Fox Theatres was a large chain of movie theaters in the United States dating from the 1920s either built by Fox Film studio owner William Fox, or subsequently merged in 1929 by Fox with the West Coast Theatres chain, to form the Fox West Coast Theatres chain.[2] Fox West Coast went into bankruptcy and was sold to The National Theatres Corporation, led by Charles Skouras, on November 19, 1934, for $17,000,000.00.[3]Eugene Klein later became CEO of National, and turned it into the conglomerate National General. Mann Theatres bought National General's theatres in 1973.[4]
This chain should not be confused with the Reading, Pennsylvania-based Fox Theaters, founded by Richard Allen "Dick" Fox in 1957 and primarily based on the East Coast.[5]
Fox theaters surviving today share almost identical histories of decline and fall into disrepair as demographics and movie-going habits changed in the post-World War II years. As many were located in urban centers, there have been subsequent campaigns to save, restore and preserve the architectural extravaganzas for other uses, especially the performing arts. The largest of the Fox Theatres is the Detroit Fox Theatre, which was fully restored in 1988 and is used as a performing arts center.
The restored art deco interior of Fox Theater in Spokane, Washington
Other Fox theatres which have been restored and adapted for drama and music include those in St. Louis; also Spokane, Washington, which re-opened as the home of the Spokane Symphony on November 17, 2007; Tucson, Arizona, which reopened in January 2006 after being closed for thirty-two years; Hutchinson, Kansas, reopened in 1999; Oakland, California, reopened in February 2009; Aurora, Colorado reopened in 1986, and Fullerton, California, where a non-profit community project is restoring the theatre. The Fox theatres in Visalia, California, reopened in 1999, and Atlanta were shuttered for some time before restoration began.
The Fox Theatre in Joplin, Missouri, built in 1930, has been adapted for use as the Central Christian Church.
Bankruptcy
The financial pressures of the Great Depression compelled William Fox to declare bankruptcy.[6] Initiated circa 1929, bankruptcy receivership court proceedings spanned "over a period of twenty-five or more years."[7] The matter culminated in a final suit brought in 1954 by the trustees to vacate the "corrupt" November 17, 1933, settlement order. The trustees alleged a widespread "conspiracy to milk Fox Theatres Corporation of assets worth many millions of dollars, in derogation of the rights of its creditors and stockholders."[7] The complaint named the issuing judge, indicted on unrelated federal charges in the intervening years, as collusive with some "thirty-odd named respondents" including "Chase National Bank, Bender, Van Kleeck and Aumack, individually and as co-partners doing business as Bender & Co., American Express Company, General Precision Equipment Corporation, National-Simplex-Bludworth Corporation, Inc., Skouras Theatres Corporation, Randforce Amusement Corporation, Rinfriss Corporation, Samuel Rinzler, and the executors under the will of Louis Frisch."[7] In a 1960 published opinion of the United States District Court S.D. New York, the matter was dismissed for the trustees' failing to plead the fraud in particulars; however, the record was left open for them to revitalize with evidence.[7]
List of Fox Theatres
See the following articles for information about specific theatres.
Wilshire[13]-Opened September 19, 1930, closed 1977, reopened by Nederlander Theatres as the Saban 1981, currently being restored
Billings, Montana—Opened November 13, 1931, the last Art Deco theatre in the United States built by 20th Century Fox Corporation; sold to Carsich Theatres in 1978; renovated and reopened as the Alberta Bair Theatre for the Performing Arts in 1987
Alba[15]-Opened 1929,[16] operation later handed over to Randforce Amusement Corporation, closed 1970, eventually demolished, site now occupied by a hospital[17]
Salina, Kansas—Opened 1932, closed 1987, given to City 1989, restored by non-profit and reopened 2003 as a performing arts center (still in use 2018..)
Cottonwood Mall 4[72][73]-Opened July 10, 1968, screen divided into 2 December 1976,[74] screens 3 & 4 added 1977,[75] closed February 14, 2002, demolished late 2000s, site now vacant[76]
San Antonio, Texas[77]-Opened 1969 as Fox Twin Theatres,[78] renamed Fox Central Park 3 Theatres when screen 2 was divided in 1974,[79] screen 1 divided 1984,[79] closed mid 1990s,[79] demolished 2003[79]
Springfield, Missouri—Also originally part of the Electric Theatre chain, and also now serving as a church. Built by M.E. Gillioz, who later built the Gillioz Theatre in Springfield.[90]
St. Louis—Opened 1929 with a nearly identical interior to its Detroit counterpart (with about 500 fewer seats), fully restored in 1982.
Buena Vista—Opened February 10, 1967,[91] 2nd screen added in 1972,[92] closed early 1990s, reopened 1995, closed late 1997 to early 1998, demolished 2008,[93] site now occupied by Hampton Inn & Suites[94]
Lyric[95]-Open as early as 1919,[96] operated by Fox West Coast as early as March 19, 1949,[97] in operation as late as May 21, 1963,[98] since demolished, site now occupied by Pima County building[99]
