Balboa Theatre

This was yet another theatre designed by the prolific Reid Bros. It's style really isn't Art Deco. It was originally Spanish Colonial, however the later removal of much of the cast ornament on the facade, and the inclusion of a streamlined marquee and vertical sign in later years, along with beautiful etched glass hanging fixtures in the lobby and an allegorical bas relief of a muse holding Greek masks, make much of the overall feel of the place more Deco than anything else.

When the Balboa opened in February 1926, San Francisco already had another Balboa Theatre located on Ocean Avenue, on the other side of town, so this one was christened the "New Balboa" to avoid confusion between the two. By 1932 the "other" Balboa had been renamed the Westwood, and closed shortly thereafter, so the "New" was deemed no longer necessary. Ironically, confusion between the two continues to this day among local theatrephiles.

The Balboa Theatre is located at 3630 Balboa Street.

There is a nice photo and more information about the Balboa at the following website:
http://www.outsidelands.org/balboa.html

As a single screen theatre the Balboa Theatre seated 763 people.

Though the Balboa was originally a single-screen theater (one wonders what its auditorium and screen looked like as such), it was divided into two screens (about 1970's?), and hence is now a duplex.

As the Balboa approaches its 78th Anniversary, a big birthday bash is planned for Thursday, Feb. 26. WINGS will be screened with an original score performed by Nik Phelps of Sprocket Ensemble. It will be preceded by Melies A TRIP TO THE MOON, Felix the Cat in ASTRONOMEOWS, silent trailers, a vaudeville show with classic magician James Hamilton and San Francisco's own "It" girl, Suzanne Ramsey as Kitten on the Keys plus prizes and birthday cake.

ADA upogrades are apace and the stunning paint job in the lobby higlights the interior deco detail. The broken etched glass lamp shades are being replicated and little by little the Balboa will become a deserving gem.

Audiences already love the theater for its good movie selection, low prices and friendly staff. It publishes a weekly email newsletter (subscribe at wenbsite: http://www>BalboaMovies.com .

Sounds great Gary, here is a correction to the link, http://www.balboamovies.com/

The etched glass light fixtures and the bas relief mural mentioned in the first posting have just been lovingly restored. Wow. We are really proud of them.

I am a big fan of neighborhood theaters and the Balboa is my favorite (and within walking distance from home!). I have seen several photographs around town of various neighborhood theaters (including the Balboa) and would like to know where I can buy copies of these. Suggestions? Thanks!

I saw a great double feature there about 1995... "Shawshank Redemption" and "Ed Wood"... a quaint little theater and very nicely kept up. Also some nice deco touches as I recall!

The Balboa Theatre was built for the Samuel H. Levin chain of neighborhood theatres known as San Francisco Theatres Inc. It opened on 7th February 1926.

From the San Francisco Public Library website:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8572.jpg

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8571.jpg

Here is a color photo of the Balboa Theater.

Here are more modern photos of the Balboa Theater.

Once again the Balboa will host the annual films of San Francisco festival in April. The centerpiece of this is the showing of the legendary film "San Francisco" on the date of the 100th Anniversary of the Earthquake of 1906.

Details up on the Balboa's website.
http://www.balboamovies.com/

A night view of the Balboa Theater can be seen here.

Here is a recent photo of the Balboa Theater.

The Balboa is going to be hosting an amazing retrospective of films starring Boris Karloff. On Friday June 2nd will see a very special night with Boris' daughter Sara.

For more information
http://www.balboamovies.com/

The Balboa has reverted back to being a neighborhood second run double feature house, as the San Francisco media and filmgoing public did not support the rep schedule. They are still planning a few special series, but the Balboa's days as a rep house are over for the time being.

The Balboa has reverted back to being a neighborhood second run double feature house, as the San Francisco media and filmgoing public did not support the rep schedule. They are still planning a few special series, but the Balboa's days as a rep house are over for the time being.

Currently on display in the Balboa's lobby is a black and white photo exhibit of small town American theaters, "Last Frame of Picture"

I'd hardly call the Balboa a 2nd run double feature house. They are offering an alternative to the mall googleplexes with upscale first run features.

They are getting a film like "Infamous" on Oct 13th, which is its opening day in limited releases.

I wonder how the opening of the Century theatres in the expansion of the SF Shopping Centre will affect this..

If your in the area, you can see 9 Oscar nominated documentaries for free. Check the Balboa Theater website for details.

This is a 2007 photo of the Balboa Theater.

Here is a recent close-up of the Balboa Theater.

Does anyone know if the Balboa has Dolby Digital or a reguler stereo set up with surrounds? Last time I went it was mono sound. If they are now showing first run films please put in a better sound system. Most people now have Dolby Digital at home. Some day I hope they take out the wall down the middle and turn it back to single screen. I don't like the narrow long look it is in know.

A recent night view of the Balboa can be seen here.

The Balboa was the first theater I ever went to and will always be a favorite. We saw everything there when I was a kid - "Sound of Music", "Thoroughly Modern Millie", and of course, "Help" and "Hard Days Night". I was disappointed that it had been converted to a twin later, but at least some of the original architectural charm remained. I can still very vividly remember a trip to the Sugar Bowl Bakery with my grandmother, followed by a matinee of Disney's Jungle Book in 1968.

This was the Balboa in 2003.

And here is the Balboa in 2009.

1982 Photo

1982 Photo

1986 Photo

1986 Photo

This is a nice 2009 photo of the Balboa.