| Fox Oakland in 2002 | |
| Company type | Movie theater chain |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920s |
| Founder | William Fox |
| Defunct | 1934 |
| Fate | Sold to National Theatres Corporation |
Area served | United States |
Fox Theatres was a large chain of movie theaters in the United States dating from the 1920s. The company's first theaters were built in the 1920s it merged West Coast Theatres in 1929, creating Fox West Coast Theatres. The company was sold to National Theatres Corporation in 1934.
Many of Fox Theatres's movie palaces were built with a mishmash of architectural styles drawn from Asian, Indian, Persian, and Moorish influences.[ citation needed ]
Fox Theatres was founded by William Fox in the 1920s. The company merged with West Coast Theatres in 1929. [1]
The Great Depression forced Fox West Coast Theatres into bankruptcy. [2] The bankruptcy was initiated c. 1929 [3] and National Theatres Corporation bought the company for $17 million ($409 million in 2025) on November 19, 1934. [4] Bankruptcy proceedings, however, continued until 1954, when a final suit was brought by trustees to vacate the 1933 purchase. [3] The suit was dismissed by United States District Court S.D. New York in 1960. [3]
Fox Theatre's surviving theaters share almost identical histories of decline and disrepair. Many were located in urban centers, faltered due to suburbanization, and later underwent preservation and restoration. Many were converted to the performing arts theaters, including the chain's largest theater, Detroit Fox Theatre, which was restored in 1988.[ citation needed ]