Alameda Theatre
2317 Central Avenue,
Alameda,
CA
94501
2317 Central Avenue,
Alameda,
CA
94501
25 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 122 comments
saw Dark Knight on the 2nd night of release (first true evening)..
Propaganda reel, check
Watchman trailer, nope
Out of focus opening, check
tons of fan boys and girls hissing and booing at the screen for being out of focus, check
Only a few months of being open and already turning into Jack London, check (one person next to us continued to text even after we asked them to stop, and after we got an usher, the left when we got the usher a 2nd time, but by that time the first 20 minutes was ruined.)
Well, someday it would be nice to have an updated photo, and i am not sure about the seat listing either— I think that is the number of seats for the old theater.
kkb. The photo add section has been off line for quite a while now. I think there are either server issues or an overwhelming amount photos being sent in. This site has grown so much it must be a major task just to keep it as current as the webmaster does. I am just grateful this web site exists to document and keep track of the many theatres that either existed or still exist around the country. Many thoughtful people add links to photos of theatres on the internet in the comments section which is fine to me. Any I stumble upon when on the internet I try to add a link to the comments section of the theatre here.
I’m a freelance writer working on a story for the East Bay Express about projection issues at the theater, and I’m wondering if any of you locals would be interested in talking to me. My email is rinkelly AT gmail DOT com.
Several of you have taken photos of the theater recently— does anyone know how the Cinema Treasures photo can get replaced? The green and mauve is driving me nuts.
I’d like to see the new 3-D video the Alameda is now showing ‘Journey. Can you imagine if they have so much problems with regular projection how will they do with Digital 3-D? Has anyone seen the 3-D system the Alameda? I know a few old Fox West Coast Theatre managers that can get this place in A-1 shape both in the theatres and candy counter. They know how to teach the new kids that the Alameda has hired that know nothing about the movie theatre business. To bad 'Elmer’ is no longer around with the projectionist union. The theatres he and his crew worked in Oakland had the best screen presentation. This was before the platter or Digital Video. Bring Jack Tillmany out of retirement! Let him clean house at the Alameda Theatre.
Yes, unfortunately that is the sad reality of today. However, when presentations are consistently riddled with problems, something must be done to up the quality control. An opening day film (packed house) with focus/sound/screen glare/framing/projector problems, is simply not acceptable. So much for ‘state-of-the-art’.
“AT ALL TIMES” is a thing of the past. Most small theatres can not afford a projectionist in the booth at all times. The larger plexes have a projectionist type person in the booth, but he or she is watching over 10 plus screens.
Agreed. The renovation of the historic theatre is not a problem, It’s beautiful, as most have said. While I minded the cineplex structure and parking garage, even those are not so bad and have some merit (the top of the parking garage provided a spectacular view of the 4th of July fireworks). However, after nearly two months of being open, the theatre’s management really needs to improve. Not opening the curtain is a minor quibble, but has been noted by a few, and would make a difference to the class of the place. Keeping an intermittent schedule for opening the balcony is also a gripe that really should be corrected. However, more major issues are lousy crowd management and more importantly, poor presentation. It’s not that hard to splice together film accurately and anyone running a projector should know this already. Worse, not having someone in the booth, AT ALL TIMES, to make corrections when needed is deplorable. Particularly for such a lavish and beautiful theatre.
Most of us have no problem with the remodel. It’s the projection problems that happen everday! Plus many other things like training candy help and not opening the main curtains in the big house. How long will it take to get things in order?
I see a lot of complaints about the theatre renovation, but as for me, my experience was quite different. I was awestruck by the interior. Absolutely marvelous. Couldn’t get enough of it. I was even impressed with the modern additions to the theater, such as the metal rail in the main theater, made and imported from Germany. I have been watching the process, and documenting as much as I could with my camera. I was able to take a few hand-held shots of the interior. Would like to go back with a tripod and do it right. Take a look, and judge for yourself— Photos.
got in the first line should be Gone.
The craft of projection and the art of good film presentation is pretty much got in many theatres around the country, because theatre chains can not pay a good wage as in the past for a true projectionist to be in the booth. And if they have one he is running his ass off running mega screens in a plex. And as for music in auditoriums, remember theatres may have to pay for a service or make a payment for the performance rights to play music in the theatres. (ASCAP) ASCAP and the other music rights company, will ask for payments for the singer or artist or music label. (Everyone wants their cut of the performance pie.)
Terry
No, the curtain did not open or close at any point. The screen was open when walking into the theatre. Even the promo video they run before the trailers (talking about the restoration project), shows the curtain opening. We can see that it is in operating condition. The right side, bottom part of the curtain looks to be covered up, and I assume that is the damaged section. It would be very dramatic and a completely authentic experience if the curtains opened and closed, appropriately.
As far as the music entering the theatre, I did not recognize it, but it sounded contemporary, and not appropriate to the vibe of the place. I think pipe organ music would be wonderful, or at least something soothing, not some trendy Muzak. This would be great when entering the lobby too. Also, the lights were very dim in entering the theatre, which made finding a seat difficult.
It’s pretty discouraging that after over a month of operation they still haven’t got any projection room personnel that know how to splice the 2000 foot reels together in frame as they make up the feature on the platter. I can’t recall a theater that opened with such amateurish projection and I’ve been going to movies since the late 1940’s…and spent more than a few days and nights in projection rooms too! I had that threading and splicing in frame thing figured out after about 10 minutes. It’s not rocket science you know!
I don’t want to come down too hard on the Alameda though. The craft of projection and the art of good film presentation has pretty much disappeared from theaters throughout the country and probably around the world. Just give one of the popcorn selling guys or gals an extra 50 cents an hour and let them handle the projectors in ten or twenty auditoriums. Most of the rubes who paid their $10 a seat won’t know the difference! Now if only we could outsource it to India…and maybe with the upcoming move from 35mm to digital we’ll be able to do that! Welcome to movie going in the 21st Century folks!
I think the curtain is working but they are not useing it. I talked to the manager Eric opening week and he was going to close it for me but he had other things to do as I got into the theatre early. Hope they do make it work. It’s all is place on the sides of the masking ready to go. Looks clean and very colorful. Turn on the red & blue lights and let it shine!
I could be wrong, but I thought that at the time of the opening, the curtain repair was still not funded or accomplished. the intent was to keep the original curtain, except for part which suffered water damage, and that was to be replaced with a reproduction. Not sure if they obtained the money to do that yet, so that could be affecting the opening and closing of the curtain.
Stef**Did they open and close the curtains? The non union guys they have for projection people don’t know how to splice correct. How sad I’ll have to wait till I ever go back. Do you remember If they were playing Dolly Parton music when you came into the big art deco house? I need to get over there and give them some movie theme pipe organ music or big band from the 30’s CD’s. I guess they have done nothing to the big flat screen with glare. How was the Dolby Digital® did you hear split surround?
I saw WALL-E at the 7:30 show, Friday night, and the picture jumped out of frame (with the top of the image on the bottom of the screen, and the bottom on the top, and the frame line dead-center) during one of the more climactic sequences. It took a good 3 or 4 minutes to correct something that should have been instantaneous, had there been someone sitting in the booth. This upset me further when I learned from a friend that had seen an earlier show that day, that the same thing happened with his screening also. This should not be happening AT ALL, but an opening day film? Are you kidding me?
I was also disappointed when I walked into the theatre and asked if the balcony would be open, that it likely would not be. After getting lousy seats to start (it was a crowded showing), I noticed people up in the balcony just as the trailers were starting. If the balcony is going to be open (and it should), then that area should be available from the start, to people who came early, and not just at the last minute. The loges (first rows of the balcony) are the best seats in the house, and the unusual glare that I see from the ground level, is not visible from up there.
I saw WALL-E in the main theater on Friday and only the propaganda reel at the very beginning was miss aligned, but they fixed that immediately.
Has anyone been to The Alameda in the last two weeks? Id like to go again to the big house for Get Smart. I don’t want to go if they are still having projection problems. If I go and they don’t close and open the new curtain and the projector stops next time I will write to the editor of the SF Cronicle. Many people don’t know about this great Cinema Treasures site but they do read the SF papers. I can’t believe someone has not written to the Entertainment Editor at the Cron about the problems at the New Alameda Theatre. I hope things are better. To bad the new Fox Oakland Theatre will not be showing films when it opens soon. They can give the Alameda Theatre a run for better Showmanship.
quote: You’re going to miss some really good movies… end quote
Isn’t that a bit pretentious. A, you assume that WANT to see current movies. B, that I can ONLY see them in Alameda.
For A. There are few, very few NEW, first run movies I want to see and shell out $40 to $50 to go see them (2 tickets, 2 sets of snacks). If I want to see a newish movie on the cheap I can go to the Parkway for their “cheap date” deal and get two tickets, a large pizza, popcorn and a pitcher of beer or soda for $35. (or go on their 2 for 1 Wednesdays) Or even better, wait for it to go to DVD and get it via Netflix (averages $3 per movie and about $5 in snacks. Viewed on a 62 in TV with Dolby surround sound, pause and rewind at will and not have to listen other other people rude conversations… heaven.)
for B, I went to the Grand last week and saw Iron Man. The fact that Iron Man may or may not be in the Alameda’s megaplex addition did not stop me.
Netflix movie this year about 40
first run movies this year: 3 (Sweeny Todd at AMC Emeryville, Indiana Jones at Alameda, and Iron Man at The Grand)
2nd run movies this year: 1 I am Legend at the Parkway
Cult Classics: 2 Pretty in Pink and Purple Rain at the Parkway.
Focus probelms….soft borders…..I’m glad I haven’t visited this theatre yet.
Who installed the projection booths? Doesn’t one normally run various test loops to check on focus, depth of field, border sharpness etc?
If I’m not mistaken this is the company that used to run the Elmwood and Rheem Theatres. The presentation at both of those theatres was often lacking.
Mike Croaro
We were at the new Alameda a week ago Wed for the 1 PM matinee of Jones in the big main theatre. While the remodel looks great many things bothered me. First like others have mentioned the main large curtain was open. They didn’t open or close it. The first 30 minutes the projector stopped 7 times and the lights came up. I don’t think they have union projectionists running the place. Its sad after spending all the money in the fix up and with new theatres next store they hired people that don’t know what is going on. See other posts about projection problems. While even a union projection guy may have problems with new equipment not working they need to get a handle on the problem. Also upon entering the large theatre they had Dolly Parton music playing. Please how about having music from the 30'3 or 40’s or pipe organ music playing on a CD. Bring back the art deco theme into this great theatre. Also I found they put in many stereo surround speakers In the large theatre even a double bank of them in the front side walls. The sound from the stage 3 speakers was way off and the surrounds were not up as they need to be. I was waiting for a nice curtain opening and a Dolby logo to show off the system but it did not happen. Another thing the screen was put in flat like a cement wall. With the huge angle way up in the balcony the light is hitting the screen the wrong way. At the top of the screen on bright scenes it is very cakey looking. I think most older movie palaces tilted the top of large screens for a better light angle. All said with the problems I think these can be taken care off in the future. I will go back in afew weeks. I spoke to Eric the manager about the curtains and also mentioned to him about having some color lights (blue) on when the movie is on. With all the nice lights on the ceiling some need to on during the film very low. he said they had some on the first week and they flickered? I hope they can get this fixed. I’ll bring Kyle the owner over some of my organ Cd’s next time when I am over in Alameda. Good Luck to the Alameda Theatre. You look great! I loved the deco lights in the lobby. I’ll also bring over some color bulbs also. I don’t know why so many theatres restore art deco lights and then put in hot bright white lights. The two large deco lights in the lobby just before you go into the candy counter are begging for blue, green and yellow lights. Visit the Alameda and tell the managers to open and close the main curtain. And send the projection guys to projection school.
For Stefoscope: The gala opening party was a fund raiser and enough was raised to fully restore the mural you mentioned and to fully restore the main stage curtain which currently has a patch on it. There will be money left over to address stenciling the ceiling of the marquee (after the Pepsi truck damage is repaired) and to possibly reproduce furniture for the second floor lounge area in front of the mural.
The simple fact of the matter is; without the cineplex and parking garage the restoration of the historic theatre would not have happened. Thank-you JWR for understanding the economic factors involved in the project as a whole.
For ciedo – Sorry you won’t step feet in the new building. You’re going to miss some really good movies. By the way, in post of January 20 you state the views of Twin Towers Church and City Hall are blocked by the new cineplex. While the view of the church has been blocked (you might want to walk up Central a bit to see the church), you could never see City Hall from the corner in front of Peet’s coffee. In fact the building that blocks the view of City Hall from that particular corner (as you well know) is the historic theatre. It’s always my pleasure to set the record straight when misinformation about the project is posted.
The theatre operation is going through some growing pains right now. All ships need a shake down cruise to get everything working properly. This ship’s shake down cruise might be the most scrutinized in a long time. Please be patient and I’m sure the operation will working at 100% soon.
The historic theatre does look fantastic. The blending of the historic/huge auditorium and the new techology makes the movie going experience a unique experience that everyone should take advantage of as often as possible.
I’ll see you all at the movies.
Robb Ratto
Executive Director
Park Street Business Association