California Theatre (San Bernardino)

The California Theatre of the Performing Arts or simply referred to as the California Theatre is a performing arts center in the historic Downtown area of San Bernardino, California. Originally a part of the Fox Theatre chain, it opened in 1928 and still houses its original Wurlitzer Style 216 pipe organ.[2] It was also the site of the last performance by Will Rogers prior to his death in a 1935 plane crash.

California Theatre of the Performing Arts
Address562 W. 4th St.
San Bernardino, California
United States
OwnerCity of San Bernardino
OperatorTheatre Arts International
TypeMovie palace
Capacity1,718
Screens1
Current usePerforming arts venue
Opened1928 (1928)
Website
www.californiatheatre.net
California Theatre
Coordinates33°43′8″N 117°17′35″W
Area0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
ArchitectPerrine, John Paxton
Architectural styleMission/spanish Revival
NRHP reference No.09001116[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 22, 2009

In the early years of Hollywood, filmmakers would test-screen their movies at the California Theatre. Classic films such as "King Kong" and "The Wizard of Oz" were first seen by audiences at the theatre in the 1930s.

The theatre is managed by Theatrical Arts International, the largest theatre company in the Inland Empire, which presents Broadway tours from the national touring circuit, and has hosted the San Bernardino Symphony since 1929. The theatre has recently hosted the tapings of Showtime's "The Latin Divas of Comedy", and "The Payaso Comedy Slam".[3]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "CinemaTreasures". Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  3. Weeks, John (2006-11-10). "Inland Empire - a pop culture bastion". San Bernardino County Sun. Archived from the original on 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2007-12-17.


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