Theatre from CinemaWest in 2012. This year will mark the 75th anniversary of its grand opening in May of 1940. We have been interviewing former owners, employees and customers of this lovely theatre and collecting artifacts, pictures and news articles for a short film that we are putting together in its honor. Please get in touch with me if you have any items of interest to share or would like to be interviewed on film. I’d love to meet and or talk to all of the above and more! I can be reached at . Thanks!

JCL
JCL on March 13, 2015 at 6:08 pm

Hello Lois, Jeff,

Have tried contacting you this past few weeks. All email returned stated your mail was full/no capacity or mail client not plugged in.

I am listed above in 2nd posting: JCL, dated 4-24-09.

If you would like to make contact:

Best wishes, Jim

cjwin
cjwin on June 1, 2015 at 12:19 pm

Hi, Lois. (Sounds like the title of that great classic comic strip-“Hi & Lois”…but I digress).Good to see your participation here. I had the honor of working @ the Noyo & helping with a revamp in 1990-91, also kicking of the 50th Anniv. with a mailer campaign & film festivals. I know a good deal about its history. Please see my comments via the Theatre’s reviews at Google Maps. You can also contact me with questions @ my e-mail: . Cheers!

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 24, 2015 at 11:42 pm

Identical building to the Lark Theater in Lakespur California.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5378

cjwin
cjwin on September 19, 2016 at 5:55 am

Not only identical to the Lark in “Larkspur”, CA, but also the Park in Lafayette, CA. the architect was also responsible for many other Art Deco theatres scattered throughout Northern CA & Southern OR. Sam Francisco’s Vogue, Bridge, and Lakeside (repurposed) also have facades with identical features.

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