My Mom and her family are from Batavia and the two first run theatres from the classic period were the Dipson and the Mancuso both located on Main Street.brucec
The Wang is a major theatre in the US. Small towns around the US have better marquee’s than the current Wang. Only the Cutler Majestic and the Paramount have decent marquees in Boston’s theatre district. The Paramount in Oakland has a fabulous vertical from the 1930’s and is a Performing Arts Center. Vertical marquees have been restored to Chicago,s theatre district.When you restore Boston’s premiere theatre money should have been set aside for the front of the house.brucec
The Marquee of the Palace leaves something to be desired. They didn’t even attempt to restore a marquees from the 1920’s thru the 1950’s. I think the director of Playhouse Square should look at proper marquee restorations at historical movie palaces across the country. There are four theatres next door to each other and none are very attractive. At the very least restore at least one vertical on one 0f the theares instead af the tacky plastic vertical that spells out Playhouse Square.brucec
The greatest Generation who went through the Depression and WW11 did not like the Times Square of the late 1960’s and beyond they remember it during its Golden Era fron the 1920’s into the 1950’s. Fred Astaire who performed on 42nd Street, was shocked by its decline even in 1953 when he filmed some scenes for the “Bandwagon” and thought it was a little seedy then. I can’t imagine what he thought of 42nd Street in the 70’s and 80’s. I wish they would have restored a little more of the feel of 42nd Street of the 1920’s. I for one never liked the 42nd Street of the porn era but I did like the 42nd St of the 1920’s thru the 1940’s. The Movie Palaces of Times Square forced 42nd Street theatres to become second rate first run theatres.Its ironic that the Times Sqaure movie palaces no longer exist and a few of the 42nd Street theatres have been restored and movies are no longer seen on Broadway but on 42nd Street.brucec
This theatre has an ugly marquee I think its time to do neon and restore the marquee. The fun starts on the sidewalk and until a proper marquee is restored to this theatre, the restoration is not complete. Charge an extra dollar per ticket for the restoration of the marquee.brucec
Come on Chicago your finsished restoring the loop theatres now its time to restore the largest theatre ever built in Chicago and it would give a huge boost to the Uptown district.brucec
As been stated before the former Loew’s 175th St is the second largest theatre in Manhattan which also books many concerts and may compete with the Beacon in the future.brucec
With the exception of the Rivoli the movie palace era of Times Square ended with the demolition of the Capitol in 1968. New theatres were created in the twin theatres of Strand/Warner/Cinerama and Loew’s State. Most of the movie palaces of Times Sqaure had been altered in a modernistic way by the early 1960’s with the exception of the Paramount and Rivoli. Read Ben Hall’s book as he strolls down Times Square in the 1960’s. The Disney Company has to be thanked for helping both Times Square with the restoration of the New Amsterdam when nobody else would touch that theatre and Hollywood with the resoration/renovation of the El Capitan. Remember the Shuberts and the Nederlanders were pushing for the clean up of Times Sqaure because its terrible condition was hurting Broadway in a major way. The improved Times Square caused real estate prices to soar and every major company who in the past wouldn’t be caught dead in midtown, wanted to be part of its rebirth. Keep in mind that the City tried to bring back Times Square several times starting in the 1960’s and it took nearly 40 years before things started to improve. Hollywood which was never as bad as Times Square has taken decades to reverse the decline.Hollywood at least has all its movie palaces from the past but wasn’t a major Broadway hub like Times Square with its 40 plus theatres.brucec
Friends of the Fox need to do a better job of updating there Home Page. The Fox is currently under renovation/restoration and updates would be welcome. Pictures and posts of the progress being made would be very helpful.brucec
I don’t miss the old Times Square of the 1970’s thru the early 1990’s. I miss the Times Square of the 1920’s thru the 1960’s. Im glad Times Square has improved and is the center of New York again. I wish better planning could have saved both Loew’s State and Warner theatres with buildings being built over them instead of every movie palace being demolished in Times Square except for the Hollywood(Mark Hellinger). The legit theatres have come back in a big way with 40 active Broadway Houses when the new Henry Miller opens next year and most have been renovated or restored in the improved Times Square. It was always a problem for the film palaces as real estate values climbed and being to large to house Broadway shows and Times Square improved more rapidly than anyone thought possible. The plus side was the saving of the Broadway, Palace,Globe,New Amsterdam,Victory,American Airlines, Hollywood and Radio City Music Hall once movie theatres.brucec
The Chinese theatre is safe and Im glad that the CIM group has bought it since they own Hollywood and Highland next door and are looking to the future of Hollywood proper. The only interest that Warner Bros and Paramount have in the Mann Theatre chain are the industry houses such as the Chinese,Village and Bruin. The great Fox West Coast Theatre Chain that these theatres belonged to at one time no longer exists. I wish Warner Bros and Paramount would sell off the rest of the chain and keep these premiere theatres, as the large theatre chains wouldn’t know how to run single screen theatres anymore. I can’t picture Regal,AMC and Cinemark taking good care of these theatres. Pacific would be the logical choice since they are a regional chain but that would give them a monoploy in Hollywood not that it matters anymore since Megaplex theatres contain 14 thru 30 screens per complex. The Chinese is a protected Landmark and is used for many industry premieres so the theatre is very safe.brucec
Warner Bros and Paramount need to postion the Chinese better and treat the theatre like Disney does with the El Capitan and Pacific’s Cinerama Dome/Arc Light complex. A little showmanship wouldn’t hurt.brucec
I was in town for a few days and took a trip Downtown Oakland and see how the Fox was coming along. I talked to a few people involved with the contractors working on the Fox project. I was told Evergreen was currently painting the ceiling of the Fox which is a good sign, since they have been invlolved with many theatre restoraitons and do quality work. I was told the Fox will be ready in the fall of 2008. There is a lot of construction across the street on the Uptown project which is transforming the whole neighberhood. I can’t wait to see the finshed project. I think the Fox and the Paramount will compliment each other and bring many people downtown at night. It is amazing that Oakland has two of the largest theatres still standing in the West along with the Portland in Oregon and the Paramount in Seattle. The Fox and the Paramount were the two largest theatres ever built in California except for the Fox in San Francisco and Paramount in LA, both demolished in the early 1960’s. Im so happy that both of these magical theatres of my childhood are still here, the Paramount having been restored in the early 1970’s and the Fox Oakland in 2008. Thanks again to Jerry Brown,after bringing her back from her long sleep of nearly 40 years.brucec
Howard they are spending 25 Million on the Empire which is new construction and just not adding additional screens next door to there main theatre as was done with the Grand Lake, Odeon and Rex.I hope I am surprised and part of the main auditorium will be restored. Remember the New Amsterdam in NYC was also in total ruins before it was restored. Plaster can be restored but there has to be a will to restore the theatre. I have read that this will be a specialty theatre and a flagship for AMC who is not known for running specialty theatres.I am glad that the facade will be saved and a new marquee will be added.brucec
Why would you build another Performing Arts Facility when the Midland could have filled this need and the Emprire down the street had a capacity of 3000. A large portion of the 60 Million being spent on this project looks like a gutting of the Empire Theatre Auditorium to build six state on the art theatres which would make this a radical renovation rather than a restoration.How much is the cost on building the new Performing Arts Center which would have paid for the full restoration of both the Midland and the Emprie.I would have liked the Midland to have been the Performing Arts Center and not turned into a huge Nightclub. The Midland is one of the greatest movie palaces built in the United States still standing. The Power and Light project I think will give a big boost to Downtown and will be a success but Im a little concerned in whats happening to both Historic Theatres and a need to build a new theatre a mistake.I am happy the Midland is being spruced up and a return of the 1920’s marquee which I hope includes a Vertical and hopefully I will be surprised and the Midland will look great as a big Nightclub but the Empire is a different story.brucec
Im still in doubt about the interior restoration of the Empire how are they saving the historic Auditorium if six state of the art theatres will be in that space. I have seen this done many times where they say this is a restoration, please give more details on the auditorium, is it being chopped up or is it being restored. The article seems to dance around this issue. Whats the point of building six screens today when almost all theatre construction is at least 14 screens. A better idea would have been to restore the main house and add 14 screens next to it. The Rex in Paris, Arclight in Hollywood and the Odeon in London added screens on to there main house which would have been a nice way to go. The historic Empire could have been more flexible with film and concerts in the main historic auditorium. The need to build another performing arts facility when you have two large capacity historic theatres makes no sense.Look at St Louis they have both the restored Fox and St Louis theatres one for Broadway shows and concerts and the other for Symphony. Look at Cleveland with the restored Allen,State,Ohio,Palace and Hannah theatres which are a huge success story. I feel you should use and restore your historic theatres first and if demand dictates then build a new Performing Arts Center. San Francisco could have saved there Fox Theatre for one Million back in 1963 and then built Davies Symphony Hall which cost 74 Million and has had to correct sound problems a number of times.The City to this day still mourns the loss of the Fox.Please give more details on the Empire is it a restoration or a renovation where the theatre Auditorium no longer exists.brucec
Most movie palaces thrived during the 1940’s and well into the 1950’s. Many thrived in the 1960’s depending on the bookings because most movies still played exclusive run. Many of the large movie palaces even played the reserved seat roadshow films such as “The Sound of Music”. Many of the large palaces were converted to Cinerama well into the late 1960’s.brucec
It sounds like the Emprie theatre is gone and they are going to save the facade,dome and lobby and the theares will be six state of the art theatres.Im sad the city didn’t make more of an effort to restore the Empire and Midland and use them as there Performing Art theatres and not build a new Performing Arts Center and AMC could have built a megaplex with 14-16 screens in the district. Cleveland and Chicago have done a better job saving there historic theatres within the revival of an entertainment distiict. I will say the entire project will give a major boost to Downtown Kansas City and will be successful but wished they had made better use of there historic theatres.brucec
Yes National General became Mann Theatres after Ted Mann bought the National General Theatres which was Fox West Coast years earlier. The Grand Lake has always been fortunate to be in a very nice area with parking problems like most urban areas. Mann theatres never booked the Grand Lake properly after the decline of the roadshow films. They had a beautiful renovated theatre and played Disney films. They didn’t start booking the blockbuster films again until Allen took over the Grand Lake.brucec
I take it that Allen wants to keep the Grand Lake because I know he closed the Oaks and Park and didn’t renew the lease on the Orinda. I saw the beautiful Auctions at the Bay in Alameda where he poured a great deal of money if only the Grand Lake was kept up like that. I repeat the Grand Lake was in great shape when National General gave up the house to Allen because a major renovation was done in 1966-67. I know that Allen has poured a great deal of money into the Grand Lake over the years and has done very well.New competition from Jack London and Emeryville has cut into the profits of the Grand Lake and money needs to put back into the Grand Lake to compete becuase I have noticed a decline the last few years.Maybe Allen needs to repostion the Grand Lake more as a specialty theatre and classics instead of competing with the megaplex theatres. Maybe a mix of both mainstream, specialty and classics. I saw my first film at the Grand Lake in 1959 which was “Ben Hur” and my last film “Harry Potter” so I have attended this theatre for almost five decades. I really want to see the Grand Lake remain successful with Allen. The theatre really needs new carpets and a touch up in a few places. The above comment concerning Landmark, I have seen them do a wonderful job with historic theatres and have seen rundown theatres they run such as the Rialto in South Pasadena which just closed. I only made the remark concerning Landmark, if Allen was lossing interest in the Grand Lake which I hope he is not.brucec
Terry I agree the Grand Lake could use a little touch up. It also is starting to look a little shabby on the outside.Allen either needs to put some money back into the theatre or give it to Landmark to run as a specialty house. I think the Grand Lake would do well with specialty films like they run at the Piedmont.Allen seems to be loosing interest in the Grand Lake I hope this is not true.brucec
The sad thing about the San Francisco Fox not only was it one of the greatest theatres ever built in the United States along with the Roxy in New York it would have been a huge hit today.The three most successful theatres in the United States are the Detroit Fox, Atlanta Fox and the St Louis Fox. The San Francisco Fox was the grandest of them all. Had it survived it would have housed concerts, Broadway Shows and conventions.It would have been a great site for classic film and organ conerts.brucec
Drove past the Fox yesterday and its undergoing restoration and renovation to the theatre building. The Uptown Condo development is also in full construction. Its amazing to see all this constuction going on in a area that hasn’t changed in over 50 years.Im keeping my fingers crossed on the Fox that it will be a first rate restoration as it deserves. There is a lot of construction going on in Downtown Oakland the most I have ever seen in so many different locations. I hope all this development gives a big boost to Downtown.brucec
Terry I attended the Grand Lake during the roadshow era I always thought the quality was first rate. Natinal General did a major renovation prior to the opening of “Camelot” and did a first rate job. I always preferred the Grand Lake over the Roxie during the roadshow era. Oakland always had to wait at least 6 months to a year after San Francisco in getting films like “The Sound Of Music” and “Dr Zhivago”.These movies would play the Roxie and the Grand Lake for several months. It was the studios that dictated how the roadshow films were booked. San Francisco always opened with Exclusive Northern California Engagement when opening films like “Ben Hur”, “My Fair Lady”,“Cleopatra”,“Lawrence of Arabia”,“West Side Story”,“Those Magnificient Men in there Flying Machines”,“How The West Was Won”, “The Sand Pebbles”,“Gone With The Wind”,“Dr Zhivago”,“The Sound of Music”,“ Its a Mad Mad Mad World”,“Funny Girl”,“Oliver” and “Patton” to name a few. I always thought the roadshow reserved seat presentations were the best I have ever seen. These movies would only open in a Deluxe theatres such as the Pantages in Hollywood, Rivoli in New York,Warner in DC,United Artists in San Francisco,Saxon in Boston,Boyd in Philidelphi,Palace in Chicago,United Artists in Detroit and other key cities across the nation. Many of these films would only open in 15-30 theates across the nation and then the studios would slowly roll them out depending on business, to other cities. The last successful roadshow reserved seat movie was “Fiddler on the Roof” in the early 1970’s.brucec
Landmark’s decision to close the Rialto will finally force the City to come up with a plan to restore the theare which is badly needed. I think the City should restore it and pay Landmark to book and manage it. The only way Landmark would sink money into the Rialto was to chop up the balcony into two screens and leave downstairs alone like they did with the Mayan in Denver.I hope the City doesn’t wait to long to act.brucec
My Mom and her family are from Batavia and the two first run theatres from the classic period were the Dipson and the Mancuso both located on Main Street.brucec
The Wang is a major theatre in the US. Small towns around the US have better marquee’s than the current Wang. Only the Cutler Majestic and the Paramount have decent marquees in Boston’s theatre district. The Paramount in Oakland has a fabulous vertical from the 1930’s and is a Performing Arts Center. Vertical marquees have been restored to Chicago,s theatre district.When you restore Boston’s premiere theatre money should have been set aside for the front of the house.brucec
The Marquee of the Palace leaves something to be desired. They didn’t even attempt to restore a marquees from the 1920’s thru the 1950’s. I think the director of Playhouse Square should look at proper marquee restorations at historical movie palaces across the country. There are four theatres next door to each other and none are very attractive. At the very least restore at least one vertical on one 0f the theares instead af the tacky plastic vertical that spells out Playhouse Square.brucec
The greatest Generation who went through the Depression and WW11 did not like the Times Square of the late 1960’s and beyond they remember it during its Golden Era fron the 1920’s into the 1950’s. Fred Astaire who performed on 42nd Street, was shocked by its decline even in 1953 when he filmed some scenes for the “Bandwagon” and thought it was a little seedy then. I can’t imagine what he thought of 42nd Street in the 70’s and 80’s. I wish they would have restored a little more of the feel of 42nd Street of the 1920’s. I for one never liked the 42nd Street of the porn era but I did like the 42nd St of the 1920’s thru the 1940’s. The Movie Palaces of Times Square forced 42nd Street theatres to become second rate first run theatres.Its ironic that the Times Sqaure movie palaces no longer exist and a few of the 42nd Street theatres have been restored and movies are no longer seen on Broadway but on 42nd Street.brucec
This theatre has an ugly marquee I think its time to do neon and restore the marquee. The fun starts on the sidewalk and until a proper marquee is restored to this theatre, the restoration is not complete. Charge an extra dollar per ticket for the restoration of the marquee.brucec
Come on Chicago your finsished restoring the loop theatres now its time to restore the largest theatre ever built in Chicago and it would give a huge boost to the Uptown district.brucec
As been stated before the former Loew’s 175th St is the second largest theatre in Manhattan which also books many concerts and may compete with the Beacon in the future.brucec
With the exception of the Rivoli the movie palace era of Times Square ended with the demolition of the Capitol in 1968. New theatres were created in the twin theatres of Strand/Warner/Cinerama and Loew’s State. Most of the movie palaces of Times Sqaure had been altered in a modernistic way by the early 1960’s with the exception of the Paramount and Rivoli. Read Ben Hall’s book as he strolls down Times Square in the 1960’s. The Disney Company has to be thanked for helping both Times Square with the restoration of the New Amsterdam when nobody else would touch that theatre and Hollywood with the resoration/renovation of the El Capitan. Remember the Shuberts and the Nederlanders were pushing for the clean up of Times Sqaure because its terrible condition was hurting Broadway in a major way. The improved Times Square caused real estate prices to soar and every major company who in the past wouldn’t be caught dead in midtown, wanted to be part of its rebirth. Keep in mind that the City tried to bring back Times Square several times starting in the 1960’s and it took nearly 40 years before things started to improve. Hollywood which was never as bad as Times Square has taken decades to reverse the decline.Hollywood at least has all its movie palaces from the past but wasn’t a major Broadway hub like Times Square with its 40 plus theatres.brucec
Friends of the Fox need to do a better job of updating there Home Page. The Fox is currently under renovation/restoration and updates would be welcome. Pictures and posts of the progress being made would be very helpful.brucec
I don’t miss the old Times Square of the 1970’s thru the early 1990’s. I miss the Times Square of the 1920’s thru the 1960’s. Im glad Times Square has improved and is the center of New York again. I wish better planning could have saved both Loew’s State and Warner theatres with buildings being built over them instead of every movie palace being demolished in Times Square except for the Hollywood(Mark Hellinger). The legit theatres have come back in a big way with 40 active Broadway Houses when the new Henry Miller opens next year and most have been renovated or restored in the improved Times Square. It was always a problem for the film palaces as real estate values climbed and being to large to house Broadway shows and Times Square improved more rapidly than anyone thought possible. The plus side was the saving of the Broadway, Palace,Globe,New Amsterdam,Victory,American Airlines, Hollywood and Radio City Music Hall once movie theatres.brucec
The Chinese theatre is safe and Im glad that the CIM group has bought it since they own Hollywood and Highland next door and are looking to the future of Hollywood proper. The only interest that Warner Bros and Paramount have in the Mann Theatre chain are the industry houses such as the Chinese,Village and Bruin. The great Fox West Coast Theatre Chain that these theatres belonged to at one time no longer exists. I wish Warner Bros and Paramount would sell off the rest of the chain and keep these premiere theatres, as the large theatre chains wouldn’t know how to run single screen theatres anymore. I can’t picture Regal,AMC and Cinemark taking good care of these theatres. Pacific would be the logical choice since they are a regional chain but that would give them a monoploy in Hollywood not that it matters anymore since Megaplex theatres contain 14 thru 30 screens per complex. The Chinese is a protected Landmark and is used for many industry premieres so the theatre is very safe.brucec
Warner Bros and Paramount need to postion the Chinese better and treat the theatre like Disney does with the El Capitan and Pacific’s Cinerama Dome/Arc Light complex. A little showmanship wouldn’t hurt.brucec
I was in town for a few days and took a trip Downtown Oakland and see how the Fox was coming along. I talked to a few people involved with the contractors working on the Fox project. I was told Evergreen was currently painting the ceiling of the Fox which is a good sign, since they have been invlolved with many theatre restoraitons and do quality work. I was told the Fox will be ready in the fall of 2008. There is a lot of construction across the street on the Uptown project which is transforming the whole neighberhood. I can’t wait to see the finshed project. I think the Fox and the Paramount will compliment each other and bring many people downtown at night. It is amazing that Oakland has two of the largest theatres still standing in the West along with the Portland in Oregon and the Paramount in Seattle. The Fox and the Paramount were the two largest theatres ever built in California except for the Fox in San Francisco and Paramount in LA, both demolished in the early 1960’s. Im so happy that both of these magical theatres of my childhood are still here, the Paramount having been restored in the early 1970’s and the Fox Oakland in 2008. Thanks again to Jerry Brown,after bringing her back from her long sleep of nearly 40 years.brucec
Howard they are spending 25 Million on the Empire which is new construction and just not adding additional screens next door to there main theatre as was done with the Grand Lake, Odeon and Rex.I hope I am surprised and part of the main auditorium will be restored. Remember the New Amsterdam in NYC was also in total ruins before it was restored. Plaster can be restored but there has to be a will to restore the theatre. I have read that this will be a specialty theatre and a flagship for AMC who is not known for running specialty theatres.I am glad that the facade will be saved and a new marquee will be added.brucec
Why would you build another Performing Arts Facility when the Midland could have filled this need and the Emprire down the street had a capacity of 3000. A large portion of the 60 Million being spent on this project looks like a gutting of the Empire Theatre Auditorium to build six state on the art theatres which would make this a radical renovation rather than a restoration.How much is the cost on building the new Performing Arts Center which would have paid for the full restoration of both the Midland and the Emprie.I would have liked the Midland to have been the Performing Arts Center and not turned into a huge Nightclub. The Midland is one of the greatest movie palaces built in the United States still standing. The Power and Light project I think will give a big boost to Downtown and will be a success but Im a little concerned in whats happening to both Historic Theatres and a need to build a new theatre a mistake.I am happy the Midland is being spruced up and a return of the 1920’s marquee which I hope includes a Vertical and hopefully I will be surprised and the Midland will look great as a big Nightclub but the Empire is a different story.brucec
Im still in doubt about the interior restoration of the Empire how are they saving the historic Auditorium if six state of the art theatres will be in that space. I have seen this done many times where they say this is a restoration, please give more details on the auditorium, is it being chopped up or is it being restored. The article seems to dance around this issue. Whats the point of building six screens today when almost all theatre construction is at least 14 screens. A better idea would have been to restore the main house and add 14 screens next to it. The Rex in Paris, Arclight in Hollywood and the Odeon in London added screens on to there main house which would have been a nice way to go. The historic Empire could have been more flexible with film and concerts in the main historic auditorium. The need to build another performing arts facility when you have two large capacity historic theatres makes no sense.Look at St Louis they have both the restored Fox and St Louis theatres one for Broadway shows and concerts and the other for Symphony. Look at Cleveland with the restored Allen,State,Ohio,Palace and Hannah theatres which are a huge success story. I feel you should use and restore your historic theatres first and if demand dictates then build a new Performing Arts Center. San Francisco could have saved there Fox Theatre for one Million back in 1963 and then built Davies Symphony Hall which cost 74 Million and has had to correct sound problems a number of times.The City to this day still mourns the loss of the Fox.Please give more details on the Empire is it a restoration or a renovation where the theatre Auditorium no longer exists.brucec
Most movie palaces thrived during the 1940’s and well into the 1950’s. Many thrived in the 1960’s depending on the bookings because most movies still played exclusive run. Many of the large movie palaces even played the reserved seat roadshow films such as “The Sound of Music”. Many of the large palaces were converted to Cinerama well into the late 1960’s.brucec
It sounds like the Emprie theatre is gone and they are going to save the facade,dome and lobby and the theares will be six state of the art theatres.Im sad the city didn’t make more of an effort to restore the Empire and Midland and use them as there Performing Art theatres and not build a new Performing Arts Center and AMC could have built a megaplex with 14-16 screens in the district. Cleveland and Chicago have done a better job saving there historic theatres within the revival of an entertainment distiict. I will say the entire project will give a major boost to Downtown Kansas City and will be successful but wished they had made better use of there historic theatres.brucec
Yes National General became Mann Theatres after Ted Mann bought the National General Theatres which was Fox West Coast years earlier. The Grand Lake has always been fortunate to be in a very nice area with parking problems like most urban areas. Mann theatres never booked the Grand Lake properly after the decline of the roadshow films. They had a beautiful renovated theatre and played Disney films. They didn’t start booking the blockbuster films again until Allen took over the Grand Lake.brucec
I take it that Allen wants to keep the Grand Lake because I know he closed the Oaks and Park and didn’t renew the lease on the Orinda. I saw the beautiful Auctions at the Bay in Alameda where he poured a great deal of money if only the Grand Lake was kept up like that. I repeat the Grand Lake was in great shape when National General gave up the house to Allen because a major renovation was done in 1966-67. I know that Allen has poured a great deal of money into the Grand Lake over the years and has done very well.New competition from Jack London and Emeryville has cut into the profits of the Grand Lake and money needs to put back into the Grand Lake to compete becuase I have noticed a decline the last few years.Maybe Allen needs to repostion the Grand Lake more as a specialty theatre and classics instead of competing with the megaplex theatres. Maybe a mix of both mainstream, specialty and classics. I saw my first film at the Grand Lake in 1959 which was “Ben Hur” and my last film “Harry Potter” so I have attended this theatre for almost five decades. I really want to see the Grand Lake remain successful with Allen. The theatre really needs new carpets and a touch up in a few places. The above comment concerning Landmark, I have seen them do a wonderful job with historic theatres and have seen rundown theatres they run such as the Rialto in South Pasadena which just closed. I only made the remark concerning Landmark, if Allen was lossing interest in the Grand Lake which I hope he is not.brucec
Terry I agree the Grand Lake could use a little touch up. It also is starting to look a little shabby on the outside.Allen either needs to put some money back into the theatre or give it to Landmark to run as a specialty house. I think the Grand Lake would do well with specialty films like they run at the Piedmont.Allen seems to be loosing interest in the Grand Lake I hope this is not true.brucec
The sad thing about the San Francisco Fox not only was it one of the greatest theatres ever built in the United States along with the Roxy in New York it would have been a huge hit today.The three most successful theatres in the United States are the Detroit Fox, Atlanta Fox and the St Louis Fox. The San Francisco Fox was the grandest of them all. Had it survived it would have housed concerts, Broadway Shows and conventions.It would have been a great site for classic film and organ conerts.brucec
Drove past the Fox yesterday and its undergoing restoration and renovation to the theatre building. The Uptown Condo development is also in full construction. Its amazing to see all this constuction going on in a area that hasn’t changed in over 50 years.Im keeping my fingers crossed on the Fox that it will be a first rate restoration as it deserves. There is a lot of construction going on in Downtown Oakland the most I have ever seen in so many different locations. I hope all this development gives a big boost to Downtown.brucec
Terry I attended the Grand Lake during the roadshow era I always thought the quality was first rate. Natinal General did a major renovation prior to the opening of “Camelot” and did a first rate job. I always preferred the Grand Lake over the Roxie during the roadshow era. Oakland always had to wait at least 6 months to a year after San Francisco in getting films like “The Sound Of Music” and “Dr Zhivago”.These movies would play the Roxie and the Grand Lake for several months. It was the studios that dictated how the roadshow films were booked. San Francisco always opened with Exclusive Northern California Engagement when opening films like “Ben Hur”, “My Fair Lady”,“Cleopatra”,“Lawrence of Arabia”,“West Side Story”,“Those Magnificient Men in there Flying Machines”,“How The West Was Won”, “The Sand Pebbles”,“Gone With The Wind”,“Dr Zhivago”,“The Sound of Music”,“ Its a Mad Mad Mad World”,“Funny Girl”,“Oliver” and “Patton” to name a few. I always thought the roadshow reserved seat presentations were the best I have ever seen. These movies would only open in a Deluxe theatres such as the Pantages in Hollywood, Rivoli in New York,Warner in DC,United Artists in San Francisco,Saxon in Boston,Boyd in Philidelphi,Palace in Chicago,United Artists in Detroit and other key cities across the nation. Many of these films would only open in 15-30 theates across the nation and then the studios would slowly roll them out depending on business, to other cities. The last successful roadshow reserved seat movie was “Fiddler on the Roof” in the early 1970’s.brucec
Landmark’s decision to close the Rialto will finally force the City to come up with a plan to restore the theare which is badly needed. I think the City should restore it and pay Landmark to book and manage it. The only way Landmark would sink money into the Rialto was to chop up the balcony into two screens and leave downstairs alone like they did with the Mayan in Denver.I hope the City doesn’t wait to long to act.brucec