Novato Theatre

924 Grant Avenue,
Novato, CA 94945

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Additional Info

Architects: William P. Kelly

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 415.897.0223
Manager: 415.897.3135

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News About This Theater

Novato Box Office

Built in 1948, the theater functioned as movie theater continuously until 1991, when it closed.

In 1996, the theater was purchased by a non-profit, which intends to restore the theater as a performing arts center for Toledo’s small downtown.

Contributed by Novato Theatre

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 26, 2009 at 7:15 pm

From the current text of the intro above: “In 1996, the theater was purchased by a non-profit, which intends to restore the theater as a performing arts center for Toledo’s small downtown.” What, Toledo doesn’t have a theater of its own to renovate?

On the photos: 1960s shingled mansardish roof extension. Ugh. If they renovate I hope they peel that thing off.

Don Donohue frequently wrote pieces for Boxoffice Magazine’s “The Exhibitor Has His Say” feature in the 1950s. Here’s a sample- from the December 8, 1951, issue, his comment on the Universal-International release “You Never Can Tell” with Dick Powell: “This is a real turkey— my poorest Sun., Mon. in many a week. I went along with U-I on top terms because of a saturation booking, but never again. My fingers will burn for weeks.” And that was one of his less acerbic reviews. I sure wouldn’t have wanted to cross Don.

amende
amende on January 17, 2011 at 6:50 pm

Check out Facebook page “Novato Theater”

mlcombs
mlcombs on June 19, 2011 at 8:05 am

The Novato Cinema may re-open.
A non-profit group is trying to raise enough money to turn the old movie house into a place where they can show movies and have live stage performances. I wish the luck, I would love to see a movie in the old theater.

gd14lawn
gd14lawn on December 13, 2011 at 9:38 pm

Here are some articles dealing with the renovation of the theater:

http://novato.patch.com/articles/wanna-see-the-inside-of-the-novato-theater

http://novato.patch.com/articles/novato-theater-renovation-on-council-agenda-tonight

gd14lawn
gd14lawn on December 13, 2011 at 9:46 pm

Here is another article:

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_18999018

Lee
Lee on September 12, 2015 at 3:33 pm

Here is the latest on the Novato: http://www.marinij.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150810/novato-groups-plan-for-new-downtown-theater-inching-closer-to-reality#disqus_thread

pnelson
pnelson on September 12, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Wow the best and most beautiful box office design. Must be a lovely theatre.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 24, 2015 at 4:32 pm

2015 photo added, photo credit Dan Young.

Website below has the Novato Theater’s IndieGoGo donation page link. Copy & paste to view.

https://www.novatotheater.net/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on August 6, 2017 at 7:12 am

Circa 1959 & 2016 photos added courtesy of Les Higashiā€ˇ.

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