Fine ArtsTheatre
1225 S. Maple Avenue,
Fresno,
CA
93702
1225 S. Maple Avenue,
Fresno,
CA
93702
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Westland Theatres
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Mayfair Theatre, International Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Mayfair Theatre was opened on July 17, 1947 by the San Francisco based Westland Theatres chain. One of many theatres located in Fresno that is closed.
Contributed by
William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
Ihe International Theatre was also known as the Mayfair and Fine Arts Theatre during its tenure as a motion picture theatre.
As a naughty teenager, I remember seeing “racy” European movies at the Fine Arts Theatre, though I do not remember its International and Mayfair Theatres incarnations.
Here is a June 1973 ad from the Fresno Bee:
http://tinyurl.com/manp8z
Started watching saturday and sunday movies there in 1949 or 50. Was the only movie theater except for downtown and drive in’s. Had kids shows on stage on saturday’s, would bid squirt bottle caps for prizes.
The Mayfair was outside the city limits and customers could smoke. The Fox Tower, managed by my cousin at Olive and Wishon, was also a second-run, double-feature theater that attracted some Mayfair customers. Those who attempted to smoke were scolded and, if persistent, kicked out.
This opened as Mayfair on July 17th, 1947 by Westland Theatres. Grand opening ad posted.
Reopened as the Fine Art on December 25th, 1961. Another ad posted.
Closed as Fine Art in 1988.
In the 1950s, as the Mayfair, it was a second-run double-feature house that often showed the same movies as the Fox Tower. The Mayfair was outside the city limits and smoking was allowed. The Tower is inside the city and you couldn’t smoke there. My cousin was the Tower’s manager and the staff had to deal with customers who smoked, since it was allowed at the Mayfair.