TINSELTOWN TIDBITS   .   .   .

ARLINGTON THEATRE 90^TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION HONORS MEMORY OF MAYOR HAL CONKLIN

 Hal Conklin

Iconic Theatre celebrates 90 years of Film and Artistic Performances

By Bonnie Carroll

Organist Adam Aceto at Morton Organ during Arlington 90th Birthday

 The letters on the marque of the iconic Arlington Theatre spelled out the news of its 90^th Anniversary celebration and the three-day event included special performances by local organist Alan Aceto on the historic Wonder Morton Organ, one of only five produced in America that was given to the community by a wealthy Texan who made them agree they would use it in the Arlington. The SBTOS, Santa Barbara Theater Organ Society members along with countless residents restored the organ and installed it for use with silent movie showings.

According to Karen Killingsworth, GM for the theatre, management announced upon hearing of former Mayor Hal Conklin’s passing that the anniversary celebration would be dedicated to the late Mayor. Conklin was a huge supporter of the arts and all the historic theatres in Santa Barbara and worked closely with President Bruce Murdock of the Santa Barbara Theatre Organ Society board to raise funds and assist with programs for theatre improvements.

SBTOS Board Honors from Mayor Schneider * SBTOS Board Honors from Mayor Blum

Santa Barbara Theatre Organ Society members have been awarded well deserved proclamations honoring them for the work they have done over the years maintaining the organ. For two anniversaries they were awarded City of Santa Barbara proclamations, and renowned organist Scott Foppiano performed on the organ at these concerts. Both Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum and Mayor Helene Schneider presented the SBTOS board with awards of recognition, one of which is hanging in the lobby of the Arlington. For additional organ history please visit www.sbtos.org.

Sofa from Gone With the Wind

The 90-year-old theatre is a gorgeous historical building where the second preview of “Gone with the Wind” was held in 1939. According to Author Pauline Bartell On Wednesday, October 18, 1939, producer David O. Selznick held a second preview of Gone With the Win starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. This time the location was the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. The premiere event memorabilia can be seen throughout the Arlington  lobby along with awards and historic photos as well as an original sofa used in the film Gone With the Wind.

Arligton Theatre with Morton Organ Cener Photo: McGinn

The building was designed in Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival by architects Edwards and Plunkett and it is the largest movie theatre and performing arts venue in the US with 2,018 seats. The beautiful hand-painted ceiling in the lobby sitting area is an artistic masterpiece, as well as the antique furniture and fixtures. Memorabilia and hand-painted wall murals thanking sponsors can also be seen throughout the lobby and waiting area. The story of the design of this beautiful old girl is fascinating. For details on the history of the building visit www.arlingtontheatre.com.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has held their red carpet and special tribute programs in this theatre for many years, and the history of celebrity appearances on that stage is mind-boggling. I feel blessed to have covered many of the SBIFF events, however, to the Santa Barbara residents the Arlington is a home-town movie theatre where they have spent years with their families happily enjoying the latest films and artist performances.  I love this special place and feel graced to have so many wonderful memories to enjoy and share. For details on SBIFF please visit www.sbtos.org

Arlington Theatre Film Festival Marque

Covid separation was honored throughout the three-day film showings and organ concert and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy celebrating 90 years with a movie and popcorn. Congratulations and a big thankyou to the staff at the Arlington for their ongoing warm hospitality and for preserving 90 years of great Santa Barbara history. We appreciate you and we love you!

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