Cine Latino

In the 40's this theatre was known as the Rialto Theatre it seated about 1394 people. At that time it was a Fox House.

The Cine Latino opened as the Wigwam on 24 July 1913 with vaudeville and films. On 1 February 1930 it reopened as the New Rialto with talking pictures. On 17 October 1947 it was renamed the Crown, boasting a new front, an enormous new vertical, and second run films. On 3 July 1974 it became Cine Latino featuring Mexican films. It closed late 1987, and is now vacant.

Here is a photo of this theater when it was called the Wigwam:
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-9189.jpg

And here is a 60's photo when it was called the Crown theater:
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8715.jpg

The Cine Latino was a interesting theatre. For those who were ever fortunate enough to attend the Fruitvale Theatre in Oakland, The Cine Latino's layout was an exact duplicate! A massive mezzanine area on the second floor, with the restrooms located there. The interior of the auditorium was massive and pie shaped. The murals at that time were painted over with blue paint, however the center dome had beautiful etchings of a sunstar. Pictures of Mexican film actors were plastered everywhere. Gigantic screen and a beautiful arch that was gold leaf. The loma-prieta earthquake damaged the theatres interior and would have been too costly to rehab. It remained shut down until the interior was gutted and now houses a rock climbing gym type thing.

That's interesting! The Cine Latino and the Fruitvale (listed here as NEW FRUITVALE) were built just over a dozen years apart; apparently they had the same architect (whoever he/she/they were), or the architect of one was affiliated in some way woth that of the other.

I just make an impassioned plea to have not only the Crown Theater, but all others cross-referenced so they can be found. Having moved from San Francisco many years ago, I had no idea the Crown became the Cine Latino and did not find the listing until I was notified by email that it was already included. I remember the "Crown" from the late 40s to early 60's, and saw many a movie there for 12 to 15 cents. I most particularly remember the rocking seats. The best seats on Mission Street!!. Very possibly they were installed in 1947.

1936, as the Rialto:
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAB-4667.jpg

1944:
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAB-4691.jpg

1954. The Crown is in the background:
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAB-4707.jpg

With all the earthquake memories coming out this year; here's another one: How the Wigwam Theater (later Rialto, Cine Latino, Crown) came to be...

My maternal Grandfather, Joe Bauer, tacked up the sign for the Hotel Burbank (sunk all his dough into it) on April 17th, 1906. On April 18th the earthquake didn't get him but the fire did. He had four $5 gold pieces left.

With one $5 gold piece he bought, along with two partners, a teepee-shaped tent that they set up in GG Park and charged 5c a show for any entertainment they could bring in. They called it The Wigwam. GG Park had 10,000+ refugees from the quake/fire camped out there and they had nothing to divert them from their misery until the Wigwam came along.

This venture was successful and Joe Bauer bought out his partners and put up a bigger tent, another Wigwam "Theater". This was even more successful and he then found land in the Mission and put up the first Wigwam Theater, built entirely of wood. Later, in about 1913, he put up the building that stands there now. He was a successful vaudeville theater operator and I have letters from the likes of Sid Grauman (Grauman's Chinese in L.A.)and other west coast theater magnates asking JB to join their chain. He never did.

One of the vaudevillians he gave a break to was a young kid by the name of Asa Yolson who made something of a name for himself later by the name of Al Jolson. Jolson always played the Wigwam when he was in town. I have old registers with Jolson's signature when he signed for his pay as all who played the Wigwam were required to do.

Joe Bauer sold the theater in 1925 and later built apartment houses on Nob Hill (wish we still had those!!) including Hillgate Manor on Taylor and Jackson that has the only private cable car turntable which is still used to turn cars in the parking garage.

I lived in the Mission all during the 90s and called the Crown theater owner several times to ask for a walkthrough. He always declined due to "insurance issues." Would love to see the old Wigwam one day. You can still read the original sign from the back, looking from Capp St.

--Wigwam

I am a newspaper reporter with The San Francisco Chronicle, and I am hoping to talk to Wigwam. Is there a way I may call?

Patrick Hoge
415-777-8436
phoge@sfchronicle.com

I remember this theatre right across the street from the New Mission. I remember going to see movies in Spanish there with my family in the late 70's & early 80's. I remember it being blue & white on the outside.

Actually, I do not believe that the Rock Climbing establishment is set up in Cine Latino. They are currently at 2295 Harrison Street. I just did a walk-by and the place is dead. Unless the back door is used. I will walk back tomorrow morning and also check out the sign that Wigwam mentions can be seen from Capp Street.

Anyhow, here is an article regarding Mission Street development issues and it is possible that the Rock Climbing did not have the support it truly felt it needed from the community so they are at Harrison Street:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/07/08/MN215970.DTL

Wigwam

Joe Bauer was my great uncle. My grandmother was Katinka Loew(Bauer). And yes, as a child I played on the turntable at Hillside Manor while visiting Joseph and Minnie.

foot639@aol.com

Here is a 2007 close-up view of the Cine Latino.

This is a photo of the Cine Latino building.

A recent b/w photo can be seen here.

The Cine Latino building can be seen in this photo.

This is a December 2008 photo.

1980 Photo

1986 Photo

1986 Photo

Here are two more 1986 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Here is a 2009 photo.

I'm writing a piece about Mexican film exhibition in the Mission district. Does anyone know what is going to become of the Cine Latino? Also can anyone provide me with contact information for the previous owners or managers of the Tower theater? You can reach me at delamora@comcast.net My name is Sergio de la Mora and I grew up watching Mexican movies in the theaters on Mission St. Thanks!