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.
All hail Cinematour.com. We really took a lot of photo’s that day (the last operating day), and we really tried to capture the feel of the theatre. Looking at the photos, I remember being in there just like it was yesterday. :–)
Well, The Alex is still standing there, and nothing has changed since it ‘closed’. Only change is that the store fronts have been rented out. They could have continued operating it as a theatre all this time, making more $$ to finally eventually convert it into condos or whatever their plans are for it. What a waste…
Well, The Coronet is still standing there, untouched since it ‘closed’. What was the point of closing it if no immediate action was going to be taken? The GIOA could have still been leasing it back to REG all this time. They could have been showing Episode 3 and War Of The Worlds all this time…
What a complete waste of the building, a complete waste of lossed rent $$ for the GIOA, and a waste for the City of SF.
Drove by just the other day. The theatre is still just standing there doing nothing. Sure, the store fronts are rented (they’ve got to pay that $6 million mortgage somehow), but why not just leave it open showing movies? Why just leave it closed not doing anything? What a waste.
The Metro features a ‘bombastic’ Dolby Digital sound system! You will definitely feel every vibration of every explosion! THX is only an overrated certification that means nothing, and Episode III is not being released in 70mm.
Definitely, Definitely go see this at The Metro. You will not be let down!
FYI- The midnight screening on Wednesday night is sold out.
I agree with the above comments about the roof top sign rarely being lit. I just moved to Oakland, and the first few nights passing by the Grand Lake with the sign lit up was truly magical and amazing! I have only seen it lit once since then! What’s up with that? The owners have no idea how much more business they’d get if they operated the sign nightly. It truely makes the place magical and special. Without it lit, the place looks dead and closed. What a shame…
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.
All hail Cinematour.com. We really took a lot of photo’s that day (the last operating day), and we really tried to capture the feel of the theatre. Looking at the photos, I remember being in there just like it was yesterday. :–)
Alas, it is true. The Park Theatre has been sold. The last operating day will be Sunday 09/18.
Well, The Alex is still standing there, and nothing has changed since it ‘closed’. Only change is that the store fronts have been rented out. They could have continued operating it as a theatre all this time, making more $$ to finally eventually convert it into condos or whatever their plans are for it. What a waste…
Well, The Coronet is still standing there, untouched since it ‘closed’. What was the point of closing it if no immediate action was going to be taken? The GIOA could have still been leasing it back to REG all this time. They could have been showing Episode 3 and War Of The Worlds all this time…
What a complete waste of the building, a complete waste of lossed rent $$ for the GIOA, and a waste for the City of SF.
And it makes me MAD AS HELL!
(The same can be said for The Alexandria, too!)
Drove by just the other day. The theatre is still just standing there doing nothing. Sure, the store fronts are rented (they’ve got to pay that $6 million mortgage somehow), but why not just leave it open showing movies? Why just leave it closed not doing anything? What a waste.
Where did you hear the theatre is for sale? This is definitely not good news. :–(
Is the photo of the theatre still on display in the mall?
The Metro features a ‘bombastic’ Dolby Digital sound system! You will definitely feel every vibration of every explosion! THX is only an overrated certification that means nothing, and Episode III is not being released in 70mm.
Definitely, Definitely go see this at The Metro. You will not be let down!
FYI- The midnight screening on Wednesday night is sold out.
The Coronet is truly closed, and there are no listings in the paper.
I love the political messages on the marquee! I get a chuckle every time I pass by. You know you are definitely not in a Republican area…
I agree with the above comments about the roof top sign rarely being lit. I just moved to Oakland, and the first few nights passing by the Grand Lake with the sign lit up was truly magical and amazing! I have only seen it lit once since then! What’s up with that? The owners have no idea how much more business they’d get if they operated the sign nightly. It truely makes the place magical and special. Without it lit, the place looks dead and closed. What a shame…
Fandango has showtimes scheduled all the way through March 3rd listed….
This discussion is hilarious! LOL
According to RR’s website, The Oaks will be operated by Metropolitan Theatres starting Fri 02/18…
Ironically, the Alexandria theatre down the street closed on the same weekend exactly one year ago…
I really hate this place.
It put many of the other older movie palaces in San Fancisco out of business!
!
Drove by yesterday and all that remains is a big lot…
The Presido re-opens 12/25/04!!!
We can’t wait!
There is a full photo tour of the Alexandria’s last day posted on Cinematour.com. Check it out!
Nassers: Tsk Tsk Tsk….
Look for the Castro to be a Walgreens, Gap, or Crunch Gym within a year!
The inside is 60’s too!