The Century 21 opened with the 1967 reserved seat engagement of the 70mm release of Gone with The Wind. It was only a nice theatre when it was a single screen not after the twinning and building additional screens. The Port of Oakland wanted the land that is why the theatre dissapeared.brucec
I saw the last film to play at the Laurel it was a pirate film which the title escapes me because this was back when I was child. My Aunt and Uncle lived close by so I got the see the renovation of the Laurel as the Cine 7 which would be Oakland’s new art house courtesy of United Artists. Art films didn’t last long and Hollywood first runs returned. In 1970 the Cine 7 became a second run house and the last film I saw there was a doulble bill of Hello Dolly and Darling Lil. United Artists had a habit at this time of letting there theatres run down. In the Bay Area I only remember the Coronet, Alexandria, and Metro as the only UA theatres kept in good shape.brucec
Its to bad the T&D is remembered for its down on its luck days because it was a beautiful theatre through its last major film “Lawrence of Arabia” in the early 1960’s. I would love to see pictures of the theatre during this period inside and out. It was a sad ending to a great lady.brucec
The Roxie was the exlusive run roadshow house of the 1960’s. “West Side Story”,“Mary Poppins”, “The Sound of Music”, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf”,“Hawaii”, “The Great Race” and “Easy Rider” were many of the exclusive long runs that played the Roxie during the successful 1960"s for this house. The Roxie was rather plain compared to the Paramount, Fox-Oakland and The T&D in Downtown Oakland. The Roxie was also the smallest of the exclusive run Theatres downtown. My favorite feauture of the Roxie was there vertical neon marquee. The Roxie during the 1960’s was the most successful of the downtown houses because they played all the big pictures. I will always have beautiful childhood memories of going to the the movies and the big department stores downtown.brucec
The Alexandria was a exclusive roadshow house in the 1960’s and was one of the top theatres in SF. I saw “Oliver”, “The French Connection”, “Nicholas and Alexandra” and many more through the years. It would have been nice if a chain such as Landmark could have purchased the Alexandria because they would know what to do with this house. Regal looks like they are abandoning SF after picking up the UA Theatre Circuit. It would be nice if they sold it with a little concern what people in the City feel about there neigberhood theatres. The bigger the circuits get the less they care about regional areas. The City government should remember who cares about the City and who doesn’t before awarding future building permits for future movie theatres in the future. SF was one of the last major cities in the country to be full of viable single screen theatres. It was not until the arrival of Amc and Sony in the 1990’s that caused the death of many of these theares. Now San Francisco can be like any other City with megaplex theatres and no longer unique. I guess LA will be the only city left in the US With Deluxe first run theatre such as the “Chinese”, “El Capitan”,“Cinerama Dome”, “Fox Village”, “Bruin”, “National”, “Crest” and a few others. Thank God SF has the “Castro” which is run by an independent who knows how to run these special theatres.brucec
Radio City Music Hall went into decline in the late 60’s and the 1970’s for various reasons. The Music Hall always had the top class A films available to them from the 1930’s thru 1967. The Music Hall then had trouble getting good G rated films to go along with there stage shows. Then the Music Hall would play many films that weren’t very good such as The Promise and 1776. The Music Hall STARTED to loose money in the Fall and the months following The Christmas show and the months following The Easter Show. To stem the loss the Music Hall would close down there film and stage show during some of the slower months to reduce the red ink. I think a summer stage show along with classic films from all decades that would include the Rockettes is a wonderful idea. Maybe a corpoarate sponser could help fund the summer show if needed. If the Music Hall had a major concert the summer show could be dark that day. I feel the Music Hall has yet to reach its full potential. Cablevision bring back the stage and film presentation on a limited time such as summer when a lot of tourists are in town. brucec
Westwood area in the 1970’s was a modern version of downtown with many single screen theates. Westwood always had exclusive runs at this time and would day and date with Hollywood Blvd. It was neat to go to the movies in Westwood on a Friday or Saturday Night and there would be huge lines at each of the single screen theates and they all had midnight shows. The National opened in 1970 and I saw Catch 22 there with my cousin and a few friends.Westwood always drew a very hip crowd at the time. Westwood became to popular and started to have problems with the residents in the area along with merchants in the 1980’s. The shootings and a riot at a theate helped cause the decline in this upscale area of LA along with new competition from AMC 14 in Century City and the new theatres in the newly revitalized Santa Monica area. Mann Theatres plan to build a new 5 screen Stadium theate in Westwood but if these plans fail then they plan to renovate the National into a large single stadium theatre.brucec
I was on a theatre conclave in NYC in 2002. I felt that Loews Kings even in its current condition was the most magnificient treasure on our tour. It took my breath away to see such a beautiful theatre. All the great Times Square movie palaces are now gone and I hope both the Paramount and the Kings can be saved. My hope is the City of New York would spend enough money to keep the theatre stablized until there are the funds to restore Loews Kings one of the Loews Wonder Theatres. Manhattan due to broadway has restored many of it legit houses but I have yet to see the city Restore one of there movie palaces the way other cities have. Radio City Music Hall was restored by a private company and is a unique venue.brucec
Its great to see that Baltimore has restored The Hippodrome movie palace. The pictures look wonderful. I wish the city of Baltimore great success. Maybe the next project could be the restoration of the Town. Now Philidelphia has to get it together and restore there last movie palace The Boyd. The “Producers” are a great show to re-open the Hippodrome.brucec
Im sorry but I am an avid film patron and saw many films at the Egyptian. Im glad its been saved and is being used. This is Hollywood and I hope in the future this theatre is restored. It doesn’t look like a movie palace, or the deluxe roadshow house of the 1950’s and the 1960’s that it once was. Small towns around the US have restored there theatres that look a lot better than the Egyptian.If you want to see what a movie palace looks like go to the Pantages,Chinese and El Capitan. The film programing and picture and sound at the Egyptian are excellent. I guess I am spoiled because I was involved with one of the first authentic restoration of a movie palace the Paramount(3000seats) in Oakland back in 1972. I remember Francis Ford Coppola looking around the theatre in amazement. Im looking for the wow factor and the Egytian isn’t it.brucec
I saw many movies at the Pantagees. The Pantagees went from first run film to broadway theatre. I suggest this theatre be equipped again for film so the studios can have film premieres here since Westwood is not available due to merchant complaints as reported in Variety. The Pantages seats 2700 which would be perfect when the theatre is dark with no stage show. The Pantages is Hollywoods greatest film palace.brucec
The Studio was a lovely neigberhood house. It was in good condition until the day the theatre closed. My friend Rickie James was the last manager to run the Studio before it closed. Rickie had also worked at the La Reina, Glendale and Alex theatres for Mann. Rickie passed away on Jan 11,2004 at age 47 due to a stroke. Many TY and Film stars use to attend movies at the Studio Theatre. Many sneak previews were done at the Studio Theatre. Both Rickie and his Studio Theatre are missed.brucec
I agree you have to put the Ziegfeld in perspective. It is not a Movie Palace but its the best house to see a movie in NYC.Its to bad NYC didn’t save any of there film palaces in Times Square with the exception of the Mark Hellinger(Warner Hollywood)which is now being used as a church. brucec
The T&D was a great theatre to see a movie in the early 1960’s. I saw Come September with Rock Hudson and Gina Lollabrigida and Exodus. The last major film to play the T&D Was Lawrence of Arabia. That part of downtown had declined so badly and it killed the theatre. I have pictures of the beautiful marquee.Brucec
This was a very plush theatre when it opened. It was called Theatre 70 and was the first theatre built near downtown in 30 years. I saw Love Story there in 1970 and it played for a very long run. It was built for exclusive runs and when booking patterns changed to wide release the theatre went into decline as well as the shopping center it was in. Brucec
I would love to see color pictures of the interior of the Roxy. I have only seen black and white. Its a shame that the Roxy and the San Francisco Fox are no longer with us what were they thinking. Today they would make great concert halls presented by clearchannel.Brucec.
I thought Paramount and Warner Bros did a nice job restoring the Chinese. I wish they would bring back the neon dragons on the marquee. I heard they are stored on the Paramount Lot. The small movie signs they put up are a little blah and they are not original from any period. Brucec
In 1970 I sat with my cousin Vic and watched a double Bill of Two Mules for Sister Serrs and Sweet Charity. In the Late 1980’s I was at the Wiltern for a screening of 42nd St with Ruby Keeler in attendance. This is a wonderful theatre and thank god it was saved.Brucec
I think the Rex in Paris is larger. Every time Im in London I try to catch a flick at the Odeon. This is how a deluxe theatre should be operated. I wish The Empire would be restored and was programed like the Odeon. Brucec
Would like to know more about what is going on with the Paramount Theatre. I would love to see some pictures of the exterior as well as the interior. My parents use to go to both the Shea’s Buffalo and The Paramount to see the Big Bands as well as the movies.Brucec
I hope along with the Hippodrome, I hope the Towne is also being restored. A suggestion for the city of Baltimore is to put a new roof on the Mayfair and mothball it until funds can be found to restore this theatre. Look at the Biltmore in NYC it was exposed to the elements for decades until its recent restoration. Brucec
I loved this theatre when it was a single screen. I attended a movie once since the muti-plex conversion and have not returned. This is an example of how not to plex an historic theare.But then United Artists chain has one of the worst reputations of maintaining theatres. Regal has since purchased United Artists.It would be nice if the main floor of this theare was restored. brucec
Just a suggestion. Both Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks went to High School in Oakland. Maybe they could get involved in the restoration of the Fox. Maybe they could hold a benefit premiere at the Paramount of one of there upcoming films to benefit the Fox and also gain a lot of publicity for the Fox. Brucec
I have many fond memories of the Paramount. During the 1960’s I saw most of my Disney films at the Paramount. My Dad and I saw one of the last films films to play the Paramount “Kellys Heroes"
and only about 10 people were there is this huge theatre. I think the Paramount life was shortened as and exclusive Run House when Bart had Broadway torn up for years. I also attended the the Grand Re-opening after the restoration. Bob Hope, Donald O' Connor and Lola Folana performed that night. I love Movie Night at the Paramount on Fridays and they are packed. Brucec
The Century 21 opened with the 1967 reserved seat engagement of the 70mm release of Gone with The Wind. It was only a nice theatre when it was a single screen not after the twinning and building additional screens. The Port of Oakland wanted the land that is why the theatre dissapeared.brucec
I saw the last film to play at the Laurel it was a pirate film which the title escapes me because this was back when I was child. My Aunt and Uncle lived close by so I got the see the renovation of the Laurel as the Cine 7 which would be Oakland’s new art house courtesy of United Artists. Art films didn’t last long and Hollywood first runs returned. In 1970 the Cine 7 became a second run house and the last film I saw there was a doulble bill of Hello Dolly and Darling Lil. United Artists had a habit at this time of letting there theatres run down. In the Bay Area I only remember the Coronet, Alexandria, and Metro as the only UA theatres kept in good shape.brucec
Its to bad the T&D is remembered for its down on its luck days because it was a beautiful theatre through its last major film “Lawrence of Arabia” in the early 1960’s. I would love to see pictures of the theatre during this period inside and out. It was a sad ending to a great lady.brucec
The Roxie was the exlusive run roadshow house of the 1960’s. “West Side Story”,“Mary Poppins”, “The Sound of Music”, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf”,“Hawaii”, “The Great Race” and “Easy Rider” were many of the exclusive long runs that played the Roxie during the successful 1960"s for this house. The Roxie was rather plain compared to the Paramount, Fox-Oakland and The T&D in Downtown Oakland. The Roxie was also the smallest of the exclusive run Theatres downtown. My favorite feauture of the Roxie was there vertical neon marquee. The Roxie during the 1960’s was the most successful of the downtown houses because they played all the big pictures. I will always have beautiful childhood memories of going to the the movies and the big department stores downtown.brucec
The Alexandria was a exclusive roadshow house in the 1960’s and was one of the top theatres in SF. I saw “Oliver”, “The French Connection”, “Nicholas and Alexandra” and many more through the years. It would have been nice if a chain such as Landmark could have purchased the Alexandria because they would know what to do with this house. Regal looks like they are abandoning SF after picking up the UA Theatre Circuit. It would be nice if they sold it with a little concern what people in the City feel about there neigberhood theatres. The bigger the circuits get the less they care about regional areas. The City government should remember who cares about the City and who doesn’t before awarding future building permits for future movie theatres in the future. SF was one of the last major cities in the country to be full of viable single screen theatres. It was not until the arrival of Amc and Sony in the 1990’s that caused the death of many of these theares. Now San Francisco can be like any other City with megaplex theatres and no longer unique. I guess LA will be the only city left in the US With Deluxe first run theatre such as the “Chinese”, “El Capitan”,“Cinerama Dome”, “Fox Village”, “Bruin”, “National”, “Crest” and a few others. Thank God SF has the “Castro” which is run by an independent who knows how to run these special theatres.brucec
Radio City Music Hall went into decline in the late 60’s and the 1970’s for various reasons. The Music Hall always had the top class A films available to them from the 1930’s thru 1967. The Music Hall then had trouble getting good G rated films to go along with there stage shows. Then the Music Hall would play many films that weren’t very good such as The Promise and 1776. The Music Hall STARTED to loose money in the Fall and the months following The Christmas show and the months following The Easter Show. To stem the loss the Music Hall would close down there film and stage show during some of the slower months to reduce the red ink. I think a summer stage show along with classic films from all decades that would include the Rockettes is a wonderful idea. Maybe a corpoarate sponser could help fund the summer show if needed. If the Music Hall had a major concert the summer show could be dark that day. I feel the Music Hall has yet to reach its full potential. Cablevision bring back the stage and film presentation on a limited time such as summer when a lot of tourists are in town. brucec
Westwood area in the 1970’s was a modern version of downtown with many single screen theates. Westwood always had exclusive runs at this time and would day and date with Hollywood Blvd. It was neat to go to the movies in Westwood on a Friday or Saturday Night and there would be huge lines at each of the single screen theates and they all had midnight shows. The National opened in 1970 and I saw Catch 22 there with my cousin and a few friends.Westwood always drew a very hip crowd at the time. Westwood became to popular and started to have problems with the residents in the area along with merchants in the 1980’s. The shootings and a riot at a theate helped cause the decline in this upscale area of LA along with new competition from AMC 14 in Century City and the new theatres in the newly revitalized Santa Monica area. Mann Theatres plan to build a new 5 screen Stadium theate in Westwood but if these plans fail then they plan to renovate the National into a large single stadium theatre.brucec
I was on a theatre conclave in NYC in 2002. I felt that Loews Kings even in its current condition was the most magnificient treasure on our tour. It took my breath away to see such a beautiful theatre. All the great Times Square movie palaces are now gone and I hope both the Paramount and the Kings can be saved. My hope is the City of New York would spend enough money to keep the theatre stablized until there are the funds to restore Loews Kings one of the Loews Wonder Theatres. Manhattan due to broadway has restored many of it legit houses but I have yet to see the city Restore one of there movie palaces the way other cities have. Radio City Music Hall was restored by a private company and is a unique venue.brucec
Its great to see that Baltimore has restored The Hippodrome movie palace. The pictures look wonderful. I wish the city of Baltimore great success. Maybe the next project could be the restoration of the Town. Now Philidelphia has to get it together and restore there last movie palace The Boyd. The “Producers” are a great show to re-open the Hippodrome.brucec
Im sorry but I am an avid film patron and saw many films at the Egyptian. Im glad its been saved and is being used. This is Hollywood and I hope in the future this theatre is restored. It doesn’t look like a movie palace, or the deluxe roadshow house of the 1950’s and the 1960’s that it once was. Small towns around the US have restored there theatres that look a lot better than the Egyptian.If you want to see what a movie palace looks like go to the Pantages,Chinese and El Capitan. The film programing and picture and sound at the Egyptian are excellent. I guess I am spoiled because I was involved with one of the first authentic restoration of a movie palace the Paramount(3000seats) in Oakland back in 1972. I remember Francis Ford Coppola looking around the theatre in amazement. Im looking for the wow factor and the Egytian isn’t it.brucec
I saw many movies at the Pantagees. The Pantagees went from first run film to broadway theatre. I suggest this theatre be equipped again for film so the studios can have film premieres here since Westwood is not available due to merchant complaints as reported in Variety. The Pantages seats 2700 which would be perfect when the theatre is dark with no stage show. The Pantages is Hollywoods greatest film palace.brucec
The Studio was a lovely neigberhood house. It was in good condition until the day the theatre closed. My friend Rickie James was the last manager to run the Studio before it closed. Rickie had also worked at the La Reina, Glendale and Alex theatres for Mann. Rickie passed away on Jan 11,2004 at age 47 due to a stroke. Many TY and Film stars use to attend movies at the Studio Theatre. Many sneak previews were done at the Studio Theatre. Both Rickie and his Studio Theatre are missed.brucec
I agree you have to put the Ziegfeld in perspective. It is not a Movie Palace but its the best house to see a movie in NYC.Its to bad NYC didn’t save any of there film palaces in Times Square with the exception of the Mark Hellinger(Warner Hollywood)which is now being used as a church. brucec
The T&D was a great theatre to see a movie in the early 1960’s. I saw Come September with Rock Hudson and Gina Lollabrigida and Exodus. The last major film to play the T&D Was Lawrence of Arabia. That part of downtown had declined so badly and it killed the theatre. I have pictures of the beautiful marquee.Brucec
This was a very plush theatre when it opened. It was called Theatre 70 and was the first theatre built near downtown in 30 years. I saw Love Story there in 1970 and it played for a very long run. It was built for exclusive runs and when booking patterns changed to wide release the theatre went into decline as well as the shopping center it was in. Brucec
I would love to see color pictures of the interior of the Roxy. I have only seen black and white. Its a shame that the Roxy and the San Francisco Fox are no longer with us what were they thinking. Today they would make great concert halls presented by clearchannel.Brucec.
I thought Paramount and Warner Bros did a nice job restoring the Chinese. I wish they would bring back the neon dragons on the marquee. I heard they are stored on the Paramount Lot. The small movie signs they put up are a little blah and they are not original from any period. Brucec
In 1970 I sat with my cousin Vic and watched a double Bill of Two Mules for Sister Serrs and Sweet Charity. In the Late 1980’s I was at the Wiltern for a screening of 42nd St with Ruby Keeler in attendance. This is a wonderful theatre and thank god it was saved.Brucec
I think the Rex in Paris is larger. Every time Im in London I try to catch a flick at the Odeon. This is how a deluxe theatre should be operated. I wish The Empire would be restored and was programed like the Odeon. Brucec
Would like to know more about what is going on with the Paramount Theatre. I would love to see some pictures of the exterior as well as the interior. My parents use to go to both the Shea’s Buffalo and The Paramount to see the Big Bands as well as the movies.Brucec
I hope along with the Hippodrome, I hope the Towne is also being restored. A suggestion for the city of Baltimore is to put a new roof on the Mayfair and mothball it until funds can be found to restore this theatre. Look at the Biltmore in NYC it was exposed to the elements for decades until its recent restoration. Brucec
I loved this theatre when it was a single screen. I attended a movie once since the muti-plex conversion and have not returned. This is an example of how not to plex an historic theare.But then United Artists chain has one of the worst reputations of maintaining theatres. Regal has since purchased United Artists.It would be nice if the main floor of this theare was restored. brucec
Just a suggestion. Both Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks went to High School in Oakland. Maybe they could get involved in the restoration of the Fox. Maybe they could hold a benefit premiere at the Paramount of one of there upcoming films to benefit the Fox and also gain a lot of publicity for the Fox. Brucec
I have many fond memories of the Paramount. During the 1960’s I saw most of my Disney films at the Paramount. My Dad and I saw one of the last films films to play the Paramount “Kellys Heroes"
and only about 10 people were there is this huge theatre. I think the Paramount life was shortened as and exclusive Run House when Bart had Broadway torn up for years. I also attended the the Grand Re-opening after the restoration. Bob Hope, Donald O' Connor and Lola Folana performed that night. I love Movie Night at the Paramount on Fridays and they are packed. Brucec
The second theatre in the Parkway was the old stadium lodge area.I beleive the theate was twinned in the mid 70’s.brucec