"The money will go toward the construction costs of phase one of the restoration, such as plumbing and heating," says Dedekian. "Things are definitely moving in the right direction."

Arriving guests will be greeted on a red carpet, with flutes of champagne, when the event gets under way at 7 p.m. Saturday. Live entertainment and fine cuisine from several of Oakland's best known restaurants comes with the $75 admission fee, says Dedekian.

"It should be a terrific party, a way to celebrate the kick off of the renovations of the theater."

The elegant affair will take place at another of downtown's historic landmarks, also recently restored to former glory -- the Rotunda Building (originally Kahn's Department Store), 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. There will be free parking at the surface lot on 17th Street between San Pablo and Telegraph avenues, event organizers say.

During the party, guests can take a spin in one of the gleaming vintage cars provided by California Motor Car Co., which promises to whisk them past the brilliantly lit neon marquees of both the Fox and Paramount theaters. "We want folks to recall that bygone era when downtown Oakland was the place to come for round-the-clock entertainment," says Dedekian.

The FOOF Web site features recollections, many from the time "between the wars." The section, titled "Memory Lane," contains comments from former employees and patrons who have posted fond memories.

Bob Koch remembers (among other things) a performance by actress and dancer Ann Miller. Koch is almost 80 and remembers "my father taking me to Earl Carroll's 'Vanities' on the stage of the Fox, back in 1935. She was great and must have been only in her late teens. I myself was 13 at the time."

"I spent many hours watching the picture shows, going across the street to the 'Log Tavern' for a 5 cent hamburger and 7 cent malt, and later when times got better, going to Edy's next door for milk shakes, etc."

"When the house lights came on, the place would glitter like gold," remembers Herbie Taylor. "Not only were the walls gold, but the ushers wore gold uniforms."

The Fox's admission price was always higher than the other theaters in town, said Taylor, adding "a man not wearing a tie was frowned on."

Erma Delucchi, who with husband Mario bought the Byzantine relic in the 1970s when it was on the auction block, facing almost certain demolition, has fond memories of attending shows there as a young girl.

"I remember standing in line to see 'Gone with the Wind.' It was raining hard and we stood there for 45 minutes with our umbrellas ... and we didn't even care." Wearing a white gardenia corsage, she would sit in the loges with her future husband and enjoy the spectacle of a show at the Fox.

According to the history files, the Fox carried many Bay Area residents through the Depression. At the time of its opening in 1929 (four years before the nearby Paramount), it was the premiere theater of the East Bay. Designed by the locally prominent firm of Weeks and Day, it is an early example of a currently popular trend -- a mixed-use complex. In addition to the theater auditorium, there are ground level shops (originally 15) and 35 upper floor offices.

At the time of its construction, it was the largest theater west of Chicago. First-run pictures ran to sell-out audiences (the seating capacity was 3,000). First-class vaudeville acts featuring the likes of Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and the Jimmy Dorsey Band performed during intermissions.

A dance revue by the "Deco Belles" on Saturday promises to re-create all the glamour of those Art Deco hey-days. "We are also featuring the Martini Brothers Band and their swing-time cocktail music, and the Big Belly Blues Band, with their exciting versions of blues, jazz and R& B tunes," says Dedekian.

Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster (on line www.ticketmaster.com or Friends of the Oakland Fox, 869-3519, or by visiting the Paramount Theater Box Office, 2025 Broadway.

Oaklanders can post their Fox memories by logging on to www.foxoakland.org. Or find out how to join the Friends and support the Fox.

The site also contains a list of the event sponsors.

"We can't say enough about our sponsors, particularly our hosts, Phil Tagami and California Commercial Investments," said Dedekian. "This is going to be a terrific evening. Don't miss it."

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email

Oakland Tribune: General Contact Information
401 13th Street
Oakland, California 94612
(510) 208-6330 Switchboard
(510) 293-2709 Online Content
www.oaklandtribune.com