Century 21 Cinemas (Closed)
San Jose, CA Photo courtesy Heather David
Located off of Winchester Boulevard in San Jose (near the Winchester Mystery House) is the 1960's era Century 21 Cinemas. With its distinct dome shaped buildings, the Century 21 reflects back to the era when Cinedome types of theatre were more common and a sought after place to go to take in a good movie. Many thanks to Heather David for info. 07-08
Take a look at the rounded profile of Century 21 in San Jose. This space-age movie house offered something quite different from the usual downtown theatre facade. The dome itself did much of the advertising, promising a big-screen experience beneath that sweeping roof.
Designed by Vincent G. Raney for Syufy Enterprises, Century 21 opened on November 24, 1964, with It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Its enormous screen and domed auditorium suited the era’s enthusiasm for widescreen movies. Watching television at home probably looked a little less impressive after a visit here.
Century 21 Cinemas
San Jose, CA Photo courtesy Heather David
Other Century domes followed nearby, creating a recognizable gathering of futuristic movie houses. For generations of local audiences, the rounded buildings became part of the outing as much as the film.
UPDATE: Century 21 closed in 2014, but its landmark dome survives. The neighboring Century 22 and 23 buildings were demolished, leaving this one awaiting a new use. A replica of the old theatre pole sign was installed in 2022, keeping another familiar piece of the scene in view. The movies have stopped, but the big dome is still hanging on. 10-26
The Vogue Theatre
San Francisco, CA Photo courtesy Scott Broadhurst
The blade sign outside The Vogue Theatre gives this San Francisco neighborhood movie house plenty of presence along the sidewalk. There’s something fitting about a single-screen theatre announcing itself with a tall, straightforward sign. No sprawling multiplex directory needed here. 11-10
The theatre began as the Elite in the early 1910s and passed through other names before becoming the Vogue in 1939. Over the years, foreign, independent, and classic films helped give the little cinema a following of its own.
Its future wasn’t always secure. In 2007, the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation purchased the building, keeping the property in the theatre business when redevelopment could have brought a different ending.
UPDATE: The Vogue remains open, and its neon received a fresh restoration in late 2025. The familiar glow is back outside while movies, special screenings, and festivals keep the screen busy inside. Another neighborhood theatre still doing what it was built to do. 10-26
Studio Theatre (Closed)
San Jose, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out the old marquee at the Studio Theatre in downtown San Jose. Its streamlined shape recalls the days when a glowing sign and a box office were enough to advertise an evening’s entertainment. The attractions inside have changed considerably, but the exterior still gives away the building’s movie-house past. 08-08
The Studio opened on October 18, 1950, with Bob Hope in Fancy Pants. First-run movies later gave way to adult features, Spanish-language films, and bargain-priced Hollywood double bills. Quite a few different audiences passed beneath this marquee.
Around 1999, the theatre became a nightclub, with retro dance clubs replacing the movie program. The old auditorium eventually found an even more unexpected use.
UPDATE: The building now houses The Studio, an indoor climbing and fitness gym. Its protected theatre exterior and familiar sign survived the changes. Instead of looking up at the screen, visitors can now climb toward the ceiling. 10-26
California Theatre
San Jose, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here’s a look at the California Theatre in San Jose before the replica marquee returned. Even without all its restored street-side advertising, the old facade offered a hint of the movie-palace surroundings waiting inside. Fortunately, this theatre’s long dark spell wasn’t its final act. 08-08
Designed by Weeks and Day, the California opened on April 16, 1927, with An Affair of the Follies and a stage show. Movies and live entertainment shared the bill, giving downtown audiences more than a little something to watch.
California Theatre
San Jose, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The theatre closed in 1973 and waited decades for its comeback. A major restoration recreated the historic marquee using old photographs and drawings, bringing the grand entrance back into the picture along with the ornate interior.
UPDATE: The California reopened in September 2004 and remains an active performance venue for Opera San José and Symphony San Jose. The recreated vertical sign and canopy give the sidewalk its movie-palace welcome again, even when an orchestra or opera company is providing the evening’s entertainment. 10-26
Mystic Theatre
Petaluma, CA Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb
Check out the Mystic Theatre in downtown Petaluma, where the old theatre entrance still promises an evening’s entertainment. The marquee now announces bands instead of movie titles, but the building has been welcoming audiences since 1911. Fortunately, this one found another act beyond its movie-house days. 12-10
The Mystic began as a vaudeville theatre, putting live performers onstage long before amplified guitars became part of the program. Movies followed, and the building passed through names including the State, Plaza, and Palace. Quite a few different bills have appeared out front over the years.
Mystic Theatre
Petaluma, CA Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb
A 1992 renovation returned the theatre to live entertainment, creating a music venue accommodating approximately 500 guests. Arc Angels played its opening show on July 19, 1992, giving the old house a considerably louder beginning to its new chapter.
There’s a convenient neighbor, too. McNear’s Saloon & Dining House sits alongside the theatre, making dinner and a show an easy combination. No need to wander far from the marquee once the evening gets started.
UPDATE: The Mystic remains open as an active concert venue, hosting touring musicians, local performers, and tribute shows. More than a century after its vaudeville beginnings, the old theatre still brings a crowd downtown to see who’s taking the stage. 10-26
Century 21 Cinemas (Closed)
Century 21 Cinemas
The Vogue Theatre
Studio Theatre (Closed)
California Theatre
California Theatre
Mystic Theatre
Mystic Theatre
