Opened: It evidently opened in 1916, initially called Cody's New Theatre. The location was on the west side of Brand about a dozen blocks north of the 5. The photo from the collection of the San Fernando Valley Historical Society appears on the website of Oviatt Library Digital Collections at Cal State Northridge. Cody's is running "Grumpy," a 1923 release starring Theodore Roberts.
The April 8, 1916 issue of Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer noted: "Plans are being prepared for brick theater building 50 x 125 ft., to be erected at the corner of Brand Blvd. and Celis St. for San Fernando Mission Land Co. There will be two store rooms at the front, and two offices above the stores. Pressed brick facing, tile entrance, furnace, seating capacity of about 600. G.F. Cody of Cody's Theater has taken the lease." The issue is on Google Books.
The Cinema Tour page about Cody's New Theatre notes finding 1919 movie listings: "The earliest listing for this theater is Friday March 14, 1919, a month after The Newhall Signal newspaper started. The movies listed were Norma Talmadge in 'Her Only Way' Sunday, Monday March 16-17, 1919, and Theda Bara in 'Du Barry' Wednesday March 19, 1919. Admission was listed as Children 10 cents, Adults 15 cents, Loges 20 cents. 'War Tax Extra.'"
It's listed as Cody's in the 1921 city directory and as the Cody Theatre in 1923. It got a serious remodel (or perhaps a whole new building) in 1924. Cinema Treasures researcher Joe Vogel found it mentioned in the April 2, 1924 issue of Southwest Builder & Contractor with the information that the architect, A. Godfrey Bailey, had prepared "preliminary plans." It's still listed as the Cody Theatre in city directories through 1930. The theatre is listed as the San Fernando in the 1939/40 city directory.
Architect: A. Godfrey Bailey, for the 1924 version.
Seating: 900 at the end.
Closing: It was running at least until 1970. Ron Strong has done the research:
"Interestingly, the San Fernando Theatre began operating a split week programing, alternating English language double features (on Wednesdays) and Spanish language double features (on Sundays) in 1950. By 1952 it programing had changed to strictly Spanish language films. It's last known advertisement was on June 23rd 1970."
A c.1937 trade magazine photo appearing with the caption: "Splayed-side marquee with a high degree of ornamentation in neon recently installed for the San Fernando Theatre in San Fernando, Calif., with a vertical sign as well as marquee attraction boards employing silhouette letters against opal glass panels illuminated with Mazda lamps. Attraction board letters are 10-inch Wagner Gothic." Thanks to contributor Elmorovivo for finding the photo for a post on Cinema Treasures.
An earlier Cody's: G.F. Cody had a theatre running in San Fernando around 1912. The book "San Fernando Valley" by Jackson Mayers & Nick Massaro reports on page 107 that "Cody's Theater was running 'The Orleans Coach' complete in three reels." The film is a 1912 short also known as "The Courier of Lyons."
The Los Angeles Public Library has this Valley Times photo in their collection. It appeared July 31, 1954 with this caption: "Vanishing landmark - Oldtime San Fernando residents will recall that this old building on First near Macneil street was once city's first theater. It has been used in recent years by furniture store. Progress has doomed ancient structure - it must be destroyed to make way for new San Fernando City Hall." The City Hall uses an address of 117 N. Macneil St.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the San Fernando Theatre. Cinema Tour has pages for both the San Fernando Theatre and for Cody's New Theatre.
And for a fun romp through the history of other San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley theatres visit Ron Strong's Bijou Memories site.
| back to top | San Fernando Valley theatres | San Fernando Valley: list by address | Downtown | Westside | Hollywood | Westwood and Brentwood | Along the Coast | [more] Los Angeles movie palaces | the main alphabetical list | theatre history resources | film and theatre tech resources | theatres in movies | LA Theatres on facebook | contact info | welcome and site navigation guide |
Interestingly, The San Fernando Theatre began operating a split week programing, alternating English language double features (On Wednesdays) and Spanish language double features(on Sundays) in 1950. By 1952 it programing had changed to strictly Spanish language films. It's last known advertisement was on June 23rd. 1970.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ron!
Delete