Past, Renovation, Rebirth

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Publicity ad for the Cerrito Theater Grand Opening 1937. © Berkeley Gazette
A movie ad for the Cerrito Theater showing Barbara Stanwyck in FLESH and FANTASY, June 1944. © El Cerrito Journal, 1944
The Cerrito Theater’s booth in 1940’s. © Tony Wise
Harding School children on a field trip to Cerrito Theater, 1940. Notice projectionist waving in upper right, rear wall. © Marks and Orine Weeks
An ad campaign by pottery manufacturers. Pottery was given away every Tuesday until the entire set was collected. Watch CHRISTMAS STORY for a bit of free pottery at the local theater! © El Cerrito Journal 1944
An El Cerrito parade day in 1948. An 18 year old theater usherette greets fire engine. A portion of the theater’s marquee can be seen at upper left corner. © Marks and Orine Weeks.
Students waiting outside theater in 1940’s. The poster behind them reads BING CROSBY IS GOING MY WAY. © Tony Wise
The theater as it looked in 1969, before the marquee was taken down. © Jack Kirby.
The Cerrito Theater circa 2002.
The main theater just before renovation. © Averie Cohen 2002
Groundbreaking! November 2005. Letitia D. Moore, Dianne Brenner, Catherine & Kyle Fischer (of Speakeasy Theaters) and Ann Lehman.
Friends of The Cerrito Theater: (from left to right) Al Miller, Lori Dair, Bonnie MacKenzie, Dianne Brenner, Scott Badler, Ann Lehman and son.
Construction began with a new frame for the marquee.
A peek inside the front during 2006.
During most of the 11 months of construction, the building looked like this.
Construction is in its final stage. The frame is being prepared for the return of the marquee.
The marquee is added. This was the most exciting part!
October 23, 2006. The marquee lights up for the first time. The crowd cheers.
The new Cerrito Theater © Al Miller
Theater’s new lobby. © Lerner + Holan Architects
Refreshments counter. © Lerner + Holan Architects
The main theater on the ground floor. © Lerner + Holan Architects
New stairway to upstairs. © Lerner + Holan Architects
New upstairs theater. © Lerner + Holan Architects
Friends of The Cerrito Theater Steering Committee. From left to right: Suzanne Baum, Art Tressler, Bonnie MacKenzie, , Dave Weinstein, Thad Smith, Al Miller, Abby Thorne-Lyman, Dianne P. Brenner, Linda Moss, Ann Lehman, and Amy Rogers