movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Thu Aug 06 2009, 11:41PM
I, of course, know where the current theaters are in BB, but where was the Grizzly Theater located in relation to this theater? I also saw that another theater existed after the Grizzly that burned in 1968. Does anyone know where that was located and where might I find photos of that theater? Thanks so much!
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 03:46AM
welcome to the site mark I hope you keep up your intrest. especialy in the history section as it has been ignored recently.
There have been numerous theatres in the valley and just about all have been burned at one time or another
the one that is across the navajo was a bowling alley in the 60's before that it was the navajo ballroom.
The theare in the 60's (my era) was where the arcade is now to the west. (just west of jack in the box)
here is a picture of it the morning after. and a postcard in it's heyday
In this picture you can see the original bowling alley (6 lanes, with pinboys) and the current theatre when it was the navajo ballroom before it became a bowling alley (click to enlarge picture)
below it is the ballroom when it was open and after a little snow
this building was also a theater and latter became a Dr''s office. Sorry this is the most recent photo I have. It is located across the street and south of the other one (that is in the old western auto building) where joe's barber shop was
There was also a theater up in the old pine knot lodge area for awhile.
As for the grizzly theater I hesitate to locate it exactly. It is in this picture behind the sign that says cafe on the right side. It was west of the one I showed buring in the first picture
I suggest if you are just getting into the BB history you pick up a copy of Tom Core's first 100 years. It has some great pictures including the grizzly theater and some very good stories.
I would suggest that when reading of the Big Bear history you take everything with a grain of salt as there are many errors that have been made.
if you have questions I will try to help and ,ost things I say I have seen with my own eyes
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 03:52AM
this picture didn't make it in but should have been the second to last joes barber shop was on the left portion of this building
Re: movie theaters in BB
JohnnyT (K7JNT), Fri Aug 07 2009, 06:47AM
Here is a more recent photo (note the large tree in front of the cafe was cut down) taken in 1932. From this perspective, you can see that the theater was directly across the street from Chads.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 07:24AM
I don't know why the pictures don't show but will if you click them open
the tree was nicknamed "old sam" it caught fire from a lightening strike one evening and my grandfather was tasked with felling it.
he managed to drop it without damaging any other buildings while flaming branches fell all around and were put out to prevent town from going up.
The stump remaind for quite awhile and would hang up a car from time to time.
I will post an account of this later
thanks for the pictures I hadn't seen the one If someone has Core's book there is a very good picture in it of the grizzly. my scanner is down.
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Fri Aug 07 2009, 12:15PM
Thank you so much for your help! I have many of the BB photo and history books, but didn't seem to find much on the theater that followed the Grizzly. Does anyone have any memories of any of these theaters they could share? I would love to hear them. I would love to find some movie ads from the theaters. Thank you SO much and, again, if anyone has any additional photos, please post. I have seen quite a few of Grizzly, though none really of the inside.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 12:49PM
It will be hard to find anyone that remembers anything before the first one that I showed the burning picture of. That goes back to at least the 50's. It was the first one I saw.
They also had films they played at the peter pan club upstairs but I never saw them.
the one in town had the ticket booth in the front in the middle. there were stores on either side and about a 20 foot mall that had glass cases with the coming attractions. There were 3 sets of doors and everyone entered in the center where the tickets were taken. if you got there late you might have your ticket torn at the candy counter that sat across from the doors. to the right there were two door one to an office and the other to the firls bathroom. To the left the boys bathroom and a broom closet. These 4 doors backed up to the stores on either side.
At the candy counter you could go to the right or the left as you climbed a rampto red curtains on either side.
The screen was to the back of the candy counter and as you went through the curtains you were about even with it. There were 2 aisles that went up hill to the back of the theater. And a fire exit at the end of each aisle at the back of the seating area.
a wide center area. and about 7 or 8 seats on the outside of each aisle.
The films booth satup high and was acessed from the outside.
There were certain areas were tradition had you sitting.most local guys sat all the way back preferbly up the left aisle on outside row.
Sometimes a couple would get there first and the guys would sit a few rows forward.
Couples would usually be on the outer aisles on either side.
the center back was for 20 to 30 year olds and families sat in the middle towards the front.
On your first date with a girl or if you were waiting for someone you sat near the fron outside row. As your dating progressed you moved steadily back.
most flatlanders sat on the right 1/2 of the show.
The movie would start as they drew back the red curtain and you would see it through the curtain. There was a newsreal then a cartoon sometimes two. then there were 2 shows usually with a brief intermission.
saturday night they had a later show after these where they would play a spookey movied.
The theater as well as the lake drive in and possibly the peter pan drive in were owned by Earl streebe. He also owned the one in arrowhead as well as many down the hill.
it was only open weekends unless it was during a busy season when it would be open during the weel.
My girl and I would usualy get their early and visit Monte across the street at the arcade. I would win an animal at skiball and then head across the street where we bought our ticket from pam, and once gave her an animal also. her boyfiend, later husband Gary Seaman ran the projector and his mom and dad did everything else.
Later it was managed by the dorfsmith(spelling) family when they ran it sometimes she would play an organ befor the show and during intermission.
Favorite drink suicide, favorite throwing candy ju ju be
favorite eating candy good and plenty also best for blowing through to make noise
Afterwards either to one of several parking spots or if time acrodd the street to chads for some french fries and gravy or down to halls where my boss would usually comp me and my date.
Usually my date had to be home right after the show so I would take her home and either hang out there or come back downtown and get an alternate date and hang out most of the night or cruise around and listen to wolfman jack.
thats about all I've got for a show night
Re: movie theaters in BB
Around The Lake, Fri Aug 07 2009, 09:11PM
There is one theater that many may not remember but it was in the building that now has Blondies and the little mall with Wing's.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 09:31PM
ATL
that is the one in the garage where joe's barber shop is/was
been to long since I have been up.
when I was little the ticket booth was in the little store on the south side. also had tickets. Wish I had grabbed a few.
That was when Dr. Beach had his office there and lived in the back.
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Sat Aug 08 2009, 04:19PM
Hi, all. I spent several hours at the Grizzly paper yesterday and discovered the following in no specific order:
2/18/44: article "New Theater Plans! Theater to rebuild on site of original Grizzly Theater. Will seat 525 and cost around $25,000"
By 6/16/44, this theater was open and run by Charley and Ann Stillwell
5/18/45: The Cub Theater opens at this address:
1/2 mile W. from Center of Town on Main Highway in Masonic Lodge"
6/6/45: Peter Pan Theater advertises: in Peter Pan Club-they didn't seem to advertise for too long. I don't know whether it wasn't successful or what...
1934: Theater in San Bernardino: The West Coast Theater advertises in the paper
Another theater from SB, The Warner Bros. Ritz also advertises
1935: theater from Victorville, the Mesa Theater advertises in BB paper
June 1961: Lake Drive In advertising movie showings
*****
6/20/45: The second theater that was built following the original Grizzly Theater fire, was also called the Grizzly until this date when it became the Big Bear Theater (not a very original name!
)
6/20/45 Roy Rogers was in town filming "Don't Fence Me In"
1938: At this time, there was a theater in Lake Arrowhead called "The Village Theater"
July 1961: By this time, there was the Peter Pan Drive In in BB City
Does anyone remember the Cub Theater? Does any of this bring up any special memories? Thank you so much for your replies, everyone. I really appreciate it!
Re: movie theaters in BB
BSF, Sat Aug 08 2009, 11:25PM
The Cub theater was the one where elmers garadge was located. BSF
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Sun Aug 09 2009, 12:31AM
GWTWTOO
great work on your part everyone I know who has tried has ran into a brick wall at the Grizzly. Maybe they are getting better. Very good info.
I had never heard that the masonic temple showed films
Roy rogers had a home and business intrests on thill and spent a lot of time in the valley. Would attend the community church and entertain when asked. Great people
BSF first told me they had films "in" peter pan club
Not surehow long the peter pan drive in was there but not nearly as long as the lake drive in I can remember only going to the peter pan for one season usually with a few in the trunk.
At lake drive in it was always easier to sneak in from the south if you were to cheap to buy a ticket. They had an indoor room where you could watch the movie also. But I always had a car or two to use Best ever was my last date with my first love after our final break up. Driving a friends 1953 cadilac convirtable. Jungle book Very lonely night. widest front seat ever and she kept all of it between us.
I am happy to say that now we are the very best of friends and can laugh about the bad, as well as the good times. She is married to another old friend
BSF
I was wondering out how the garage theater was laid out. Easy to imagine the front part.
was there a second story when beach was in there? I never saw any indication that there was
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Sun Aug 09 2009, 06:46AM
Spencer real estate still has a lot of the movie projection stuff intact. I wonder if they were planning a revival? Maybe Jody (Denver) would know.
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Sun Aug 09 2009, 06:55AM
Denver has been MIA
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Sun Aug 09 2009, 08:20AM
as cat said Denver is AWOL also and missed.
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Sun Aug 09 2009, 09:51AM
I wonder what she is up to. The Hot Spot was finally foreclosed upon last month. I have not heard what the new owner has planned for that place. I hope they put in s decent restaurant with more healthy choices. Maybe they can revive Hall's Broasted Chicken. I miss that place.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bc, Sun Aug 09 2009, 09:54AM
Halls? We have Easy's! Oh wait, you're on THAT end of the Valley!
Re: movie theaters in BB
Socalman, Thu Aug 13 2009, 07:52AM
I was just a little kid when I believe I heard that the site at the east end of town that used to be Thrifty Drug (I think it became a Calvary Chapel Chruch, not sure) had at one time been a theater. Like I say, I was a tiny tot, but it seems to be in my memory bank. Anyone know what was there before Thrifty?
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Thu Aug 13 2009, 08:18AM
It was the coolest Safeway.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Thu Aug 13 2009, 09:27AM
took me a second to figure out where you were talking about.
There was nothing where those buildings are but an empty field. At the upper end of the cleared lot right where the treeline is now was the Swaztika (s?) lodge. There was also a two story house near the west entrance to the parking lot They built the retaining walls and flood control and brought in a lot of dirt the north end was a safeway, and the right a sprouse ritz store. The safeway replaced the one that was downtown this may have been where they were thinking of the theater as that would have been on the site of the grizzly.
Re: movie theaters in BB
BSF, Thu Aug 13 2009, 10:07PM
BG: the Bruen theater was the little drive in by Joes barber shop. BSF
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Thu Aug 13 2009, 11:57PM
I forgot about Sprouse Ritz #2 being there as well.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 14 2009, 12:09AM
actualy it was our number one. first"new" style store of it's type in the valley. We did have cornet, and old faithful western auto which carried almost everything you needed in big bear. including car parts, tires. Very specialized for the valley
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 14 2009, 01:48AM
I lived just across the street to the east and we would go in during the building and prowl around after they were done for the day. the leaded the pipe joints and we collected the scrap lead. I made fishing weigts and weigts for dive belts over the years.
As brandon said the safeway was very nice had a TV tube tester and a rotiseree where they cooked bbq chickens. The smell was incredible. I learned my winter driving on the snow covered parking lot
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hooky Bobber, Fri Aug 14 2009, 05:45AM
I was having a moment and forgot we had 2 Thrifty Drug stores for a bit. The one in the old safeway and the new one at interlocken. Palace Arcade was in the old old Safeway across from Chads.
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hooky Bobber, Fri Aug 14 2009, 07:08AM
One of the thing about the shows. It took forever to get the new movies up here, They would be out for months before making it up here. For awhile we only had the Drive-In at Spencer and no walk in. When they went in and excavated the dirt out of the old bowling alley after it burned for the theater in town it only had one screen. Most of the shows were double features. One really old move and one new one. If you did not like the shows wait till next Thursday or go down the hill with the date.
I remember being at the drive-in and it started to snow. The beam of the projector light illuminating the snow and missing spots on the screen as it fell, made you dizzy. You would also have start the car all the time to get the heater going, Blankets were a must and getting close to keep warm. Sneaking in was such a bust. People would drive by the drive-in going west on the highway then turn left up cienega and stop, drop off the cameo troop’s in black then drive around to the ticket booth, One ticket please. Wow we had a lot of traffic in the old days and the ticket booth had a great view of the whole deal. You could sit in your car and watch the whole thing unfold if the movie sucked. They probably had to put the sit down area in the drive-in as a lot of the older cars the heater sucked or the heater core was leaking.
Re: movie theaters in BB
Socalman, Fri Aug 14 2009, 09:46AM
As a kid in the summers up there we used to talk blankets and sneak under the fence on the west end of the Peter Pan drive-in and watch the movie. We'd put the blankets on the ground in the back and turn the sound up on a couple of the speakers. Free fun for us, even if the sound sucked.
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hofnerguy, Mon Mar 08 2010, 11:11PM
My father owned the village theater from 1974-83. As a matter of fact, he named it the village theater from the big bear theater.
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Wed Jul 10 2019, 09:05PM
Hi, all, I am a bit confused and am hoping someone can clear this up. Where was the Cub Theater? Someone mentioned it was where there was Joe's Barber shop was and then someone else mentions a Bruens Theater being there. Can someone help me figure out where these two theaters were? Thanks, Mark
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hooky Bobber, Wed Jul 24 2019, 07:19AM
PM BSF on here he lived it!
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Wed Jul 24 2019, 08:42PM
I don't understand. Where was the barber shop//drive in? Thanks, Mark
GWTWTOO, Thu Aug 06 2009, 11:41PM
I, of course, know where the current theaters are in BB, but where was the Grizzly Theater located in relation to this theater? I also saw that another theater existed after the Grizzly that burned in 1968. Does anyone know where that was located and where might I find photos of that theater? Thanks so much!
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 03:46AM
welcome to the site mark I hope you keep up your intrest. especialy in the history section as it has been ignored recently.
There have been numerous theatres in the valley and just about all have been burned at one time or another
the one that is across the navajo was a bowling alley in the 60's before that it was the navajo ballroom.
The theare in the 60's (my era) was where the arcade is now to the west. (just west of jack in the box)
here is a picture of it the morning after. and a postcard in it's heyday
In this picture you can see the original bowling alley (6 lanes, with pinboys) and the current theatre when it was the navajo ballroom before it became a bowling alley (click to enlarge picture)
below it is the ballroom when it was open and after a little snow
this building was also a theater and latter became a Dr''s office. Sorry this is the most recent photo I have. It is located across the street and south of the other one (that is in the old western auto building) where joe's barber shop was
There was also a theater up in the old pine knot lodge area for awhile.
As for the grizzly theater I hesitate to locate it exactly. It is in this picture behind the sign that says cafe on the right side. It was west of the one I showed buring in the first picture
I suggest if you are just getting into the BB history you pick up a copy of Tom Core's first 100 years. It has some great pictures including the grizzly theater and some very good stories.
I would suggest that when reading of the Big Bear history you take everything with a grain of salt as there are many errors that have been made.
if you have questions I will try to help and ,ost things I say I have seen with my own eyes
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 03:52AM
this picture didn't make it in but should have been the second to last joes barber shop was on the left portion of this building
Re: movie theaters in BB
JohnnyT (K7JNT), Fri Aug 07 2009, 06:47AM
bills grandson wrote ...
As for the grizzly theater I hesitate to locate it exactly. It is in this picture behind the sign that says cafe on the right side.
As for the grizzly theater I hesitate to locate it exactly. It is in this picture behind the sign that says cafe on the right side.
Here is a more recent photo (note the large tree in front of the cafe was cut down) taken in 1932. From this perspective, you can see that the theater was directly across the street from Chads.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 07:24AM
I don't know why the pictures don't show but will if you click them open
the tree was nicknamed "old sam" it caught fire from a lightening strike one evening and my grandfather was tasked with felling it.
he managed to drop it without damaging any other buildings while flaming branches fell all around and were put out to prevent town from going up.
The stump remaind for quite awhile and would hang up a car from time to time.
I will post an account of this later
thanks for the pictures I hadn't seen the one If someone has Core's book there is a very good picture in it of the grizzly. my scanner is down.
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Fri Aug 07 2009, 12:15PM
Thank you so much for your help! I have many of the BB photo and history books, but didn't seem to find much on the theater that followed the Grizzly. Does anyone have any memories of any of these theaters they could share? I would love to hear them. I would love to find some movie ads from the theaters. Thank you SO much and, again, if anyone has any additional photos, please post. I have seen quite a few of Grizzly, though none really of the inside.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 12:49PM
It will be hard to find anyone that remembers anything before the first one that I showed the burning picture of. That goes back to at least the 50's. It was the first one I saw.
They also had films they played at the peter pan club upstairs but I never saw them.
the one in town had the ticket booth in the front in the middle. there were stores on either side and about a 20 foot mall that had glass cases with the coming attractions. There were 3 sets of doors and everyone entered in the center where the tickets were taken. if you got there late you might have your ticket torn at the candy counter that sat across from the doors. to the right there were two door one to an office and the other to the firls bathroom. To the left the boys bathroom and a broom closet. These 4 doors backed up to the stores on either side.
At the candy counter you could go to the right or the left as you climbed a rampto red curtains on either side.
The screen was to the back of the candy counter and as you went through the curtains you were about even with it. There were 2 aisles that went up hill to the back of the theater. And a fire exit at the end of each aisle at the back of the seating area.
a wide center area. and about 7 or 8 seats on the outside of each aisle.
The films booth satup high and was acessed from the outside.
There were certain areas were tradition had you sitting.most local guys sat all the way back preferbly up the left aisle on outside row.
Sometimes a couple would get there first and the guys would sit a few rows forward.
Couples would usually be on the outer aisles on either side.
the center back was for 20 to 30 year olds and families sat in the middle towards the front.
On your first date with a girl or if you were waiting for someone you sat near the fron outside row. As your dating progressed you moved steadily back.
most flatlanders sat on the right 1/2 of the show.
The movie would start as they drew back the red curtain and you would see it through the curtain. There was a newsreal then a cartoon sometimes two. then there were 2 shows usually with a brief intermission.
saturday night they had a later show after these where they would play a spookey movied.
The theater as well as the lake drive in and possibly the peter pan drive in were owned by Earl streebe. He also owned the one in arrowhead as well as many down the hill.
it was only open weekends unless it was during a busy season when it would be open during the weel.
My girl and I would usualy get their early and visit Monte across the street at the arcade. I would win an animal at skiball and then head across the street where we bought our ticket from pam, and once gave her an animal also. her boyfiend, later husband Gary Seaman ran the projector and his mom and dad did everything else.
Later it was managed by the dorfsmith(spelling) family when they ran it sometimes she would play an organ befor the show and during intermission.
Favorite drink suicide, favorite throwing candy ju ju be
favorite eating candy good and plenty also best for blowing through to make noise
Afterwards either to one of several parking spots or if time acrodd the street to chads for some french fries and gravy or down to halls where my boss would usually comp me and my date.
Usually my date had to be home right after the show so I would take her home and either hang out there or come back downtown and get an alternate date and hang out most of the night or cruise around and listen to wolfman jack.
thats about all I've got for a show night
Re: movie theaters in BB
Around The Lake, Fri Aug 07 2009, 09:11PM
There is one theater that many may not remember but it was in the building that now has Blondies and the little mall with Wing's.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 07 2009, 09:31PM
ATL
that is the one in the garage where joe's barber shop is/was
been to long since I have been up.
when I was little the ticket booth was in the little store on the south side. also had tickets. Wish I had grabbed a few.
That was when Dr. Beach had his office there and lived in the back.
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Sat Aug 08 2009, 04:19PM
Hi, all. I spent several hours at the Grizzly paper yesterday and discovered the following in no specific order:
2/18/44: article "New Theater Plans! Theater to rebuild on site of original Grizzly Theater. Will seat 525 and cost around $25,000"
By 6/16/44, this theater was open and run by Charley and Ann Stillwell
5/18/45: The Cub Theater opens at this address:
1/2 mile W. from Center of Town on Main Highway in Masonic Lodge"
6/6/45: Peter Pan Theater advertises: in Peter Pan Club-they didn't seem to advertise for too long. I don't know whether it wasn't successful or what...
1934: Theater in San Bernardino: The West Coast Theater advertises in the paper
Another theater from SB, The Warner Bros. Ritz also advertises
1935: theater from Victorville, the Mesa Theater advertises in BB paper
June 1961: Lake Drive In advertising movie showings
*****
6/20/45: The second theater that was built following the original Grizzly Theater fire, was also called the Grizzly until this date when it became the Big Bear Theater (not a very original name!
)6/20/45 Roy Rogers was in town filming "Don't Fence Me In"
1938: At this time, there was a theater in Lake Arrowhead called "The Village Theater"
July 1961: By this time, there was the Peter Pan Drive In in BB City
Does anyone remember the Cub Theater? Does any of this bring up any special memories? Thank you so much for your replies, everyone. I really appreciate it!
Re: movie theaters in BB
BSF, Sat Aug 08 2009, 11:25PM
The Cub theater was the one where elmers garadge was located. BSF
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Sun Aug 09 2009, 12:31AM
GWTWTOO
great work on your part everyone I know who has tried has ran into a brick wall at the Grizzly. Maybe they are getting better. Very good info.
I had never heard that the masonic temple showed films
Roy rogers had a home and business intrests on thill and spent a lot of time in the valley. Would attend the community church and entertain when asked. Great people
BSF first told me they had films "in" peter pan club
Not surehow long the peter pan drive in was there but not nearly as long as the lake drive in I can remember only going to the peter pan for one season usually with a few in the trunk.
At lake drive in it was always easier to sneak in from the south if you were to cheap to buy a ticket. They had an indoor room where you could watch the movie also. But I always had a car or two to use Best ever was my last date with my first love after our final break up. Driving a friends 1953 cadilac convirtable. Jungle book Very lonely night. widest front seat ever and she kept all of it between us.
I am happy to say that now we are the very best of friends and can laugh about the bad, as well as the good times. She is married to another old friend
BSF
I was wondering out how the garage theater was laid out. Easy to imagine the front part.
was there a second story when beach was in there? I never saw any indication that there was
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Sun Aug 09 2009, 06:46AM
Spencer real estate still has a lot of the movie projection stuff intact. I wonder if they were planning a revival? Maybe Jody (Denver) would know.
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Sun Aug 09 2009, 06:55AM
BBB wrote ...
Spencer real estate still has a lot of the movie projection stuff intact. I wonder if they were planning a revival? Maybe Jody (Denver) would know.
Spencer real estate still has a lot of the movie projection stuff intact. I wonder if they were planning a revival? Maybe Jody (Denver) would know.
Denver has been MIA
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Sun Aug 09 2009, 08:20AM
as cat said Denver is AWOL also and missed.
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Sun Aug 09 2009, 09:51AM
I wonder what she is up to. The Hot Spot was finally foreclosed upon last month. I have not heard what the new owner has planned for that place. I hope they put in s decent restaurant with more healthy choices. Maybe they can revive Hall's Broasted Chicken. I miss that place.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bc, Sun Aug 09 2009, 09:54AM
Halls? We have Easy's! Oh wait, you're on THAT end of the Valley!
Re: movie theaters in BB
Socalman, Thu Aug 13 2009, 07:52AM
I was just a little kid when I believe I heard that the site at the east end of town that used to be Thrifty Drug (I think it became a Calvary Chapel Chruch, not sure) had at one time been a theater. Like I say, I was a tiny tot, but it seems to be in my memory bank. Anyone know what was there before Thrifty?
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Thu Aug 13 2009, 08:18AM
It was the coolest Safeway.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Thu Aug 13 2009, 09:27AM
took me a second to figure out where you were talking about.
There was nothing where those buildings are but an empty field. At the upper end of the cleared lot right where the treeline is now was the Swaztika (s?) lodge. There was also a two story house near the west entrance to the parking lot They built the retaining walls and flood control and brought in a lot of dirt the north end was a safeway, and the right a sprouse ritz store. The safeway replaced the one that was downtown this may have been where they were thinking of the theater as that would have been on the site of the grizzly.
Re: movie theaters in BB
BSF, Thu Aug 13 2009, 10:07PM
BG: the Bruen theater was the little drive in by Joes barber shop. BSF
Re: movie theaters in BB
, Thu Aug 13 2009, 11:57PM
I forgot about Sprouse Ritz #2 being there as well.
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 14 2009, 12:09AM
actualy it was our number one. first"new" style store of it's type in the valley. We did have cornet, and old faithful western auto which carried almost everything you needed in big bear. including car parts, tires. Very specialized for the valley
Re: movie theaters in BB
bills grandson, Fri Aug 14 2009, 01:48AM
I lived just across the street to the east and we would go in during the building and prowl around after they were done for the day. the leaded the pipe joints and we collected the scrap lead. I made fishing weigts and weigts for dive belts over the years.
As brandon said the safeway was very nice had a TV tube tester and a rotiseree where they cooked bbq chickens. The smell was incredible. I learned my winter driving on the snow covered parking lot
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hooky Bobber, Fri Aug 14 2009, 05:45AM
I was having a moment and forgot we had 2 Thrifty Drug stores for a bit. The one in the old safeway and the new one at interlocken. Palace Arcade was in the old old Safeway across from Chads.
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hooky Bobber, Fri Aug 14 2009, 07:08AM
One of the thing about the shows. It took forever to get the new movies up here, They would be out for months before making it up here. For awhile we only had the Drive-In at Spencer and no walk in. When they went in and excavated the dirt out of the old bowling alley after it burned for the theater in town it only had one screen. Most of the shows were double features. One really old move and one new one. If you did not like the shows wait till next Thursday or go down the hill with the date.
I remember being at the drive-in and it started to snow. The beam of the projector light illuminating the snow and missing spots on the screen as it fell, made you dizzy. You would also have start the car all the time to get the heater going, Blankets were a must and getting close to keep warm. Sneaking in was such a bust. People would drive by the drive-in going west on the highway then turn left up cienega and stop, drop off the cameo troop’s in black then drive around to the ticket booth, One ticket please. Wow we had a lot of traffic in the old days and the ticket booth had a great view of the whole deal. You could sit in your car and watch the whole thing unfold if the movie sucked. They probably had to put the sit down area in the drive-in as a lot of the older cars the heater sucked or the heater core was leaking.
Re: movie theaters in BB
Socalman, Fri Aug 14 2009, 09:46AM
As a kid in the summers up there we used to talk blankets and sneak under the fence on the west end of the Peter Pan drive-in and watch the movie. We'd put the blankets on the ground in the back and turn the sound up on a couple of the speakers. Free fun for us, even if the sound sucked.
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hofnerguy, Mon Mar 08 2010, 11:11PM
My father owned the village theater from 1974-83. As a matter of fact, he named it the village theater from the big bear theater.
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Wed Jul 10 2019, 09:05PM
Hi, all, I am a bit confused and am hoping someone can clear this up. Where was the Cub Theater? Someone mentioned it was where there was Joe's Barber shop was and then someone else mentions a Bruens Theater being there. Can someone help me figure out where these two theaters were? Thanks, Mark
Re: movie theaters in BB
Hooky Bobber, Wed Jul 24 2019, 07:19AM
PM BSF on here he lived it!
Re: movie theaters in BB
GWTWTOO, Wed Jul 24 2019, 08:42PM
I don't understand. Where was the barber shop//drive in? Thanks, Mark
