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In 1950, the balcony ceiling collapsed at the Sequoia Theatre in Redwood City, injuring 27 people. After a long hiatus, the building reopened with a new interior and a new name – the Fox.

Without warning, at 11:30 p.m. on June 21, plaster fell on patrons watching The Gunfighter, a western starring Gregory Peck. The most seriously injured was a woman named Evelin Case, who suffered a skull fracture when she either jumped or fell to the main floor, according to a 2005 article in the Archives News, published by the history room at the Redwood City Library. Most of the injuries were minor wounds to the head, chest, back, arms or legs. Case was released from the hospital after a two-day stay. Fourteen lawsuits were filed, but only four were awarded judgments. The others were dismissed.

Investigators concluded that nails, which were about an inch short of what they should have been, were loosened by vibrations of trains that had passed nearby for decades. The cave-in closed the theater for three months.

Adding a touch of irony, the Sequoia was famous for the starry night experience it offered the audience. A machine projected moving clouds and twinkling skies across the ceiling, giving customers the feeling that stars were gazing down on them. That part of the ceiling was covered up during the restoration; to see what little is left, it is necessary to climb ladders and walk across catwalks.

The 1929 opening of the Sequoia, which replaced the original and much smaller Sequoia cinema located nearby, was big news. The Redwood City Tribune reported every detail, including a 10-paragraph story on the show house organ alone. Patrons imagine “they are in a street in a town somewhere in Spain,” the paper said in reporting on the 1,200-seat theater’s Moorish interior.

The walls consisted of a series of archways that indeed resembled a courtyard in old Spain. An estimated 3,000 people attended the debut on January 5 to see “Three Week-Ends,” starring Clara Bow. The theater also had a stage and dressing rooms for vaudeville acts. In addition to viewing the movie, the opening night throng was entertained by a band as well as dancers.

The opening was “a big event in town,” Louie Dematteis, an usher who went on to become San Mateo County District Attorney, recalled in an interview in the 1990s. “They had searchlights. It was like a night at the opera in San Francisco.” He added that some of the vaudeville acts were “terrible.”

Reopening Night

The reopening on September 15, 1950, came after extensive remodeling by designer Carl Moeller, whose style was described as “Art Moderne meets Streamlined.” The marquee, terrazzo tile in the foyer, a mirrored entrance and ornate gold leaf combined to form a near-classic example of 1950s Art Deco. Even though Moeller covered up or replaced much of the interior, the lobby, with arches that line the walls, still has the feel of the original.

More than 2,000 people turned out to see the renovated theater, which was described as “completely remodeled and shining from a giant-sized portion of gold paint.” The film offering was “My Blue Heaven,” starring Betty Grable. There was plenty of entertainment outside, a warmup for the first showing since the ceiling had come down. Crowds began gathering in front of the Fox more than an hour before the outdoor festivities. Temporary bleachers were packed as the throng watched dancers, heard singers and was introduced to visiting celebrities. The big names included actors George Jessel, Howard Keel and Roddy McDowell.

The show was a benefit for the Korean War effort, and customers had to buy a bond to get in. Patrons entered under a marquee that assured them “Movies are Better Than Ever,” a slogan Hollywood hoped would wean viewers off the new medium of television.

The advent of TV wasn’t the only reason the original Sequoia was a tough act to follow. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1948 led to the breakup of big movie house chains. Many movie palaces built in the same era went under, but the Fox survived.

Why? There’s probably no one reason, but in 1995 a survey found that 96 percent of those interviewed felt the Fox should become a “social and cultural hub.” Today it anchors one end of Courthouse Square, known to many as “Redwood City’s living room.” Maybe movies and television can coexist after all.

After community volunteers wrapped roughly 4,000 presents at Red Morton Park in Redwood City on Monday, first responders set off Wednesday night to begin delivering them to the homes of local children in need, part of a heartwarming annual tradition that will serve 800 families this year.

Santa Claus rides along in a police car or fire engine to personally deliver presents to local families. Deliveries for the 2022 Redwood City-San Mateo County Holiday Toy and Book Program are ongoing, with organizers saying the program was off to a great start.

You’re making a difference in this community, one kid at a time, one household at a time.

The Holiday Toy and Book Program is held by the Redwood City Police and Fire Department, Police Activities League, and Parks Recreation and Community Services, in collaboration with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League, San Carlos Fire Department, Woodside Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Redwood City 330 Squad Club, and the CARON Project.

Last year, more than 40 local businesses filled 67 donation barrels with toys that were provided to over 800 families needing assistance.

Families receiving donations this year were asked to register in November.

During a briefing ahead of the first delivery night, Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland thanked volunteers for taking time from their busy schedules to make the massive charity effort possible.

“It was pretty awesome to go the Red Morton Center and see all the presents that were out there that needed to be wrapped,” Chief Mulholland said. “Great feeling. You’re making a difference in this community, one kid at a time, one household at a time.”

All photos courtesy of the Holiday Toy and Book Program.

The Redwood City community is in mourning following the deaths of Grace and Greg Ammen in a car crash Friday night. The Ammens leave behind their 7-year-old twin daughters, Madison and Olivia.

The collision occurred just before 8 p.m. in the area of El Camino Real and Finger Avenue, according to the Redwood City Police Department. Officers arrived to find two vehicles on the west sidewalk with major damages, one of them engulfed in flames.

Officers used fire extinguishers to put out the fire. A 17-year-old driver and two passengers were located in that car with non-life-threatening injuries. The Ammens were found trapped in the other vehicle and were later confirmed deceased.

A cause for the crash hasn’t been revealed and the investigation is ongoing, according to Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland, who added that “more information will be released as soon as it is available.”

“There are no words to express the magnitude of this loss,” the chief said. “We are all mourning this tragedy together.”

Mayor Giselle Hale called the event tragic for all involved.

“On behalf of the Redwood City Ciy Council, we extend our deepest sympathies to the two young children who tragically lost their parents,” Mayor Hale said. “Grief and stress counseling have been made available to students and families, and to first responders who provided emergency assistance at the scene.”

A GoFundMe described the couple as “two beautiful souls.” The fundraiser aims to support the raising of their children.

“Grace and Greg were outstanding people and lights of love, support and inspiration to countless friends, family, co-workers and their community,” Liza Spiridon stated in the GoFundMe, adding, “Nothing mattered more to them than Madison and Olivia.”

To support the GoFundMe, go here.

Anyone with further information about this collision is encouraged to call the Redwood City Police Department’s Investigations Unit at (650) 780-7111.

Photo via GoFundMe