I have read on several sites that this new 70mm print of 2001 is “unrestored”. A remastered, restored blu ray is going to be released later this year but what I took from the articles I read was that new 70mm prints have been struck from the original camera negative. Wondering if someone who knows more about the difference in these processes than I can explain.
The interior lobby was modern and spare for the 1960’s. The auditorium was basically a wall to wall screen in the front, gold curtained walls on each side and a plain wall in the back with the elevated projection room. Grand or cathedral like it wasn’t. But it did boast excellent projection and sound … and that big screen.
From the above linked 2016 RichmondSFBlog article it sounds like the box office, marquee and blade will all be retained. The “1976 marquee” referred I believe is the “1-2-3” on each side of the blade tower that was added in 1976 when the theatre was triplexed. Nice that they will retain the upper portions of the side walls for the 3rd floor offices.
From the SF Planning Dept. website:
Received Date:
Oct 03, 2017
Description:
5400 Geary Ave – REPAIR MARQUEE AND SIGN ELEMENTS: REPLACE SOFFIT AND LIGHTING, REPAIR & REPAINT MARQUEE, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR BLADE SIGN, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR “PARKING” SIGN, REPLACE NEON
San Francisco’s longest-running movie theater — the oldest continuously operating movie theater in the United States is thriving. Very good article here from the SF Chronicle’s movie reviewer Mick LaSalle:
I can’t remember the color of the seats or walls inside the auditorium but yes, there was a narrow balcony that wrapped around the sides and rear of it. The lobby and waiting area on the Van Ness Ave side as I recall was quite ornate with green and purple paisley wallpaper and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I saw quite a few films at this theatre and loved going to the bargain matinees in the 70’s. Don’t remember much of a rake to the floor in the auditorium and the acoustics were not very good but this was a really popular theatre that really pulled the crowds in. The last film I saw here was Evita in the mid 90’s.
Winterland was at Post and Steiner, at the other end of the block to the left of the Uptown at Sutter and Steiner (in the above photo). They were actually next door to each other. That is some long line. Winterland was huge and held 5400 for rock shows. The photo is looking west towards Pierce and Sutter – the line, in other words, was nearly all the way around the block. That entire block was razed for housing.
The new building on the site of the old Galaxy at 1285 Sutter is a14 story apartment building with a CVS on the ground floor.
bigjoe59…..the redevelopment of this lot was delayed by the 2008 recession when practically nothing got built and the notoriously slow pace of the SF Planning Dept.
Also the Golden Gate at Market and Taylor with musicals and plays. Run by Shorenstein Hays Nederlander (SHN) – On Your Feet (the Gloria Estefan musical) is currently playing.
The new 70mm print of Lawrence of Arabia played in a roadshow presentation over the 4 day holiday weekend starting last Friday evening. As the overture and entre act music played the house lighting dimmed gradually until only the curtains were half lit before finally going dark when the film started. Showmanship lives here! Whoever is up in the booth needs to be thanked not only for this weekend’s performances but for all films that play here. The print was great – crystal clear and vibrant.
Touchstone Climbing, the company behind Ironworks and other gyms around California, plans to purchase the Oaks Theatre in Berkeley and turn it into a climbing facility.
Here is one of the articles I mentioned that I had read on the new 2001 70mm prints. LA Times May 3
Thanks Ed.
I have read on several sites that this new 70mm print of 2001 is “unrestored”. A remastered, restored blu ray is going to be released later this year but what I took from the articles I read was that new 70mm prints have been struck from the original camera negative. Wondering if someone who knows more about the difference in these processes than I can explain.
“Required to lift and carry items 50 pounds or heavier, often up and down stairs”
Seems like this is the requirement that could disqualify many.
Roger A….Perhaps one of the 14 other ArcLight auditoriums?
Accidentally put the wrong link in yesterday – here is the correct one for this theatre w/article MarkDHite mentions: Capitol
The (San Francisco) Castro Theatre’s website lists 2001 as also opening May 18 for 9 days with a 70mm print. 2001
The interior lobby was modern and spare for the 1960’s. The auditorium was basically a wall to wall screen in the front, gold curtained walls on each side and a plain wall in the back with the elevated projection room. Grand or cathedral like it wasn’t. But it did boast excellent projection and sound … and that big screen.
From the above linked 2016 RichmondSFBlog article it sounds like the box office, marquee and blade will all be retained. The “1976 marquee” referred I believe is the “1-2-3” on each side of the blade tower that was added in 1976 when the theatre was triplexed. Nice that they will retain the upper portions of the side walls for the 3rd floor offices.
From the SF Planning Dept. website: Received Date: Oct 03, 2017 Description: 5400 Geary Ave – REPAIR MARQUEE AND SIGN ELEMENTS: REPLACE SOFFIT AND LIGHTING, REPAIR & REPAINT MARQUEE, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR BLADE SIGN, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR “PARKING” SIGN, REPLACE NEON
MSC77….You are correct re: 1st THX sound system. The Kabuki was still having live concerts in 1984 when the Galaxy opened.
Sounds like from this linked article dated Jan 30, 2018 that the Great Star has closed.
HoodlineSF
San Francisco’s longest-running movie theater — the oldest continuously operating movie theater in the United States is thriving. Very good article here from the SF Chronicle’s movie reviewer Mick LaSalle:
Roxie
davidcoppock…This drive in was at the eastern edge of LA’s Los Feliz neighborhood.
The Stage Door/Regency III/Ruby Skye is being reimagined again:
StageDoor
The world premier of Star Wars The Last Jedi was held at the Shrine Auditorium last night.
Jedi
I can’t remember the color of the seats or walls inside the auditorium but yes, there was a narrow balcony that wrapped around the sides and rear of it. The lobby and waiting area on the Van Ness Ave side as I recall was quite ornate with green and purple paisley wallpaper and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I saw quite a few films at this theatre and loved going to the bargain matinees in the 70’s. Don’t remember much of a rake to the floor in the auditorium and the acoustics were not very good but this was a really popular theatre that really pulled the crowds in. The last film I saw here was Evita in the mid 90’s.
“91-Year-Old Divisadero St Theater Reborn As ‘Emporium SF’ Arcade Bar”
HardingTheatre
Winterland was at Post and Steiner, at the other end of the block to the left of the Uptown at Sutter and Steiner (in the above photo). They were actually next door to each other. That is some long line. Winterland was huge and held 5400 for rock shows. The photo is looking west towards Pierce and Sutter – the line, in other words, was nearly all the way around the block. That entire block was razed for housing.
729 Market St is located between 3rd and 4th Sts. The photo above is of the Hub Theatre which was at 727 Market.
The new building on the site of the old Galaxy at 1285 Sutter is a14 story apartment building with a CVS on the ground floor.
bigjoe59…..the redevelopment of this lot was delayed by the 2008 recession when practically nothing got built and the notoriously slow pace of the SF Planning Dept.
Also the Golden Gate at Market and Taylor with musicals and plays. Run by Shorenstein Hays Nederlander (SHN) – On Your Feet (the Gloria Estefan musical) is currently playing.
Follow up article to DavidZorning’s update in SFChronicle of the Avenue’s refurbished neon blade and lighting ceremony a couple of nights ago.
The new 70mm print of Lawrence of Arabia played in a roadshow presentation over the 4 day holiday weekend starting last Friday evening. As the overture and entre act music played the house lighting dimmed gradually until only the curtains were half lit before finally going dark when the film started. Showmanship lives here! Whoever is up in the booth needs to be thanked not only for this weekend’s performances but for all films that play here. The print was great – crystal clear and vibrant.
According to the PTGuide.com website they are showing Cars 3 and Transformers: The Last Knight. Says their website is temporarily down.
PTGuide
Touchstone Climbing, the company behind Ironworks and other gyms around California, plans to purchase the Oaks Theatre in Berkeley and turn it into a climbing facility.
SFGate-Oaks