This photo was taken in the lobby during a filmmakers event. Looks like the wall shape and chandeliers are the same. The walls have probably been painted.
For those of you curious enough to track this 1952 crime drama “The Captive City”, The Majestic can be seen prominently in the background in an early opening scene filmed in Reno where much of the movie was filmed. It looked very much like the description of it posted in the comments section on The Nevada Theatre /theaters/14649/ It looked ornate from the outside and had a huge Majestic Theatre Marquee vertically up the front of the building. It looked nothing like the description of the Majestic posted by robertgippy above. Perhaps it suffered a remodel later on. The film showing was one with Bing Crosby but I could not make out the title. The filming in Reno was briefly discussed in this article at TCM
The saddest thing about this theatre is San Francisco sat idly by and let this happen. Baghdad by the Bay has been replaced by commercialism by the bay. As far as a sense of history San Francisco officially sucks.
The struggle to save The Harding Theatre continues into its fourth year. The latest plan of the developer would restore some of the auditorium but would eliminate the stage and replace it with eight condos and eight parking spots at the rear of the theatre. The front would also be altered. This proposal is being challanged in a hearing on August 27th 2008.
Here are several photos of the exterior and interior lobby and auditorium when it still functioned as a movie theatre
I suppose it’s a long shot, but if you are the Cyndi Lauper I have idolized for years and you want to open a theatre I will come every day and clean and polish it for nothing. Cyndi rules!!!!!!
Great point about the source used to show some of the films. I assumed that all prints would be 35mm. Looks like some of the presentations in the Philanthropy Theatre may be projections from DVDs. I have never seen a film being projected using a DVD source but I would think the quality would be substantially degraded when enlarged to an auditorium sized screen. Am I right?
And hey Bob Furmanek I sent you an email regarding some questions about the conversion of classic 3D films to digital but I never heard back from you. Did you get the mail? my email address is Would love to hear your thoughts about re-mastering some of the 50s classic 3D films to digital,
Any status updates on future of this theatre? I must say I do find the interior compellingly bizarre, but any theatre this size that still shows films should remain.
I hope this theatre can be saved. It is huge inside. What a loss if Chicago lets this one slip. They should look to the irreversible damage the city of San Francisco has allowed to happen to many of its classic theatres.
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.
The Fontana will officially open this weekend as a dinner/live performance theatre. The original art deco interior has been replaced by what could easily be called a Las Vegas show bar. The auditorium has been painted in garrish hot pink and purple colors. What might be left over wall artifacts from the original interior are hardly recognizable. Seating has been replaced by large dining tables. A sad end to this theatre.
The latest projected time for the opening of the restored Fox is either September or October 2008. The theater itself will serve as the flagship live music venue for Another Planet Entertainment http://www.anotherplanetent.com/ well known for bringing outstanding live entertainment to the Greek Theater, Paramount Theater, and other popular Bay Area venues. Their bookings are extremely diverse; from Stone Temple Pilots to An Evening with Bill Maher and Dollie Parton’s current Back Street Barbie tour.
To date there has been no indication of any film presentations to be incorporated into its operation. An earlier post on June 16th, 2008 from Terry Wade seems to indicate no projection equipment is being installed as a part of the restoration.
One aspect of the original theatre design will probably not be replicated. When first opened, the Fox Oakland boasted it was the largest theater on the west coast. Among its many decorative touches are two huge Hindu deity statues, one on either side of the proscenium, sitting cross legged, each holding a bowl in their lap. During the heyday of the Fox Theater, bursts of steam were shot up through bowls in the Hindu deities laps', giving the illusion of smoke rising from the bowls as the house lights dimmed and the curtain opened.
Here are three photos of the exterior of The Campus Theatre. This facade is to be restored in the current renovation of the building. The renovation will replace the theatre’s interior with a bookshop in the basement and a black box performance stage ( a simple performance space with black walls and a flat floor) in the current auditorium. The balcony will be converted into office space.
I received an email from Sam Kidd, Treasurer and Docent of the Smith County Historical Society in Tyler TX. According to Mr. Kidd the city of Tyler Tx recently purchased the Liberty Theatre and is going to refurbish it for use by the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and other events.
Here is a little more info about The Crystal Market on Market street. It was built as a “super” market sometime in the 1920s and was one of the first and largest supermarkets established . Built on a former circus grounds, the store building was 68,000 square feet, with parking for 4,350 cars.
This is indeed sad. It opens the door for anyone to step in and buy the theatre for the property value. I am deeply saddened that Warren Dewey has put this theatre in such a vulnerable state. So much for people supposedly committed to protecting these historic landmarks
The old Bella Union on Kearny St? It closed in the 1980s. As I recall it wasn’t that big inside. I went to see Jaws there once and they had a print that had Japanese subtitles. That was kinda bizarre
The fly-loft reference is from an article at Preservation Texas. I questioned that also when I read the article. I haven’t been able to find a picture of the entire building to put the statement into perspective.
Below is the article – there is also a small picture of the interior. It seems quite small and nondescript – probably because of the twinning. View link
The interior of the theatre used in Tucker is actually the interior of The Paramount theatre just two blocks away. It is a spectacular Art Deco restoration. For several years The Paramount had a fall movie festival on Friday nights when they showed a classic movie complete with cartoon and short subject, all for $5.00. Unfortunantly, due to low attendance they decided not to have one this year. I think the basic problem was they did little or no advertising for it. I only found out about it by walking by the theatre one day while I was in Oakland. It was great fun to see a classic in this beautiful theatre. Hope they reconsider next year.
Daggnabbit I forgot the link – sorry, here it is
View link
This photo was taken in the lobby during a filmmakers event. Looks like the wall shape and chandeliers are the same. The walls have probably been painted.
Several excellent color shots of the interior and exterior of the Baghdad for those of you who haven' checked out the McMinamens website
View link
Click on the gallery link directly below the shot of the exterior
For those of you curious enough to track this 1952 crime drama “The Captive City”, The Majestic can be seen prominently in the background in an early opening scene filmed in Reno where much of the movie was filmed. It looked very much like the description of it posted in the comments section on The Nevada Theatre /theaters/14649/ It looked ornate from the outside and had a huge Majestic Theatre Marquee vertically up the front of the building. It looked nothing like the description of the Majestic posted by robertgippy above. Perhaps it suffered a remodel later on. The film showing was one with Bing Crosby but I could not make out the title. The filming in Reno was briefly discussed in this article at TCM
View link
A photo of the Majestic from 1910 can be found at View link although this was not the angle used in the film
The saddest thing about this theatre is San Francisco sat idly by and let this happen. Baghdad by the Bay has been replaced by commercialism by the bay. As far as a sense of history San Francisco officially sucks.
The struggle to save The Harding Theatre continues into its fourth year. The latest plan of the developer would restore some of the auditorium but would eliminate the stage and replace it with eight condos and eight parking spots at the rear of the theatre. The front would also be altered. This proposal is being challanged in a hearing on August 27th 2008.
Here are several photos of the exterior and interior lobby and auditorium when it still functioned as a movie theatre
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
I suppose it’s a long shot, but if you are the Cyndi Lauper I have idolized for years and you want to open a theatre I will come every day and clean and polish it for nothing. Cyndi rules!!!!!!
Great point about the source used to show some of the films. I assumed that all prints would be 35mm. Looks like some of the presentations in the Philanthropy Theatre may be projections from DVDs. I have never seen a film being projected using a DVD source but I would think the quality would be substantially degraded when enlarged to an auditorium sized screen. Am I right?
And hey Bob Furmanek I sent you an email regarding some questions about the conversion of classic 3D films to digital but I never heard back from you. Did you get the mail? my email address is Would love to hear your thoughts about re-mastering some of the 50s classic 3D films to digital,
Any status updates on future of this theatre? I must say I do find the interior compellingly bizarre, but any theatre this size that still shows films should remain.
I hope this theatre can be saved. It is huge inside. What a loss if Chicago lets this one slip. They should look to the irreversible damage the city of San Francisco has allowed to happen to many of its classic theatres.
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.
The Fontana will officially open this weekend as a dinner/live performance theatre. The original art deco interior has been replaced by what could easily be called a Las Vegas show bar. The auditorium has been painted in garrish hot pink and purple colors. What might be left over wall artifacts from the original interior are hardly recognizable. Seating has been replaced by large dining tables. A sad end to this theatre.
The latest projected time for the opening of the restored Fox is either September or October 2008. The theater itself will serve as the flagship live music venue for Another Planet Entertainment http://www.anotherplanetent.com/ well known for bringing outstanding live entertainment to the Greek Theater, Paramount Theater, and other popular Bay Area venues. Their bookings are extremely diverse; from Stone Temple Pilots to An Evening with Bill Maher and Dollie Parton’s current Back Street Barbie tour.
To date there has been no indication of any film presentations to be incorporated into its operation. An earlier post on June 16th, 2008 from Terry Wade seems to indicate no projection equipment is being installed as a part of the restoration.
One aspect of the original theatre design will probably not be replicated. When first opened, the Fox Oakland boasted it was the largest theater on the west coast. Among its many decorative touches are two huge Hindu deity statues, one on either side of the proscenium, sitting cross legged, each holding a bowl in their lap. During the heyday of the Fox Theater, bursts of steam were shot up through bowls in the Hindu deities laps', giving the illusion of smoke rising from the bowls as the house lights dimmed and the curtain opened.
Here are three photos of the exterior of The Campus Theatre. This facade is to be restored in the current renovation of the building. The renovation will replace the theatre’s interior with a bookshop in the basement and a black box performance stage ( a simple performance space with black walls and a flat floor) in the current auditorium. The balcony will be converted into office space.
View link
View link
View link
I received an email from Sam Kidd, Treasurer and Docent of the Smith County Historical Society in Tyler TX. According to Mr. Kidd the city of Tyler Tx recently purchased the Liberty Theatre and is going to refurbish it for use by the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and other events.
There is a wonderful picture of the Arcadia and the entire block taken in 1929 at Texasscapes.com. Here is the link:
View link
In Answer to this comment:
Here is a little more info about The Crystal Market on Market street. It was built as a “super” market sometime in the 1920s and was one of the first and largest supermarkets established . Built on a former circus grounds, the store building was 68,000 square feet, with parking for 4,350 cars.
This is indeed sad. It opens the door for anyone to step in and buy the theatre for the property value. I am deeply saddened that Warren Dewey has put this theatre in such a vulnerable state. So much for people supposedly committed to protecting these historic landmarks
The old Bella Union on Kearny St? It closed in the 1980s. As I recall it wasn’t that big inside. I went to see Jaws there once and they had a print that had Japanese subtitles. That was kinda bizarre
Monical,
The fly-loft reference is from an article at Preservation Texas. I questioned that also when I read the article. I haven’t been able to find a picture of the entire building to put the statement into perspective.
Below is the article – there is also a small picture of the interior. It seems quite small and nondescript – probably because of the twinning.
View link
I found one picture of 1930s theatre ushers, but you gave no email address to forward the picture to.
Philbert Gray
The theatre is a hideous inside and out. The triplexing is a travesty. They might as well tear it down
This theatre was demolished? That really sucks!!!!!
Gary,
The interior of the theatre used in Tucker is actually the interior of The Paramount theatre just two blocks away. It is a spectacular Art Deco restoration. For several years The Paramount had a fall movie festival on Friday nights when they showed a classic movie complete with cartoon and short subject, all for $5.00. Unfortunantly, due to low attendance they decided not to have one this year. I think the basic problem was they did little or no advertising for it. I only found out about it by walking by the theatre one day while I was in Oakland. It was great fun to see a classic in this beautiful theatre. Hope they reconsider next year.
Here are several exterior and interior photos of The Majestic Theatre
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
Two other theaters in Dallas called the Majestic
The Majestic on Commerce Street circa 1910
View link
The Majestic on Elm street circa 1920
View link