Comments from gsmurph

Showing 176 - 200 of 328 comments

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about New Peralta Theatre on Sep 30, 2004 at 6:47 pm

Looks like another treasure lost.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about New Peralta Theatre on Sep 30, 2004 at 6:31 pm

Some terrible news to report—-the former New Peralta, more recently Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple—-was severely damaged by a fire this past September 27. Though the church intends to rebuild, the building’s future is very much in doubt.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Alameda Theatre on Sep 22, 2004 at 5:17 am

The Alameda in its latter years as a movie house was a triplex; its status (unfortunately like just about every other Alameda movie house) should be “Closed.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rialto Theatre on Sep 22, 2004 at 5:12 am

Albert W. Cornelius designed the Rialto (originally the [original] Alameda).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about California Theatre on Sep 20, 2004 at 8:07 am

The original architect of the T&D/California was Albert W. Cornelius.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Lorin Theatre on Sep 20, 2004 at 8:01 am

The Lorin was built in 1914 by H.L. Beach and W.F. Krahn. The original architect was Albert W. Cornelius. Its interior was remodeled in 1920 by James Plachek. It closed as a theater in 1954.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about El Rey Theatre on Sep 19, 2004 at 10:54 am

El Rey’s status should be “Closed/Demolished.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Esquire Theatre on Sep 19, 2004 at 10:53 am

Status should read “Closed/Demolished.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Sun Sing Theatre on Sep 19, 2004 at 10:38 am

Since the Mandarin is now used for retail, its status should probably be “Closed” rather than “Open.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Capri Theatre on Sep 19, 2004 at 10:25 am

The Capri/Cortland Theatre is now a church, and has apparently operated as such for years now.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rialto Cinemas Cerrito on Sep 19, 2004 at 10:20 am

Considering the tremendous progress that’s been made in the effort to revitalize the Cerrito, perhaps a more accurate status at this point should be “Closed/Renovating/Restoring.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about UA Emery Bay Theater on Sep 16, 2004 at 7:26 pm

This should probably be listed as UA Emery Bay.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fox Orpheum Theatre on Aug 31, 2004 at 3:10 am

The Fox Orpheum opened August 25, 1923 as the FOX OAKLAND; it became the FOX ORPHEUM a year later. The style was French Renaissance.

The opening program consisted of Tchaikowsky’s 1812 Overture; “A Mirror of the Living World” by the Fox Oakland News; Voices from the Opera; “Jungle Pals,” a “sunshine comedy” presented by William Fox; “The Silent Command,” also a William Fox presentation (story by Rufus King, scenario by Anthony Paul Kelly) with Edmund Lowe, Alma Tell, Betty Jewel, Florence Martin, Martha Mansfield, and Bela Lugosi; and “The Festival of Progress,” a story of Oakland’s Golden Hour, with Theodore Aldolphus and Ballet.

From 1949-50 the theater was the site of a last attempt by the Fox West Coast chain to revive vaudeville; among the performers were the Will Mastin Trio (featuring Sammy Davis Jr.), Pinky Lee, Eddie Peabody (the “king of the banjo”), Nick Lewis (“the singing troubadour”), Alvino Rey and his Orchestra, and Pat Rooney Sr. However, the effort failed and ended May 30, 1950.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Auctions by the Bay on Aug 12, 2004 at 5:14 am

Auctions by the Bay seats 450 people.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Auctions by the Bay on Aug 9, 2004 at 2:08 am

Sadly, Auctions by the Bay has shown its last film as of earlier tonight (August 8); an article in Saturday’s Oakland Tribune mentioned this awful news. However, the auction operation continues there (so it’s not endangered), and perhaps someday this theater will show films once again.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Chimes Theatre on Jul 23, 2004 at 12:53 am

The Chimes was long gone by 1969—-could Andy T. be referring to the Elmwood instead?

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fine Arts Cinema on Jul 15, 2004 at 4:35 am

Forgot to mention (though it’s probably way too obvious by now), that the Fine Arts (Cinema) has been demolished (as in Closed/Demolished).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fine Arts Cinema on Jul 14, 2004 at 4:52 am

Unfortunately, the Fine Arts is no more. Operator Keith Arnold was unable to come up with the funding ($800,000 to $1.2 million) required by developer Patrick Kennedy to outfit the space that was to be taken by the cinema. Frankly, I for one was afraid this might happen—-that was how Berkeley lost Gaia Bookstore, and the Shotgun Players had also gotten royally screwed. If only Arnold and Scherer had had the foresight to continue the Fine Arts screenings at temporary sites during the interim—-we might still have a Fine Arts Cinema (as opposed to a Fine Arts BUILDING) even if they’d had to give up on that particular site anyway (the Shotgun Players did more or less bounce back after their own raw deal with Kennedy).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Telegraph Repertory Cinema on Jul 7, 2004 at 4:58 am

Kael was involved with the programming of the nearby Cinema-Guild (q.v.). Don’t know for sure about the Telegraph; hopefully some cinema aficionado from that area and period can supply the answer.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about CineArts at the Empire on Jul 7, 2004 at 4:28 am

Not only is the Empire NOT CLOSED; it seems to be thriving with its recent change to a CineArts format. It’s very much “Open.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Coliseum Drive-In on Jul 3, 2004 at 8:11 am

The Coliseum’s address was 5401 Coliseum Way.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about El Rey Theatre on Jul 1, 2004 at 3:45 am

El Rey’s status should probably list “Closed,” rather than “Open.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Sutter Cinema on Jul 1, 2004 at 3:42 am

The closest cross street near the Sutter is Stockton Street. The building stands; the space is now occupied by a dance studio.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Foothill Theater on Jun 27, 2004 at 11:10 am

See above (just above).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Paramount Theatre on Jun 27, 2004 at 11:07 am

Screens: Single Screen!