Metro Theatre
2055 Union Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94123
2055 Union Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94123
15 people
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STAR WARS III is scheduled at the Metro.
Question to anyone:
To maximize our state-of-the-art movie experience, Does the Metro have the THX-Dolby/70MM systems upgrades for a movie this size?
If so, we’ll skip the Metreon.
This is one of our last few remaining movie “palaces” here in SF. The 1998 remodel did a great job of capturing the old movie palace feel while upgrading the screen, projection, and sound to today’s standards. This theatre is an absolute must-see for any theatre buff. Go quickly, because it isn’t going to be around much longer…
I had a great time here in 1979 with my best friend, Bruce Heller, who soon afterward enjoyed a 22-year career as an animator, the last 9 of which were at Disney Studios. We saw Steve Martin’s funniest (and first) movie, the screwball comedy “The JERK” here together, and damned near laughed our asses off. It was a brilliant comedy!
I recall enjoying the stylishness of this theater as well as the ambience of its location on Union Street.
As much as I dread to say it the focus of United Artist Theatres, while under the Anshutz ownerships, is strictly business. When it comes down to the line if a theatre is not making money then it has the high potential for closure. Look for more of these horrible headlines soon. So far in this post summer season I personally know of three UA and Regal theatres that will be slated simply b/c this summer’s movies didn’t perform as well as expected and the renovation costs exceeded what those three made in box office.
In a time where money is being watched, history and nostalgia are put on the far back burner. :(
The Metro opened as the Metropolitan in 1924. Architects were Reid Bros.
The architect for the 1941 remodel was Timothy Pflueger. It was his firm’s last theatre project. The murals (by Heinsbergen) and chandeliers in the auditorium are from that remodel. Portions of the original auditorium’s decor are still intact behind the present walls, but not visible to the public. However, in the 1998 remodel, for which I served as a historical consultant, the original 20s lobby ceiling was uncovered and touched up, as was the original ceiling in the entrance foyer.
Thanks to the last post for the correcting of the “bankruptcy” situation. The fact, however, remains that the Metro & Alexandria theaters may close in the future if indeed they are sold. There was a recent letter written to the SF Chronicle about 1 week ago that mentioned about the way the Alexandria had been looking “run down” and the writer also complained about “rude staff” and the fact that the upstairs auditoriums are in “mono” and “why should one have to pay $9.50” for that. It would be a shame to see these theaters close down. We need to preserve our classic gems. If a theater is well run & maintained, then it would get good business.
Not to start any form of spat, but I’d love to correct Mr. Favarille’s information. United Artists, Regal Cinemas and Edwards had all of their debit bought out at and extremely cheap rate by the Anschutz Investment Company.
If there are any more question concerning this please e-mail me folks. I have worked for UA for 8 years and can give you a better perspective of the situation.
To follow up on my last post, Regal Cinemas(who bought UA theaters in bankruptcy) is looking to get rid of “unprofitable” theaters. The lease for the Metro and the theater/land for the Alexandria have been on the market for the last year & “contracts are going back & forth” according to the SF Chronicle. It is likely that both theaters may be turned into retail.
This theater may be headed for closure according to the 7/25/2002 SF Chronicle.