Fox Redondo Theatre

300 Diamond Street,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox West Coast Theatres, Mann Theatres, National General Theatres

Architects: John Paxton Perrine

Styles: Art Deco, Spanish Colonial

Nearby Theaters

Fox Redondo Theatre auditorium

Opened in February 1929, this was a large, single screen theater located right next to the beach in Redondo Beach. It seemed to play every first run film that United Artists released in the 1960’s. The screen was large, and the theater had a balcony.

When Redondo Beach renovated the pier area, the theater was demolished in 1973.

Contributed by Manwithnoname

Recent comments (view all 137 comments)

Schrader
Schrader on November 25, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Thanks, Redondo Theater. I’ve passed the news about Dan on to my Dad; he always thought highly of the Ashcrafts.

dukespal
dukespal on February 3, 2009 at 8:47 pm

Wow, what a site I just discovered. I too sat thru movies at the Fox in late 50’s thru about ‘64. The last show I remember seeing there was “Mondo Cane” late '62 or early '63. I also remember Battle of the Bands across the street at the Library grounds, the Squires, Bel Airs and even a new act Sonny & Cher played there. About the Fox, I remember the Sat. matinee shows and “sailing popcorn boxes” at the stage. Also with my friends we loved to harass the “makeouts” from the balcony. We also had a way of “sneaking in” to the strand, one guy paid I think 50 cents, went upstairs and opened the fire escape door when the ushers were busy, we boosted each other up onto the exterior ladder and we were “In.” I remember seeing “Journey to the Center of the Earth” there- 1959.
Redondo was an ideallic place to growup in the early 60’s, the Pier fishing for Bonito like a previous post or from the Sacramento Barge, surfing Ainsworth, Saphire, C Street, Burnout and Haggerty’s Cove. Remember King Harbor being constructed. The “Surprise Store”, delivering the Daily Breeze, etc. I lived ½ block from RUHS on Juanita Street, the house is still there,unlike the Fox, The Strand, Central Elementary and our Little League field & recreation center which was located where the current Redondo Police station is. Does anyone remember the Canteen Dances?
Curious,
BillS

michelemc
michelemc on April 27, 2009 at 2:24 pm

I was in Hansel and Gretel at the Hampton Players, Christmas 1962. Anyone remember that?

carolynechristy
carolynechristy on October 1, 2010 at 5:47 pm

WOW! I hope this great group of people is still thriving, writing, remembering and sharing all of it’s interest and enthusiasm for what I also remember as “The Diamond” of all the glorious theaters from the exciting days of the birth of the movie biz. Outside of the sphere of all life within closr proximity to the “original Hollywood”… there grew a whole other world, originally known as Hollywood Riviera, which is where the lives & the legends of places like The Fox began. Although I’m just dying to chatter and connect immediately… I know that there is a MAJOR, untapped (as far I know) source of personal info. that I must try to reach before I do anything else. He will be so thrilled, and he comes from three generations of family, that not only lived through the earliest days of the development of the South Bay, but also lived and grew up partaking in the Fox Theaters earliest glory days… of evening gowns, live performances, silents & talkies, and celebs & red carpet openings aplenty! His first name is Steve… but I must try to reach him ASAP so he can relate , personally, all the stories he grew up hearing from his dearest grandmother, Marie (even I heard many of them) as she would recount her wonderful early life and her very special memories. Hope you will still be keeping this site going until I get a chance to return to it. Reading everyone’s memories has given me one of the most special afternoon experiences in quite some time! Until then… Carolyn

MJuggler
MJuggler on July 5, 2011 at 7:41 pm

just found some old photos from 1942 on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ron_felsing/3314639934/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ron_felsing/4712907989/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ron_felsing/4712907973/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ron_felsing/4712907945/in/photostream/ very cool!

tnavel
tnavel on March 17, 2012 at 2:59 pm

to remember the fox redondo. i used to go mostley to saturday afternoon showings. they had two movies and a cartoon plus they had a man(i think his name was roy)who did magic tricks and would collect dr. pepper bottle caps in trade for toys. in the back of the balcony they had a room with windows so mothers with crying babies could go. there were about a dozen seats in there. the cost then to see the movies was 35 cents. they also woul show shorts like sos coast guard or gang busters and flash gordon. sometimes we would leave early and go climb on the rocks in the break waters.i could use the telephones in the lobby and call my mom when the movie was over for 5 cents. our phone prefix then was frontier. i met my wife there at redondo high but i was going to pacific shores. her name was louvisa jo stanley

prmd
prmd on June 22, 2013 at 10:56 pm

I appreciated the memories shared regarding the Fox Redondo Theater and the wonderful remarks regarding Dan Ashcroft. He was an incredible police officer and human being. I was very surprise to read that someone remembered seeing the “Squires” playing during the Midnight shows intermissions. The theater also played our new surf album during regular showtimes for the intermissions.

My brother and I formed the Squires band in 1962 and played primarily at the Grand Theatre in Torrance, The Torrance Rec Center, the Roller Drome, and the Revelaire Club,and many high school proms. All of the Squires joined the military between 1965-1966. Upon discharge, we restructured the Squires and reformed as the Rock of Ages. We played in nightclubs until 1977. Long live the Squires and the Fox Redondo.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on May 5, 2015 at 8:30 am

Two photos added courtesy of Deborah Frederick.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 5, 2015 at 12:13 pm

1958 photo added courtesy of Chris Hoffman, and circa 1958 photo added courtesy of Doug Simmons.

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