The Lido Theater (also spelled Lido Theatre) is a historic single-screen movie theater in Newport Beach, California. The Lido Theater opened in October 1939 and was designed by Clifford A. Balch in the Art Deco architectural style. Edwards Theatres, Regency Theatres, and Laemmle Theatres previously operated the facility.
 The Lido Theater in 2024 | |
 | |
| Address | 3459 Via Lido Newport Beach, California U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°37′06″N 117°55′46″W / 33.618202048705726°N 117.92939034832641°W |
| Owner | Fritz Duda Company |
| Operator | River Jetty Restaurant Group |
| Screens | 1 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 27, 1939 |
| Architect | Clifford A. Balch |
History
editIn March 1939, a new movie theater to be built near the entrance of Lido Isle was proposed with plans drafted by the Griffith Company. The projected cost of the project was US$105,000, including $15,000 to purchase the lot, $45,000 for the building, $15,000 for theater equipment, and $30,000 to create a parking lot and landscape the surrounding area.[1] On April 26, the theater's construction was permitted; an increase in planned capacity from 750 to 800 was also announced.[2]
The Lido Theater opened to the public on October 27, 1939. A popular urban legend about the theater claims it screened Jezebel as its first feature per the suggestion of Bette Davis, the film's star and a resident of nearby Corona del Mar; however, a newspaper report at the time stated that it opened with a vaudeville show titled The Colonel from Kentucky.[3][4]
In 1989, the 50th anniversary of the Lido Theater was marked by a $250,000 renovation. The theater's ocean murals were restored with luminous paint and the exterior was repainted.[5]
On September 9, 2001, Edwards Theatres ceased its operation of the Lido Theater amidst the company's bankruptcy proceedings. The owner, the Fritz Duda Company, closed the building while searching for a new operator.[6] Regency Theatres, a movie theater chain in Southern California, signed a lease to operate the theater later that year.[7]
In June 2014, Regency Theatres' lease on the Lido Theater expired. A company called Lido Live signed a lease to operate the theater, planning to use it for both movies and live entertainment.[7]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2020, the sidewalk in front of the theater and the area under its marquee were used for outdoor dining for local restaurant Fable & Spirit. The marquee sign bore the name of the restaurant and its head chef.[8]
In September 2024, it was announced that the Lido Theater would reopen with Fritz Duda hiring director and producer McG as the new operator, through his company River Jetty Restaurant Group, after more than four years of renovations.[9]
Architecture
editArchitect Clifford A. Balch designed the theater in the then called Modern Style,as the Art Deco term would not come into existence until the 1960s.The building's original facade, facing north on Via Lido, included a corner entrance with 45 foot (14 m)-tall tower and a circular marquee made of copper.[2]
The theater's original exterior color scheme has been disputed. Newspaper reports at the time of the building's opening stated the color as "buff", a pinkish tone color. Ariel photos of the building were in black and white and the contrast of the pink toned building and off white waste mld. plaster cornice were obvious. During the 1989 renovation, a consultant hired to test for the original color of the building determined it was light pink. In 2014, the theater's operator stated that she believed the building was originally yellow and said that some records claimed it was purple. That year, the Fritz Duda Company decided to paint the exterior taupe, causing controversy among locals and a preservation advocacy group.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Twelve City Lots to be Beautiful". The Register. Santa Ana, California. March 10, 1939. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Permit Let for $75,000 Theater". The Register. Santa Ana, California. April 27, 1939. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Chang, Richard (April 26, 2018). "Lido Theater in Newport Beach celebrates 80 years". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Discovery Day at Newport Observed". The Register. Santa Ana, California. October 28, 1939. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Foxhall, Emily (September 4, 2014). "Lido Theater's new color has some residents seeing red". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ Earnest, Leslie (September 11, 2001). "Lido Theater Closes; New Operator Is Sought". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Foxhall, Emily (June 4, 2014). "New company set to take over Lido Theatre". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ Valdespino, Anne (October 19, 2020). "Why Fable & Spirit is on the marquee at the Lido Theater in Newport". The Orange County Register. Southern California News Group. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ Mosqueda, Sarah (September 25, 2024). "Lido Theater is ready for its third act in Newport Beach". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 9, 2024.