Arlington Theatre

Arlington Theatre is a historic movie theatre and performing-arts venue at 1317 State Street in Santa Barbara, California. It is the largest movie theatre in the city and serves as one of Santa Barbara's principal locations for film screenings, live appearances, and special events. The venue is particularly associated with the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, for which it hosts screenings and related festival activity. The theatre occupies the former site of the Arlington Hotel, which was destroyed in the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake. The present building was constructed in 1930 as a showcase movie house for Fox West Coast Theaters. Its design reflects the Spanish-influenced architectural character promoted in Santa Barbara after the earthquake, combining Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival elements. Local architects Edwards and Plunkett designed the building, whose exterior includes a red-tiled roof, a Mission Revival steeple topped by an Art Deco finial, a covered courtyard, a fountain, and a freestanding ticket booth. The interior was conceived as an immersive theatrical environment rather than a plain screening room. The auditorium seats approximately 2,010 people across the main floor and balcony. Its walls contain architectural features resembling houses, stairways, and balconies, while the ceiling is intended to suggest the night sky over an outdoor Spanish colonial plaza. The lobby has heavily beamed and painted ceilings. The original stage presentation also included a stone-arch effect framing a painted landscape curtain, although that feature was later removed to accommodate lighting for stage productions. The building was restored and expanded in the mid-1970s under Metropolitan Theatres and reopened in 1976. A major heritage feature is its 27-rank Wonder Morton pipe organ. Originally made by Robert Morton for Loew's Jersey Theatre, the organ is one of only five of its type. Arlington Theatre restored it between 1986 and 1988 and installed it in the venue in 1988. The instrument is concealed below the orchestra floor and can be raised on a platform for performances. Arlington Theatre continues to combine conventional cinema operations with event-based programming. Its scale, historic architecture, stage facilities, and central role in Santa Barbara's film culture allow it to function as both a movie theatre and a performance venue. In March 2024, its operator, Metropolitan Theatres, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The operator stated that the Arlington would continue operating normally and that the bankruptcy proceedings would not affect the theatre's operations.

Arlington Theatre stands on State Street in Santa Barbara, on land formerly occupied by the Arlington Hotel. The hotel was destroyed in the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake, an event that prompted extensive rebuilding and encouraged the city to adopt a cohesive Spanish-influenced architectural identity. The present theatre was erected in 1930 as a showcase movie house for Fox West Coast Theaters. The building was designed by the local architectural firm Edwards and Plunkett in a combination of Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. Its exterior uses a red-tiled roof and a Mission Revival steeple finished with an Art Deco finial. A covered courtyard, fountain, and freestanding ticket booth contribute to the theatre's presentation as a destination rather than simply a functional cinema. The architectural treatment reflects the regional revival style that became strongly associated with Santa Barbara after the earthquake. Inside, the auditorium was designed to evoke the experience of sitting in an outdoor Spanish colonial plaza. The walls incorporate built-out houses, staircases, and balconies, and the ceiling suggests a dark sky scattered with stars. The room seats about 2,010 people on its main floor and balcony, making Arlington the city's largest movie theatre and one of its most important venues for large public gatherings. The original proscenium included an apparent stone arch through which audiences viewed a painted river-and-hills curtain. That feature was subsequently removed so the stage could better support theatrical lighting and live presentations. Metropolitan Theatres restored and expanded the property during the mid-1970s. The theatre reopened in 1976, preserving its role as a major cinema while improving its capacity for broader event use. Another important preservation project concerned the venue's 27-rank Wonder Morton pipe organ. Manufactured by Robert Morton and originally installed at Loew's Jersey Theatre, the organ is one of only five built. Arlington restored it during 1986–1988 and installed it in the theatre in 1988. It is hidden beneath the orchestra floor and rises on a platform when used for performances. Over time, Arlington Theatre developed a dual identity as a movie theatre and performing-arts venue. In addition to regular film exhibition, it accommodates artists, live programs, and film-industry events. It is closely linked with the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival and hosts many festival-related screenings and activities. In March 2024, Metropolitan Theatres declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The operator stated that the filing would not interrupt Arlington Theatre's operations and that the venue would continue operating normally during the bankruptcy process. The theatre therefore remains an active cultural and entertainment venue, although its long-term corporate circumstances are tied to the financial condition of its operator.

• 2024

  Operating company enters Chapter 11

  [1]Arlington Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Metropolitan Theatres entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, while stating that Arlington Theatre would continue normal operations.

• 1988

  Wonder Morton organ installed

  [1]Arlington Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  After restoration work carried out from 1986 to 1988, the 27-rank Wonder Morton pipe organ was installed in the theatre.

• 1976

  Restoration and expansion completed

  [1]Arlington Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Following restoration and expansion by Metropolitan Theatres in the mid-1970s, the theatre reopened in 1976.

• 1930

  Present Arlington Theatre constructed

  [1]Arlington Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  A new showcase movie house was built for Fox West Coast Theaters at 1317 State Street.

• 1925

  Arlington Hotel destroyed in the Santa Barbara earthquake

  [1]Arlington Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The earthquake destroyed the Arlington Hotel on the site where the present theatre would later be built.

A landmark historic cinema and large-scale performing-arts venue that combines mainstream and festival film exhibition with distinctive Spanish-influenced architecture, live events, and heritage programming.

• Cinema operations · 1930

  Feature-film exhibition

  Arlington Theatre operates as a large traditional movie theatre, presenting feature films in a historic auditorium with seating for approximately 2,010 guests across the main floor and balcony. Its scale makes it suitable for prominent commercial screenings as well as major public presentations.

• Film festival venue

  Santa Barbara International Film Festival screenings

  The theatre hosts many events connected with the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Its large auditorium and established role in the city's film culture make it a significant festival screening and event location.

• Performing arts venue

  Live performances and special events

  Beyond film screenings, Arlington Theatre accommodates artists, stage presentations, and other special programs. Its stage adaptations and large auditorium allow the building to operate as one of Santa Barbara's principal performing-arts venues.

• Heritage musical instrument · 1988

  Wonder Morton pipe organ performances

  The theatre's 27-rank Wonder Morton pipe organ was restored during 1986–1988 and installed in 1988. Hidden beneath the orchestra floor, it rises into view on a platform for organ performances and remains one of the venue's distinctive heritage features.

• 2024

  Continue theatre operations during Chapter 11 proceedingsOther

  Background

  Metropolitan Theatres entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in March 2024, creating uncertainty around the operator's corporate finances.

  Action taken

  The operator stated that Arlington Theatre would not be affected by the bankruptcy filing and would continue operating normally during the proceedings.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material indicates continued operations, but does not provide a later resolution of the bankruptcy case.

  Source

1. 1Arlington Theatreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Arlington Theatre official websitethearlingtontheatre.com