Fox Fullerton Theatre

The Fox Fullerton Theatre is a historic movie palace in Fullerton, California, described by its official site as Orange County's original movie palace and a sister theatre to the Chinese and Egyptian theatres in Hollywood. It was built in 1925 by Charles and Stanley Chapman and opened on May 28, 1925 as "Chapman's Alician Court Theatre," named for C. Stanley Chapman's wife Alice; over a few years the name changed five times before becoming The Fox Fullerton Theatre. The venue hosted live vaudeville performances, community events, and special concerts along with screenings of silent films, and with the debut of Dick Turpin starring Tom Mix at its gala opening it became Orange County's first and largest movie palace. A restoration effort has been underway, with Phase II construction reported complete (new restrooms, new HVAC system, lobby restoration).

In the early 1920s the mostly rural city of Fullerton began growing rapidly. Local businessman C. Stanley Chapman (son of the town's first mayor) recognized the need for a large entertainment venue in the downtown district. On the heels of their work on Grauman's Egyptian Theatre (1922), he hired the firm of Meyer & Holler to design and build "Chapman's Alician Court Theatre" named for his beloved wife Alice. Opening night was on May 28, 1925, and over the course of a few years the name would change five times to finally become known as The Fox Fullerton Theatre. The venue hosted live vaudeville performances, community events, and special concerts on stage along with screenings of Hollywood's finest silent films, accompanied by the "Marr & Colton 3/16" pipe organ. With the debut of the movie Dick Turpin starring Tom Mix at that gala opening, The Fox Fullerton became Orange County's first, and its largest movie palace. On June 7, 1925, Dolla Chapman Harris (Stanley's aunt) opened the "Mary Louise Tea Room" built as part of the theater complex. The official site states the theatre was built in 1925 by Charles and Stanley Chapman and became the go-to place for silent movies, then "talkies", news of world events and Hollywood blockbusters, enduring name changes, remodels, earthquakes, and political skirmishes on its fate for almost 100 years. A restoration effort has been underway; the site reports Phase II construction complete with new restrooms, a new HVAC system, and lobby restoration.

Orange County's original movie palace; sister theatre to the Chinese & Egyptian theatres in Hollywood.

Product categories. Historic movie palace venue · Concerts · Entertainer showcases · Comedians · Cinema events · Musicals & plays · Cultural events · Free community events · Private events

1. 1Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation - Fox Theatre Fullertonfoxfullerton.org
2. 2About The Fox - Fox Theatre Fullertonfoxfullerton.org