Comments from gsmurph

Showing 26 - 50 of 329 comments

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Portola Theater on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:51 pm

The Temescal Cafe in the former Portola has closed; the space is now a restaurant called the Mixing Bowl.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about New Fruitvale Theatre on Aug 17, 2008 at 1:41 am

…meaning (in other words), the housing replaced the New Fruitvale; the gas station itselfs was adjacent to the theatre for years.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about New Fruitvale Theatre on Aug 12, 2008 at 10:56 pm

Actually the Shell gas station was adjacent to the New Fruitvale; it was there when the theatre was. Only the housing project replaced it.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rivoli Theatre on Jun 21, 2008 at 1:48 am

Good news to report—-the 99-Cent store that’s taken over the Rivoli has kept the interior “remains” that Smart N'Final had uncovered and Longs Drugs had retained.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Coronet Theatre on Oct 8, 2007 at 9:21 pm

Alas, Coronet’s status should be changed to “Closed/Demolished.” Went by there on the way to an event and there was a big hole where it once stood.

gsmurph
gsmurph on Oct 5, 2007 at 9:17 pm

The photo listed in Bryan Kefft’s link is of the former Avenue/Rialto Theater in Oakland (which was never known as the Pablo). It probably belongs in the listing for that theater.

gsmurph
gsmurph on Oct 5, 2007 at 9:13 pm

The address listed above is the same as that of the RIALTO (Q.V.). Though that theater originally opened as the Avenue, it was never known as the Pablo. According to the book “Theatres of Oakland,” by Jack Tillmany and Jennifer Dowling, there was a theater on the site prior to the Avenue/Rialto’s construction; possibly that theater was called the Pablo. (Of course, there may well have been a Pablo Theater in San Pablo, whether or not there ever was one by that name in Oakland!)

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Alabama Theatre on Jun 20, 2007 at 7:57 pm

Another example of a theater’s convesion to a bookstore respectfully is the Varsity in Palo Alto (CA), converted to a Border’s.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Capitol Theater on Apr 28, 2007 at 5:31 pm

The Capitol’s architects were the Reid Brothers; it was originally built for Gabriel and Lenore Moulin, who owned a major photographic studio in San Francisco.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Oakland Kinema Theater on Mar 21, 2007 at 6:36 pm

The Oakland Photo Theater’s architect/planner was Charles W. Dickey (who also designed the Claremont Hotel). It was demolished by Capwell’s in 1922 for a larger commercial building, also since demolished.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Gateway Theatre on Mar 21, 2007 at 6:22 pm

The Gateway’s original architect was Mark T. Jorgensen; a 1938 facade update was done by Alaxander A. Cantin. Its architectual style was Italian Renaissance.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Granada Theatre on Mar 21, 2007 at 5:58 pm

The Granada’s original (pre-fire) architect was Albert W. Cornelius (Jorgensen designed the post-fire remodel/updated version). In its original incarnation, the upper floor (above the entrance, facing East 14th) rooms were known as the Coppey Inn.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rialto Community Theatre on Nov 13, 2006 at 10:52 pm

Certainly (and tragically) this makes the status here “Closed” (at least!) or more aptly, “Closed/Demolished.” Yet one more post mortem…

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rialto Cinemas Cerrito on Oct 24, 2006 at 6:13 pm

Hence (and perhaps rather obviously), Cerito’s status will very soon need to be changed to “Open,” the number of screens changed to “Twin,” and the chain to “Speakeasy Theaters.” Presumably the seating capacity will also need changing, but the new capacity is uncertain (the site’s FAQ isn’t up as yet). But WHAT A VICTORY (especially in light of the loss of several beloved Bay Area theaters in recent months)!

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Electric Theater on Oct 23, 2006 at 6:53 pm

And that “adult” emporium (as mentioned by jackieboy) is called the Crazy Horse (see elsewhere in Cinema Treasures).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fremont Theatre on Oct 16, 2006 at 5:29 pm

The Fremont was converted to apartments (with its entrance on Bond Street [it was right on the corner]) in 1925; it has served in that function since then. Looking closely, one can still see the outline of the original theater on 46th Avenue.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Oct 16, 2006 at 5:23 pm

But at least they will eventually get to see the magnificent interior of this theater before too much longer—-they’re about to begin the process as of this writing.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Market Street Cinema on Oct 9, 2006 at 6:13 pm

One wonders what the auditorium looked like prior to the conversion to burlesque (just curious).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Campus Theater on Sep 11, 2006 at 3:15 pm

The Campus (later Majestic as noted above, and not to be confused with the later Campus on Bancroft Way) was built in 1914 at a cost of $9,800 (Building Trust #4013, September 11, 1914) and was said to consist of “a two-story auditorium and two rooms.” The architect was Walter H. Ratcliffe, Jr.; the owners were J.A. Elston and George Clark for the Isis Motion Picture Company.

—-from “WALTER H. RATCLIFFE, JR.—-ARCHITECT, BERKELEY WORK” by Anthony Bruce.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Dimond Theatre on Aug 14, 2006 at 4:48 pm

In answer to a question asked by Gary Parks a long while ago, I recall that shortly after Smart & Final had opened in the former Rivoli in Berkeley, Lucky’s (the occupier of the former Dimond at the time) did a sizable renovation of its store which involved opening up its ceiling dirung construction. I visited the store during that renovation and looked up at the opened-up ceiling hoping to find some hidden artifacts (if you will). Unfortunately I spotted not an inch of one; I suspect that unlike the Rivoli, which never had a really big market chain comparable to Lucky or Safeway (or “LuckSafe” as aficionados of the late lamented Co-Op often dubbed the two) in it at any time as a supermarket (and perhaps that market could only afford to gut what little they “absolutely HAD to”), the Dimond had the misfortune to be taken over by a major supermarket and hence, was gutted completely to accomodate Lucky’s “needs.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Dimond Theatre on Aug 14, 2006 at 4:33 pm

As of June 24, Farmer Joes has reopened in the former Dimond.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rialto Cinemas Cerrito on Aug 14, 2006 at 4:25 pm

Cerrito’s status should probably be changed to “Closed/Renovating,” as work is well underway to prepare it for its grand reopening!

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Apollo Theatre on Jul 24, 2006 at 4:24 pm

Curiously, around the corner from the Apollo, on Mission Street (towards Daly City), there is a building (I believe it’s currently used as an arcade) that looks suspiciously like it was originaly a small movie theater; its inner rear wall has what appears to have been its proscenium. Anybody have any info on that one?????

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Bay Theatre on May 11, 2006 at 4:45 am

This is now a church.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rialto 4 Cinemas on May 5, 2006 at 7:31 am

Uh Jeff, Gilman is practically on the opposite end of Berkeley from Emeryville; Gilman is actually very close to Albany (and UC Village).