Fox Theatres was a large chain of movie theaters in the United States dating from the 1920s either built by Fox Film studio owner William Fox, or subsequently merged in 1929 by Fox with the West Coast Theatres chain, to form the Fox West Coast Theatres chain.[2] Fox West Coast went into bankruptcy and was sold to The National Theatres Corporation, led by Charles Skouras, on November 19, 1934, for $17,000,000.00.[3] Eugene Klein later became CEO of National, and turned it into the conglomerate National General. Mann Theatres bought National General's theatres in 1973.[4]

Moorish architectural details of the Fox Theatre in Atlanta
Fox Theatre in Visalia, California, currently a performing arts hall.[1]
Winged lions atop the marquee in Detroit.
Fox Theatre in Oakland
Fox Theatre in Redwood City, California

This chain should not be confused with the Reading, Pennsylvania-based Fox Theaters, founded by Richard Allen "Dick" Fox in 1957 and primarily based on the East Coast.[5]

Architectural styles

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Many of these grand "movie palaces" were built with a mishmash of architectural styles drawn from Asian, Indian, Persian, and Moorish influences.

Restorations

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Fox theaters surviving today share almost identical histories of decline and fall into disrepair as demographics and movie-going habits changed in the post-World War II years. As many were located in urban centers, there have been subsequent campaigns to save, restore and preserve the architectural extravaganzas for other uses, especially the performing arts. The largest of the Fox Theatres is the Detroit Fox Theatre, which was fully restored in 1988 and is used as a performing arts center.

 
The restored art deco interior of Fox Theater in Spokane, Washington

Other Fox theatres which have been restored and adapted for drama and music include those in St. Louis; also Spokane, Washington, which re-opened as the home of the Spokane Symphony on November 17, 2007; Tucson, Arizona, which reopened in January 2006 after being closed for thirty-two years; Hutchinson, Kansas, reopened in 1999; Oakland, California, reopened in February 2009; Aurora, Colorado reopened in 1986, and Fullerton, California, where a non-profit community project is restoring the theatre. The Fox theatres in Visalia, California, reopened in 1999, and Atlanta were shuttered for some time before restoration began.

The Fox Theatre in Joplin, Missouri, built in 1930, has been adapted for use as the Central Christian Church.

Bankruptcy

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The financial pressures of the Great Depression compelled William Fox to declare bankruptcy.[6] Initiated circa 1929, bankruptcy receivership court proceedings spanned "over a period of twenty-five or more years."[7] The matter culminated in a final suit brought in 1954 by the trustees to vacate the "corrupt" November 17, 1933, settlement order. The trustees alleged a widespread "conspiracy to milk Fox Theatres Corporation of assets worth many millions of dollars, in derogation of the rights of its creditors and stockholders."[7] The complaint named the issuing judge, indicted on unrelated federal charges in the intervening years, as collusive with some "thirty-odd named respondents" including "Chase National Bank, Bender, Van Kleeck and Aumack, individually and as co-partners doing business as Bender & Co., American Express Company, General Precision Equipment Corporation, National-Simplex-Bludworth Corporation, Inc., Skouras Theatres Corporation, Randforce Amusement Corporation, Rinfriss Corporation, Samuel Rinzler, and the executors under the will of Louis Frisch."[7] In a 1960 published opinion of the United States District Court S.D. New York, the matter was dismissed for the trustees' failing to plead the fraud in particulars; however, the record was left open for them to revitalize with evidence.[7]

List of Fox Theatres

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See the following articles for information about specific theatres.

Notes

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  1. ^ "VISALIA FOX THEATRE". foxvisalia.org. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  2. ^ "Berkeley Daily Gazette Archives, Nov 8, 1928, p. 2". NewspaperArchive.com. 1928-11-08. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  3. ^ "WEST COAST THEATRES SOLD FOR $17,000,000; Fox Chain in Bankruptcy Goes to National Theatres for Creditors' Claims". The New York Times. Nov 20, 1934.
  4. ^ Hammer, Alexander R. (Mar 30, 1973). "Mann Theatre Will Buy A National General Unit". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Barnes, Mike (July 28, 2019). "Dick Fox, Exhibitor and Former NATO President, Dies at 90 | Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  6. ^ "Fox History/Story | Fox Theatre".
  7. ^ a b c d Chicago Title & Tr. Co. v. Fox Theatres Corp., 182 F. Supp. 18 (S.D.N.Y. 1960)
  8. ^ "Amarillo Globe Times Newspaper Archives | NewspaperArchive®". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  9. ^ "Fox Theatre in Amarillo, TX". Cinema Treasures.
  10. ^ "Fox Cinemaland Theatre in Anaheim, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  11. ^ "Press Telegram Newspaper Archives, Jan 12, 1972, p. 13". NewspaperArchive.com. 1972-01-12. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  12. ^ "Fox Cineplex Theatres in Banning, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  13. ^ "Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  14. ^ "Fox Theatre in Britt, IA". Cinema Treasures.
  15. ^ "Alba Theatre in Brooklyn, NY". Cinema Treasures.
  16. ^ "Alba Theatre". Archived from the original on 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  17. ^ "750 Flushing Ave · 750 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206".
  18. ^ "Fox Theatre in Brooklyn, NY". Cinema Treasures.
  19. ^ "10 Flatbush Ave · 10 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217". 10 Flatbush Ave · 10 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217.
  20. ^ "Congress Theatre in Brooklyn, NY". Cinema Treasures.
  21. ^ "Meserole Theatre in Brooklyn, NY". Cinema Treasures.
  22. ^ "723-725 Manhattan Ave · 723-725 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222". 723-725 Manhattan Ave · 723-725 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222.
  23. ^ "1515 Bedford Ave · 1515 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216". 1515 Bedford Ave · 1515 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216.
  24. ^ "Savoy Theatre in Brooklyn, NY". Cinema Treasures.
  25. ^ "Fox Theatre in Bunkie, LA". Cinema Treasures.
  26. ^ "South Coast Plaza III Theatres in Costa Mesa, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  27. ^ "El Paso Herald Post Archives, Dec 23, 1965, p. 15". NewspaperArchive.com. 1965-12-23. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  28. ^ "Fox Kew Gardens Theatre in Forest Hills, NY". Cinema Treasures.
  29. ^ "Hanford Fox Theatre". www.foxhanford.com.
  30. ^ "Fox Theatre in Inglewood, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  31. ^ "115 N Market St, Inglewood, CA 90301 - Owner & Property Information | PropertyShark". www.propertyshark.com.
  32. ^ "Kingsport News Newspaper Archives, Feb 15, 1958, p. 11". NewspaperArchive.com. 1958-02-15. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  33. ^ a b "Fox Theatre in Kingsport, TN". Cinema Treasures.
  34. ^ "Fox Theatre in Las Vegas, NV". Cinema Treasures.
  35. ^ "Las Vegas Sun Newspaper Archives, Nov 12, 1965, p. 3". NewspaperArchive.com. 1965-11-12. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  36. ^ "Fox Belmont Theatre in Long Beach, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  37. ^ "4918 E 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803 - Owner & Property Information | PropertyShark". www.propertyshark.com.
  38. ^ "Fox Adams Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  39. ^ "Fox Adams Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  40. ^ "4413 W Adams Blvd · 4413 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016". 4413 W Adams Blvd · 4413 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016.
  41. ^ "Fox Belmont Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  42. ^ "Belmont Theatre Picture". jpg3.lapl.org. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  43. ^ "Regency Bruin Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  44. ^ "Fox Figueroa Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  45. ^ "4011 S Figueroa St · 4011 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037". 4011 S Figueroa St · 4011 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
  46. ^ "Fox Florence Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  47. ^ "1536 E Florence Ave · 1536 E Florence Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001". 1536 E Florence Ave · 1536 E Florence Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001.
  48. ^ "Gentry Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  49. ^ a b "6525 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001 - Owner & Property Information | PropertyShark". www.propertyshark.com.
  50. ^ "Van Nuys Valley News Archives, Mar 20, 1975, p. 18". NewspaperArchive.com. 1975-03-20. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  51. ^ "Toho La Brea Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  52. ^ a b "857 S LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 - Owner & Property Information | PropertyShark". www.propertyshark.com.
  53. ^ "Fox Ritz Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  54. ^ "5214 Wilshire Blvd · 5214 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036". 5214 Wilshire Blvd · 5214 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
  55. ^ "Fox Northridge Theatre in Northridge, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  56. ^ "Session expired!". photos.lapl.org. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  57. ^ "Fox Stadium Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  58. ^ "8906 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 - Owner & Property Information | PropertyShark". www.propertyshark.com.
  59. ^ "Fox Uptown Theatre in Los Angeles, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  60. ^ "Fox Theatre McCook | Home".
  61. ^ "Fox Theatre North Platte | Home".
  62. ^ "Fox Theatre in Missoula, MT". Cinema Treasures.
  63. ^ "Fox Theatre in New Orleans, LA". Cinema Treasures.
  64. ^ "Fox Theatre in Philadelphia, PA". Cinema Treasures.
  65. ^ "Fox Phoenix Theatre in Phoenix, AZ". Cinema Treasures.
  66. ^ a b c d "NewspaperArchive® | 15,480 Historic Newspaper Archives". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  67. ^ a b c "Chris-Town Theatres in Phoenix, AZ". Cinema Treasures.
  68. ^ "Teatro Fox Delicias in Ponce, PR - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  69. ^ "Salt Lake Tribune Newspaper Archives, Apr 25, 1967, p. 20". NewspaperArchive.com. 1967-04-25. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  70. ^ "Fox Theatre in Provo, UT". Cinema Treasures.
  71. ^ "Foxdream.com". www.foxdream.com. Archived from the original on Feb 12, 2008.
  72. ^ "Cottonwood Mall 4 in Salt Lake City, UT". Cinema Treasures.
  73. ^ "Salt Lake Tribune Newspaper Archives, Jul 11, 1968, p. 52". NewspaperArchive.com. 1968-07-11. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  74. ^ "Salt Lake Tribune Newspaper Archives, Dec 30, 1976, p. 13". NewspaperArchive.com. 1976-12-30. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  75. ^ "Salt Lake Tribune Newspaper Archives, May 7, 1977, p. 31". NewspaperArchive.com. 1977-05-07. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  76. ^ "5001 Highland Dr · 5001 Highland Dr, Holladay, UT 84117".
  77. ^ "San Antonio Light Newspaper Archives, Jan 26, 1970, p. 11". NewspaperArchive.com. 1970-01-26. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  78. ^ "San Antonio Express Archives, Dec 18, 1969, p. 54". NewspaperArchive.com. 1969-12-18. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  79. ^ a b c d "Central Park Fox in San Antonio, TX". Cinema Treasures.
  80. ^ "92 Spring Image". www.sandiegohistory.org. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  81. ^ "Park Theatre in San Diego, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  82. ^ "Crest Theatre in San Diego, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  83. ^ "Valley Circle Theater in San Diego, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  84. ^ "Valley Circle Theater in San Diego, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  85. ^ "Parkside Theatre in San Francisco, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  86. ^ Tillmany, Jack (2005). Theatres of San Francisco. Arcadia Publishing. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-7385-3020-8.
  87. ^ "Fox Theatre in Santa Paula, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  88. ^ "Fox Theatre in Springfield, MA". Cinema Treasures.
  89. ^ "Fox Theatre in Springfield, MA". Cinema Treasures.
  90. ^ "Fox Theatre in Springfield, MO". Cinema Treasures.
  91. ^ "Tucson Daily Citizen Archives, Feb 10, 1967, p. 11". NewspaperArchive.com. 1967-02-10. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  92. ^ "Tucson Daily Citizen Archives, Mar 22, 1972, p. 87". NewspaperArchive.com. 1972-03-22. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  93. ^ Star, Christie Smythe Arizona Daily. "Old Buena Vista theater to make way for 101-room Hampton Inn". Arizona Daily Star.
  94. ^ "251 S Wilmot Rd · 251 S Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85710". 251 S Wilmot Rd · 251 S Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85710.
  95. ^ "Lyric Theatre in Tucson, AZ". Cinema Treasures.
  96. ^ "Film homage, 1910's, Allan Dwan, "Soldiers of Fortune," 1919, Lyric Theater, Tucson, AZ, 1919". Aug 16, 2008 – via Flickr.
  97. ^ "Tucson Daily Citizen Archives, Mar 19, 1949, p. 8". NewspaperArchive.com. 1949-03-19. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  98. ^ "Tucson Daily Citizen Archives, May 21, 1963, p. 32". NewspaperArchive.com. 1963-05-21. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  99. ^ "171 W Congress St · 171 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701". 171 W Congress St · 171 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701.
  100. ^ "Tucson Daily Citizen Archives, Aug 5, 1968, p. 24". NewspaperArchive.com. 1968-08-05. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  101. ^ "22nd Street Drive-In in Tucson, AZ". Cinema Treasures.
  102. ^ "Fox Venice Theatre in Venice, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  103. ^ "Fox Ventura Theatre in Ventura, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  104. ^ "Fox Ventura Theatre in Ventura, CA". Cinema Treasures.
  105. ^ "390 S Mills Rd · 390 S Mills Rd, Ventura, CA 93003". 390 S Mills Rd · 390 S Mills Rd, Ventura, CA 93003.
  106. ^ "Fox Garvey Theatre in Wichita, KS". Cinema Treasures.
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