Fortuna Theater
1241 Main Street,
Fortuna,
CA
95540
1241 Main Street,
Fortuna,
CA
95540
3 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Cinema West Theatres - Fortuna Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: Cinema West
Previously operated by: Redwood Theatres Inc.
Architects: William Bernard David
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: New Fortuna Theater
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
707.725.2121
Nearby Theaters
The New Fortuna Theatre was built for Redwood Theatres in 1938.
Recently restored, the theater reopened in November, 2000. The main theater features original wall sconces and chandeliers, which have all been completely restored. It also has a 46 foot screen and newly installed stadium seating. The other two theaters are located in the reconstructed balcony. The Fortuna Theater is adding a 3-screen addition that will bring the complex to a total of 6 screens.
As part of the restoration, over 500 feet of new neon tubing was installed on the tower. It was lit for the public for the first time in over 35 years, in October 2000.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
Gee buckyclown….I think your comment is pretty harsh…..
I just watched WILD HOGS at the little old theater the other night. It was warm and comfortable. This little theater is really rather charming. Inside you can see pictures of movie theater staff from times past in costumes that had to do with the feature movies theme.You have to step down a couple of steps to into the restrooms that are guarded by nice old railing. They even still have the original “occupied” door latches on the bathrooms. I would say that even for a theater that hasn’t had tons of money put into it, this little theater is in pretty good shape. It could probably use a good scrub,and some new paint, otherwise i think its fine. Fortuna is a town of 10,000. I can’t imagine that this little theater is a big money draw, since Eureka about 20 miles away has 2 big theaters.It does manage to still keep young and old alike happy within the community. I would think this little theater is kept open out of love for the community not for the income potential. In fact I think this little theater is in as good of shape as it is because of being located in a nice little community. It seems to me that there should be some sort of local antiquity(?) loans or grants available to refurbish great little theaters such as this one, so that they can keep up to code and keep the doors open. If ever in town I will buy the popcorn……..which doesnt come in bags….its popped fresh and is always hot. :))
This 1940s photo is admittedly lacking as far as the Fortuna is concerned, but it is an interesting view of Main Street at that time:
http://tinyurl.com/6kc262
According to an article dated 12/3/36 in the Woodland Democrat, work was started on the Fortuna at that time to replace another theater that was at the same address. That theater was destroyed in a fire in late November 1936.
I was in that place in the 90s and there is not room for six auditoriums. They would have been better off restoring it as a single screener or at the most twin it. But that’s “The more screens you have the better” mentality of many theatre owners today.
During the Fortuna Theater’s renovation, the cleanup crew ran across a reel of film dating back to 1937. It showed the old location of the Fortuna Theater and also contained footage of the new theater building which was still under construction. This film had been commissioned by the local merchants and was filmed by the Alexander Film Company. It was produced by the Blache' Screen Service in San Francisco as part of their “Buy at Home” series which promoted local small town commerce. CinemaWest graciously made the 22-minute film available in digital format. The Fortuna Downtown Merchants web site is here, where you can read more about this film and also view it.
Nice to see that they still have their vertical sign.
Never been but looks like old fashion style my kind of theater lets band together and buy it.
Wonderful restoration of this old theatre… However, that ugly, huge clock behind the candy counter needs to go.
A July 4, 2010 photo can be seen here.
Circa 1935 photo added of the original Fortuna Theatre courtesy of Terry Koenig. “When A Man’s A Man” starring George O'Brien on the marquee.