Senator Theatre

The Senator Theatre opened on April 21, 1928 with Richard Dix in “Easy Come, Easy Go” plus short subjects and vaudeville on the stage. Seating was provided for 1,400 in orchestra & balcony levels. It was operated by T & D Jr. Enterprises chain. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer organ which was opened by organist Milton Thomas.

In 1978, the theatre was purchased by United Artists. The company quickly sectioned off the balcony to create a second screening room, making the theatre a twin from June 29, 1979. On August 31, 1979 two more screens were created and it became the Senator Movies 4.

The Senator Theatre was restored in 2001 and later reopened as a performing arts center. The restoration removed the artificial wall that was added in the twinning process and the theatre now seats almost 1,000 – making it one of the largest venues of its kind in the area. The lobby of the historic theatre is still intact and contains the original murals and chandelier.

The theatre mainly hosts concerts today. It is also currently for sale.

Recent comments (view all 25 comments)

Michael Furlinger on May 7, 2008 at 11:46 am

http://www.bizquest.com/buy/898874.html

atkinkd on August 9, 2008 at 11:01 am

Anyone have any interior pictures? i have seen the CSUC collection and it was great, however it would be nice to see more extensive collection. Also, anyone interested in seeing the Seanator restored completely?

kencmcintyre on September 11, 2009 at 12:01 pm

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/nehnnj

WJCoady on February 23, 2010 at 3:14 pm

I read the other day in the Chico paper that the El Rey is open again for special showings mostly on weekends. It seems unlikely that it will be converted to office space after all. If you get a chance go! The inside is amazing!

bkazmer on March 13, 2010 at 2:52 pm

I had forgotten that train in the middle of the street. I saw it in the 60s and in the 1984 photo above. Does this still happen. We were in the military when we saw it….probably 1966 or so. We did go to the Senator too!

Mikeyisirish on June 26, 2012 at 3:10 pm

A few 2012 photos can be seen here and here.

rivest266 on October 31, 2020 at 4:13 pm

The Senator theatre opened on April 21st, 1928. Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266 on October 31, 2020 at 4:13 pm

ad: Senator theatre opening Sat, Apr 21, 1928 – 3 · The Chico Enterprise (Chico, California) · Newspapers.com

rivest266 on November 1, 2020 at 1:50 pm

Senator III & IV opened on June 29th, 1979 and all four screens opened as Senator Movies 4 on August 31st, 1979. Grand opening ads posted.

SherlockSr on April 17, 2024 at 7:34 pm

I booked the Senator and El Rey from 1972-76 and they were both already owned by UATC and had been for some years.
Gary Meyer