Bob Hope Theatre

Originally named the Fox California Theater, the Bob Hope Theatre is a historic movie and concert palace built in 1930. It was one of many constructed by the Fox West Coast Theater company during this period; it is one of the few such theaters remaining. First run movies were shown until 1969 after which second run movies were shown until 1973, when lack of business forced the theater to close. Many efforts tried to renovate the building, but it wasn't until 1996 that the movie house was finally renovated, including over 2,000 red velvet seats. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The location where the Bob Hope Theatre now stands once was the site of the oldest movie theater in Stockton, T&D Photoplay; the older building was demolished in 1929 for construction of the new theater. When the new theater opened on October 14th, 1930, it was the biggest one in California, but this lasted for only a year when the Oakland Palace was built. Nevertheless, it was and still is a fine theater. Opening night was a city-wide event as over 20,000 people filled the streets; celebrities, including Maureen O'Sullivan, who would later star as Jane in the movie Tarzan, also came to view the first movie - Up the River, starring Spencer Tracy. The theater boasted a three manual, twin pipe Wurlitzer organ.

Construction cost $500,000, an enormous sum at the time, and that was on top of the $250,000 the company paid to demolish the previous theater on the site. Extra steel used in construction made this one of the safest buildings in town. Extra safety precautions were taken during construction; the company made sure that local workers were hired, and local materials were used for the job. Residents of Stockton greatly appreciated this, and as a result, there is a strong connection among locals for the theater. The Spanish Colonial Revival style concrete building featured a large stage, meant to accommodate vaudeville acts. An impressive, two-story rotunda with a mirrored chandelier was placed between the main entrance and the auditorium; a bubbling fountain and pool were originally adjacent to the curving steps leading to the mezzanine level. Huge, plastered ceiling beams in the auditorium and curved, private boxes at each end of the balcony were decorated to look like carved wood.

The theater's first manager was Nick Turner, previously of the State Theater, which had recently closed for renovation. The Great Depression put many vaudeville acts out of business. However, many big names performed here including the Marx Brothers and Duke Ellington. A new manager, Ray Duddy, took over by 1940; he had previously managed the Fox California Theater in Salinas, and married a woman from Stockton, Irene Tubbs, in 1929.

First run movies were shown until 1969 after which second run movies were shown until 1973, when lack of business forced the theater to close. Many efforts tried to renovate the building, but it wasn't until 1996 that the movie house was finally renovated. The original organ was removed in the 1950s but a 1928 organ from a Fox theater in Seattle was installed. The theater adopted its current name in 2004 to honor legendary comedian and movie star, Bob Hope.

Anonymous. "Salinas." Californian (Salinas) June 28th, 1929. 9-9.

Anonymous. "Exits and Entrances." Oakland Tribune (Oakland) October 14th, 1930. C sec, 58-58.

Anonymous. "You and Your Friends." Salinas Index Journal (Salinas) July 27th, 1940. 3-3.

"Bob Hope Theatre." Cinema Treasures. Accessed July 20, 2016. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/79.

Merlo, Edward C. and Hillman, Raymond W. "Fox California Theater." National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. June 27, 1979.