Clay Theatre
2261 Fillmore Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94115
2261 Fillmore Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94115
6 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 43 comments found
After a bout of possible closings, the Clay theater is still alive and kicking and drawing them in.
It made Number 3 on this list of Top 10 San Francisco movie theatre.
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/08/top_10_bay_area_movie_theaters.php?page=2
A few July 2012 photos can be seen here and here.
I discovered the Clay by accident while exploring the streets of San Francisco one July afternoon a few summers back. It’s the sort of funky, friendly neighborhood theater I remember from my childhood. How nice to see that a few of them still exist today!
Was at the Clay today expecting it to be the final show. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to see a note in the box office saying they were pleased to NOT be closing today. There were reps from the SFFS (San Francisco Film Society) handing out leaflets and letters to the landlord in front of the theatre. There also seemed to be some news and video crews there, at least in the afternoon after the first showing. The early matinee was about 2/3 full, and audience members seemed relieved to hear of the theatre’s current status.
The Clay is charming with much character – hope something can be worked out! It does seem like multiple parties are aware of the theatre’s status, which could be beneficial in the long run.
Good news! Landmark has worked out a short-term agreement with the theater’s landlord, and until something more definitive can be determined, will remain open, at least for the time being: View link
An article about the Clay’s closing; apparently The San Francisco Film Society is interested in keeping the Clay running, but the theater’s owner is not taking their proposal seriously: View link
It would be the kind of theatre Woody Allen would shoot in a movie.Sorry to hear it is gone.
An article on the Clay – View link
It is with heavy hearts we announce that The CLAY Theatre will be closing at the end of August. It is a dark day for San Francisco theatre lovers. Built in 1910 and closing in 2010 100 years of film history comes to a end. The CLAY played host to many film festivals and special events over the years. On closing weekend The CLAY will host one more Rocky Horror, and The Cast is putting on a funeral for the theatre. I have loved my years working at The CLAY, and will miss it! Rumors have it that a condo project will destroy the theatre. Let’s hope not.
Another 2010 photo of the Clay Theatre from another angle.
View link
Another 2010 photo of the Clay theatre.
View link
Here’s a current photo of the Clay Theatre – http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkvision/4302123882/
As far as I can tell, in the 1920’s, the Clay Theatre was known as the Regent.
According to both an August 15, 1926 newspaper listing which I have for “The American Venus” (starring the current Miss America and local celebrity Fay Lanphier), as well as a 1927 San Francisco phone book listing for movie theatres, the Regent was located at 2251 Fillmore. Curiously, that address is slightly different from the Clay’s current address, 2261 Fillmore.
Here is a 1970 photo that is currently being advertised on eBay:
http://tinyurl.com/qvgyvq
1980 Photo
The Clay in 1996:
View link
Another photo of the Clay is here.
This is a recent marquee shot.
Here is a 2008 photo.
It’s funny, you never fully realize the details on buildings until you are no longer able to see them daily. I used to frequent the Clay all the time, since it was practiccally the only place to see French language films back then, and other more obscure films.
I think my first film seen here was in the early 80s, it was Isabelle Huppert and Miou Miou in “Entre Nous”. I’ve seen many many films here up until Amelie, when I left San Francisco.
I remember the seats not too comfy, and the site line was on the flat side, but it was cozy, the concession had hot tea and it was just a great place to see a movie, and lose yourself in another culture and language.
Long live the Clay!
Watch out if you go to a matinee this week at the Clay in SF. Went to see the Jane Austin film at a Monday matinee. The movie had a buzz saw or chain saw sound coming from behind the theatre screen. I wanted to leave; it was too bad they didn’t put a note at the boxoffice telling you construction was going on outside the back of the cinema. I had to stay as my friends wanted to watch the film with the bad sound. No surround sound from the side speakers and little seperation from the small screen speakers. A bad day at Landmarks Clay. Good film, bad presentation. The best thing was my egg salad sandwich across the street at Johnny Rocket’s!
Here are some September 2007 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/2ypb6y
http://tinyurl.com/24dsr4
http://tinyurl.com/2gj2dq
http://tinyurl.com/23uf6m
http://tinyurl.com/ypso6q
http://tinyurl.com/29er6k
http://tinyurl.com/27mfez
I’m having lunch across the street from the Clay. Features are “This is England” and “The Big Lebowski”.
A more recent view of the Clay Theater can be seen here.
Here is a night view of the Clay.