Comments about Metro Theater in San Francisco, CA

CSWalczak on April 9, 2012 at 10:01 pm

An article about the proposed plans for the conversion of the Metro Theater into a gym. View link

Joe Vogel on March 7, 2012 at 9:25 pm

Here is a quote from the Landmark Designation Report for the Metro Theatre, regarding the involvement of architect Otto A. Deichmann in the 1941 remodeling of the house, and his professional relationship with Timothy Pflueger:

“While architect Timothy L. Pflueger (1892-1946) has long been associated with the 1941 renovation of the Metro Theatre, his involvement is less clear than that of architect Otto A. Deichmann (1890-1964). A city permit, dated 1941, for interior work and plumbing lists the name of the architect as Otto Deichmann, 321 Bush Street. Historical consultants involved with the 1998 renovation of the theatre believe that Deichmann worked with Timothy Pflueger during the renovation. Research has not confirmed that Deichmann worked in the offices of Pflueger’s firm, Miller and Pflueger, but the two men were associates and overlapped on important projects, most notably the Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939-1940, where Deichmann designed the Shasta-Cascade Building. The well-known mural by Diego Rivera, Pan American Unity, now located at the main campus of City College of San Francisco, was commissioned for the Golden Gate International Exposition. The mural depicts both Pflueger and Deichmann. Pflueger, friend and patron of Rivera, collaborated with him on the mural.”

Click this link to download a PDF file of the Landmark Designation Report. It has a fairly extensive history of the theater.

SkotFromTheRio on February 20, 2012 at 10:30 am

I managed the UA Metro around 1990. Of all the theatres I ran for UA in San Francisco, it was my favorite. Such a beautiful building, mostly unchanged from it’s opening state. Huge Lalique-style murals on the walls. a Todd-AO projector with 70mm capability and very decent sound. Among the movies that screened there during my tenure: • MEMPHIS BELLE in 70mm • BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES in 70mm • NOTHING BUT TROUBLE with Chevy Chase (total bomb. averaged 8 admissions per day. got a lot of gum scraped off the seats that fortnight) • PARIS IS BURNING (a documentary about transvestite “balls” in New York. The SF Chronicle reviewer said up front that it had no business playing at the Metro, and should have opened at the Castro. With seven shows a day and sellouts every night, I totally cleaned up.) • PRESUMED INNOCENT

Chuck1231 on April 6, 2011 at 4:39 pm

2009 photo of the Metro Theatre.
View link

TLSLOEWS on June 13, 2010 at 12:28 pm

Very nice maybe someone can open it back up.

kencmcintyre on March 30, 2010 at 9:44 am

Here is a March 2010 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ygms9l6

lostmemory on August 9, 2009 at 9:31 am

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

lostmemory on April 26, 2009 at 7:57 pm

1926 Photo

1980 Photo

1989 Photo

kpdennis on April 25, 2009 at 1:50 pm

The Metro in slightly better days – from spring 1996:
View link

KPetrin on February 26, 2009 at 10:05 am

Save the Metro! See the Video!

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

lostmemory on August 28, 2008 at 2:14 pm

Here is an August 2008 photo.

lacadaz on February 4, 2008 at 7:53 pm

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

Metro Theater

tjmayerinsf on February 2, 2008 at 12:47 pm

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 … the Metro item is #14 of a 14-item agenda so it will be later in the afternoon . .

lostmemory on February 1, 2008 at 7:27 am

This is a 2008 photo.

lostmemory on January 17, 2008 at 7:40 pm

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

lostmemory on December 19, 2007 at 9:16 am

Here is a December 2007 view of the Metro Theater.

enlgdm25 on October 8, 2007 at 4:13 pm

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?

kencmcintyre on September 4, 2007 at 5:07 pm

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

Eric on September 3, 2007 at 3:13 pm

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.

kencmcintyre on September 2, 2007 at 5:03 pm

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

lostmemory on August 31, 2007 at 7:15 am

Here is a more recent photo of the Metro Theater.

RAMcBride on August 15, 2007 at 3:13 pm

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.

lostmemory on August 15, 2007 at 10:45 am

This is another photo of the Metro Theater.

Simon Overton on August 4, 2007 at 10:55 am

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!

RAMcBride on June 13, 2007 at 7:24 am

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 or post a response to this email.
To see my photographs go to www.leftinthedark.info

Thanks,
R.A. McBride

Metro Theater

2055 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

2055 Union Street,
San Francisco, CA 94123