Five years after terrywade posted above there seems to be some work being done on the exterior blade(s) and marquee. I posted a photo taken June 24 showing the scaffold around one of the blades. From this thread at Broadwayworld.com it also appears that a renovation of the theatre has been going on and it will reopen in September.
When I was a kid my dad would sometimes take the “back way” into SF (before the Serra Frwy was built) by using either Junipero Serra Blvd or Skyline Blvd. You could see the screen and parking area from those roads above the drive in. Today the entire area is covered with subdivisions.
The “film” is digital files. I complained to the manager of the Castro theatre last year over the darkness of the newly restored 4K digital The Thin Red Line and was told that they projected the files they were sent. I’ve seen many films projected digitally and most of them look great. Not sure why there is a variation from movie to movie.
Saw 2001 70mm print at the 4:30 show yesterday. A couple of hiccups w/reel changes. Surprising in a theatre that seems to show 70mm several times a year. Otherwise another great presentation and a large appreciative crowd for a Monday afternoon. Another surprise was the house organist playing a 4:30 show made even more special by playing The Blue Danube and then Also sprach Zarathustra before the overture started.
Lou Rugani has posted a street shot of the line in front of the theatre for Sunday’s Kim Novak/Vertigo special event in Photos. Here is the news report from the SF Chronicle w/pics:
I have read on several sites that this new 70mm print of 2001 is “unrestored”. A remastered, restored blu ray is going to be released later this year but what I took from the articles I read was that new 70mm prints have been struck from the original camera negative. Wondering if someone who knows more about the difference in these processes than I can explain.
The interior lobby was modern and spare for the 1960’s. The auditorium was basically a wall to wall screen in the front, gold curtained walls on each side and a plain wall in the back with the elevated projection room. Grand or cathedral like it wasn’t. But it did boast excellent projection and sound … and that big screen.
From the above linked 2016 RichmondSFBlog article it sounds like the box office, marquee and blade will all be retained. The “1976 marquee” referred I believe is the “1-2-3” on each side of the blade tower that was added in 1976 when the theatre was triplexed. Nice that they will retain the upper portions of the side walls for the 3rd floor offices.
From the SF Planning Dept. website:
Received Date:
Oct 03, 2017
Description:
5400 Geary Ave – REPAIR MARQUEE AND SIGN ELEMENTS: REPLACE SOFFIT AND LIGHTING, REPAIR & REPAINT MARQUEE, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR BLADE SIGN, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR “PARKING” SIGN, REPLACE NEON
San Francisco’s longest-running movie theater — the oldest continuously operating movie theater in the United States is thriving. Very good article here from the SF Chronicle’s movie reviewer Mick LaSalle:
I can’t remember the color of the seats or walls inside the auditorium but yes, there was a narrow balcony that wrapped around the sides and rear of it. The lobby and waiting area on the Van Ness Ave side as I recall was quite ornate with green and purple paisley wallpaper and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I saw quite a few films at this theatre and loved going to the bargain matinees in the 70’s. Don’t remember much of a rake to the floor in the auditorium and the acoustics were not very good but this was a really popular theatre that really pulled the crowds in. The last film I saw here was Evita in the mid 90’s.
Five years after terrywade posted above there seems to be some work being done on the exterior blade(s) and marquee. I posted a photo taken June 24 showing the scaffold around one of the blades. From this thread at Broadwayworld.com it also appears that a renovation of the theatre has been going on and it will reopen in September.
GG Theatre
NPR story on the Lexington’s 50 year old popcorn machine that is still cranking it out.
Lexington
When I was a kid my dad would sometimes take the “back way” into SF (before the Serra Frwy was built) by using either Junipero Serra Blvd or Skyline Blvd. You could see the screen and parking area from those roads above the drive in. Today the entire area is covered with subdivisions.
1982? The theater was torn down in 1970/71.
The “film” is digital files. I complained to the manager of the Castro theatre last year over the darkness of the newly restored 4K digital The Thin Red Line and was told that they projected the files they were sent. I’ve seen many films projected digitally and most of them look great. Not sure why there is a variation from movie to movie.
From Frank Dunnigan’s Feb 2018 article on SF Theaters that appeared on outsidelands.org:
Alexandria
August 1967 KTVU video report on the closing of the Telenews Theatre.
Telenews
Saw 2001 70mm print at the 4:30 show yesterday. A couple of hiccups w/reel changes. Surprising in a theatre that seems to show 70mm several times a year. Otherwise another great presentation and a large appreciative crowd for a Monday afternoon. Another surprise was the house organist playing a 4:30 show made even more special by playing The Blue Danube and then Also sprach Zarathustra before the overture started.
Lou Rugani has posted a street shot of the line in front of the theatre for Sunday’s Kim Novak/Vertigo special event in Photos. Here is the news report from the SF Chronicle w/pics:
Kim Novak
Here is one of the articles I mentioned that I had read on the new 2001 70mm prints. LA Times May 3
Thanks Ed.
I have read on several sites that this new 70mm print of 2001 is “unrestored”. A remastered, restored blu ray is going to be released later this year but what I took from the articles I read was that new 70mm prints have been struck from the original camera negative. Wondering if someone who knows more about the difference in these processes than I can explain.
“Required to lift and carry items 50 pounds or heavier, often up and down stairs”
Seems like this is the requirement that could disqualify many.
Roger A….Perhaps one of the 14 other ArcLight auditoriums?
Accidentally put the wrong link in yesterday – here is the correct one for this theatre w/article MarkDHite mentions: Capitol
The (San Francisco) Castro Theatre’s website lists 2001 as also opening May 18 for 9 days with a 70mm print. 2001
The interior lobby was modern and spare for the 1960’s. The auditorium was basically a wall to wall screen in the front, gold curtained walls on each side and a plain wall in the back with the elevated projection room. Grand or cathedral like it wasn’t. But it did boast excellent projection and sound … and that big screen.
From the above linked 2016 RichmondSFBlog article it sounds like the box office, marquee and blade will all be retained. The “1976 marquee” referred I believe is the “1-2-3” on each side of the blade tower that was added in 1976 when the theatre was triplexed. Nice that they will retain the upper portions of the side walls for the 3rd floor offices.
From the SF Planning Dept. website: Received Date: Oct 03, 2017 Description: 5400 Geary Ave – REPAIR MARQUEE AND SIGN ELEMENTS: REPLACE SOFFIT AND LIGHTING, REPAIR & REPAINT MARQUEE, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR BLADE SIGN, REPLACE NEON, REPAIR “PARKING” SIGN, REPLACE NEON
MSC77….You are correct re: 1st THX sound system. The Kabuki was still having live concerts in 1984 when the Galaxy opened.
Sounds like from this linked article dated Jan 30, 2018 that the Great Star has closed.
HoodlineSF
San Francisco’s longest-running movie theater — the oldest continuously operating movie theater in the United States is thriving. Very good article here from the SF Chronicle’s movie reviewer Mick LaSalle:
Roxie
davidcoppock…This drive in was at the eastern edge of LA’s Los Feliz neighborhood.
The Stage Door/Regency III/Ruby Skye is being reimagined again:
StageDoor
The world premier of Star Wars The Last Jedi was held at the Shrine Auditorium last night.
Jedi
I can’t remember the color of the seats or walls inside the auditorium but yes, there was a narrow balcony that wrapped around the sides and rear of it. The lobby and waiting area on the Van Ness Ave side as I recall was quite ornate with green and purple paisley wallpaper and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I saw quite a few films at this theatre and loved going to the bargain matinees in the 70’s. Don’t remember much of a rake to the floor in the auditorium and the acoustics were not very good but this was a really popular theatre that really pulled the crowds in. The last film I saw here was Evita in the mid 90’s.
“91-Year-Old Divisadero St Theater Reborn As ‘Emporium SF’ Arcade Bar”
HardingTheatre