Today’s picture is of Huntington Beach’s Surf Cinema (circa early 70’s). Opened as Scott’s Theatre, in 1925, the venue was later renamed the Roxie and settled in to it’s most recognizable incarnation, the Surf, on June 5, 1941.
Owned by a revolving door of notable Orange County cinema operators, including Santa Ana’s Walker family, the theatre became a local hotspot during the 60’s and early 70’s, specializing in youth oriented independent films (surf and ski titles being the most popular). For a time, the Surf was ground zero in the Surf City U.S.A. “hipster” scene. However, by the 80’s, the Surf had fallen on hard times and closed in a state of extreme disrepair. Unable to procure a new operator, who was willing to invest in a much needed refurbishment, the theatre was razed in late 1986. The site of Huntington Beach’s former cinema hub is now a city run parking lot.
Tags: No Comments
