the stanford theatre

I love this theater! It is a very authentic old moving watching experience, complete with pipe organ playing before and after the movie. I wish I had one of these where I lived I would visit every week! I cannot wait to return!

We saw Charlie Chan and Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce) double feature on a Friday night. Place was packed! Very nostalgic, fun seeing old movies on big screen in historical theater, and enjoyed the live organ music between the movies.

Holiday movies in a nostalgically beautiful setting can not be beat and has to be experienced.I wrote a long review about this theatre, look for it and go there.

I love this restored classic movie theater. It's like transporting back to the 1950s with a screen curtain, balconies, an organist playing before/after shows (and during intermissions), and even the price harkens back to the halcyon days - 2 for 1 low price, and the concession stand prices are also quite affordable. Plenty of space, too - you probably never have to worry about the theater selling out. They show older films (usually 1930s to 1950s), many of which I've never heard of, but which are quite phenomenal. If you're visiting Palo Alto, definitely catch a movie here! And if you live in or near Palo Alto, you should come here regularly!

This Palo Alto theater has always been my favorite as I am a sucker for nostalgic things. Long ago, I saw Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn right before a bicycle trip in Italy. Quite a few years back I introduced my daughter to the Wizard of Oz, her first ever outing watching a movie on the big screen. It was perfect, from the inexpensive but delicious popcorn, lounging in the comfy seats, and watching the Wurlitzer rising up and playing during intermission. It's a fantastic place to go back in time and enjoy the simpler pleasures of life and not break the bank! And roaming around the streets of Palo Alto before or after at a plethora of restaurants and shops nearby is a great way to round out the evening.

I love coming here by myself to watch the variety of films they play. Once in a while there's a featured theme or actor. Do come by early to check out the old posters in the museum as well as enjoy the wurlizter organ that rises up in front of the screen. It's super affordable and you can catch 2 films for the price of one. And the snack bar is also priced lower than your modern cinemas too!

We loved watching classic film in a beautiful old theatre with the tradtional organ player. And the snack bar was very afforable! Super fun with my teen daughter.

Don't miss the oportunity to enjoy a classic movie in this beautifully restored downtown Palo Alto theater. Double features, reasonable goodies and popcorn, plus an organist between features.We are blessed to have the Stanford Theater in our area.

Google this venue for more details - it has an amazing history. Elegantly restored, with an authentic "silver screen," this theater shows classic movies sometimes accompanied by "the mighty Wurlitzer" organ which rises up out of the floor. Don't miss the museum room behind the concessions which has a collection or gorgeous old movie posters.

How can one not like the Stanford Theatre. It is an older movie house restored to its former elegance (back to the days when one went to the moves in high heels and nylons and men in hats and suits). Only older films are shown, many, perhaps most, in black and white, but all were winners in their day. For some old films, they are silent, and for them a mighty Wurlitzer arises from the floor and there is live organ music for the entire film.In addition to the classic films, there is always a twin feature so one can stay for one or two films. And the price is heavily discounted, making it the most affordable cinema around. What a find for those that love the Hollywood of old!

Beautifully restored, comfortable seats. Organ music before movie excellent. Say "Mr Smith goes to Washington".Allow extra time to look at the many old movie posters and newspaper articles.

If you want to see an old black and white movie in the manner of the good old days, come and see it here. The theater is lovingly restored to its hey day glamour, tickets are less than at contemporary theaters and give you access to a double header every night, but the be all and end all is the live organist who rises from the floor between shows to play an interlude of tunes between screenings. Glorious. There's a lovely balcony and a side room filled with a stunning collection of old movie posters and newspaper clippings about the theater. Oh yes, and popcorn is a dollar as is a drink, so splurge! Happy to say that it is often filled to the brim, a well loved and appreciated local gem for families, date nights, and soloists.

I will happily add to the accolades for the Stanford Theater. It’s truly a special place and probably the best venue anywhere to see classic Hollywood movies (1920s to mid-1960s). The theater itself is gorgeous—built in 1925 and lovingly restored down to the last tile. They show a double feature most nights, and an organist plays the Mighty Wurlitzer before and after the 7:30 show. I recommend going 15 to 20 minutes before your movie so you can relax and listen to the organist, as they allow time for that between shows. Also, they usually organize a series of movies around a theme lasting a month or more (e.g., film noir, Hepburn, Bogart, Astaire and Rogers, Hitchcock), so if you have time for multiple visits, you can really explore that theme.Great movies on a big screen, mohair seats, live organ music, beautiful surroundings—coming here, you can imagine a time when going out to the movies was a special event. And as other reviewers have said, because the theater is run as a nonprofit the prices are very reasonable; even the popcorn (with real butter) is only a dollar or two. Also, it’s right downtown on University Ave, where you can grab a nice dinner beforehand and a dessert or drink after. So, if you find yourself in Palo Alto, spend an evening at the Stanford! There’s no place like it.

This is a very authentic theatre, even includes an organ player before the movie. The is also a museum you can visit with old movie posters. It would be nice if you could visit the museum without a movie ticket.

The Stanford Theatre opened in 1925 and is dedicated to sharing movie classics with today's audiences. I am a HUGE fan of classic movies. In fact, my favorite channel on TV is Turner Classic Movies. (Weird for a woman in her 20s, right?) So when I visited Palo Alto, I had to check out the Stanford Theatre. It's such a pleasure to view a movie the way it was intended - on the big screen accompanied by popcorn, a soda, and in the presence of other movie-goers. I excitedly bought my ticket at the bargain price of $7. Two movies are shown per week, and you can stay for both movies. There are showings at approx 5:40, 7:30, and 9:30 on weekdays with an added matinee around 3 on the weekends. I arrived about 15 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. showing of Casablanca, and there were many others in line purchasing tickets. The snacks were very well priced. A large tub of popcorn was only $2.50! Drinks were also very well priced. They offered candies and chocolates as well. After buying snacks, we found seats inside the theater. WHAT A TREAT! We walked in the doors and were greeted with live music from their Wurlitzer organ. The stage was covered by red curtains. Seats were cushioned and standard in a theater. The seating was arranged on a gradual incline. There was also seating upstairs. The lights dimmed, the organist and organ descended below the stage, and the movie began. We stayed for the second movie as well. I can't wait for the next chance to go =) They have themes, and I so happened during their Best of Bogart festival. I believe they also have a Hitchcock festival each year.