Stanford Theatre

The Stanford Theatre is an art deco movie house on University Avenue featuring a grand Wurlitzer organ that emerges from the orchestra pit before and after evening screenings. The venue projects classic films in their original 35mm format, maintaining the theatrical experience as audiences would have encountered it decades ago.

The building opened in 1925 and served as a popular gathering place for cinema audiences in the region for many decades. In 1987, the Packard Foundation acquired the theater and undertook an extensive restoration to bring it back to its original state.

The theater serves as a gathering place for film lovers who appreciate movies from Hollywood's early decades and the craft of cinema as it once was. It connects visitors to a shared appreciation for how stories were told on screen generations ago.

The theater is centrally located on University Avenue and accessible on foot or by car. For current information about showtimes and ticket availability, contact the venue directly by phone or visit the official website.

In 1992, a special screening of Casablanca here drew larger crowds than any other American cinema showing the same film. The event demonstrated how devoted classic film audiences remain to this particular venue.

Location: Palo Alto

Inception: June 9, 1925

Architects: Weeks and Day

Address: 221 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Website: http://stanfordtheatre.com

GPS coordinates: 37.44521,-122.16267

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:22