By Zachary Hulsey

The Fox Theatre in Stockton is playing an iconic movie you can’t miss! On December 15th, the theatre will be playing the 1990 family comedy, Home Alone. The doors of the Fox Theatre will open to the public at 1:00 pm. A live concert played by Dave Moreno on a 1928 fully refurbished organ will begin at 1:30 PM. At 2:00 pm, the movie starts to play on the big screen. Invite your family and friends to this amazing experience within the walls of the beautiful historic theatre. There will also be a tour after the film has ended. This classic holiday film is a must-see!

I have gone to the theatre a few times, and it is absolutely gorgeous. It’s one of those things where, to understand how beautiful the place is, you have to visit it yourself.

A Bit of History

The Fox Theatre is known for its beautiful walls, entertaining shows, and rich history. In this blog, we will dive into the nearly century-long history of the Fox Theatre. The historic Fox Theatre only took 9 months and $5,000,000 to construct, regardless of its hand-made designs. The Fox Theatre was first constructed in 1930, when Fox West Coast Theatres leased the property for 50 years. At its first opening in 1930, around 20,000 people attended to view the masterpiece in person. Yet, originally, the seat capacity was only 2,500, 8 times below the number of people who showed up. But that’s no surprise – lots of people wanted to visit the carved ceiling beams, gold-leaf proscenium arches, and their marble masonic floor. The Fox Theatre certainly has one of the most beautiful interiors in Stockton.

In 2004, the Fox Theatre was completely renovated, which cost approximately a total of $8,500,000. The Fox Theatre is still one of the most visited historical sites in the city. Since its renovation, the Fox Theatre regularly features shows, live organ concerts, vendors, and all kinds of live performances. When the theatre is about to play a movie, you can tell by the recognizable, beautiful lights on the marquee that display the movie title and other information. The Fox Theatre is managed by ASM Global, a venue and event management company based in the city of Los Angeles. Almost a century later, the Fox Theatre still stands as an iconic symbol for Stockton.

Friends of the Fox

While ASM Global manages the theatre, non-profit organization, Friends of the Fox, plays a significant role in the preservation of the theatre. Founded in 1995, the Friends of the Fox was intended to support the theatre by regularly projecting classic films. Today, the Friends of the Fox continue to support and preserve this theatre on a fully volunteer basis. As a part of their mission, they regularly maintain the theatre. The Fox Theatre, as we know, is an iconic landmark in Downtown Stockton, thanks to this wonderful organization that deeply cares about preserving and enhancing the well-known and beloved venue.

Renaming the Theatre

In the mix of renovations in 2003, the Stockton City Council voted to rename the Fox Theatre to the Bob Hope Theatre, named after a successful comedic entertainer. Bob Hope was a British-born American entertainer who delighted audiences for 80 years. Bob Hope starred in 54 short and feature films, while he appeared in 74 in total. He built his career as an amazing comedian and actor, well-known for his rapid-fire jokes. After living an entire century, he died in 2003 of pneumonia in Toluca Lake in Los Angeles, CA. One year after his death, the Stockton City Council took steps to rename the iconic Fox Theatre the Bob Hope Theatre in recognition of his respected comedic career. Soon after, in 2004, the newly named Bob Hope Theatre opened up with its first show starring Jerry Springfield.

Don’t Forget Kevin! Get in the Holiday Spirit

If you have never attended a show at the Bob Hope Theatre, this is your perfect opportunity to do so. The theatre has been the gem of downtown Stockton for many decades, and if you’ve never been inside the actual building, you’re missing out! Everything, from the chandeliers to the golden pillars to the red velvet seating and state-of-the-art sound, is a valuable and rich piece of Stockton’s long history.

By attending the Friends of the Fox’s projection of Home Alone, you can relive the ‘90s Macauley Culkin classic and get yourself in the holiday spirit in a gorgeous and historic setting. It’ll be a memorable experience for both you and your family to enjoy on December 15^th. The ticket prices to enter the theatre are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 (not including facility fees). You can buy online ahead of time here. In person, both cash and cards are acceptable payment methods. Don’t know where to park? Check out our Downtown Stockton Parking Guide.

So if you’re ready for an experience of a lifetime, visit the historic, luxurious Bob Hope Theatre!

See you there, Stockton!

P.S. If you already have plans on the 15^th, check out the Friends of the Fox’s other upcoming movie showings here!