Metro Theater

This theater may be headed for closure according to the 7/25/2002 SF Chronicle.

To follow up on my last post, Regal Cinemas(who bought UA theaters in bankruptcy) is looking to get rid of "unprofitable" theaters. The lease for the Metro and the theater/land for the Alexandria have been on the market for the last year & "contracts are going back & forth" according to the SF Chronicle. It is likely that both theaters may be turned into retail.

Not to start any form of spat, but I'd love to correct Mr. Favarille's information. United Artists, Regal Cinemas and Edwards had all of their debit bought out at and extremely cheap rate by the Anschutz Investment Company.

If there are any more question concerning this please e-mail me folks. I have worked for UA for 8 years and can give you a better perspective of the situation.

Thanks to the last post for the correcting of the "bankruptcy" situation. The fact, however, remains that the Metro & Alexandria theaters may close in the future if indeed they are sold. There was a recent letter written to the SF Chronicle about 1 week ago that mentioned about the way the Alexandria had been looking "run down" and the writer also complained about "rude staff" and the fact that the upstairs auditoriums are in "mono" and "why should one have to pay $9.50" for that. It would be a shame to see these theaters close down. We need to preserve our classic gems. If a theater is well run & maintained, then it would get good business.

The Metro opened as the Metropolitan in 1924. Architects were Reid Bros.

The architect for the 1941 remodel was Timothy Pflueger. It was his firm's last theatre project. The murals (by Heinsbergen) and chandeliers in the auditorium are from that remodel. Portions of the original auditorium's decor are still intact behind the present walls, but not visible to the public. However, in the 1998 remodel, for which I served as a historical consultant, the original 20s lobby ceiling was uncovered and touched up, as was the original ceiling in the entrance foyer.

As much as I _dread_ to say it the focus of United Artist Theatres, while under the Anshutz ownerships, is strictly business. When it comes down to the line if a theatre is not making money then it has the high potential for closure. Look for more of these horrible headlines soon. So far in this post summer season I personally know of three UA and Regal theatres that will be slated simply b/c this summer's movies didn't perform as well as expected and the renovation costs exceeded what those three made in box office.

In a time where money is being watched, history and nostalgia are put on the far back burner. :(

I had a great time here in 1979 with my best friend, Bruce Heller, who soon afterward enjoyed a 22-year career as an animator, the last 9 of which were at Disney Studios. We saw Steve Martin's funniest (and first) movie, the screwball comedy "The JERK" here together, and damned near laughed our asses off. It was a brilliant comedy!

I recall enjoying the stylishness of this theater as well as the ambience of its location on Union Street.

This is one of our last few remaining movie "palaces" here in SF. The 1998 remodel did a great job of capturing the old movie palace feel while upgrading the screen, projection, and sound to today's standards. This theatre is an absolute must-see for any theatre buff. Go quickly, because it isn't going to be around much longer...

STAR WARS III is scheduled at the Metro.

Question to anyone:

To maximize our state-of-the-art movie experience, Does the Metro have the THX-Dolby/70MM systems upgrades for a movie this size?

If so, we'll skip the Metreon.

The Metro features a 'bombastic' Dolby Digital sound system! You will definitely feel every vibration of every explosion! THX is only an overrated certification that means nothing, and Episode III is not being released in 70mm.

Definitely, Definitely go see this at The Metro. You will not be let down!

FYI- The midnight screening on Wednesday night is sold out.

I would just like to urge everyone in the bay area to patronize the METRO. It is the last of it's kind in San Francisco [The Castro is in a class by itself and does not count]. The Metro has a huge screen, which they advertise as the biggest in town. The sound is suberb,The seats are comfortable and it is one of the few places left that will give you an idea of what going to the movies was like before the advent of the dreaded multplexes. The only way to keep this place open is to give them business. It has been threatened to close for years now. A few years ago it was slated to be torn down for a Border's books. but the community stopped that. The last time I was there the Manger gave a little talk before the film to encourage people to tell their friends what a a great place to see a movie the Metro is.The best way to save a theater like this is to patronise it.

I caught two films here on June 22, 1973: Kid Blue and Scarecrow. One of them might have been a preview showing.

This site has photos and a brief history of the Metro Theater. There are photos of other theaters on that site also.

Here are some restoration photos of the Metro Theater.

From the SF Public Library website:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8923.jpg

From the same source:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8924.jpg

1963:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8922.jpg

Interior, 1942:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8925.jpg

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8926.jpg

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-8927.jpg

A color photo of the Metro theater can be seen here.

This is another photo of the Metro theater for your viewing enjoyment.

From a 1998 review on the remodeling it states that the single screen
theatre seats 856, women's bathroom is outfitted with a sofa-lined parlor and that it can boast as to having more neon coursing through its sign than any other storefront in San Francisco.

A photograph of the auditorium taken during the 1967 restoration:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/89760221/

This WONDERFUL establishment has held out - until now. This is the final week of the Metro Theater's existence.
I'm upset - it's truly a clean, quality theater in a very safe and pretty area of town.
It's the final first-run single screen theater in San Francisco now. All we have left is the CASTRO THEATER (which gets constant attendance by me since I love their choice of films). I don't go to the noisy, smelly, chaotic, mean-spirited multiplexes now. I have resigned from first run films - not because they are all bad films, but I've always had trouble at the multiplexes. Be it noisy patrons during the film or just too much noise and chaos in the adjoining shopping centers. The Metro, The Coronet, The Alexandria, The Regency, The Regency 2 and The Alhambra offered comfortable, civilized viewing experiences. I will miss that most of all. Not to mention the beautiful interior designs.
Gone. So am I from first-run theaters in San Francisco.

I can't help but wonder if this is a direct result of the opening of the new Century 9 screen in the San Francisco Centre.I seem to remember the Regency and the Alhambra both closed around the time the AMC 1000 opened on Van Ness.

Just read today (9-19-06) of another insane act to destroy the METRO... such a beautiful and historical theater (recently restored at great cost and love) all for another stupid apartment building.
Mayor Gavin Nusome MUST step in to stop San Francisco's fabulous history from destruction. Future generations wont even know what a movie palace was like! My thanks to Mr. Lee (4-STAR) for saving the CINEMA-21 ex-MARINA and the PRESIDEO theaters.
I'm very proud of the gay community for their love and support of the CASTRO. The only thing fairly close to the Castro's operation is HOLLYWOOD'S magnificent EL CAPITAN -and they have the awsome WURLITZER from San Francsco's FOX THEATRE. Need I say more?, another travisty!

Sad to see it's not only New York where this happens. In Europe I saw buildings hundreds of years old and in the US we are already replacing things we built in the 60's.

Mr. Overton- I think it very unlikely our mayor will step in here. The closing of the Metro has been rumoured for almost ten years now, and no one in San Francisco seemed to care. I have been to this theater on a Saturday night where there were 20 people in there.What doomed the Metro was the lack of support from the San Francisco film going community.

If this theatre is going, going, gone, grab your cameras, run! not walk to the theatre and take pictures, inside , outside, day and night. If I was closer ( I'm in Michigan :( )I would be taking rolls and rolls of pictures. (I am really into marquees.)
If someone is going on closing night and they are tossing out marquee letters, grab me one. I have a growing collection of marquee letters, my fav's are some metal letters I found at a dead drive-in.
I attended this theatre only once in 1982, when I lived there for a short time. I saw Making Love opening week. I wish I had attended more pictures here, but with double and triple features, and cheap prices at the Strand, I ususally went there.
Twistr54@aol.com

Yeah, like I posted on the news story, we all pretty much saw this coming. That SF Neighborhood Theatre Foundation is useless. What theatres have they saved? None. The Megaplexes have killed all the single screens. But it seems to be what the public prefers unfortunately. And it is unfortunate Regal couldn't book things on a weekly basis to keep the theatre full each week and operate as a true neighborhood theatre. So yes, gone are the Coronet, Alexandria, Regencys, and now the Metro. The Vogue, Bridge, and Clay are next up.... And yes, thank you Frank Lee for saving the Presidio. I only hope he can have the same success with the Cinema 21. Now with the Metro gone and the Vogue on it's way out too I'm sure, maybe he'll have some continued success where Regal thought there was none to be had...

I will always remember a delightful bit of showmanship employed on the night I first attended the Metro, in 1984...to see the then current remake of the Orwellian, "1984," with John Hurt and Richard Burton (the latter's final feature). After the previews, the curtain closed, all the deco chandeliers dimmed to their RED circuit, and Eurythmics' then popular hit, "Sex Crime (1984)" boomed over the sound system, fading out about 2/3 of the way into the song on the line, "pull the bricks down one by one by one..." Then the curtain raised once more, the lights went to their BLUE circuit, and the film began. Whoever was the manager back then had a true flair for theatrics! I will never forget it!

As the President of the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation, I wanted to be sure to provide some information about our organization given the comments above. The Theater Foundation was the driving public force behind saving both the Presidio and Cinema 21 theaters. We organized public testimony supporting preservation of the Presidio and had extensive conversations with the the family that owns the Presidio in advance of their coming to terms with Frank Lee on a lease agreement.

We were also the primary organizers of the campaign to save the Cinema 21. Our efforts led to the defeat at the Planning Commission of the original plan to eliminate the theater. We then came up with the compromise plan to save the theater and initiated the conversations with the property owner that led to the deal to save the theater. We also helped to fund initial architectural study of the compromise plan. The Cinema 21 will re-open as the Marina Theatre next year (it premiered as the Marina Theater).

Our work was also essential to the 2004 local landmarking of the New Mission Theatre and plans are currently being developed to re-open the New Mission as multi-purpose entertainment venue. The New Mission was slated for demolition only a few years ago.

More recently, we worked with the Board of Supervisors to enact legislation that provides significant protections to neighborhood theaters by requiring Conditional Use review of any plan to convert a theatre to another use. Plans for the Coronet were submitted just before the enactment of this legislation. We are already seeing signs that he legislation is having an impact and hopefully the Coronet will be the last theater to be demolished in San Francisco for some time. It is possible that the 4-Star Theater will be saved as a direct result of this legislation. It should also be noted that the Alexandria Theater building will not go away and that the current property owners have committed to maintaining a theater in the building. We're currently working to do whatever we can to preserve theaters like the Metro and the Vogue and I hope people realize that Regal's departure from the Metro is not likely to be the end of movie-going at this Theater.

Given the multiple threats to neighborhood theaters from multiplexes, home theatres and escalating real estate values saving neighborhood theaters is a very challenging task. Despite these challenges, however, we are having some success. Unfortunately, we can not control the whim of corporations like Regal Entertainment that have little concern for their few remaining neighborhood theatre properties. Regal was behind the recent closings of the Alexandria, Coronet and Galaxy theatres and is now behind the closing of the Metro.

The Theater Foundation is an all-volunteer organization and we focus our energy on advocacy and working to establish policies through legislation that help to protect San Francisco's theaters. Our popular outdoor film series began as an extension of our advocacy efforts - a creative way to bring film back to neighborhoods that had lost many, if not all, of their neighborhood theaters (i.e. North Beach, Noe Valley and the Mission).

I hope this clears up some of the confusion about what the Theater Foundation has done and is doing. Perhaps you can all help us spread the word about what we do or drop me a line at afelder@sfntf.org if you would like to learn more. Meanwhile, we are doing whatever we can to save the Metro and are optimistic that a positive outcome is possible.

The Metro was one of San Francisco's 70mm-equipped houses.

http://www.in70mm.com/library/cinemas/san_francisco.htm

Speaking of the Lee's that operate the 4 Star and Presidio, as was posted above, our family went to the Cars opening weekend there and 20 people were there. It was a Saturday late morning movie. It was such a disappointment to see the lack of people supporting a neighborhood theatre.

I was moved though to witness how Lee family works so hard at the Presidio Theatre: at the window, the door, the concession stand and starting the movies. The bathrooms are clean and the theatres are wonderfully set-up with Red Curtains and wonderful layouts for seating.

Truly,
Zabrina

Sadly, the Metro closed down last week.

Status should be changed to closed then, eh?
Shame. I was so looking forward to trying to sneak in one final viewing.

Here is another recent photo of the Metro Theater.

I am copying below from the "News" section Gary Parks comments. He mailed me a CD and with his consent, I have posted photos on my flickr gallery so everyone can see the TWO layers of movie theater history present at the Metro. The auditorium has the 1941 murals on view, and the 1924 columns hidden. Apparently, in 1998, the rehab did the reverse with the lobby, bringing it back to original 1924 design rather than the 1941 decoration. The photos show what you don't see.
Being in Philadelphia, I haven't visited since 1997, so if I am incorrect, Gary or others can advise. Ok, here's the first of the photos that Gary sent me, the others follow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbhaas/285871917/

Firstoff, a little historic correction: The theatre was designed by James and Merrit Reid. The office of Timothy Pflueger did the 1941 remodel, which is mainly what one sees today in the auditorium. The vertical sign dates from this time, but the marquee dates from an earlier and more lighthanded redecoration, as does the deco sunburst pattern you see today on the inner lobby ceiling once you enter.

The plasterwork in the outer and inner lobbies is mostly from 1924. The paintwork on the outer lobby ceiling is 1924, save for some minor embellishments by artist Kelly Cool during the 1998 refurbishing. She also did the arched murals which are on either side as you proceed from the outer to inner lobby.

The lobby as remodeled by Pflueger no longer exists, having been totally removed during the 1998 refurbishing, at which time the original 1924 lobby was largely restored, with some sympathetic updating.

The auditorium features murals by the Heinsbergen decorating firm. These date from Pflueger's remodeling. The ceiling, save for the 1998 acoustical panels, chandeliers and 1941 paint, is from 1924.

Behind the draped and plastered angled walls on either side of the screen are hidden extensive intact remnants if the 1924 auditorium. These include large Ionic columns surmounted by eagles clutching shields, and arched niches containing urns and long-disconnected cove lighting. The organ chambers, though empty, are intact, and their openwork grilles, though slightly damaged, are largely extant.

I was one of the historical advisors to the 1998 renovation, and was a guest at the subsequent Grand Reopening. I would love to see the Metro escape demolition, even if it meant only a partial retention of the building. While preserving the building intact would be my first choice, even a reuse of the building's shell, with a restoration of the facade's key decorative elements is preferable to complete demolition, which will likely give birth to yet another example of slavish, tired devotion to the long-outdated and academically-loved but (usually) publically-loathed Bauhaus style, or worse, a poorly proportioned attempt at historicism such as is so common today--a style best described as "Lego Mediterranean."

All this being said, I am not currently in a position to actively help in the fight to save the Metro--professional and preexisting volunteer obligations preclude this--but I would be more than happy to share copies of the photos I took in 1998 of the 1924 architectural features which exist behind the 1941 walls, as well as extensive knowledge of theatres designed by Reid Bros., having been closely involved with the ongoing preservation and restoration efforts at the Reid-designed Golden State Theatre in Monterey, as well as a little aid in the efforts to save San Francisco's Harding Theatre.
posted by Gary Parks on Sep 19, 2006 at 1:12pm

Don't adjust your monitor, this photo is tilted.

I like the little plea at the bottom of the photo. My gym used to be the Mann 9 at the Del Amo mall in Torrance CA. No trace of the theater now.

Exterior photo here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/424142013/

I am a photographer working on a book about San Francisco movie theatres. I have already photographed the Castro, Bridge, Balboa, New Mission, Tower, Roxie, among others. I want to photograph the Metro Theater but I have encountered some obstacles- anyone have access to the inside of the theater? Please email me photo@rebeccamcbride.com or post a response to this email.
To see my photographs go to www.leftinthedark.info

Thanks,
R.A. McBride

An associate friend of mine, who is a professional promoter and owns two theaters, is looking for a classic/historical theater to buy in which to present concerts in San Francisco.

My memory tells me that the Metro was once a vaudeville house so possibly there are dressing rooms etc, still exsisting and what dimensions are the stage. Is there a tower to fly the screen?

Also, will someone please update me with a seating count, in-house operational equipment and a contact name/phone/e-mail for a "$" amount?

Here's hoping that United Artists/Regal didn't trash the place when vacating -as is so typical of this cut throat chain of candy merchants.

I say to "the City that knows how..." let's get the Metro's lights back on... it's time to rock 'n roll!

This is another photo of the Metro Theater.

I am looking tp photograph some interior shots of the Metro. If anyone has access to the Metro and knows the importance for archival documentation please email me or post a comment I would love to help.

Here is a more recent photo of the Metro Theater.

Here are some photos from September 2007:
http://tinyurl.com/2paltn
http://tinyurl.com/348zpk
http://tinyurl.com/2vvgge
http://tinyurl.com/ynvbvd
http://tinyurl.com/2ad9a2
http://tinyurl.com/22emcq
http://tinyurl.com/28j3c2
http://tinyurl.com/25uznw

Wow, it's real sad to see it all boarded up and dormant like that. I bet the residents and businesses on/near Union Street now wish they had tried to save it and keep it open.

It seems like an upscale neighborhood. I can't imagine it will be vacant for much longer.

Does anyone know what is currently happening with the theater? Are they planning on using it as a theater or for alternative uses? It is a shame that it is not in use, because it is such a beautiful theater. Who is the current owner of the property, and what is their contact information?

Here is a December 2007 view of the Metro Theater.

Another photo to satisfy your marquee hunger can be found here.

This is a 2008 photo.

The SF Landmarks Board will consider landmark status for the Metro Theater next Wed., Feb. 6 at 12:30 pm in Room 400, City Hall. See www.sfntf.org for more info or email Alfonso Felder at afelder@sfntf.org . . . the Metro item is #14 of a 14-item agenda so it will be later in the afternoon . .

Here are a few shots from the exterior taken in January 2008

Metro Theater

im shocked this closed down. I remember going to movies here all the time when I lived in SF. My first film there was "Prizzies Honor", and I think I saw every major release until I left SF in 2001.

What a shame. This area is a very upscale neighborhood and this theatre drew first run films. Did people abandon this theatre for the newer plexes downtown?

so many are gone that I remember: metro, northpoint, coronet, alhambra, that other one on Polk, Regency I, II, III, Galaxy.

sigh

Here is an August 2008 photo.

Save the Metro! Sign the Petition!
http://gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-metro-theatre.html

Save the Metro! See the Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRaM9ODJ-tU

The Metro in slightly better days - from spring 1996:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34152329@N06/3474331640/in/set-72157617054310351/

1926 Photo

1980 Photo

1989 Photo

This a June 29, 2009 article about the Metro Theater.