MovieChat Forums > It's a Wonderful Life (1947) Discussion > Just saw this, Fox Theater, Riverside Ca...

Just saw this, Fox Theater, Riverside California!

posted 9 years ago by thomas196x2000
9 replies | jump to latest

Just last night I went with my family and saw this at the historic, gorgeous Fox Theater in Riverside. (Looks similar on the outside to the Fox Theater in Fullerton, CA).

Absolutely great. Although it looked like it was nothing more than a projected DVD, and had a TV aspect ratio, it was clear and bright and the sound was great...it was wonderful to watch it in a rather full theater with people who loved it. At the end there were red and blue lights on and fake snow was blown down from the ceiling.

WONDERFUL.

$7.00 tickets, how cool is that?

[–] kentor404 9 years ago

Sweet. I'm jealous. I'm from the Midwest but lived in R-side in the '70s and '80s, and I still miss it a ton and get "home" sick (especially in the winter). I get back out there for a visit as often as possible, sometimes once or twice a year, but I haven't been out since the summer of '14. The longest gap was from '88 to '06. It was amazing how some things had changed greatly in that time and since then, while other things very little or not at all.

Bit of trivia that you may already know since it's a pretty well-known part of Fox lore - an early cut of Gone With the Wind was shown to a test audience for the first time at the Fox in Riverside prior to its release to the public in 1939. I've read that the studio wanted to test their latest edited version on a real live audience, so they threw it in a car and drove out to Riverside. When the movie that was scheduled that day was over ("Hawaiian Nights"), the manager announced to the crowd that they were going to show a secret sneak preview of a movie and no one would be allowed in or out once the movie started, so if you wanted or needed to leave do so before the movie started. When GWTW came up on the screen the crowd cheered, because it was the talk of Hollywood for a year or more before that time so moviegoers were well aware of it and anxiously awaiting its release. Supposedly the studio made a few editing changes to the version that was finally released to the public based on feedback from the audience that day at the Fox.

http://www.omnibusonline.com/?p=5502

[–] thomas196x2000 9 years ago

Ken,

They may do this next year. If you are planning a visit during Christmas you may want to call them and see if you can align the timing. There are other great things to do for the holidays in the general area as well, you likely know that.

You are 100% right about the Fox "testing". I live very close to the restored Fox in Pomona. Much of Pomona is not very nice but they are trying to revive it. The Fox in Pomona is not a theater as much as a concert venue, but I believe they have a screen and can show movies if needed.

While I was researching that gem, I found out information right along the lines of what you said. They would screen films at the Fox because back then, Pomona was "way out", citrus orchards, dairy farms, etc. They could get a non-urban clientele there and gauge what people, for example, out in the country in the rest of the US, might think of the film, which was and is a very important part of the public. But, like Riverside, it was close enough in that you could drive out there and sit with the audience for a few showings and come right back with a report to the studio of feedback.

Even with no highways back then, it was only about 50-70 miles away from Hollywood, so not that far, you could even hop on a train and shoot out there and shoot back. It was very convenient and evidently worked like a charm.

Another tidbit, they are working on restoring the Fox Fullerton! I am darn lucky to be within striking distance of three Fox theaters! I understand the Fullerton one will be like Riverside in that it will be set up to show films, not a concert venue.

[–] kentor404 8 years ago

Sweet! You're making me even more homesick! :)

[–] Jonhny 9 years ago

You had a wonderful movie experience.

BTW, old films had a 4:3 aspect ratio (more squarish than rectangular).

[–] thomas196x2000 9 years ago

Then maybe it was quite close to original!

It looked great.

[–] JosephASpadaro 9 years ago

Interesting post. Thanks!

Of course, I have never seen this film in a theater (as it came out in 1946). I -- like most -- have only seen it at home, either on TV or on DVD.

But, wow, it would be a great experience to see it on the big screen, in a room full of other people. That would be a completely different type of experience for a film such as this.

[–] thomas196x2000 9 years ago

It was.

I remember I saw "The Road Warrior" when it came out and loved it. Saw it in Westwood with an enthusiastic crowd.

But then I went to film school and saw it at the theater in UCLA, and it was a whole other level of appreciation.

The best thing is an enthusiastic, but not rowdy, audience.

[–] JosephASpadaro 9 years ago

I agree 100%.

And this post reminds me of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

I grew up with that film as a kid, when we would go to the film and watch it with "live audience participation".

Today's younger generation watches the film at their home, in the living room, on DVD.

And, needless to say, they just don't "get it".

[–] nutsberryfarm 8 years ago

how was the popcorn? 

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