Towne / NewTown / Centre Theatre

107 S. Maclay Ave. San Fernando, CA 91340 | map |

Opened: It debuted as the Towne Theatre in 1942, a project of Maude and John Rennie, who also had Rennie's Theatre in San Fernando, a house that ended up as the Azteca. The Towne was on the northwest corner of Maclay Ave. and Truman St.

Architect: Clifford A. Balch. Thanks to Joe Vogel for finding an item in the August 1, 1941 issue of Southwest Builder & Contractor noting that Balch had done the plans for the new theatre.

Seating: 784

By 1946 it had lost the "e," becoming the Town Theatre. It's listed that way in the January 1946 phone book. By 1953 they were advertising it as the New Town and later as the NewTown.

 

"Plymouth Adventure" and "Everything is Yours" playing in 1953. It's an ad located by Ken McIntyre. The Sierra Theatre is the former Rennie's, later to become the Crest and the Azteca Theatre.

 

A 1955 ad for the NewTown. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating the ad. In 1955 Lou Kane's Sunset Theatres was running both houses. 

 

Marilyn in "Bus Stop" playing the New Town in 1956.

With a 1963 remodel it became the Centre Theatre. The Larry Leach photo for the Valley Times is in the Los Angeles Public Library collection. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for spotting it. The photo appeared November 7, 1963 with this caption:

"Community leaders gather at the new Centre Theater in San Fernando for a preview of the completely remodeled movie theater which opens Nov. 20. From left to right, Mayor Ralph A. Harper, Wallace Warren, president of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce, theater general manager Joe Kennedy, Al Cassell, San Fernando businessman and Valley Times publisher Ben Reddick." 

 

Part of the November 7 Valley Times article that appeared with the photo. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.

Closed: c.1970

Status: It was demolished sometime prior to the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. Work at that time was underway on the new project for the site, a service station. The location is now part of a parking lot for a strip mall with a Chipotle on the corner.

More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Centre Theatre.

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