Remembering the golden age of cinema, doesn’t it feel like a dream? Here we are at the Mission Bay Theater. It stands as a testament to San Diego’s vibrant past.
The Mission Bay Theater opened its doors on November 26, 1924. It was originally known as the Mission Theatre. Margaret Livingston starred in “The Chorus Lady” on opening night.
The Mission Bay Theater was designed in the Spanish Colonial style. This style was quite popular in San Diego. The Balboa Theater also used this style.
The Mission Bay Theater was not as flashy as other venues. The California Theatre and the Fox Theatre were grander. The Orpheum Theatre also stood out.
The Mission Bay Theater showed first and second run shows. Victor Mature films were popular. “Samson and Delilah” often played there. It was like a neighborhood theater attached to the Orpheum. The Orpheum was also known as the Pantages. It was located down on the corner.
San Diego movie theaters have evolved over time. They reflect the city’s growth and the film industry’s changes. The Mission Bay Theater is part of this history. It represents a time when movies were becoming more popular.
Going to the movies was once a special event. People enjoyed a full evening of entertainment. This included a feature film and a comedy short. There was often a newsreel too. Musical stage presentations were also common. The theater’s organ provided a concert.
The Balboa Theatre opened in 1924. It was San Diego’s first movie palace. The exterior featured Spanish Colonial design. A tiled dome echoed the nearby railroad station. The auditorium was designed in the Churrigueresque style. This style includes detailed carving and ornamentation.
The Orpheum also opened in 1924. It was first called the Pantages. The Keith circuit bought it in 1929. It became a movie palace. The Orpheum was demolished in 1964.
The Fox Theatre opened one week after the stock market crash in 1929. Buster Keaton and Marie Dressier attended the premiere. The Fox had nearly 3000 seats. It was the largest theater in town.
Many theaters appeared outside downtown in the late 1920s. The North Park opened in 1925. The Carteri opened in 1925 as well.
The Egyptian theater was inspired by Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The Fairmount flourished for 20 years. The La Paloma in Encinitas opened in 1926.
The arrival of sound and the Depression changed theater design. New theaters were compact and streamlined. They lacked European tradition.
The Vista had a pseudo Spanish facade. The Hillcrest was refurbished in Mission style. The Ramona was demolished in the mid 1950s.
Several new theaters opened in San Diego’s outlying areas. These included the Seville and the National. The Coronado and the La Mesa also opened.
The Roxy and the Strand were neighborhood theaters. The Coronet the Metro and the Victory opened in Logan Heights.
The State and the Tower were deluxe houses. The Tower is still attractive today. It has a tall sign and a colorful marquee.
Theater construction stopped during World War II. It resumed in 1945. The Loma was built to serve new Navy housing.
Drive-ins became popular after the war. The Midway and the Campus opened in 1946. The Cinema-Dine offered dining in your car.
Television caused a crisis for theaters. No new indoor houses were built in San Diego during the 1950s. Drive-ins continued to grow.
The film industry revived in the early 1960s. The Cinerama and the Cinema 21 opened. The Center and the Valley Circle also opened.
Smaller more intimate theaters returned later in the 1960s. The Unicorn became a haven of warm woodwork.
Shopping center multiplexes appeared in the 1970s. These included the Fashion Valley 4 and the Century Twin.
Despite changes in the film industry, theatergoing remains special. The design of theaters reflects popular culture. The Mission Bay Theater is a reminder of this. It has served the community for many years. It continues to offer entertainment today. The Mission Bay Theater is a cherished part of San Diego’s history.