It was exposed to me what a fake phony award show it is in 2006 when best picture was given to Crash instead of Brokeback Mountain. The award is not based on merit. It’s a phony popularity contest. I will never watch it again and could care less about it going forward.
Wow, it’s real sad to see it all boarded up and dormant like that. I bet the residents and businesses on/near Union Street now wish they had tried to save it and keep it open.
The SF Theatre Foundation just bought the Vogue and will operate it as Peerless Entertainment. Maybe they can save this theatre too…
I know for a fact the sound systems here are neglected and not maintained or calibrated. They had DTS sound installed in the past and since they are reduced to showing the worst art house fare they can get, most of these films probably do not come with DTS disks to play. Therefore, you’re probably hearing backup analog sound off of the film.
Yeah, I’d really like to see another operator take this theatre over. Reposition the seats, re-align the isles to the sides, not down the center, and get rid of the advertising. Some nice blue or red screen lights (like at the Lumiere) would be nice.
Yeah, like I posted on the news story, we all pretty much saw this coming. That SF Neighborhood Theatre Foundation is useless. What theatres have they saved? None. The Megaplexes have killed all the single screens. But it seems to be what the public prefers unfortunately. And it is unfortunate Regal couldn’t book things on a weekly basis to keep the theatre full each week and operate as a true neighborhood theatre. So yes, gone are the Coronet, Alexandria, Regencys, and now the Metro. The Vogue, Bridge, and Clay are next up…. And yes, thank you Frank Lee for saving the Presidio. I only hope he can have the same success with the Cinema 21. Now with the Metro gone and the Vogue on it’s way out too I’m sure, maybe he’ll have some continued success where Regal thought there was none to be had…
Unfortunately we all knew this would be coming. So much for that Neighborhood Theatre Foundation, I have yet to see them save one theatre. There are a few shots of the interior posted on Cinematour.com right now. I hope others can get some more.
Believe it or not, this used to be one of the premire big blockbuster theatres in The City. When Star Wars Episode 1 came out Lucas wanted it shown only in the best, most choice theatres in the country. This one qualified at the time.
Saw many big hits here over the years. Fight Club, Nurse Betty, Moulin Rouge, Space Cowboys, to name a few. In 2002 the new Century 20 down the street opened, and this turned art house. I think the biggest crowds they’ve ever seen here since 2002 was for Brokeback Mountain. (And this was an awful place to show it.)
And yes, for scope 2.35:1 films they bring down the top masking and shrink the screen down even further…
Many General Cinema locations were ‘twinned’ in this manner as well.
Them’s are some squeaky ol' seats!
A new Thai restaurant that everyone is raving about opened next door to the theatre recently…
The Marina Theatre will open on May 02nd.
I’m curious to know the lay-out and set-up of the two auditoriums inside the current exisiting theatre. In other words, how did they “twin it”?
JimC, can you elaborate?
It was exposed to me what a fake phony award show it is in 2006 when best picture was given to Crash instead of Brokeback Mountain. The award is not based on merit. It’s a phony popularity contest. I will never watch it again and could care less about it going forward.
Although it’s a beautiful art deco gem, I hate to agree that the restroom is disgusting! Also, the sound in the main auditorium sucks!
Wow, it’s real sad to see it all boarded up and dormant like that. I bet the residents and businesses on/near Union Street now wish they had tried to save it and keep it open.
The SF Theatre Foundation just bought the Vogue and will operate it as Peerless Entertainment.
I hope they go back to using the stage lights and the red curtains before the movie.
At least it’s still standing… there’s still hope. Unlike the Coronet R.I.P.
The SF Theatre Foundation just bought the Vogue and will operate it as Peerless Entertainment. Maybe they can save this theatre too…
I know for a fact the sound systems here are neglected and not maintained or calibrated. They had DTS sound installed in the past and since they are reduced to showing the worst art house fare they can get, most of these films probably do not come with DTS disks to play. Therefore, you’re probably hearing backup analog sound off of the film.
Yeah, I’d really like to see another operator take this theatre over. Reposition the seats, re-align the isles to the sides, not down the center, and get rid of the advertising. Some nice blue or red screen lights (like at the Lumiere) would be nice.
Awesome photo. You always find all the good photos Lost Memory. Thank you for your hard work and your contributions to this site!
We need to get some interior shots….
^^ I LOVE IT!
I’ll definitely be in attendance. ;–)
R.I.P. :–(
At least the Alexandria is still standing, (as far as I know).
:–(
Yeah, like I posted on the news story, we all pretty much saw this coming. That SF Neighborhood Theatre Foundation is useless. What theatres have they saved? None. The Megaplexes have killed all the single screens. But it seems to be what the public prefers unfortunately. And it is unfortunate Regal couldn’t book things on a weekly basis to keep the theatre full each week and operate as a true neighborhood theatre. So yes, gone are the Coronet, Alexandria, Regencys, and now the Metro. The Vogue, Bridge, and Clay are next up…. And yes, thank you Frank Lee for saving the Presidio. I only hope he can have the same success with the Cinema 21. Now with the Metro gone and the Vogue on it’s way out too I’m sure, maybe he’ll have some continued success where Regal thought there was none to be had…
Unfortunately we all knew this would be coming. So much for that Neighborhood Theatre Foundation, I have yet to see them save one theatre. There are a few shots of the interior posted on Cinematour.com right now. I hope others can get some more.
AWESOME PHOTO DAN. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, drove by Saturday and saw the new sign all lit up very bright. I bet the mall paid for it. LOL.
Thank you ANTKNEE for verifying that info.
Oh, is that what they’re doing to the sign? I figured it had been vandalized and they just left it like that (typical Regal).
Hi Jason,
The only photos I’ve come across are the theatre in it’s current state on Cinematour at:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2933
Believe it or not, this used to be one of the premire big blockbuster theatres in The City. When Star Wars Episode 1 came out Lucas wanted it shown only in the best, most choice theatres in the country. This one qualified at the time.
Saw many big hits here over the years. Fight Club, Nurse Betty, Moulin Rouge, Space Cowboys, to name a few. In 2002 the new Century 20 down the street opened, and this turned art house. I think the biggest crowds they’ve ever seen here since 2002 was for Brokeback Mountain. (And this was an awful place to show it.)
And yes, for scope 2.35:1 films they bring down the top masking and shrink the screen down even further…
Many General Cinema locations were ‘twinned’ in this manner as well.
As long as it’s still standing, there’s still hope… With all the drama going on with the AMC’s right now, and with the Four Star, you never know…
The Galaxy IS closing. The last day is Thursday 12/15.
Lostmemory,
Yep, that’s it, back when it was a single screen.