Lost Neon - Crest Theater

[neonluver]

I haven't been in Fresno in ages but every picture I see of the Crest Theater shows it with the missing neon on it's marquee. What the hell happened? Seems to me that this was one of the great examples of classic movie theater facades and what, they stole the neon? I don't get it.

[Big J]

I've seen it lit, not too super long ago. I think maybe that photo's from a restoration perhaps.

[NettiesKid]

The poor old Crest has been through a lot over the last few decades. I haven't been around the Fulton/Mariposa Mall area in quite some time (with good reason, that area is not safe anymore), but the last time I was there the Crest was housing a Spanish language church of some sort.

I remember seeing Close Encounters of The 3rd Kind and Jaws there as a youngster. It's always been one of my dumb fantasies that should I someday strike it fabulously rich, I'd buy the Crest and totally restore her. Maybe specialize in showing classic old films there like Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Frankenstein, and so many others. Dress the employees in period clothing, just make it really nice. Too bad that will never happen. But it's a nice dream.

[dans fresno history]

no i went there a month ago and the neon remaining in that pic was all that was lit up. that photo would explain why.