Comments from gsmurph

Showing 226 - 250 of 329 comments

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Jun 15, 2004 at 6:34 pm

Just wondering—-should this not be referred to as “FOX OAKLAND?”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Telenews Theatre on Jun 10, 2004 at 5:16 pm

The Fox News opened July 8, 1942. It had a broadcasting studio in the downstairs lounge from which vital news programs with topics of the day were broadcast.

Noted news analyst William Winter was the star guest at the opening, interviewing the newsreel cameramen who covered the war fronts.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Telenews Theatre on Jun 9, 2004 at 10:42 am

S. Charles Lee was the architect of one such renovation of this theater.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Regency I on Jun 9, 2004 at 10:20 am

The Scottish Rite Temple and the Avalon Ballroom, formerly Regency II), were subsequently renamed the Regency Center.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Parkside Theatre on Jun 9, 2004 at 10:13 am

Despite its unfortunate gutting, Parkside’s status should probably be considered “Closed” rather than “Closed/Demolished.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Coliseum Theatre on Jun 9, 2004 at 8:35 am

Not demolished yet—-just “Closed.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Coliseum Drive-In on Jun 9, 2004 at 8:33 am

The Coliseum was originally a single-screen (the screen with its back to the Nimitz), only later (beginning in the mid-‘70’s) did it become plexed to its eventual four-screen status.

gsmurph
gsmurph on Jun 9, 2004 at 8:21 am

Though the Calvin Simmons Theatre has occasionally shown movies as part of festivals, it has never (to the best of my knowledge) been a movie house per se; it probably falls in the “Curran Theatre” category.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Brava Women's Theater Arts on Jun 9, 2004 at 8:13 am

In its final few years as a movie house, the York was operated by the Red Vic collective; for a time it was their only venue as they had been forced to vacate their original location and had not yet found a new location for that theater.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Northside Theatre on Jun 6, 2004 at 8:35 pm

The health food store at the former Northside has closed; the site is currently vacant.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rockridge Showcase on May 30, 2004 at 4:22 pm

The Rockridge Showcase seated 367 people (265 in Cenema 1; 102 in Cinema 2).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Piedmont Theatre on May 30, 2004 at 4:20 pm

The New Piedmont (its original name) opened on September 15, 1917; the opening feature was “Two Little Imps.” Status should be changed to “Open,” as the theater still operates today, even after various alterations.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fox State Theatre on May 30, 2004 at 4:11 pm

The Fox State’s address was 1320 Broadway.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Allendale Theatre on May 30, 2004 at 4:10 pm

Allendale’s status should be “Closed,” not “Closed-Demolished.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Allendale Theatre on May 30, 2004 at 4:08 pm

The allendale’s address is 3116 Liese Avenue.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Coliseum Family Cinemas on May 21, 2004 at 2:58 pm

Eastmont 4’s address was 136 Eastmont Mall.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Del Mar Theater on May 20, 2004 at 3:24 pm

The Del Mar opened on August 1, 1941. The opening feature that night was Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Valencia Theater on May 19, 2004 at 3:22 pm

The Valencia seated 1700 people when it was a theater.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Plaza Theatre on May 15, 2004 at 8:35 pm

Methinks this one’s in dire need of an update (the Pix has NOT been demolished, and in fact operated as the PLAZA for a number of years, for example).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Regency II on May 15, 2004 at 8:15 pm

Regency II—-the once and future Avalon Ballroom!

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Roxie Cinema on May 7, 2004 at 11:11 am

The long-planned “Little Roxie” has finaly opened, just up the block from the original.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fox Oakland Theater on May 4, 2004 at 7:51 pm

It should be noted that, though the Fox Oakland is often said to have been closed since the 1962 (or 1965 as noted above), its most recent run as a movie palace was about 1972 (saw “Villa Rides” there; all seats were 75 cents, if I recall correctly). It was subsequently a concert venue in 1973-74 (I remember a radio ad on the old KDIA for a Funkadelic concert there), and hosted the Dickens Christmas Fair in 1983 and 1984.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about California Theatre on Apr 29, 2004 at 2:47 pm

The California was built in 1914 and was originally called the T&D Theater (not to be confused with Oakland’s T&D) prior to its 1930’s renovation into its present-day exterior and name.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Neptune Theater on Apr 29, 2004 at 2:41 pm

The Neptune opened July 3, 1920 and its address was 714 Central Avenue.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about New Fruitvale Theatre on Apr 26, 2004 at 3:20 am

Oops—-forgot to mention that at the time of its opening, the New Fruitvale had an organ—-installed by F.W. Smith & Son, an Alameda manufacturer who also installed the organ for the First Congregational Church downtown (which also opened that year).