Lorenzo Theater
16080 Hesparian Boulevard,
San Lorenzo,
CA
94580
16080 Hesparian Boulevard,
San Lorenzo,
CA
94580
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing all 21 comments
There have been no recent updates on their official web site.
Anything happening at the Lorenzo?
Nice looking theatre.
Funny thing seat slashing must be a California thing. Worked in five theatres 2 single screens, 1 twin,1 triple and one Quad,and that is a lot of seats .but you know in the seven or eight years i worked in a theatre I can’t remember anyone ever slashing a seat.Sad comment a theatre owner had policy no kids under 16 without parents,bet he lost a ton of money.I bet the real truth was he didn’t want a bunch of kids running crazy in this theatre!
The Alameda County Redevelopment Department is now the owner of this beautiful old theater. On May 18, 2010, the CAC (Community Advisory Committee) voted to spend up to one million dollars to restore the outside of the building. This money will be spent on things like the roof and to make the building secure. Some of the money is also earmarked to repair the marquee and to fix the tower. This is wonderful news and a step in the right direction to save this building from becoming more run down.
Kelly McHan
Lorenzo Theater Foundation
Secretary
Marh 2010 photo of the Lorenzo Theatre.
View link
That 1982 photo would be shortly before it closed.
Jack Tillmany operated this theater for many years through the 1960s & into the early 1970s. When American Graffiti played here (as a move-over from the Southland Cinemas), it played here successfully for a number of weeks. Clint Eastwood films also drew well.
He also instituted a policy “No one under 16 admitted without a parent” at all times. This was largely to cut down on such things asas seat slashing
Here is a 1982 photo.
Do people in the San Lorenzo/Hayward area not like the Lorenzo Theater? This restoration project has had no updates in almost 2 years. The 14-month deadline has passed. Does anybody know the status today?
This is a recent photo.
Anything new going on with this movie theatre?
Thank you for posting that article from the San Leandro Times. Yes, we truly on our way! It is a very exciting time and the Save The Lorenzo Theatre Foundation is working hard to get the word out. Anyone who has any ideas for major fundraisers is asked to contact us via www.savethelorenzo.org
Thanks!
Diane Rinella
Vice President, LTF
This is taken from today’s San Leandro Times:
“Last week the Lorenzo Theater Foundation signed an agreement with the current owner of the property to take possession of the neglected movie house in ‘as is’ condition. Under the agreement, the foundation has 14 months to raise $300,000 to purchase the theater. The foundation has been working toward acquiring the property for nine years and after the theater changes hands, the real work will begin. The cost of repairing and remodeling the theater will be in the millions of dollars, since the Lorenzo has no electricity or running water and extensive structural damage.”
“The fundraising plan is to aim for 300 donors at $1,000 each. Current owner Dr Dharam Salwan kicked off the campaign by pledging $5,000 himself. Anyone who gives $100 or more will have their name placed on a plaque in the theater lobby.
It will be well over a year before anyone gets inside, and restoring the theater to its former glory will take place over the next five years or so, according to Lorenzo Theater Foundation president Nancy Shelvy.”
The plan is for the theater to screen classic films & be a general community visual & performing arts center. Anyone interested in donating can visit www.savethelorenzo.org or send checks payable to the Lorenzo Theater Foundation at
PO Box 193
San Lorenzo CA 94580
Sounds like positive news indeed!
Don’t be cheap. Here is the whole album. Click each photo to expand it.
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/3ytloq
Here is another photo of the former Lorenzo Theater.
A rather sad exterior shot of the Lorenzo is at this website:
View link
I hope the prservation effort continues and succeeds.
As of spring 2006, we are still working hard to obtain the theater from the present owner, who has allowed it to fall into a sad state of neglect. We are working with Alameda County Supervisors, Redevelopment Agency, San Lorenzo Village Homeowners Association and others, with the immediate objective of arresting the decay and preventing further damage. Please visit our website at www.savethelorenzo.org for photos, historical background, and upcoming fundraisers.
As of September 2005 a move to save the Lorenzo Theatre is still underway with occasional benefits. The latest was held by El Torito Restaurant.
The “Save the Lorenzo” website is at: http://www.savethelorenzo.org
I first went inside the Lorenzo theater in 1956-7 when I lived in San Lorenzo. The matinee lines went for blocks and kids anxious to get in. The matinees were frequently sold out frequently. I think the cost was about thirtyfive cents. For a kid, those murals of jungle scenes and tigers were more than exciting. They were just as exciting when I was in high school. This is a great California treasure and I hope it will become a memorable place again.
Saw the inside of the theater this past weekend at a “Save the Lorenzo” open house. The good news is that the murals are intact & look beautiful. A lot of work is needed to bring this theater back into shape. The are huge holes in the ceiling from water damage and the looby area needs work as well. The event was well attended.