Bob Hope Theatre

The T & D Photoplay Theatre was opened on July 19, 1917 with Mary Pickford in “A Romance of the Redwoods” & Fatty Arbuckle in “The Butcher Boy”. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer 3 ,amual 9 ranks theatre organ which was opened by organist Albert Hay Mollott and the resident organist for the theatre A.C. Walsh. It was designed in a Classical-Corinthian style by architect Albert W. Cornelius for the T & D Enterprises chain. Seating was provided for 2,540 with 1,040 in the orchestra level and 1,500 in the balcony. It was re-named California Theatre in 1923 when it was taken over by the Fox West Coast Theatres chain. It was closed in 1929 to be extensively remodeled to the plans of architects Balch & Stanbery.

It reopened on October 14, 1930 with Spencer Tracy in “Up the River”. The Wurlitzer 3 manual 9 rank theatre organ had been retained in its original installation, and was opened by organist Inez McNeil, who had been the resident organist on the instrument.

Its glorious run of first run films lasted until 1969 when the Fox Theatre became a venue for second run movies. Finally, no longer able to support itself, the theatre closed in 1973. The original Wurlitzer organ had been removed from the theatre in the 1950’s.

Despite various efforts to bring back the Fox Theatre, it wasn’t until 1996 that its true and lasting resurrection was realized. Today, the Fox Theatre is a lively concert hall and a survivor of the decline of the movie palace. With over 2,000 seats, the Fox Theatre is still a stunner. A Robert Morton 4 manual theatre organ has been installed, originally installed in the Fox Theatre, Seattle in 1928.

The Fox Theatre was renamed for the late legendary entertainer Bob Hope in 2004.

Recent comments (view all 24 comments)

kencmcintyre on March 19, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Here is an October 2004 article from the Hollywood Reporter:
http://tinyurl.com/ddubmy

TLSLOEWS on November 3, 2009 at 6:49 pm

Nice picture Tom. Looks good that they left the FOX vertical on the building.

larrygoldsmith on June 14, 2010 at 1:37 pm

Even though the theatre changed name to BOB HOPE THEATRE, It was good they still recognized, and left the original name on the building.

Mikeyisirish on June 27, 2012 at 9:23 am

A few 2011 photos can be seen here and here.

eperscreepers on September 21, 2014 at 4:07 pm

Hello everyone I am the founder of ecps a paranormal group in Stockton the reason for my comment is were being requested to investigate bob hope/fox/California theather i was wondering if anyone has information or expirance anything unusual or some basic history that you can’t find if do please email me at

iangarrott on September 14, 2015 at 3:46 am

Looking for an old theater I can convert into a full time church/concert hall but keep the historic splender of the theater. let me know if anyone can give a me leads and tips. prefered in the Northern California area. thanks.

rivest266 on June 24, 2022 at 2:42 am

This was opened on July 19th, 1917, as the T & D theatre and reopened as California on January 5th, 1924, and closed in 1929 for rebuilding. It reopened as Fox California on October 11th, 1930. Grand opening ads posted.

Fox California opening 11 Oct 1930, Sat Stockton Evening and Sunday Record (Stockton, California) Newspapers.com

rivest266 on June 24, 2022 at 2:44 am

Another ad: Fox California opening 11 Oct 1930, Sat Stockton Evening and Sunday Record (Stockton, California) Newspapers.com

rivest266 on June 27, 2022 at 2:45 pm

In June 1956, the listings became simply “Fox” from “Fox California”

50sSNIPES on November 23, 2025 at 7:44 am

Opened on July 19, 1917 with Mary Pickford in “A Romance Of The Redwoods” and Fatty Arbuckle in “The Butcher Boy” along with Albert Hay Malotte playing the Master Wurlitzer Hope-Jones Unit organ accompany by a quartet.