Central Cinema

I believe that the address should be 842 Central Avenue. This theater has a website here:
http://www.centralcinema.net/

And the seating for this theater is listed as 42 seats. Yes, 42 that is not a typo!

The Oakland Tribune dated 01/14/2005

Alameda theater site won't close
Owner of small venue vows shows will go on; he'll fight city hall despite fines
By Susan McDonough, STAFF WRITER

ALAMEDA — Theater owner Mark Haskett will need to sell a lot of popcorn to keep his tiny movie house open much longer.
The city fined Haskett $250 Tuesday for failing to comply with earlier orders to close the theater he opened less than a month ago in a former local community center, which once had been a mortuary.

The fine increases each time a citation is issued, and Haskett says he has no plans to let the city's orders become a show stopper.

"They can push people around all day long, until somebody decides to push back," he said. "I'm running this movie tonight. They're way out of line."

City inspectors have been at the Central Cinema's door since the day after he opened the

42-seat movie theater Dec. 17 on Central Avenue near Ninth Street.

Alameda Building Official Gregg McFann said Tuesday some of the same neighbors who complained when the Multicultural Community Center opened also complained about the movie theater, prompting a city inspection.

That inspection found the theater in violation of city zoning laws, and a Jan. 4 visit by the fire marshal resulted in an order to stop using the movie projection equipment Haskett had installed upstairs in what was at one time an organ balcony.

Claiming he received a business license for the theater prior to building the projection room now in question, Haskett appealed the fire inspector's notice, and has been showing "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," to pleased, and at times sold-out, crowds ever since.

Haskett said hundreds of people have e-mailed him to express their approval of the offbeat theater that shows current films -- the first movie house of its type here since 1998.

But McFann said Haskett could be putting his crowds in danger.

The projection box is too small, not ventilated properly and not separated enough from the viewing area -- a room full of comfortable old couches, recliners and futons.

The cozy seating might make the room an offbeat place to watch a film, but McFannn said the seats are not made with fire-safe ma-

terials and present a hazard if something did catch fire.

The city is asking Haskett to apply for the appropriate building permits to run the theater, a process McFann said could take six months.

But Haskett has said he already received the permits and licenses he needs and believes the city would only deny any future requests.

Both he and the property owner, Dennis Keefe, have said they believe the city's actions might be politically motivated. That's a common accusation when the city enforces code compliance, McFann said.

Haskett said he believes the city has promised the developer of an expensive multiplex cinema planned for construction downtown next year a noncompetitive clause.

Doreen Soto, director of the city's Business Development Department and lead negotiator on that project, said discussions with the developer are confidential.

A finished development agreement for the project is expected to go before the Alameda City Council in March, she said.

This guy has balls and my hat's off to him. He is running mainstream recent releases in a little 42 seat theater and getting hassled like he is running a porn operation! A series of unfortunate events indeed! Obviously a lover of film and I wish him nothing but success. His little place will be no competition to a multiplex and would probably work the other way around.

I don't have any information on the planned downtown multiplex they're talking about here, but I'm hoping it's the plan which was batted about years ago which would include restoration of the very-intact art deco Alameda Theatre.

REgarding the little independent theatre...more power to him!

I find this is very frustrating....how do you find out what movies are showing there if it isn't posted? I don't see a phone number to call either. If you are going to show movies, shouldn't you POST them to this site?

Attorney Barbara Thomas needs to be disbarred for temporay insanity. Apparently she stalled a zoning decision last minute by the City Planners by introducing a 175 page environmental analysis.....yeah you read it right 175 page environmental analysis ??!!

All this for a small boutique Theatre?

Huh....yeah I've heard the the fumes from the popcorn popper has killed a couple kids enjoying the matinees.

Central Cinema's "Chain" should be listed as "Independent."

Here is one reviewer's opinion of the theater:
http://www.alamedadailynews.com/

Excellent article appeared in this past Monday's San Francisco Chronicle. The place is still open, was showing "Horton Hears A Who". Basically run by one man, who acts as ticket seller, concession stand worker, & projectionist! Admission is $8 for adults.

The article did state that he did work things out with the city of Alameda & that the theater is making a profit.

An exterior photo can be seen HERE.

This theater closed in June.

Closed June 29, 2008.