Cine 7 Theatre
3814 MacArthur Boulevard,
Oakland,
CA
94619
3814 MacArthur Boulevard,
Oakland,
CA
94619
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Golden State Theater & Realty Corp.
Architects: Alexander Aimwell Cantin, Alexander Mackenzie Cantin
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Laurel Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Laurel Theatre opened in March 16, 1939 with Luise Rainer in “The Great Waltz” & Constance Bennett in Service De Luxe". It was designed by father & son architects Alexander Aimwell Cantin & Alexander McKenzie Cantin, both of the. formed the Cantin and Cantin architectural firm in 1945. It closed and reopened as Cine 7 on July 7, 1962, and closed again about 1984.
It was converted into church, and became a branch of Victory Outreach.
In January 2016 it was announced by the Historic Preservation planner that the building was available for relocation, and a new project will be coming to this location. The building will be torn down unless someone would like to move it. It was demolished in June 2017.
Contributed by
Garrett Murphy
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Recent comments (view all 28 comments)
Someone needs to bring back the Laurel Theatre. The area doesn’t have any movie theatres. Bring in the guys that run the El Cerrito and have food,drinks and movies. Across the streets sits the old Hopkins, another old Oakland neighborhood house that has been many things since it’s movie days. Bring back Mrs A to manage the New Laurel. Is she still around. A real class manager for the UA circuit. Always had a flower in her hair, says my friend Ed Jacklich who worked for her in the late 60’s.
Here is an April 1964 ad from the Oakland Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/arkn4u
Victory Outreach has left the former Cine 7; the new occupant is called the Dominion Christian Center.
I just moved into the Maxwell Park area, attending Fremont High in the 50’s and a neighbor asked me if I wanted to go to the movies with him and the rest of the guys. That was the first time I went to the Laurel Theater. It was around 1953. We moved around Oakland a lot. From downtown to East Oakland.
I saw “The Girl Can’t Help It” at the Laurel in 1957. I think the co-feature was “Dino” with Sal Mineo. Does anyone remember that? A nice neighborhood theater.
When I was at Mills College (1962-66), this was the closest theater. We could walk to it.
I am sorry to report that the Laurel/Cine 7 is undergoing demolition as of this writing.
So sad this great little Laurel Theatre has been taken down. This was my neighborhood theatre as a kid along with the Fairfax in Oakland. Golden State Theatres/United California Theatres ran some great kid shows with KARTOONASCOPE. The Laurel was a church the last few years. I missed going over and taking some photos on It’s last days. They always had nice curtains and blue lights on them. UA wanted more cash with the art films and changed the name to Cine 7. The local Catholic church St Laurence O' Tools sent out notes to protest the change I remember. They brought back reg films after a few months. The city of Oakland could care less about these old classic movie buildings that could have re born as a new entertainment place.
Opened March 16th, 1939
Laurel theatre opening Thu, Mar 16, 1939 – Page 20 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) · Newspapers.com
This reopened as Cine'7 (Ciné 7) on July 7th, 1962. Grand opening ad in the photo section.