One of the most memorable screenings that film historian Ross Melnick said he ever attended was held in Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre. The year was 2014, and the film was Harold Lloyd’s silent movie “Safety Last.”
“I saw hundreds of people rolling with laughter at a film made 90 years earlier,” Melnick said. “Silent movies are truly an artistic expression like no other.”
It also inspired an appreciation of the theater and its place in movie history, which Melnick reveals in a new 30-minute documentary titled “The Granada: Celebrating 100 Years of the Arts in Santa Barbara.” A free debut screening is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Made by filmmaker April Wright in honor of the theater’s centennial, the documentary features interviews with Melnick, a professor in UCSB’s Department of Film and Media Studies, the author of books such as “Hollywood Embassies: How Movie Theatres Projected American Power Around the World” and co-founder of CinemaTreasures.org. Melnick will join Wright and special guests for a question-and-answer session after the screening of the film.
“Not only does the Granada building loom over downtown, The Granada Theatre remains, as ever, a key venue for entertainment,” he said. “The nine-story building and theater would be incredible were it in Los Angeles, but to be built in a small town, now a small city, is remarkable.”
Architect Alex Rosenthal designed the California Theatre in Los Angeles in 1918 and the Carthay Circle Theatre in 1926. Both also were important theaters, Melnick said. Of the three, only The Granada Theatre, which opened on April 9, 1924, is still standing.
Builder Charles Urton had never attempted a project of that scale. He built it to be beautiful but also to withstand an earthquake, which it did a little more than a year later. A 6.3 temblor on June 29, 1925, left much of downtown Santa Barbara destroyed or heavily damaged, but not the Granada.
Typical of the time, the building had theater and retail space on the ground level, with living space and offices above, and was a venue for both film and live entertainment.
A ticket included silent films accompanied by a 25-piece orchestra, performances by ballet companies, and singers, shorts and newsreels — for three or four shows a day for as little as 30 cents. A Wurlitzer organ often was played to relieve the orchestra.
Vaudeville acts also performed, but Melnick noted that “movies were ascendent as they were easier for venues to book and contract, and people were falling in love with film.”
To show “talking pictures,” the Granada installed both Warner Bros.’ Vitaphone (sound on a record) and Fox’s Movietone (sound integrated with the film) systems by 1928. Warner Bros. purchased the Granada in 1930, one of four theaters it owned in Santa Barbara.
Throughout the decades, the Granada was the location of world premieres but also was utilized for hundreds of previews to test audience reactions pre-release, including “The Wizard of Oz,” “Guys and Dolls” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
“The Granada has reflected changes in the film industry and technology throughout its 100-year history,” Melnick said. “It was a showcase house, and the Granada’s implementation of the latest technology was part of the attraction.”
In 1928, a Magnascope screen — roughly four times larger — was installed for the film “Wings.” An even larger and wider Cinemascope screen came in February 1954, along with stereo sound. In 1977, “Star Wars” was shown in 70mm for 14 weeks.
Its transition from a grand movie palace to a triplex in 1981 was in reaction to changes in film exhibition – the rise of multiplexes. The Granada previously had been purchased by the local chain Metropolitan Theatres in 1955 and operated as a movie house until March 2004, when a run of “Cold Mountain” closed out an era of film exhibition.
The Granada had a dazzling reopening in February 2008 after a multimillion-dollar renovation, and since has been a centerpiece of the local arts scene, with performances by resident companies, visiting artists and touring shows.
Melnick said he believes that in line with its illustrious beginnings, The Granada Theatre has returned to its roots as a showcase for a mix of performing arts and films. He also took a look ahead.
“As the Granada enters its second century, it is well situated to present the past, present and future of both live and filmed entertainment,” he said, “and to bring the whole of Santa Barbara together as it always has.”
The Granada Theatre’s Centennial Celebration
Wednesday, April 3, 7 p.m.
Screening of the documentary “The Granada: Celebrating 100 Years of the Arts in Santa Barbara,” followed by a Q&A with filmmaker April Wright, film historian Ross Melnick and others; the screening is free but reservations are required at granadasb.com
Friday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.
Double feature: Buster Keaton’s 1924 silent film “Sherlock, Jr.” (with Michael Mortilla on piano) and 1977 blockbuster “Star Wars: A New Hope” (shown in 70mm, 4K)
Saturday, April 13, 7 p.m.
Pacific Jazz Orchestra concert, led by seven-time Grammy-nominated Chris Walden with special guest singer Katharine McPhee (“American Idol,” “Smash”), jazz singer-songwriter Billy Valentine and others
Sunday, April 14, 5 p.m.
“Spotlight on Tomorrow’s Talent” hosted by John Palminteri with performances by young local singers and previews from upcoming musicals staged at Santa Barbara’s three high schools
Sunday, April 14, 6 p.m.
Free al fresco block party with live music by Spencer the Gardener, and dancing on State Street
For tickets and more information about all events, visit granadasb.com.