The Granada's historical value

The City of Morgan Hill has deemed that the Granada Theater is not an historical building. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.  The Granada is a wonderful example of late Art Moderne Architecture.  Also called Mid-Century Moderne (1930-1950) The Granada’s sleek, streamlined appearance is typical of this style. 

It's easy to confuse Art Moderne with Art Deco, but they are two distinctly different styles. While both have stripped-down forms and geometric designs, the Art Moderne style will appear sleek and plain, while the slightly earlier Art Deco style can be quite showy.  Art Moderne looks to the age of the machine and in simplifying the architectures, all lines are smooth and aerodynamic.

The sleek, rounded Art Moderne style originated in the Bauhaus movement, which began in Germany. Bauhaus architects wanted to use the principles of classical architecture in their purest form, designing simple, useful structures without ornamentation or excess. Building shapes were based on curves, triangles, and cones. Bauhaus ideas spread worldwide and led to the Moderne or International Style in the United States.

Art Moderne art, architecture, and fashion became popular just as Art Deco was losing appeal. Many products produced during the 1930s, from architecture to jewelry to kitchen appliances, expressed the new Art Moderne ideals.

This breaking away from the ornate Art Deco period is what defines the Art Moderne movement.  In the heart of Silicon Valley the Granada Theater is a prime example of this architecture movement which expressed the essence of a new, technological age.  

Art Moderne truly reflected the spirit of the early Twentieth Century. Expressing excitement over technological advancements, high speed transportation, and innovative new construction techniques, Art Modern design was highlighted at the 1933 World Fair Chicago. Art Moderne also proved to be a pragmatic style because these simple dwellings were so easy and economical to build.

Art Moderne was a response from designers to the needs of ordinary citizens living in the modern world of cars, airplanes and automats.  Art Moderne designers looked towards a new age with excellent design for everyone. The artisan and his hand tools were set aside for the age of the machine with the idea that mass production and quality were not mutually exclusive. The new look can be summed up in one word - streamlined.

A basic rectangular building can be made "Classical" by the addition of columns, a pediment, or an architrave. The same building can be made Moderne with the addition of curved bays, chrome siding, Vitrolite, glass block, or neon signage.   Art Moderne is a style that is largely for the small-business person. These designs are generally found on restaurants, cinemas, drug stores, hardware stores and the residences of desperately tasteful people.

The Granada Theater is a monument to the middle of the 20th Century.  When it was built The Granada embraced the style that defined what was happening in the world.  Situated on Interstate 101, The Granada’s door step witnessed the speed at which the world was spinning. 

Too often the achievements of our fathers are discounted until they are too late.  It cannot be said that The Granada Theater has no historical significance.  It was and can still be a testament to another era, a step back in time to the technological world and the foreshadowing of our electronic world. 

Art Moderne Theaters are an endangered breed, out of the approximately 1400 Art Moderne theaters that were constructed only 32% are open and functioning in some capacity and only 4% are being renovated.  21% have been demolished and are gone forever and 44% are closed and their fate uncertain.  If the Art Moderne Ariana Cinema in Kabul, Afghanistan can be renovated we surely can renovate the historical Granada Theater in Morgan Hill and make it the gathering place it was and should be again.

Check out this wonderful old video of Morgan Hill in 1938, with the Old Granada Theater across the street!