Serra Theater

From what I have been told from several sources in the “old theatre fan” community, United Artists Theatres wanted to build a multiplex with parking garage on the large empty lot and existing parking area behind and to the side of this theatre, as well as in the huge basement beneath the original auditorium. The governing powers of Daly City did not want this for whatever reason, and so UA built a small multiplex across the freeway at Metro Center, Colma, and when this house opened, the Serra was promptly closed.

A coffee shop operated in the Serra lobby for several years in the mid-90s. The tenants respected and preserved the space perfectly, removing only the box office (storing it in the basement), since it attracted vandals.

Before the theatre was demolished, an antique dealer/theatre buff friend of mine purchased both auditorium chandeliers, both drinking fountains, and the chrome handles from the auditorium doors. Someone else purchased the box office, and still another person purchased and removed the huge neon and sheetmetal letter “A” from the vertical sign.

The theatre was demolished, save for its basement, lower wall structures, and lobby floor structure, which were all incorporated into the Mission style Hampton Inn which now occupies the site. A large part of the entry terrazzo sidewalk survives directly beneath the terra cotta tile entry floor surface.

In 1955 my future wife ,her mother ,father ,sister,sister’s boyfriend and I went to the Serra on ‘family night’. We all got in for a total of 74 cents. The movie was ‘The Big Sky’ with Kirk Douglas.great movie,great night.
Tony S

An article in the San Mateo Times in November 1975 included a photo of the Serra. They were talking about turning the theater into a municipal auditorium.
http://tinyurl.com/bh3bjl

Photographs of the Serra Theatre appeared in Boxoffice, November 4, 1950. The 1000-seat house was built for Mike Naify’s Golden State circuit.

I remember seeing “Clash Of The Titans” there in the early 80’s.