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Redding’s brand-new Showcase Theatre
during January of 1968. 1899 Hilltop Drive.
Above: an advertisement from the Showcase Theatre promoting “Grand Prix” and “The Sound of Music” from the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 26, 1968.
The present-day home of the Casino Club which features Monroe's Night Club is located at 1885 Hilltop Drive in Redding, this building wasn’t always a local hotspot for dancing, karaoke, drinks, dining, and casino games for people 21 years-old and older, yet to some people’s surprise, and for those who remember it, this building was once the location of a former movie theater in Redding called the Showcase Theatre. It was one of Redding’s last single screen room movie theatres in operation during its prime.
Its original owner was Robbert L. Lippert who owned and operated the Lippert Theaters Company, also found as the Lippert Company in the historical record, and co-owned by the United Artist Theater Circuit Incorporated. This brand-new theater building was 6,000 square feet and designed by architect Gale Santocono whose company was based in San Francisco the building which cost $475,000 to erect on site next to the Sky-Vue Drive-In Theater, also on Hilltop Drive.
The Showcase Theatre opened to the public on the night of January 10, 1968, at its original address of 1899 Hilltop Drive with the Hollywood motion picture of “Grand Prix" starring actor James Garner, after the movie exited the box office it was followed by the celebrated and iconic movie release of “The Sound of Music” starring actress Julie Andrews. The silver screen at this cinema was 13 feet high and 30 feet wide for the audience to enjoy these entertaining flicks of all genres. Like today’s theater experiences the venue also offered concessions for the customers to purchase from the snack bar.
Prices were as follows: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and weekend matinees were $2.50 for adults and students with their student body cards were $2.00, and children were $1. Admissions from Monday through Thursday nights including a Wednesday matinee were $2 for adults and $1.50 for students and 75 cents for children. The one-room theatre had a seating capacity of 429 semi-reclining seats.
Above: an advertisement for the 1971 film "Dirty Harry" starring Clint Eastwood is being promoted here by the Showcase Theatre. From the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 4, 1972.
Just look at the design of the building’s interior when you visit this place next time. You’ll see some interior theatre designs which will intrigue you; and if you carefully look around, you’ll discover memorabilia showcasing the building's earliest history pertaining to the Hollywood movies which once premiered here, and or featured here as a rerelease. This movie theater closed down in May of 1981, after thirteen years of business serving the Redding area. The cinema showcased its final Hollywood motion picture release of “Windwalker” starring Trevor Howard on April 30, 1981.
Above: A later remodel occurred to the front of the building as shown here. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on March 4, 2023.
Above: front sideview different angel.
This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on March 4, 2023.
In May of 1981 it was announced that the cinema would be converted into a card playing room and that this location was just recently sold by its owners to the Casino Club, of Redding, at that time, one of the owners was Jim Westburg and his unnamed partners. After the conversion happened inside and outside the building its address at this location was changed to 1885 Hilltop Drive, in 1982, according to local directories and advertisements. Years later, Monroe’s Night Club was added to the Casino Club to bring an exciting night club atmosphere to the already popular gambling joint in 1995, and these businesses continue to thrive at the former location of the Showcase Theatre today. What are your memories here, what movies did you watch here?
Above: an advertisement from the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 29, 1982.
Above: an advertisement from the Casino Club for a seven-card stud tournament. From the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 4, 1993.
RESOURCES:
Hilltop Theater to Open - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 9, 1968
Theater Meeting Towns Best Show - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 9, 1968
Redding Woman to Manage New Theater - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 19, 1968
Theater To Get Fire Safety Devices - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 23, 1968
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 26, 1968
1968 City of Redding Directory
Theater Extends “Romeo & Juliet” - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 13, 1969
1969 City of Redding Directory
Area Offers Concerts - Theaters written by Mike Harris, The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 21, 1970
1970 City of Redding Directory
1971 City of Redding Directory
Cinema - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 4, 1972
1972 City of Redding Directory
1973 City of Redding Directory
1974 City of Redding Directory
1975 City of Redding Directory
1976 City of Redding Directory
“Rocky” Comes to Redding - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 22, 1977
1977 City of Redding Directory
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 10, 1978
1978 City of Redding Directory
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 29, 1980
1980 City of Redding Directory
1981 City of Redding Directory
Silver Screens Go Dim for Viewers in Redding - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 20, 1981
Review Board Clears Way For Theatre Project - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 30, 1981
Walk-up spaghetti stand OK'd - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 14, 1981
1982 City of Redding Directory
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 29, 1982
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 2, 1982
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 7, 1982
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 8, 1982
1992/1993 City of Redding Telephone Directory
1993/1994 City of Redding Telephone Directory
1994/1995 City of Redding Telephone Directory
1995/1996 City of Redding Telephone Directory
1996/1997 City of Redding Telephone Directory
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 20, 2023
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